Chattanooga Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
To be distracted while driving simply means that the driver's attention is not on driving or the road. Distracted driving has become a serious cause for concern nationwide, especially for teen drivers, and especially after the popularization of cell phones. Eating, drinking, talking, reading, and attempting to do other tasks while driving also cause distraction. But the use of cell phones to talk and text while driving has earned extra attention for their role in causing catastrophic accidents in Tennessee.
National Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website Distraction.gov, there are three main types of distraction: 1) Manual, 2) Visual, and 3) Cognitive. A manual distraction means the driver takes their hands off the wheel, a visual distraction means the driver takes their eyes off the road and a cognitive distraction means the driver takes their mind off of driving. These distractions can include grooming, using a GPS system, changing a CD or radio station, watching a video, using a cell phone and eating and drinking. Regardless of the type of distraction, however, anything that affects a driver's ability to drive safely is a problem, as demonstrated by the following national NHTSA statistics from 2009:
- 20 percent of injury crashes involved distracted driving;
- 995 of people killed in distracted driving car crashes involved cell phone use;
- 448,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents;
- 5,474 people were killed in distracted driving accidents; and
- People under 20 years of age included the greatest proportion of distracted drivers.
Some additional alarming facts state that using a cell phone while driving delays a driver's reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08. Furthermore, drivers who use a cell phone or other hand-held device are four times more likely to be involved in serious auto accidents.
Tennessee Cell Phone Crash Statistics
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, there were 918 vehicle accidents that involved cell phone use in 2010. This is an increase from the 894 cell phone related distracted driving accidents in Tennessee in 2009. In fact, after a brief drop in cell phone related crash numbers in 2007, the numbers have been climbing. The total number of cell phone related crashes, since 2003 is 5,514. The year 2010 holds the highest number of cell phone related crashes in spite of Tennessee's cell phone and texting laws.
Tennessee Cell Phone and Texting Law
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), school bus drivers and novice drivers, including learners or intermediate license holders, are banned from any and all cell phone use. A violation of this law is considered a primary offense, which means a law enforcement officer may cite a person for this violation alone. Text messaging is banned for all drivers and is also considered a primary offense.
Seeking Justice When the Unthinkable Happens
There are times when a Tennessee auto accident cannot be prevented; a hazardous and/or damaged roadway can cause even the most experienced and cautious of drivers to lose control of their vehicle. But it is inexcusable that a person cause a car accident as a result of highly preventable distractions. It is by choice that a driver eats or drinks while driving, grooms while driving, reads while driving, or uses their cell phone to talk or text while driving, and that choice threatens the safety of bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and other motorists.
If you or loved one has been injured in a Tennessee distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our knowledgeable Chattanooga car accident attorneys at Massey & Associates, PC, have helped many distracted driving victims, and their families, pursue compensation for the losses and damages they've suffered due to the negligence of another driver. Contact us today at (423) 697-4529 to speak to one of our experienced lawyers about your accident.
