Negligence behind the wheel can occur in many forms. It can be as subtle as taking your eyes off the road to adjust the radio, or more blatant, such as texting while driving. Negligence is just another term for carelessness. It means that the other driver was careless or reckless, which resulted in an accident.
Below are common examples of driver negligence that may result in a serious accident. If you've been injured in a car accident in or around the Atlanta area, speaking with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether legal negligence was present in your accident, and if so, what your options are for filing a Georgia personal injury claim.
Drivers Who Text and Talk Behind the Wheel
Use of electronics while driving is a form of legal negligence known as distracted driving. This driver inattention is one of the most common causes of car crashes. Cell phone use alone accounts for nearly 2,600 car accident deaths per year. According to the University of Utah, cell phone use gives drivers the same reaction time they would have with a blood alcohol level of .08. Carnegie Mellon University has found that cell phone use reduces brain activity focused on driving by 37%.
In fact, it is against the law in Georgia to text while driving, this includes writing, sending, or reading a text message, email etc. on a wireless device while operating a motor vehicle. It is also illegal for anyone under 18 to use a cell phone at all while driving. These are already punishable offenses in Georgia and if they led to your car accident, they could be used as evidence to prove legal negligence in your case.
Drivers Who Eat Behind the Wheel
Keep in mind that eating doesn't just involve chewing and swallowing. It may include activities associated with it, such as wrapping and unwrapping food, leaning, spilling and then cleaning your vehicle.
Drivers Who Speed Behind the Wheel
The biggest danger of speeding is that the amount of time you need to prevent a crash is significantly reduced. Speeding accounts for 18% of car accidents, equaling more than 13,000 fatalities a year, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you've been injured in an accident with someone who was speeding or breaking other traffic laws, their behavior constitutes a form of legal negligence and you may be eligible to file a Georgia personal injury claim and seek damages for your injuries and accident-related expenses.
Drivers Who are Aggressive Behind the Wheel
Overly aggressive driving endangers other vehicles on the road and personal property. Aggressive driving could involve a combination of speeding, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
When you've been injured in a car accident but are unsure if you have enough evidence to prove legal negligence against the person who crashed into you, it's best to talk with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. An experienced injury attorney can talk to you about your case and help you understand your legal options, including filing a Georgia personal injury claim.
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