Decatur Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

If you are looking for a top Decatur distracted driving accident lawyer, turn to Reginald A. Greene and his team.

Distracted driving remains to be the top cause of auto accidents in Georgia. This is mainly because most drivers often disregard this traffic regulation and are under the false assumption that they can multitask. When motorists drive while sending, reading, or checking messages on their phone, eating and/or drinking, changing the radio, grooming, or engaging in other distracting actions that take their eyes or hand(s) off the road, they are said to be negligent – not fulfilling their duty of care to other road users.

Consequently, if you or a family member sustained an injury or died as a result of a distracted driving accident, you have legal grounds to seek financial reimbursement from the distracted driver who behaved egregiously. To navigate the complicated and murky legal waters of personal injury claims, it will be in your interest to enlist professional legal counsel. The Decatur distracted driving accident attorneys from The Super Lawyer are more than capable of handling your distracted driving claim and ensure you recoup your full damages from the insurance provider of the negligent driver.

If you want to reach out to our Decatur car accident lawyers, call 404-574-4308 and speak to our courteous and empathetic staff and attorneys. We provide complimentary consultations, so there’s no risk or cost to learning and understanding your legal options.

Table of Contents

What Is Distracted Driving?

Any action that results in the driver losing focus on the road and the primary task of driving falls under distracted driving. When people think of distracted driving, their minds usually go to texting. However, distracted driving covers an expansive range of actions that may make a driver get distracted. There are three forms of distracted driving:

  • Visual distractions: This is where a motorist focuses on completing another task and isn’t looking at the road. This includes watching a video or reading a text.
  • Manual distractions: This is where a person uses their hand(s) to fiddle with an object or manipulate another action inside the car, thereby removing at least one hand from the steering wheel. This includes switching radio stations or eating.
  • Cognitive distractions: This is where a person‘s mind drifts off and isn’t focused on the primary task. This includes taking a call using a hands-free device, daydreaming, or stressing.

As a motorist, it is your legal responsibility to exercise care when using the road. The best way of fulfilling this is by having 100% on the road. Distractions can result in fatal accidents.

Laws Regarding Distracted Driving in Georgia

As of 1st July 2018, Georgia enacted the Hands-Free Law intending to curb distracted driving accidents. This decree was a huge change to Georgia’s traffic regulations – and it applies to almost every motorist on the road. The law allows for the usage of hands-free technology when operating phones and other wireless telecommunication appliances while driving.

Here’s what you have to know regarding the Hands-Free Law in Georgia:

  • You are prohibited from physically supporting or holding any electronic gadget with your body. This excludes emergencies like calling 911 or an ambulance.
  • You are prohibited from reading, sending, or texting any message on your mobile device.
  • You are prohibited from watching movies and other videos. This excludes GPS which helps you with navigation.
  • You are barred from broadcasting or recording anything. This excludes devices designed to continually broadcast or record videos and pictures inside or outside the car.

Penalties you can expect from violating this law include:

  • First conviction (at least $50)
  • Second conviction inside 24 months (at least $100)
  • Third or consequent conviction inside 24 months (at least $150)

Decatur distracted driving accident lawyer with wooden toy cars

What Damages Can Victims Get From a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in Georgia?

Driving while distracted in Georgia is against the law. It turns into a personal injury case if it results in a crash. The distracted driver will be held at fault for the ordeal and will owe the victim(s) the full cost of damages suffered. You don’t have to worry if your claim will go through in a distracted driving lawsuit since the law protects you and will ensure you receive your deserved restitution from the responsible driver.

Victims can claim compensation for various damages. The compensable amount you stand to receive from your distracted driving accident is contingent on the degree and type of injuries sustained since these factors play a significant part in computing losses suffered – and hence the amount you are owed.

Some of the damages you can claim in a distracted driving accident include:

  • Ambulance costs
  • Prescription medicines
  • Surgeons’ & Doctors’ fees
  • Hospitalization
  • Rehabilitation/therapy
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional trauma
  • Lowered future potential earnings
  • Lowered quality of life
  • Lost income and wages
  • Burial and funeral expenses

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Georgia?

Most states have a fixed time period in which one should file a personal injury lawsuit called the statute of limitations. If you have been the victim of a distracted driving accident in Georgia, you have 2 years from the date the accident occurred to file a claim. Failure to which, you’ll have relinquished your rights and subsequent benefits.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

There’s a lot that occurs behind the scenes before this case proceeds to trial. A Decatur distracted driving accident lawyer will:

  • Carry out an independent investigation
  • Conduct witness interviews
  • Collect evidence
  • Calculate the damages you are owed

From there, your lawyer will give your list of damages to the distracted driver’s insurer, which will start off negotiations. Only after negotiations break down and a fair settlement isn’t offered will your distracted driving attorney take the case to trial.

Get a Seasoned Decatur Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer!

In Georgia, if you’ve sustained an injury because of the negligent or reckless actions of another party, you can file a personal injury suit and demand restitution. Allow us at The Super Lawyer to help advocate for your personal injury claim and ensure that you receive the maximum recompense possible. We believe you shouldn’t have to bear the brunt of somebody else’s gross recklessness.

We provide our legal services on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing unless we get compensation for you. So, what are you waiting for! Contact us at The Super Lawyer at 404-574-4308 for a no-cost case review.

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