Texting & Driving Accidents in Atlanta

Georgia law prohibits drivers from touching their cell phones while driving (texting & driving), meaning that they are not allowed to write, read, or send text messages, e-mails, or social media content while driving. Nor are drivers allowed to record videos with their phones or touch their phones to stream music or other programs. Cell phone usage can be impactful in a case involving an accident. A driver who causes an accident because he or she was using a cell phone can not only be held responsible for the wreck but could also be found to be so reckless that punitive damages meant to punish or deter such behavior are appropriate.

Georgia law allows a plaintiff to seek and for a jury to award punitive damages where the defendant shows willful misconduct, malice, wantonness, oppression, recklessness and an entire want of care which would raise the presumption of conscious indifference to consequences. Punitive damages are separate from medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and other losses for which an injured victim of a car accident can receive compensation.

There is a strong argument that using a cell phone inappropriately while driving is an intentional act that is reckless and shows a lack of care for the consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, texting is a most alarming distraction, and texting & driving has been proven to be 6 times more likely to cause a motor vehicle collision than drunk driving. Sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

In the automobile cases that we handle at the Davis Injury Firm, we send letters to the at-fault drivers and their insurance companies requesting that they preserve all records related to cell phone usage at the time of the wreck. Further, when a case goes into suit, we issue subpoenas to mobile carriers requesting cell phone data and usage records at the time of the collision. Where there is evidence of recklessness related to cell phone usage, we will bring a punitive damages claim against the at-fault party.

As you can see, evidence of cell phone usage while driving can be impactful in a civil suit involving an automobile collision. A timely and thorough investigation of the same is vital in every personal injury case involving a motor vehicle collision. Having the right attorney can change the course of your case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call the Davis Injury Firm at (404) 593-2620 to speak to an attorney about your case.