According to a recent report issued by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 20% of all fatal accidents occurring in Tennessee over the past five years have been associated with the use of a cell phone by at least one driver. Cell phone use is only one type of distracted driving, a type of negligence that leads to devastating injury and tragic loss of life in Tennessee every year. As more and more drivers use GPS navigation, cell phones and other technological devices while driving, other motorists on Tennessee roadways are put at an increased risk of TN car accidents, injuries and wrongful death. If you have suffered injuries caused by a distracted driver in Tennessee, contact our skilled car accident attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates today.
As Captain R.C. Christian of the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated recently, “About every 2.4 seconds there is a crash [in the United States] involving drivers using cell phones and texting, and you are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash if you are texting.” Although driving while using a cell phone is a national problem, it is particularly prevalent in Tennessee, where the 20% rate is slightly higher than the national average of 18%. Under TN law, it is illegal for drivers to send or receive text messages while behind the wheel, and drivers with intermediate licenses or driver’s permits are prohibited from using cell phones at all while driving. In addition, school bus drivers are not permitted to use cell phones while driving if passengers are on board. Unfortunately, not everyone follows these rules.
On average, about 1,000 people are killed in Tennessee car accidents each year. This means approximately 200 drivers and passengers lose their lives annually as a result of one of the drivers involved in the collision using a cell phone. Despite the fact that states nationwide are implementing harsher cell phone laws in an effort to curb distracted driving injuries and deaths, motor vehicle accidents and fatalities remain a serious problem in Tennessee and across the United States. If you have been injured in a TN car accident caused by a distracted driver, or if you lost a loved one in such an accident, consult our experienced car accident lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver, in order to pursue financial compensation for the damages associated with the accident.
