Distracted Driving in Tennessee Auto Crashes
Quickly answering a text, resetting your GPS, or reaching for something in the passenger seat while behind the wheel are all examples of distracted driving. While you may believe that you are skilled at multitasking, think again. Distracted driving is the leading cause of crashes in the United States, causing thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of injuries each year.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a distracted driving accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our car accident lawyers for help.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from traffic. Distracted or inattentive driving may involve cognitive, manual, or visual distractions. A cognitive distraction involves your mind being elsewhere, a manual distraction involves taking your hands off the wheel, and a visual distraction involves taking your eyes off the road.
In many situations, an activity may involve more than one type of distraction. Examples of each type of distraction include the following:
- Cognitive distraction: Having a conversation with passengers, listening to music, or thinking about what you are going to make for dinner.
- Manual distraction: Eating or drinking, applying makeup, or changing the radio station.
- Visual distraction: Looking at a GPS or navigational device, watching a video on your mobile phone, or answering a text.
What Risks Do Distracted Drivers Pose to Others?
Distracted drivers place others’ lives in danger through:
- Delayed reaction times: A distracted driver may not identify a hazard until it’s too late or may not mentally process that a hazard is present at all. By the time the distracted driver reacts to the danger, a collision may be inevitable. Taking your eyes off the road for five seconds while reading a text at 65 miles per hour is comparable to driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
- Failing to see vulnerable road users: A distracted driver is more likely to overlook cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, placing them in grave danger. Given their lack of attention, a distracted driver is less likely to look in their blind spot, placing these parties at greater risk of injury.
- Disrupting the flow of traffic: Distracted or inattentive drivers are more likely to drive at slower speeds, inconsistent with the flow of traffic. A recent study showed that drivers talking on a cell phone drove drastically slower than the posted speed limit, were less likely to change lanes, and overall took longer to complete the drive.
Tennessee Law Against Distracted Driving
According to the “Hands Free Law,” it is illegal to physically hold a cellphone with any part of the body, use a cell phone to write, send, or read any texts, or reach for a cellphone that requires you to unbuckle or not be properly seated while operating a motor vehicle. A driver found in violation of this law will be charged with a class C misdemeanor. If convicted, the driver will be subject to fines, and minors will have points added to their license for second or subsequent offenses.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident?
If a distracted driver caused your accident, you should seek legal representation immediately. Proving that the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash requires that you provide convincing evidence, which can be difficult to obtain. Clues that may indicate a driver was distracted include delayed braking, sudden steering changes, or erratic lane shifts. At Bednarz & Bednarz, we know what evidence to look for and how to get it. If the insurance company is unwilling to settle for what you deserve, our legal team has your back.
Do Not Hesitate to Contact Our Nashville Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a distracted driving accident, Bednarz & Bednarz is ready to advocate for your rights. For over 30 years, our Nashville car accident attorneys have helped injured persons recover the compensation they rightfully deserve. We understand the impact that a personal injury can have on your health, your relationships with loved ones, and your ability to work. To schedule your free consultation to discuss your matter, our office can be reached online or by calling (615) 623-8789.
