Distracted driving accidents killed 3,092 people in 2010 according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is estimated that an additional 416,000 people were injured in automobile crashes involving a distracted driver. Consulting a Clayton County attorney after a car accident involving a distracted driver enhances a victim's ability to receive a reasonable settlement. If you have been injured in an automobile accident involving a distracted driver in Clayton County you should discuss your case with a car accident attorney at Shane Smith Law.
Distracted driving is any activity that might divert a driver's attention away from driving. These types of distractions include the following actions while driving:
- Texting
- Talking on a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming or applying makeup
- Reading
- Adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player
- Using maps or a navigation system (GPS)
- Watching a video
Texting and driving is illegal in Georgia pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 40-6-241. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that enforcement of Georgia's texting and driving ban is nearly nonexistent. In over two years since the law went into effect there has been an average of less than 50 convictions per month. In 2011, nearly 4,000 accidents in Georgia were attributed to distracted driving and cell phone use; nearly 1,000 accidents resulted in injury and nine were fatal crashes. Clayton County convicted only 20 people for distracted driving.
Consulting an Auto Accident Attorney in Clayton County
If you or someone you know has been hurt by a distracted driver, meet with a Clayton County auto accident lawyer at Shane Smith Law. We can assist you in every stage of your case including obtaining the available evidence.