Distracted driving accidents are a leading cause of traffic crashes in Georgia, including areas like College Park, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Whether caused by texting, using a navigation system, or talking to passengers, these actions take a driver’s attention off the road and put others at risk. If you were injured in a crash involving a distracted driver in College Park, it is important to understand your rights under Georgia law and seek the legal support you need.
In this blog, we explain what distracted driving is, review Georgia’s traffic laws, outline your legal options after a crash, and show how working with an experienced College Park car accident attorney at Buddoo & Associates, P.C. can help you pursue full compensation for your injuries.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle. It is a major factor in many motor vehicle crashes across Georgia and the United States, particularly in areas like College Park, where heavy traffic around Old National Highway and Interstate 285 creates a higher risk of accidents.
Visual Distractions
Visual distractions occur when a driver looks away from the road. Common examples include checking a text message, looking at a GPS or navigation system, or glancing at a passenger. Even a moment with eyes off the road can cause a serious car crash, especially on busy streets in College Park like Main Street or Godby Road, where sudden stops or slow traffic are common.
Manual Distractions
Manual distractions involve taking one or both hands off the wheel. This can include eating, adjusting controls, reaching for an object, or using a handheld phone. These actions reduce control over the vehicle and increase the risk of a distracted driving accident, particularly in high-traffic areas like Old National Highway or near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where quick reaction times are crucial.
Cognitive Distractions
Cognitive distractions happen when the driver’s mind is not focused on driving. Talking to passengers, daydreaming, or becoming preoccupied with a phone conversation are common causes. These distractions are especially dangerous because they are harder to detect and can lead to fatal crashes. In College Park, where frequent traffic and complex intersections like Main Street and Godby Road require constant focus, cognitive distractions can have deadly consequences.
Multiple Distractions at Once
Some actions combine all three types of distraction. Texting while driving is a clear example. It takes eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and focus away from driving. Crashes caused by texting or other forms of cell phone use are increasing across many states, including in College Park, where areas like Old National Highway and near Interstate 285 are known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents.
High-Risk Groups
Teen drivers and novice drivers face a higher risk of distraction-related crashes. Younger drivers in College Park are more likely to use handheld devices and engage with passengers. Education and awareness campaigns targeting these age groups aim to reduce distraction-related injuries and deaths, helping to make local roads like Main Street and Godby Road safer for all drivers.
Why It Matters in College Park
Crashes involving distracted drivers often result in severe injuries or fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of people are killed each year in distraction-related crashes. Understanding what counts as distracted driving is the first step toward distraction-free driving and safer roads. In College Park, where traffic congestion around Interstate 285 and Old National Highway can lead to high-stress driving situations, it’s especially important to stay focused and avoid distractions on the road.
If you’ve been injured in a distracted driving accident in College Park, don’t hesitate to contact Buddoo & Associates, P.C. for expert legal advice and assistance in securing the compensation you deserve.
Georgia Distracted Driving Laws and Their Impact in College Park, GA
Georgia has strict laws to reduce crashes caused by distracted drivers, including in College Park, where busy streets like Old National Highway and Main Street often experience heavy traffic. These laws focus on preventing cell phone use and other distractions while operating a motor vehicle, making it easier to identify and hold accountable those responsible for crashes in College Park and surrounding areas.
Hands-Free Georgia Act (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241)
The Hands-Free Georgia Act makes it illegal for drivers in College Park to hold a phone or use other handheld devices while driving. This includes reading or sending text messages, watching videos, and using social media. Drivers must use hands-free technology such as Bluetooth or speakerphone, which is critical in areas like Old National Highway and Interstate 285, where traffic can come to a halt. The law applies to all drivers in Georgia and is enforced statewide, meaning that drivers in College Park must adhere to these rules or face penalties.
Restrictions on Cell Phone Use
Drivers in College Park cannot physically hold a phone or rest it on any part of their body while driving, even at a red light or in traffic. Texting, emailing, or browsing the internet is not allowed under Georgia’s distracted driving laws. The use of headphones or earpieces is limited to one ear only, which is important in College Park, where high-traffic areas like Godby Road or near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport can create dangerous situations if drivers are distracted. These restrictions are in place to reduce distraction and prevent fatal crashes, especially in busy traffic environments.
Rules for Teen and Novice Drivers in College Park
Teen drivers under 18 in College Park are banned from any cell phone use while driving, even if it is hands-free. This rule reflects the higher risk for younger drivers and the number of crashes involving distracted driving in this age group. Given that College Park is a hub for young drivers commuting to nearby schools or using major routes like Interstate 285, this law is crucial to reducing crashes involving distracted teens. Violating this law can lead to fines, points on the license, and even license suspension.
Penalties for Violating the Law
In College Park, as well as statewide, first-time offenders of Georgia’s distracted driving laws face a fine of $50 and one point on their license. Second and third offenses bring higher fines and more points, which can accumulate quickly for those driving in high-traffic areas like Main Street or Old National Highway. These penalties apply to all drivers, including those operating commercial vehicles. Company policy does not protect employees from liability if they cause a distracted driving accident in College Park or surrounding areas.
Legal Impact in an Accident
If a driver in College Park violates Georgia’s distracted driving laws and causes a crash, it may count as negligence per se. This means the violation itself can help prove fault in a legal case. Victims of crashes involving distracted drivers in College Park can use the law to support a claim for damages such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Working with an experienced College Park car accident attorney from Buddoo & Associates, P.C. can help ensure you receive the compensation you deserve after a distracted driving accident.
Legal Liability in a Distracted Driving Accident
Understanding legal responsibility is critical after a distracted driving accident. Georgia law holds drivers accountable when distraction leads to injury or property damage.
Negligence Per Se and Georgia Law
In Georgia, violating a traffic safety law like the Hands-Free Georgia Act (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241) can establish negligence per se. This means that if a driver is using a hand held phone or texting while driving and causes a crash, that violation may automatically prove they were negligent. This is important in civil cases, where proving fault is required to recover damages.
Proving the Driver Was Distracted
To hold a distracted driver liable, you must show they were not giving full attention to the road. Evidence may include phone records, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports. A car accident attorney may also subpoena mobile device data or request expert analysis to show distraction played a role in the crash.
Types of Damages You May Claim
Victims of distraction-related crashes can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In severe cases, where crashes caused fatalities, families may file a wrongful death claim under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2). These claims help cover funeral costs and the financial impact of losing a loved one.
Employer Liability and Commercial Drivers
If a commercial driver causes a distracted driving accident while using a cell phone or violating company policy, their employer may share liability. Businesses must ensure their drivers follow distraction free driving rules. Failure to enforce safety policies may lead to legal consequences for the company.
Why Legal Representation Matters
A car accident lawyer can help gather evidence, deal with insurance companies, and build a strong case for compensation. Distracted driving accidents often involve contested facts, and proving liability may require legal action. Getting the right support early improves your chances of a fair result.
How a College Park Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
After a distracted driving accident in College Park, a lawyer can protect your rights and help you recover damages. At Buddoo & Associates, P.C., we focus on helping injured drivers and passengers across Georgia, including College Park, get justice and fair compensation. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident on Old National Highway, Main Street, or near Interstate 285, our team is dedicated to helping you through every step of the legal process.
We Know Georgia Distracted Driving Laws
Our team understands how Georgia law applies to crashes involving distracted drivers, including in College Park. We know how to use the Hands-Free Georgia Act to help prove fault when a driver was using a handheld phone or texting. We also understand how to handle cases involving teen drivers, commercial vehicles, and other high-risk situations that are common in College Park, where heavy traffic on roads like Godby Road and Old National Highway increases the risk of accidents.
We Build Strong Legal Claims
To win your case, you need evidence. In College Park, we gather phone records, police reports, video footage, and witness statements to show that the other driver was distracted. We know how important it is to have strong documentation when dealing with crashes that happen near busy intersections or congested areas like Interstate 285. Our team works with experts when needed to strengthen your case. Our process is focused, direct, and proven, especially when it comes to handling accidents that occur in College Park, a region with heavy traffic patterns and frequent collisions.
We Deal With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to deny claims or reduce payouts, especially in College Park, where accidents happen frequently on high-traffic roads. We speak with insurers for you and push for full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain. If the insurance company refuses to be fair, we are ready to take your case to court. At Buddoo & Associates, P.C., we have the experience to handle insurance companies effectively and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for accidents in College Park.
We Represent Families After Fatal Crashes
When distracted driving deaths occur in College Park, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim. We help families in these cases seek damages for funeral costs, lost financial support, and emotional suffering. These cases are difficult, but we are here to guide you through every step of the process, especially when the crash occurred on major roads like Old National Highway or near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. We understand the emotional and legal complexities of these cases in College Park.
Why Choose Buddoo & Associates, P.C.?
We focus only on personal injury and car accident cases. Our office in College Park serves clients across Georgia, including surrounding areas like Atlanta, Tucker, Stone Mountain, and Embry Hills. We take on distracted driving cases because we believe drivers must be held accountable for unsafe behavior. We work directly with you and keep communication clear and honest throughout the process. If you’ve been in a distracted driving accident in College Park, we are here to help you navigate the legal system and fight for your rights.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a distracted driving accident, do not wait to get the legal help you need. These crashes often lead to serious injuries, lost wages, and long-term consequences. Our team at Buddoo & Associates understands how to handle these cases under Georgia law and will work directly with you to build a strong claim.
Contact us at 404-870-3557 for a free case consultation today!
