Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious car accidents in Tennessee. When a driver takes their eyes off the road, it can cause catastrophic injuries or even a wrongful death. If you were hurt by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for all of your injuries and related financial and emotional losses.
Learn more about how distracted driving car accident claims work in Tennessee below, and contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation if you’ve been involved in a crash.
Distracted Driving in Tennessee
Distracted driving occurs any time a driver’s attention is diverted from operating their vehicle safely. This can happen in three ways: visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), or cognitive (taking your mind off driving).
Common examples of distracted driving include:
- Texting and/or using a cell phone
- Adjusting navigation systems
- Eating and drinking behind the wheel
- Talking to passengers
- Personal grooming
- Looking at roadside distractions
In Tennessee, it’s illegal for drivers to hold or manually operate a cell phone while driving under the Hands-Free Law (T.C.A. § 55-8-199). This law was enacted to reduce preventable crashes caused by texting and other smartphone distractions. A violation can result in fines, points on the driver’s record, and, most importantly, civil liability if they cause an accident.
Steps To Take After a Distracted Driving Accident
If you’re involved in a distracted driving accident, it’s important to take the right steps immediately to protect your health and legal rights.
Here’s what you should do:
- Call 911 and request emergency medical attention if needed
- Report the accident to law enforcement so an official report is created
- Document the scene by taking photos and videos of the vehicles, debris, and visible injuries
- Exchange information with all parties and any witnesses
- Seek medical care even if you feel fine, since some injuries take time to appear
- Avoid talking to insurance adjusters before speaking to a lawyer
The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence and strengthening your claim.
What Kinds of Compensation Can I Recover in a Distracted Driving Claim?
Victims of distracted driving accidents in Tennessee may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical bills and future medical care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the at-fault driver’s behavior was especially reckless or intentional, you may also be entitled to punitive damages meant to punish extreme negligence.
Call Woodard Injury Law for Help After a Distracted Driving Crash
If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver anywhere in Tennessee, Woodard Injury Law is ready to fight for you. Our legal team has nearly 20 years of experience holding careless drivers accountable and helping victims recover full and fair compensation.
We handle every case on a contingency fee basis as well, which means you pay nothing up front and no attorney’s fees whatsoever unless we win money for you.
Call today or contact us online to schedule a free case review with an experienced Tennessee car accident attorney.