Texting and driving is one of the main causes of road accidents in the U.S. Sending even a single text message while driving can have negative consequences such as serious injuries or even death. If you or a person you know has been involved in an accident caused by a person who was texting and driving, you have various legal options at your disposal.
Get in touch with a Decatur texting and driving accident lawyer right away. At the SHE Law Firm, we hold reckless motorists responsible for their actions. Choosing to use your phone while driving puts other people at risk. If a driver who was texting is responsible for your accident, you may be eligible for compensation.
Call us at 470-378-1162 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation with a Decatur car accident lawyer. We have a team of professional texting and driving accident attorneys who are ready to work on your case.
Georgia Laws Against Texting and Driving
Using your phone or texting while driving is usually referred to as “Distracted Driving.” Georgia Laws against texting and driving can be summarized as follows:
- There are limits on the number of times you can physically interact with a communications device when driving. The law only allows you to use one button to initiate or terminate a voice call.
- Drivers are not allowed to use a device if it forces them to take off their seatbelt or leave the driver’s seat when driving, such as reaching for a device in the back seat.
- Drivers are not allowed to broadcast, watch, or record a movie/video on a stand-alone device or wireless device when driving except if it is navigation-related information.
- Drivers are not allowed to send, read, or write any texts from a phone when driving. These include text messages, instant messages, email, and social media posts/messages. Drivers can use GPS services and voice-to-text for navigation.
- Drivers are not allowed to physically support or hold stand-alone or wireless electronic devices except headphones, earpieces, or devices worn on the wrists for calls or texts.
- You can use a Bluetooth earpiece for communication, but you are not allowed to hold your phone in any way.
- Finally, drivers should avoid taking any actions that distract them from the proper operation of their automobile when driving.
How Texting Can Affect Your Driving
According to the National Safety Council, cell phones are responsible for about 1.6 million accidents or nearly 25% of all car accidents in the U.S. It has been established that a driver who is texting and driving at the same time is 20 times more likely to be involved in a crash than one who does not. With that said, it has been illegal to text and drive in the state of Georgia since 2010.
Sending or reading a text while driving can take your eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds, which is enough to cause a crash. Some dangers of texting and driving include:
- Breaking the law and getting penalized if charged.
- Your insurance premiums will rise if you get tickets for texting and driving.
- You could cause road accidents, injure pedestrians and other motorists, and damage your car as well as other cars on the road.
How Can You Prove the Other Driver Caused an Accident Because They Were Texting While Driving?
If you have been involved in a crash where the driver was texting and driving, you can prove it in the following ways:
- Immediately after the accident, call the police and inform them that the other driver was using their phone while driving. The police will investigate this allegation and issue a traffic citation if they can prove it.
- The other driver’s phone records can be used to prove whether they were indeed texting and driving. The phone company can be requested to provide specific details on what the driver was doing on their phone, but a court order will be needed.
- Working with a texting and driving accident attorney in Decatur, GA can help to prove the other driver’s carelessness and recklessness.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
If you want compensation after an accident, the SHE Law Firm can help you in various ways:
- We can file a lawsuit to ensure that there are no mistakes that can make your compensation claim weak or invalid.
- We will collect all the necessary evidence needed for the case, like getting a court order to secure the other driver’s phone records.
- If the other driver’s insurance provider makes a settlement offer, we can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
- Finally, if your case goes to trial, we can represent you in front of a jury and judge and help you win the case.
How Much Will a Lawyer Cost?
If you are concerned about hiring a lawyer after being involved in a road accident due to legal costs, you should contact us immediately. At SHE Law Firm in Decatur, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we will only charge you once you get your compensation. We are well-equipped and staffed to handle your case even if it goes to trial. Therefore, we will not request any retainer to file a lawsuit and negotiate a settlement for you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Georgia?
If you wish to get compensated for injuries resulting from a car accident caused by a driver who was driving and texting in Decatur, GA, you have 2 years from the date the accident occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the SHE Law Firm in Decatur immediately so that we can begin working on your case as soon as possible.
Hire a Decatur Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer
Texting and driving is illegal according to Georgia traffic laws. A driver who chooses to put their need to use their phone over the safety of pedestrians, passengers, and other road users must be held responsible for that choice.
If you believe that a person who was driving and texting caused an accident, contact the SHE Law Firm at 470-378-1162 today to get sound legal advice and representation in Decatur, GA.
