Get Angry: Tennessee Distracted Driving Accidents are Avoidable!

A serious Tennessee car accident can be one of the most stressful events life has to offer. Our lives can be turned upside down in one brief instant. From the initial crash to the emergency room, we can be frightened, upset, and afraid.

Once the recovery period begins, most people discover the cause of their accidents. If they find that a distracted driver caused the accident, all the prior emotions may give way to anger. This never had to happen in the first place, and yet, it happens with disturbing frequency.

Distracted driving is deadly

In 2010 around eight people died each day in distracted driving accidents. And each and every one was avoidable. Here are some further statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association for the year 2009:

• 5,474 people were killed in distracted driving accidents, and an estimated 448,000 were injured.
• Distracted driving caused 16% of all fatal crashes.
• Distracted driving caused 20% of all auto accident injuries.
• Teens are more likely than adults to cause distracted driving crashes.
• At any moment on American roads, over 800,000 drivers are using hand-held cell phones.

There are several main types of distracted driving

• Texting is considered the worst distraction. This activity alone makes the risk of having an accident 23 times more likely.
• Using a smartphone or cell phone is the second most dangerous thing a driver can do when behind the wheel.
• Talking to passengers also creates accidents when the conversation becomes more important than the roadway.
• Grooming is another form of distracted driving. Putting on makeup, doing hair, and even cutting fingernails are all common things drivers do when they should be concentrating on the road.
• Reading, whether it is maps or even the newspaper, is a dangerous driving activity.
• Using a navigation system is another distraction very common among drivers.
• Watching a video, while it seems insane, is also the cause of distracted driving accidents.
• Adjusting the radio, CD, or MP3 player are all common activities that distract drivers.

Of all these distracted driving causes, cell phone use is getting the most attention. Tennessee has enacted several state laws dealing with cell phone use, and the statistics are pushing them to pass even more stringent laws. Currently in Tennessee there is a ban on all:

• Cell phone use for bus drivers.
• Cell phone use for new drivers.
• Texting for all drivers.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious accident caused by distracted driving, you should explore your legal options. Call the Memphis car crash lawyers at Bailey & Greer toll free at 901-680-9777 to get started.