Skilled Lebanon Distracted Driving Crash Lawyers Fight for You
Advocating for those injured in distracted driving accidents in Mt. Juliet, Cookeville, and throughout Tennessee
Distracted driving is more than just a bad habit; it's a killer. People have become increasingly addicted to their cell phones and other electronic devices. When the task of driving becomes boring and monotonous, some drivers are under the false impression that their brain can multi-task – that they can focus on driving while also keeping up with the stream of text messages coming in, or their social media feeds.
Distracted drivers only had one job – to drive safely and pay attention to the road in front of them. Instead, they thought that reading or sending that text message was more important than keeping their eyes on the road and before they knew it, they had crossed the line and plowed into an oncoming vehicle.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us that, as drivers, keeping our eyes on the road is one of the first things we learn about safe driving. Distracted driving kills thousands of Americans every year. A drivers’ attention is the one thing that can keep them and the other drivers with whom they share the road safe.
The Lebanon distracted driving attorneys at Lowery, Lowery & Cherry, PLLC have more than 70 years of combined legal experience. We know how to make sure that our clients recover the most compensation possible when they have been injured. Speak to our car accident attorneys to arrange for a free consultation to discuss your case. You never have to worry about paying for excellent legal representation because you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What is distracted driving?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines distracted driving as “driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.” The definition is clear, and most drivers might admit having engaged in one form or another of distracted driving. Most people also believe that they will never cause a crash because they were distracted. Thousands of those people are proven wrong every year and they place the health and wellbeing of others in danger.
The CDC lists three types of driver distractions:
- Visual: taking your eyes off the road
- Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive: taking your mind off the task of driving
What are some of the forms of distracted driving?
Some of the activities that can take your eyes, hands, or attention from the task of driving include:
- Talking on a mobile phone
- Sending or reading text messages
- Using GPS
- Reading a map
- Fiddling with a CD player or radio dial
- Eating
- Grooming
- Engaging with other occupants of the vehicle
- Something going on outside of the vehicle
Types of Lebanon distracted driving accidents
Distracted driving has caused many different types of motor vehicle accidents from a fender-bender to a fatal crash. The following are examples of the different types of car crashes that can be caused by distracted driving behavior, which is negligent behavior:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
What is the Tennessee texting while driving law?
According to the Texting While Driving Law, it is illegal to text behind the wheel in Tennessee. This law prohibits the use of a mobile phone or personal digital assistant to transmit or read a written message while driving in Tennessee.
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
When drivers use mobile phones while they are driving, they believe in their brains’ ability to multitask. They believe that they can both pay attention to driving while also paying attention to what's happening on the screen of their smart phone. The National Safety Council (NSC) calls multitasking a myth. Driving requires 100% of your attention. Holding a phone, dialing a phone, participating in a conversation with the person on the phone, typing out a message, or reading an incoming message takes attention and thought.
But despite what most people who text and drive believe, nobody can successfully divide their attention. The NSC reports on just how dangerous cell phone use while driving is. If an individual is using a cell phone while driving, the distraction risk for the following activities is:
- Reading – 3 to 4 times
- Reaching for a moving object – 8.8 times
- Turning around in a seat – 8.8 times
- Talking on a cell phone – 4 times
- Texting – 8 to 23 times
If a driver is texting behind the wheel they are between 8 and 23 times more likely to be distracted enough to cause a crash which could seriously injure or kill. Texting while driving is the most dangerous distraction. It is a deadly habit.
How can a Lebanon distracted driving attorney help me?
If you want to recover compensation for your injuries after a distracted driving traffic crash, you will have to prove that the negligence of the driver who caused the crash caused your injuries. Working with a Lebanon car accident attorney from Lowery, Lowery & Cherry will make sure that your right to recover compensation is protected. Our attorneys investigate the crash and hold the driver who caused the crash accountable for your injuries and other losses.
What is my distracted driving accident injury worth?
One of the first questions that new clients often ask is, “How much is my case worth?” Because every case is unique and we tailor our strategy to every client, we cannot just listen to your story and give you an amount. There are so many factors that contribute to the final number, and every case is different. It is important to wait to see how your injuries heal, and measure whether there will be any residual disability.
The severity of the injuries, the cost of the medical bills, and how much time you lost at work are all factors which contribute to the value of the case. Also, whether the case is settled or decided by a jury will also influence how much you might expect to recover. If your distracted driving injury case is successful, you may be able to recover financial compensation such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
You can be assured that our experienced Lebanon car accident lawyers are here to represent you. We are here to be your advocate as we pursue justice on your behalf.
Schedule a free consultation with a compassionate Lebanon car accident attorney today
If you have been injured in a car crash that was caused by a distracted driver, it is essential to have a free initial consultation with a Lebanon car crash lawyer to help you understand your rights and how to preserve them. We help clients in Mt. Juliet, Nashville, Cookeville , and throughout Tennessee. You are invited to call 615-444-7222 or contact a Lebanon car accident attorney at Lowery, Lowery and Cherry to discuss your case now.