Distracted Driving

Hartsoe Law Firm is experienced in Knoxville car accident law. We are devoted to helping victims injured by negligent or distracted driving. Our priority is to defend your interests and help you to receive the compensation you deserve.

Knoxville drivers have cellphones and smartphones. Like most Americans, our young motorists seem more obsessed with having the latest smartphone than the latest model car. Their sense of invincibility makes young drivers most vulnerable to distracted driving. Adults set a poor example by similarly trying to multitask behind the wheel. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that drivers talking on cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash; texting makes drivers 23 times more likely to suffer an injury. As state laws and education fail to keep pace with that of technology, these statistics are expected to rise with the popularity of smartphones.

Many motorists regard driving as a passive activity. With longer commutes and congested traffic, anything seems more interesting than inching forward at a snail’s pace. Cell phones and new gadgets are especially tempting because they offer commuters an escape, an opportunity to catch up with contacts. Other sources of distraction include:

• Radio dials
• Food, beverages
• Makeup, grooming
• Reaching for objects
• Talking to passengers
• Maps, reading material
• Other accidents, drivers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every second of distraction results in much greater risk of injury. Scientists believe this is due to brain chemistry. The area of the brain processing texts and phone calls is the same part needed to focus on driving. This also explains the fallacy behind hands-free devices, which have not been proven to cause any less distraction in brain chemistry. The use of phones and driving are therefore mutually exclusive activities. Drivers who think they can do both at once are mistaken and dangerous.

Tennessee law strictly prohibits the use of hand-held devices for drivers under 18. Texting while driving is a citable offense for adults. Under the state’s current “hybrid” law, distracted driving is considered a non-moving violation that will not count as a “point” like other violations. But distracted driving may still result in increased insurance rates, hurting motorists in the pocket.

Distracted drivers who cause property damage or bodily injury in an accident are also responsible under personal injury law. Under personal injury law, talking, texting, or being otherwise distracted while driving breaches a fundamental duty to other drivers. By failing to pay attention, negligent motorists tend to their own needs at the expense of everyone else’s safety. The law punishes this reckless behavior by making at-fault parties pay for all damages arising out of the crash. Distracted drivers should be held responsible for all harms and losses they caused by their reckless conduct.

If you were harmed in an accident caused by distracted driving, contact a skilled Knoxville personal injury lawyer at Hartsoe Law firm today. We offer thorough, results-oriented service to clients across Tennessee. With years of experience, Hartsoe Law Firm provides knowledgeable advice and worry-free representation at no up-front cost to you. We identify all liable parties to help you receive full compensation for your injury, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Placing your needs first, we deal with insurance adjusters who often seek to minimize payment for your loss. Never sign any waivers, admit to fault, or give recorded statements to the other driver’s insurance company without consulting us first. We will maximize your financial recovery and obtain the compensation you need. Call 865-804-1011 for a free consultation or contact us online.

Through aggressive, results-oriented representation, we hold distracted drivers accountable for the injuries and losses they cause by failing to focus on their driving responsibilities. Call us today so that we can help you recover from your car wreck. We can sit down at your kitchen table or hospital room if it’s more convenient for you. Weekend and evening appointments are also available.