Texting While Driving Car Accidents in Goodlettsville

Texting while driving drastically increases the chances of causing a car accident. To reduce this hazard, the state has implemented laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving.

Texting while driving car accidents in Goodlettsville can lead to severe injuries. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident caused by texting, you should speak with our knowledgeable legal team as soon as possible. Our car accident attorneys can help you pursue justice and compensation for your injuries.

Penalties for Texting While Driving

The state has implemented prohibitions against texting while driving in Goodlettsville to prevent accidents. According to Tennessee Code § 55-8-199, the rule provides that it is illegal to:

  • Hold a cell phone or mobile device while driving
  • Send or read text messages while driving
  • Reach for a cell phone in a manner that requires the driver to be improperly seated or without a seat belt while driving
  • Watch a video on a mobile device while driving
  • Record or broadcast into a cell phone or mobile device while driving

The penalties for violating the state’s prohibitions against cell phone use while driving are severe. You can face a $50 fine for first-time offenders, a $100 fine if you have three or more offenses or if the violation leads to an accident, and a $200 fine if the violation happens in a work zone or marked school zone.

For drivers under the age of 18, the Eddie Conrad Act increases the point penalties to their driving record from convictions for cell phone use while operating a vehicle. A second or repeat violation will lead to seven points charged to their record.

Texting While Driving Can Prove Negligence

The state follows a traditional fault-based system to determine liability for car accidents. However, insurance proceeds do not always adequately compensate victims for their losses or injuries.

In Goodlettsville, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit for negligence to recover compensation when you are injured in a collision caused by texting while driving. To prove negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the at-fault party breached a duty of reasonable care.

If a driver caused an accident by texting while driving, evidence can help prove they breached their duty of reasonable care. Potential evidence can include police reports, video surveillance footage or photos, and cell phone records.

Negligence claims also require the plaintiff to show that their injuries were directly caused by the at-fault party’s failure to use reasonable care. Further, the plaintiff must show that they suffered damages.

Damages can include both economic and non-economic losses stemming from the accident, including compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost future economic opportunities
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of relational benefits with a spouse or domestic partner

Deadline To File Your Legal Claim

The opportunity to file a Goodlettsville lawsuit based on a texting while driving accident does not last forever. Plaintiffs must file their lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations, or a court may dismiss their claim.

According to Tennessee Code § 28-3-104, injured victims must file their lawsuit within one year from the date of the accident. Failure to file the claim within the applicable statute of limitations will result in the court dismissing the lawsuit.

It is important to note that the one-year statute of limitations applies to claims for personal injuries. For claims involving only property damage, Tennessee Code § 28-3-105 provides that the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the incident.

Contact a Goodlettsville Attorney About Texting While Driving Crashes

Contact Ponce Law as soon as possible if you were injured due to texting while driving car accidents in Goodlettsville. We are the top personal injury law firm in the area, voted repeatedly as Nashville’s Best Law Firm by the Tennessean’s Best of Music City Awards.

Our lawyers are from the area and contribute to the local community. We will fight hard to help you recover compensation. Call us today to discuss your case.

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