Suffering an injury in a car crash that was another driver’s fault can be a highly frustrating and stressful experience. You followed the rules, but the other driver’s lack of attention turned your life upside down. The pain, medical bills, and lost time from work add up quickly, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed.
Bayuk Pratt understands what you’re going through and is here to help. Our Atlanta texting and driving accident lawyers can help you hold a distracted driver accountable for their actions. We will fight for the compensation you need to recover and move forward with your life. With over 50 years of combined legal experience and more than $300 million in compensation secured for our clients, we have the skills, knowledge, and determination to protect your rights. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
What Makes Texting and Driving So Dangerous?
Texting while driving is dangerous because it’s a form of distracted driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three main types of driver distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive.
Visual Distractions
A visual distraction is anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road. Whether a driver looks at their phone or something else, even a quick glance away from the road can lead to disaster.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions take a driver’s hands off the steering wheel. For example, when drivers are eating or drinking behind the wheel, their hands aren’t where they need to be, reducing their ability to react quickly to unexpected situations.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions occur when a driver’s mind is not focused on staying safe. If a driver is daydreaming, looking at roadside ads, or talking to their passengers instead of paying attention to the road, they’re less likely to make safe decisions.
Texting and Driving: A Visual, Manual, and Cognitive Distraction
Texting while driving is so dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction. Texting drivers look at their phones instead of the road, may take one or both hands off the wheel to type, and aren’t concentrating on driving. This combination of distractions significantly increases the chances of a crash.
Does Atlanta Have Laws Against Texting and Driving?
Georgia has a strict law against texting while driving, making it easier to pursue compensation after a crash. Here are the key points to know:
- No phone in hand – Drivers cannot hold or touch their phones with any part of their body while talking on the phone and driving.
- Texting and data – Writing, reading, or sending text messages, emails, social media content, or other internet data is not allowed while on the road, even with hands-free technology. Voice-to-text is permitted.
- Video restrictions – While navigational or GPS videos are allowed, drivers cannot watch other videos while driving.
- Recording video – Drivers cannot use their phones or electronic devices to record videos while driving. They can use continuously running dash cams, though.
- Streaming music – Drivers may listen to streaming music that does not display videos on their phone screens while driving. However, they cannot touch their phones to activate or program any music streaming app while on the road. Streaming music controlled by the vehicle’s radio is allowed, but drivers must set up the app before driving.
What Are Common Injuries from Texting While Driving Accidents?
Texting while driving accidents in Atlanta frequently cause severe injuries, as distracted drivers may not have time to slow down or stop before a crash happens. Some common injuries in these collisions include:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Back and neck injuries, including whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Broken bones
- Muscle tears and other soft-tissue injuries
- Severe cuts and bruises
- PTSD and other mental health disorders
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was Texting?
Proving that the other driver was texting when the crash occurred is crucial to recovering fair compensation for your injuries. Some types of evidence that can help show a driver was texting and driving include:
- Cell phone records – One of the most powerful pieces of evidence in these cases is the other driver’s cell phone records. These records can show if the driver sent or received a text message around the time of the crash, providing clear proof of distracted driving.
- Eyewitness testimony – Witnesses who saw the driver texting can provide valuable testimony. Their accounts can help confirm that the driver was distracted just before the collision.
- Surveillance footage – Video footage from traffic cameras, nearby businesses, or dash cams sometimes captures the moments leading up to a crash, showing whether the driver was looking at their phone instead of the road.
- Accident reconstruction – In some cases, accident reconstruction experts may analyze the crash scene and the driver’s behavior to determine if they were distracted by texting at the time of the collision.
What Types of Damages Could I Collect in an Atlanta Texting and Driving Car Accident Claim?
A texting while driving accident can affect all aspects of your life, and you can seek compensation for any losses related to the crash. With help from a skilled and experienced legal team, your compensation could include money for:
- Past and future medical expenses related to the accident
- Lost income while you heal from your injuries
- Reduced future earning capacity due to your injuries
- Lower quality of life due to an accident-related disability
- Your pain and suffering
Working with a capable attorney is the key to maximizing your compensation in these cases. Your lawyer can fully assess your losses from the collision and fight for a settlement covering the full extent of your harm.
Does Georgia Set a Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit?
In most cases, Georgia law gives you two years from the collision date to file a lawsuit. We recommend you speak to an attorney as soon as possible, as vital evidence can deteriorate or disappear long before the two-year deadline expires.
Contact an Atlanta Texting and Driving Car Accident Lawyer Now
The Atlanta texting and driving accident lawyers at Bayuk Pratt can help you hold a distracted driver accountable so you can move forward with your life. Call us today or reach out online for a free case evaluation.