Tag: Distracted Driving

As technological advances have allowed for people to do more things on their cellular phones and created several new forms of mobile entertainment, motorists all over the country have been increasingly susceptible to various distractions that can take their eyes off the road. When a driver is distracted for any reason, the distraction has the potential to result in a traffic accident that can cause severe injuries.

Georgia prohibits certain kinds of cell phone use by certain drivers. Any person who suffered catastrophic injuries or whose loved one was killed by a distracted driver should immediately contact the Nye Law Group for help holding the negligent party accountable and obtaining maximum compensation.

Georgia Distracted Driving Laws

As the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety website notes, state law prohibits texting while driving for all motorists and all cell phone use for school bus drivers and drivers under 18 years of age. Violators are usually subject to fines (which can be doubled when the driver is involved in an accident) and possible points being added to their driving records.

State law does provide some exceptions to the texting and cell phone bans. For example, immunity is afforded to people who use a cell phone to:

• Report a traffic accident;
• Report a medical emergency;
• Report a serious road hazard;
• Report a situation in which his or her personal safety is in jeopardy; or
• Report the perpetration of a criminal offense.

Certain parties, such as law enforcement officers and public utility workers, are also exempt from state cell phone bans.

What You Should Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Georgia

When a person is involved in a car crash he or she believes was caused by a distracted driver, the first important step is to seek medical attention. Even when an individual believes that he or she was not hurt, it is still wise to get a medical professional’s opinion just to be sure that there were no injuries sustained which might not be displaying immediate symptoms. Additionally, you will want to make sure there is no delay between the accident and medical treatment as insurance companies routinely used any lapses as evidence that injuries are not as serious as claimed.

Another important step following a distracted driving accident is to take as many pictures of the crash scene as possible. If a victim is unable to do this because of medical care, he or she should have a friend or family member do this for him or her before the scene is cleaned up and evidence has disappeared.

Finally, a victim will want to be sure to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. In many cases, an experienced personal injury attorney can subpoena a negligent driver’s phone records. When such records indicate a driver sent a message or was using his or her phone at the time of a crash, it can be used to prove his or her negligence.

Find a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Georgia

If you suffered severe injuries or your loved one was killed as the result of a distracted driver in Georgia, it is in your best interest to quickly contact the Nye Law Group. Our firm has office locations in Hinesville and Savannah.

Our dedicated personal injury attorneys will fight to help you get all of the compensation you need and deserve. You can receive a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call 855-636-9277 or contact us online today to take advantage of a free, no obligation consultation.