If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’ve likely spent time trying to make sense of what happened. Why did the other driver act so erratically — maybe even crossing the centerline, running a red light, or plowing into the back end of your vehicle?
An increasing number of drivers are distracted by cell phones or GPS navigation. Today’s high-tech world is causing problems when it comes to focusing on the road.
Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
However, distracted driving can include other activities in addition to texting. Keep reading to discover more about distracted driving and how it could impact your car accident case.
The number of accidents involving distracted drivers is increasing both nationally and in the state of Tennessee. Consider these statistics:
In July 2019, it became illegal for Tennessee drivers to hold or physically support a phone while driving. If a driver is holding a phone and ends up in a wreck, they can be fined $100.
While this law is important, an investigation into an accident can still help determine if a driver was distracted by a phone conversation itself, even if they were using a hands-free device.
There are three main ways drivers can be distracted:
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and the other driver is found to be at fault due to distracted driving, you will be eligible for compensation for:
There are two ways a driver can be found to be at fault for distracted driving: in a police report or through an investigation. If the police report does not clearly conclude that the other driver was distracted, an experienced car accident attorney can help investigate the accident. The lawyer may:
To learn more about important steps to take after a car accident, visit our complete online car accident guide.
You can also arrange a free consultation to discuss your car accident by calling us 24/7 at (901) 667-8305, filling out our convenient online form, or using the chat function at the bottom of this page.