Atlanta Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
A study conducted by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute revealed that an overwhelming 80% of collisions involve a driver distraction.
Distracted driving happens anytime a motorist takes their focus off the road, even for a moment. When their eyes leave the road, the driver could cause an accident that results in substantial losses. If you’ve experienced a recent accident in Atlanta and you think distracted driving may have played a role, then it’s important to get in touch with an Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer to learn more about your options. You could be eligible for compensation if someone else’s distracted driving caused the crash.
Call Atlanta Distracted Driving Lawyer Don Singleton
The right attorney will empower you to make good decisions on how to handle your car accident by giving you more details about your legal rights, options, and best path forward. Learn more about head-on collisions here in Georgia and how our legal team at Singleton Law Firm can help you recover.
Legal Representation You Can Trust
Car accidents happen every day. Unfortunately, this often results in minor or severe property damage, serious injuries (or wrongful death), and gives rise to automobile accident claims.
We will seek fair compensation and ensure the best outcome of your case, thanks to our dedication, skill, and experience. Your personal injury claim is important to us, and we will use all available resources to make sure you are fairly represented during the process.
What Counts as Distracted Driving?
Before you reach out to an attorney, you might want to learn more about what is considered distracted driving under the law. In Georgia, motorists have a legal duty to provide for the care and safety of everyone else on the road. That means they are expected to keep their eyes on the road and remain as vigilant as possible. Distracted driving occurs anytime a driver fails to uphold their duty of care and takes their eyes or mental focus off the roadway.
Car accidents that involve distracted drivers can lead to serious losses for those involved. Since the driver isn’t paying attention to the road, they likely didn’t have time to correct or avoid a collision, meaning the impacts are going to be even more severe than if the driver had at least attempted to minimize the impact of a collision.
What Distractions Lead to Car Accidents?
Several behaviors contribute to distracted driving. Some of the most common distractions that lead to car accidents include:
- Talking on a cell phone
- Texting and driving
- Using a GPS or navigation system
- Eating while driving
- Changing the radio station
- Reaching around the vehicle for objects
- Talking to passengers
- Cognitive distractions (getting lost in thought, emotional distress)
In general, you should never attempt multitasking while driving. You might feel competent doing two things at once, but it’s a known fact that your brain can only focus on one of those tasks fully at one time. Driving requires your full attention. Never avert your focus unless it’s absolutely necessary to do so.
Statistics on Distracted Driving Accidents in Atlanta
Georgia ranks 6th for deadly driving distractions. Even when these distractions aren’t fatal, they can lead to serious, life-altering injuries and losses.
Unfortunately, Atlanta ranks as one of the top cities for distracted driving. Distracted drivers are about 12 times more likely to rapidly accelerate, 7 times more likely to hard brake, and 21 times more likely to speed.
If you do travel through Atlanta, then you’re statistically safer when you drive during a morning commute.
Who’s Most Likely to be Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident?
Statistically, younger drivers are more likely to be impacted by distracted driving. One of the main reasons for this is because younger generations are more likely to utilize technology, which is a main driver of distracted driving.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians are one of the most vulnerable populations when it comes to getting injured in a distracted driving accident. Unfortunately, pedestrians have very little protection against vehicles, especially one that’s traveling at high speeds. That said, pedestrians who are involved in distracted driving accidents often sustain severe, permanent, and even fatal injuries.
Cyclists
Bicyclists are another category of individuals that are adversely affected by distracted driving crashes. Like pedestrians, bicyclists have very little protection when they are hit by a moving vehicle and usually sustain very serious injuries as a result.
Passengers
Distracted drivers that cause an accident could injure their passengers when a crash happens. Recent studies have shown that rear passengers might be in more danger in certain types of accidents, including head-on collisions.
Other Motorists
Distracted driving can also injure other motorists on the road when the distracted driver collides with another car. These other motorists can pursue compensation from the responsible driver.
Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident in Atlanta? Here’s What You Need To Do
Have you recently experienced injuries in a car accident in Atlanta? Do you think distracted driving may have played a role? If so, then you need to know what to do after a distracting driving accident to ensure that your right to file a claim is upheld. Below, we’ll go over a few key things that you need to do.
Call the Police
First, call the police. You should always involve the authorities when you’ve been in an accident with injuries. For one, the police will make sure to bring emergency medical responders that can help with any immediate medical needs. For another, the police will document what happened in an official police report, which will be important evidence you may need if you later file a claim. What’s more, the police will also start an investigation into what happened and may record evidence that proves distracted driving may have contributed to or caused your accident.
Gather Information
If your accident led to injuries and losses, then your next step needs to be gathering up all the information that’s relevant to your case. You should get a copy of the police report, any medical bills or diagnoses you receive, repair estimates that prove your property damage, and any other documents that show your losses or prove fault in the accident. All of this information will serve as crucial evidence in proving your claims.
Consult with a Distracted Driving Attorney
Next, consult with an Atlanta car accident lawyer about what happened. An attorney will help you identify your options, build up your case, negotiate with the other party, and secure the settlement you’re entitled to receive. An attorney will also help you maximize your claim by identifying potential damages you can seek out, helping you secure the right evidence, and strengthening your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After an accident, it’s also important to contact your insurance company. If you haven’t consulted with an attorney yet, then your best option is to inform your insurer about what happened but do not go into detail about your injuries or fault. Tell the agent you will provide more details as they become available. If you have hired an attorney, then let your lawyer negotiate on your behalf with the insurance agent.
Who is Liable for Your Injury?
Georgia’s courtrooms operate on an at-fault basis. The party who is considered to be more than 50% at fault for the accident will be considered liable for your injuries. In the case of distracted driving, it’s typically the distracted driver who will be considered at-fault, legally liable, and financially responsible for the accident.
Georgia does utilize a modified comparative negligence standard, which means that you can still file for compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident as long as the other party was more than 50% at fault. Your settlement award will get reduced based on your percentage of fault, though.
Georgia Distracted Driving Laws
In Georgia, having a cellphone in your hand or needing to support your phone with your body when you’re on the road is considered a traffic violation due to Georgia’s hands-free law. This law also applies to drivers who are stopped at stop signs.
How a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Can Help Recover Damages
An Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer can help you recover damages by assisting you in identifying potentially liable parties, investigating what happened, creating a strong case based on the evidence you secure, and negotiating with the responsible party.
Call Singleton Law Firm for a Free Consultation
Do you believe that your recent car accident might have been caused by the other party’s distracted driving? Are your losses significant? If so, then it’s time to get in touch with an Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer who can help you go over your options.
The right lawyer will help investigate what happened. If distracted driving was the cause, then your attorney can help you secure the evidence you need to prove your case, document your losses, and build up your case. They’ll file your lawsuit and negotiate with the other party to ensure you get a fair settlement.
Your Trusted Distracted Driving Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia
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Ready to Consult a Lawyer? We’ll Guide You Every Step of the Way
Here at Singleton Law Firm, our team of attorneys understands how challenging it is to face financial losses after a crash. In these economically trying times, it’s hard enough to get by without the additional burden of being injured, missing time off of work, and facing a lengthy recovery. That’s why we’ll work with you on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay us until you get paid.
In Atlanta, GA, we fight aggressively to obtain 100% of the compensation available under the law.
Car Accident in Atlanta? Avoid These Common Mistakes
Many people, as well as their families, suffer greatly as a result of the injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships caused by an accident.. Here are things to avoid after an accident to ensure your rights are preserved.
Not calling the police
One of the first things you should do is call the police after a car accident. The police investigation and report are crucial for your potential case and recovering financial damages.
Leave from the motor vehicle accident scene
In Georgia, it is illegal to leave the accident scene. You should always contact the authorities and wait for them to arrive.
Taking an immediate position on your injuries
Most victims are in a state of shock after a car accident and may not be able to feel pain. You can still suffer from injuries even if you’re involved in a minor accident. Other injuries, such as whiplash and concussion, may take time to appear, worsening days or weeks later. It’s crucial not to take an immediate position on the injuries you may have sustained as they may appear, develop, or worsen later. It is ok to say at the scene of the accident that you are unsure or not sure yet regarding the extent of your injuries.
Settlement talks
Do not accept an insurance company’s settlement offer without speaking to an experienced attorney if you’ve been in a serious car or truck accident. Also, don’t offer to pay cash or settle with the other driver at the accident scene. You deserve a fair settlement.
Admitting fault
When talking to the police, insurance company agents, the other parties of the accident, or witnesses, be careful with what you say. Even a simple apology might be misunderstood as admitting to fault.
Assigning fault
Experts such as accident reconstructionists, insurance adjusters, and traffic police will decide who’s at fault depending on a range of factors that you may not be aware of. Don’t try to say that another driver was at fault. Also, don’t say that it was your fault or partially your fault.
Guessing the accident facts
It’s ok that you can’t recall or don’t know the answer they are looking for. Accidents happen quickly. Some people feel like they should have all the answers when the police are interviewing them. Don’t guess or speculate about the accident (for example, the arrangement of the cars or how fast you were driving before the accident happened). You aren’t expected to know everything about the accident.
Common Car Accidents FAQs
Is Georgia an “at-fault” state?
Yes, the drivers in Georgia are accountable for their share of any costs resulting from an automobile accident. These fees and money usually come from each at-fault party – the driver’s insurance company.
How long after the accident can I file my claim?
In Georgia, you must file an injury claim two years after the car wreck. However, there are often exceptions, so we strongly recommend contacting an experienced auto accident lawyer as soon as possible to file auto accident claims.
What is the statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits in Georgia?
Car accident lawsuits in Georgia typically have a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident. It generally takes up to two years for a driver who hurt you in a car accident to take legal action against them.
What is the usual settlement after a car accident case?
The settlement offer depends entirely on the type of the accident, the results and damages from it, and the expenses needed for recovery. If you contact us as your Georgia car accident attorney, we can offer you a free consultation and get you some clarification. Car accident claims in Georgia can also result in punitive damages.
What can I expect when I file a car accident claim?
The insurance company will likely contact you about your car accident claim after you file it with them, and then the adjuster will decide whether to make you an offer. You may not be able to cover all of your accident-related expenses under that amount.
Perhaps you are partially at fault for the accident according to the insurance adjuster. To protect your rights and negotiate a better settlement offer, you should hire an experienced car accident attorney. Insurance companies try to claim that you were at fault in a car accident. If this is the case, a car accident lawyer can protect your rights and gather evidence that proves you did not cause the accident.
A fair settlement isn’t always negotiated by the insurance company. The attorneys at our firm don’t hesitate to take the case to court if that happens to protect your rights and get you what you’re due.
What are the most common causes of car wrecks in Atlanta?
Regardless of whether those factors are natural or the result of a driver’s actions, car accidents can be caused by numerous factors. It does not matter if a negligent driver is breaking the law or not-what matters is that they were not paying attention and drove carelessly. An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries, regardless of the cause. Here are a few of the most common causes of car accidents:
Dangerous road conditions
Potholes, metal plates, and poor drainage are common on Atlanta roads for anyone who has driven there. Remember Snowpocalypse? Driving on such roads can quickly become dangerous. These problems can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles or cause them to malfunction, sending them into oncoming traffic or causing wrecks altogether.
Using a cell phone while driving
One of Atlanta’s most serious traffic problems is distracted driving, which includes texting while driving. Medical bills and property damage can cost you thousands of dollars if you’re hit by a distracted or drunk driver on the road. The state of Georgia passed a hands-free law in 2018, but people are still texting while driving. If a driver reads or answers a text at highway speeds, he or she will lose sight of the road for five seconds and may travel 300 yards or more without seeing the road.
Drinking and driving
Even though distracted drivers are on the rise, drunk driving remains the top cause of accidents. As soon as a person becomes buzzed, they begin to lose attention to the road and become unable to make quick decisions. As buzzed turns into drunk, the ability to see doubles, and driving becomes impossible. In Georgia, drunk driving is one of the toughest crimes, but that doesn’t stop many people from doing it. People involved in drunk driving accidents are more likely to suffer serious injuries, and pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur.
Excessive speeding
When we’re in a hurry, we often find ourselves tempted to drive faster than is safe. However, speed limits are in place for a reason. The control of a car becomes more difficult when a driver is going too fast. At high speeds, even the slightest turning of the wheel can have disastrous consequences. Also, if traffic in front suddenly slows, stopping quickly becomes much more difficult.
Problems with cars/recalls
Some defects may not be evident for years, even though manufacturers go through painstaking measures to ensure their vehicles are safe. A fire may break out in an engine after three years of use due to overheating. Similarly, airbags may stop deploying after a while. Automobile accidents can become life-threatening when manufacturing issues suddenly arise.
Too much time spent behind the wheel
In particular, Uber and Lyft drivers may drive too long and become tired, making them incapable of driving safely. Uber and Lyft drivers are not subject to time limits, so they often work a full-time jobs and then drive for a few extra hours, resulting in accidents.
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