Victims of distracted drivers have to be familiar with legal protections available to them. Georgia’s hands-free phone law went into effect over the past year and the number of fatal accidents has also dropped during the past year. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reported that fatal accidents were down six percent during 2018. The drop translates into 92 fewer victims of fatal accidents than the previous year. Last year was on track to be the first year Georgia saw fewer than 1,500 fatalities in four years.
Concerning causes of car accidents, both roadway and lane departures are also down for the year. The new hands-free phone law is considered a contributing factor to the decrease in traffic accident fatalities. Data concerning non-fatal accidents will be available this year. Authorities reported a decrease in accidents when the new law went into effect but believe there may have been a return to previous driving behaviors.
The hands-free law prohibits drivers from holding their phones and looking at their phones for text-based communication. Distracted driving can result in serious car accidents and fatal accidents that can seriously injure or kill victims. Victims may suffer a variety of physical, financial and emotional damages that can include medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering. Negligent driver, such as distracted drivers, may be liable for the damages victims suffer.
It is important that victims of distracted driving-related accidents and their families are aware of the personal injury legal options that can help them with the damages suffered in a car accident caused by a distracted driver. Distracted driving-related laws protect the public and victims injured in a distracted driving-related accidents have legal protections to be aware of.
