Georgia Automobile Accident & Truck Accidents - Cellphones and Texting Devices Often The Cause
As a Georgia injury lawyer who drives into Atlanta every morning, I see numerous people everyday on the highway who are either talking away on a cell phone or, worse yet, texting on some handheld device. Many of the ones on a cellphone can barely turn their head enough to make sure that there is nothing in the lane next to them before changing lanes. I have personally witnessed many “near-misses” from people who are hunting for keys on a texting device rather than looking where they are going. Unfortunately some of these people are tractor trailer and commercial truck drivers. Although it is not yet against the law to drive with these devices, it is negligent to do so and if you cause an automobile accident or a tractor trailer truck accident while using such a device, you may pay for it. Your cellphone records can be subpoenaed from your carrier to determine when you were utilizing the device and to whom you were communicating. Many automobile accidents leave victims with serious, life-altering injuries, including brain injuries. Sadly many negligent drivers who are pre-occupied with cellphone conversations and texting cause the wrongful death of innocent victims.
The New York Times published an article last week about this issue. They reported that in 2003 researchers at a federal agency proposed a long-term study of 10,000 drivers to assess the safety risk posed by cellphone use behind the wheel. Unfortunately the study or data from the study was never made public because the researcher’s agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration apparently didn’t want to anger Congress.
If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of an automobile accident or tractor trailer truck accident, call the Georgia injury lawyers of Finch McCranie, LLP at (800) 228-9159. We have been standing up for the rights of injured people for over forty years.
