Pigeon Forge Distracted Driving Lawyer
If you were injured by a distracted driver, you deserve financial compensation that will make you “whole” again, meaning that the negligent party should compensate you for your medical costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and other economic and noneconomic damages such as loss of joy of life and lost earning capacity. But before you can begin counting on these finances to come through and keep you from falling into debt and bankruptcy, you need to speak with an experienced Pigeon Forge distracted driving lawyer as soon as you can.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving includes doing any behavior that takes a driver’s eyes or mind off the road for even just a few seconds at a time. Remember that when you are driving 60 miles per hour, you cover the distance of a football field in a matter of seconds, so looking down to type in a phone number or adjust the GPS device are both potentially fatal decisions that drivers need to think twice about doing. The following are examples of distracted driving and distracting technologies found inside vehicles:
- Any cell phone use (such as talking or texting), including hands free devices;
- GPS devices;
- Dashboard screens of any type;
- Eating or drinking;
- Getting into an argument or heated discussion with a passenger;
- Day dreaming;
- Horsing around with a passenger;
- Tending to children in the backseat;
- Reaching for something; and
- Adjusting the radio.
Fatalities are on the Rise Due to Distracted Driving
In 2016 there were 645 traffic fatalities in Tennessee, according to the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which surpassed the number of fatalities in recent history. Sadly, in less than the first nine months of 2017, that number was already reached. The growing number of cell phone users behind the wheel is one of the driving factors behind this surge in deaths across the state and in Pigeon Forge. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that distracted driving deaths rose nearly nine percent from just 2014 to 2015. Other organizations, such as the National Safety Council, estimates that distracted driving is even more prevalent than the NHTSA believes it to be. According to the National Safety Council, 25 percent of crashes involve a cell phone. Even hands free phones cause a driver’s likelihood of causing a crash by 400 percent.
Contact an Experienced Distracted Driving Lawyer for Help Today
If you were injured in a Pigeon Forge car crash caused by a distracted driver, proving fault is one of the first steps that you and your lawyer need to take. However, simply establishing liability is not the end of the legal process. It takes months and even years to settle a claim or win a lawsuit, which is why it is important that your lawyer takes the time to explain to you what is going on and to help you create attainable goals and to stick to them. Call Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette today to speak with an lawyer about your case.
