A Savannah distracted driving accident attorney can help you hold negligent drivers accountable when their inattention leads to serious injuries. Distracted driving is a widespread problem that leads to crashes with lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that a vehicle traveling at 55 miles per hour can cover the length of a football field in the five seconds it takes to read a text message. In those few seconds, a driver distracted by a phone, GPS, or radio is no longer focused on the road. This lapse violates one of the most fundamental responsibilities of driving: keeping your eyes and attention where they belong.
Crashes caused by distracted drivers are entirely preventable, yet they often result in injuries that place a significant burden on victims and their families. If you are dealing with the physical, financial, or emotional impact of a collision caused by another driver’s inattention, you have the legal right to seek compensation from the responsible party.
An experienced attorney can gather evidence, assess liability, and guide you through the legal process. To discuss your case, contact Hasner Law PC at (912) 234-2334 for a free and confidential consultation.
Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Guide
- How a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney at Hasner Law Can Assist You
- What Qualifies as Distracted Driving in Georgia?
- Georgia’s Hands-Free Law and How It Affects Your Case
- How a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Can Prove Driver Inattention
- Injuries Commonly Caused by Distracted Driving Collisions
- FAQs for Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
- Legal Guidance from a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
How a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney at Hasner Law Can Assist You
If you were struck by a distracted driver in Savannah, the process of pursuing compensation can be challenging. The other driver is unlikely to admit fault, especially if they were texting or using a phone at the time.
Insurance companies often work to minimize or deny these claims because they know that proving distraction is a key element of liability. They will look for ways to dispute the facts and delay the release of information.
By working with a Savannah distracted driving accident attorney at Hasner Law, you gain a legal team that takes immediate action to protect your interests. We begin by sending formal legal notices to the other driver and their cell phone provider, requesting preservation of all relevant phone records from the time of the crash. Without this early step, the data could be lost or deleted.
We also investigate available video evidence, including traffic camera footage, commercial surveillance from businesses along major roads like Abercorn Street and Victory Drive, and any dashcam recordings from witnesses.
We handle all communication with the insurance company so you don’t have to deal with constant calls or feel pressured into making a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters often attempt to downplay the incident or shift fault to the injured party.
Our attorneys have more than 80 years of combined experience addressing these tactics. We use that experience to develop a case that shows clearly how the driver’s distraction contributed to the collision and the resulting injuries. While you focus on your health, we work to build a strong legal strategy on your behalf.
What Qualifies as Distracted Driving in Georgia?
In Georgia, distracted driving includes any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies three types of distraction:
- Visual: Taking eyes off the road
- Manual: Removing hands from the wheel
- Cognitive: Thinking about something other than driving
These distractions can cause a driver to run a red light, rear-end another vehicle, or fail to see pedestrians in a crosswalk.
In Savannah, other common distractions include entering an address into a GPS, adjusting audio or climate controls, eating while driving, and speaking with passengers during emotionally charged conversations. These distractions can cause a driver to miss traffic signals, fail to notice slowing vehicles, or overlook pedestrians in crosswalks.
Georgia’s Hands-Free Law and How It Affects Your Case
Georgia law prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of their body while operating a motor vehicle. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241, drivers may not write, send, or read text messages or emails. They are also prohibited from watching or recording videos while driving.
If the driver who caused your crash was cited for violating this statute, that citation can play an important role in your injury claim. A violation may qualify as negligence per se, meaning the driver is presumed negligent simply for breaking the law.
This classification does not automatically resolve the case, but it strengthens your position and creates a strong basis for liability.
How a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Can Prove Driver Inattention
In many cases, distracted drivers refuse to admit that they were using their phone or otherwise not paying attention. Law enforcement officers can only report what they observe at the scene, and often do not have access to the evidence that confirms the driver’s conduct in the moments leading up to the crash.
A qualified Savannah distracted driving accident attorney conducts a thorough investigation to uncover the facts that a standard police report may not reveal.
Gathering Cell Phone Records
Cell phone records often play a central role in proving that a driver was distracted. With a subpoena, our legal team can request the at-fault driver’s call, text, and data usage logs from their mobile carrier.
These time-stamped records can show whether a message was sent or a call was in progress at the time of the crash. For example, if a text was sent just before a crash on Victory Drive or another busy Savannah roadway, that activity may help establish the driver’s distraction with precision.
Securing Video Evidence
Video footage can be a powerful source of proof. Our team canvasses the crash area for any available recordings. This includes checking traffic cameras at intersections, surveillance systems installed at nearby businesses, and doorbell cameras at adjacent homes.
We also contact other drivers who may have dashcam footage that shows the events leading up to the impact. A video showing the driver looking down rather than watching the road can be powerful proof of distraction.
Locating Eyewitnesses
In some collisions, pedestrians or other drivers may have seen the at-fault motorist using a phone or otherwise disengaged from driving. These eyewitnesses can provide firsthand accounts of what they saw in the seconds before the crash.
Our attorneys move quickly to identify and interview potential witnesses while the details are still fresh in their memory. Their testimony can strengthen the overall case by supporting digital and visual evidence.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Distracted Driving Collisions
Crashes involving distracted drivers are often severe because the distracted person fails to take any corrective action before the collision. These impacts usually occur at full speed and can result in long-term or even permanent injuries.
- Whiplash and Neck Trauma: Rear-end accidents are one of the most frequent outcomes of distracted driving. The rapid back-and-forth motion of the neck can damage muscles, tendons, and vertebrae, leading to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: When a person’s head strikes the window, steering wheel, or dashboard, it can result in a concussion or more serious brain injury. These injuries may cause headaches, memory issues, and long-term neurological complications, even in cases where symptoms are not immediately obvious.
- Bone Fractures: High-impact crashes can cause broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or face. These injuries may require extensive treatment, including surgery, immobilization, and physical rehabilitation.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: In the most serious collisions, the force of the crash may damage the spinal cord. This can result in reduced sensation, limited motor function, or paralysis, depending on the extent and location of the injury.
Each of these injuries can lead to significant medical needs and long recoveries. If distracted driving caused your crash, it’s critical to speak with an attorney right away.
FAQs for Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
What should I do if I suspect the person who hit me was texting?
Your first priority should always be safety and getting medical attention. If you are able to speak with the police at the scene, let the responding officer know about your concern that the other driver may have been using a phone. Make a mental or written note of what you observed.
This information is important to share with your attorney, as it may be the starting point for requesting the preservation of phone records. A Savannah distracted driving accident attorney can use this lead to begin building a case based on evidence of distraction.
Can a passenger be held responsible for distracting a driver?
In most cases, the driver is the only person legally responsible for operating the vehicle safely. However, there are rare situations where a passenger may contribute to a crash.
For instance, if a passenger grabs the steering wheel or physically interferes with the driver’s control of the vehicle, they could be held partially liable. Passive distractions, such as speaking to the driver or showing them something on a phone, generally do not result in legal responsibility.
Is using a hands-free device like Bluetooth considered distracted driving in Georgia?
Georgia’s hands-free law targets handheld phone use, but it does not prevent the use of Bluetooth or other hands-free systems. Still, the law does not remove the driver’s duty to remain attentive.
If someone is so focused on a conversation that they fail to stop at a red light or yield to a pedestrian, that behavior can still be considered negligent. A Savannah distracted driving accident attorney may be able to use call logs and witness testimony to demonstrate that the driver’s attention was compromised, even if the device was hands-free.
How does a distracted driving case differ from a typical car accident claim?
Distracted driving cases require more detailed investigation than many other types of collisions. The main challenge is proving that the driver was not focused on the road.
This usually involves requesting phone records through subpoenas, reviewing available video footage, and identifying witnesses who may have seen the driver’s behavior. A Savannah distracted driving accident attorney will often need to act quickly to preserve this evidence, as some of it may be lost or deleted within days of the crash.
If the other driver received a ticket for violating the hands-free law, does that mean I will win my case?
A citation under Georgia’s hands-free law is helpful, but it does not guarantee a successful claim. The ticket creates a legal presumption that the driver was negligent, known as negligence per se.
However, the insurance company may still argue that you were partially responsible or that the distraction did not directly cause the crash. A thorough legal strategy must consider all available evidence to support your claim.
Legal Guidance from a Savannah Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
At Hasner Law, our legal team is committed to representing individuals who have been harmed by distracted drivers. These cases require a strategic and detail-oriented approach, and we are prepared to investigate the crash thoroughly, identify all available evidence, and advocate for full compensation. A Savannah personal injury attorney from our firm will manage the legal process on your behalf while you focus on your health and recovery.
We represent clients across Chatham County, including neighborhoods such as Midtown Savannah, Abercorn Heights, and areas near the Truman Parkway. If you are dealing with medical expenses, lost income, or physical and emotional stress after a crash involving driver inattention, you do not have to manage these challenges on your own.
Contact Hasner Law at (912) 234-2334 for a free consultation with an attorney who understands both Georgia law and the local court system.
Hasner Law: Savannah Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
221 W York St,
Savannah, GA 31401
Ph: 912-234-2334
