Distracted driving laws in Georgia are in place to ensure that drivers keep their full attention on the road when driving. Unfortunately, not everyone listens to these laws, resulting in severe car accidents and injuries.
Did you know that so far, in 2022, there have been over 35,000 distracted driving convictions in Georgia? Many of these accidents resulted in causing car accidents, leaving innocent people injured because someone wanted to make a phone call or write a text while driving.
Please continue reading below if you want to learn more about these distracted driving laws and what to do if you get into an accident with a distracted driver. We will cover what you need to know about the impact of texting and driving and who you can contact if you suffer injuries in a car accident due to the negligence of a distracted driver.
Distracted Driving Laws in Georgia
In Georgia, it is illegal to text and drive. In general, it is illegal to drive distracted. There are three main types of distracted driving you should be aware of: manual, visual, and cognitive.
Manual Distraction
A manual distraction is anything that makes you take your feet off the pedals or your hands off of the driving wheel. For example, if you're reaching behind you to find your bag or reaching back to tend to your crying child while driving, that is a manual distraction.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions are those that cause you to take your eyes off of the road. This is where texting and driving come into play. Other forms of visual distractions are looking to grab something off the floor, turning to talk to your passenger, or tuning your radio.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions happen when your mind gets distracted from driving. Have you ever driven for quite some time and found yourself deep in thought? Did you ever think about work?
Or about what you're going to do over the weekend? Most people don't realize this is a distraction, but it is. If you get caught in a thought, you may not even remember that you're driving.
Distracted Driving Car Accidents
Unfortunately, not everyone gives driving their full attention, especially now with the advancement of phone technology. Even if a car is equipped with hands-free texting or talking, it still serves as a cognitive distraction.
When you use your cell phone, you reduce your attention by 37%. Looking down at your phone for even five seconds is more than enough for someone to change lanes in front of you or to cause you to swerve into oncoming traffic.
What Is the Punishment for Distracted Driving in Georgia?
In Georgia, the first conviction for driving while distracted is $50.00, and there is one point assessed against the driver. Of course, if distracted driving causes bodily injury to other people, the penalties are much more significant.
What To Do if You Get Into an Accident With a Distracted Driver
If you get into an accident with a distracted driver, ensure that you are ok. Check for any injuries and move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if you can. If there are any injuries, call the police to get an ambulance to the scene immediately. Even if there aren't any injuries, call the police to make a report.
Take Photos
If you are well enough, take photos of the damages caused to each vehicle involved. This helps the auto insurance when it comes time to do their investigation.
Obtain the Other Party’s Information
While you are at the scene of the accident, try to get the other driver's information. This includes getting their phone number, driver's license information, and physical address.
Other important information to gather:
- Year, color, make, and model of the other driver's vehicle
- Auto insurance information
- License plate information
- Information of passengers
If you are unable to gather this information, it is ok. So long as the police are on-site, they will gather this for you, which will be on the police report.
Make an Auto Claim
Once you are settled down and safe, you will need to call the other driver's insurance company to make a claim. If you have witness information about the other driver driving distracted, this could help your case to prove liability. If you have any injuries, make sure to tend to those first.
If the other driver's insurance policy accepts liability for the accident, their adjuster will contact you to make a settlement offer for your injuries. The adjuster may make an offer that seems fair but is below what you should receive.
To ensure you receive the compensation you deserve, it is best to reach out to a personal injury lawyerfor further assistance. If you plan on seeking counsel at all, make sure you reach out to a lawyer for a free consultation before you call the insurance company. Your lawyer will do what they can to preserve the evidence to prove that the other driver was distracted, causing the accident and your injuries.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Several distracted driving laws are in place to protect those from getting involved in accidents with distracted drivers. Unfortunately, even with these laws in place, people still drive distracted, causing accidents that can result in severe injuries or even death.
If you recently sustained injuries at the expense of a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are here to answer any questions or concerns you may have about distracted driving laws, your rights, and how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.