Cell Phone-Related Car Accidents

Maryville Car Accident Lawyer

Hartsoe Law Firm is a Maryville car accident law firm, offering comprehensive representation to victims harmed by negligence. Mr. Hartsoe brings over 25 years of legal expertise to each case, using his knowledge to protect your rights. At Hartsoe Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping you get back on your feet.

Cell phones are one of the greatest innovations of modern science. They are also the cause of numerous preventable accidents. As smartphones and social media blossom to meet demand, drivers find it increasingly difficult to “disconnect” on the road. State laws have tried to keep pace with the horrific accidents caused by distracted driving, but have become as forgotten and outdated last year’s newest tech craze. Legions of motorists continue to talk, text, and tweet behind the wheel. Cell-phone related crashes are at an all-time high.

Although motorists treat driving as an opportunity to multitask, safely operating a vehicle requires focus. Drivers should concentrate on the road, the flow of traffic, and the other drivers around them. For every second spent talking or texting, the driver loses exponentially greater reaction time, which is crucial to avoid an accident. Studies have shown that cell phone use and driving require attention from the same area of the brain. The cognitive function devoted to one activity cannot be “divided” with the other. Cell phone distractions generally involve:

• Loss of eye contact
• Hands off the wheel
• Delayed reaction time
• Diminished concentration
• Failure to check blind spot
• Missing pedestrians, bicycles
• Last-minute turns, lane changes
• Impaired cognitive and motor skills

Use of smartphones in the car has become a matter of course for Tennessee and other states across the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration refers to the problem as an “epidemic” and a growing cause of injury and fatalities on the road. Tennessee law and other state laws forbid texting while driving, but motorists continue to use their phones on the road. Some drivers believe blue-tooth technology solves the problem, but this is not the case. The act of talking itself distracts from driving, even if both hands are on the wheel. With regard to smartphone use, young drivers are the biggest offenders and also the most likely to be injured in a cell-phone related crash. They are tech-savvy and do not see cell phone use as a risk.

Personal injury law holds negligent drivers liable for damages arising from accidents involving cell phones. Motorists have a legal duty to safely operate their automobiles. They clearly breach this duty by driving while distracted, endangering the lives of others. If the driver’s use of a cell phone causes an accident, he or she is responsible for any harm that results. This may require compensating the injured victim for property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. If a loved one dies in a cell-phone related accident, surviving family members may recover additional damages from the negligent driver.

If you were the victim of a cell-phone related car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers of Hartsoe Law Firm today. We are dedicated to protecting your rights and working to ensure you are fully compensated for any loss. Our firm has successfully represented numerous car accident victims, recovering millions of dollars for clients across Tennessee. Unlike larger firms, we concentrate on giving you personalized attention and crafting a legal solution that meets your needs. At Hartsoe Law Firm, we know the aftermath of an accident is traumatic. That is why we are co

Cell phone use while driving is the reason many motorists end up in car accidents. Maryville car accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe can help if you’ve been injured by a driver too distracted by their cell phone to pay attention to the road. Mr. Hartsoe has decades of experience handling car accident cases. He will work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.

Cell phone use while driving can be a dangerous combination. Distracted drivers were responsible for accidents that caused 387,000 injuries and 3,300 deaths in 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted several surveys on distracted driving, with a particular focus on cell phone use. In a 2011 survey, an estimated 660,000 drivers said they use their cell phones while driving at any given daylight moment. Almost half of drivers surveyed in 2012 admitted to answering their cell phones while driving at least some of the time. More than half continued to drive even after they picked up the call.

In Tennessee, there were almost 20,000 crashes caused by distracted drivers in 2012, according to the Department of Safety. In a study by the National Safety Council, Tennessee reported the most fatalities in accidents caused by cell phone use: 93 in 2011 and 71 in 2010, more than any other state in those years.

A driver’s primary responsibility is to operate their vehicle safely and carefully. Tennessee law does not currently ban talking on a cell phone while driving. Drivers, however, have a legal duty of care when they operate their vehicles. This means focusing on driving, and avoiding any activity that takes their attention off the road. A driver too distracted by talking on their cell phone breaches the duty of care required by the state. If a driver causes an accident, he or she is responsible for any injuries that result from their careless behavior.

While Tennessee may not prohibit the use of cell phones while driving, it does ban texting. A driver cannot text while driving. New drivers have even stricter bans. Drivers with a learner’s permit or intermediate driver’s license cannot use a cell phone while driving, unless it is an emergency. This use includes both texting and talking.

If you were injured in a cell-phone related car accident, you can potentially hold a distracted driver responsible for your injuries. A driver too busy with his or her cell phone can be held liable for any harm they cause. You can recover for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering. You can also file a wrongful death suit against the driver if your loved one died as a result of their careless driving.

Maryville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe is committed to helping you pursue recovery for your injuries. Mr. Hartsoe has over twenty years of experience as a personal injury attorney. He will investigate your case to determine if a driver’s reckless cell phone use caused your injuries. He will work with witnesses, law enforcement, and experts to build your case and fight for compensation for your injuries. Speak with us today at 865-804-1011 or contact us online to discuss your car accident case.