Super Lawyers
Justia Lawyer Rating
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
AVVO Rating
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
NBTA
Martindale-Hubbell
Bar Register Preeminent Lawyers
Georgia Trend Legal Elite
Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
America's Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys

Distracted Driving Accidents

If you have not been living in a cave for the past decade, you have personal experience and observations about the dangers of distracted driving that have increased with the proliferation of cell phones.

Distracted driving presents a growing risk of injury and death on the highways of Georgia and throughout the United States. As an Atlanta lawyer handling personal injury and wrongful death cases statewide in Georgia, attorney Ken Shigley has seen all the sources of driver distraction.

Public awareness of driver distraction is a widespread public safety problem is roughly comparable to awareness of drunk driving hazards 40 years ago. In 2013[1], at least 18% of car accidents resulted from driver distraction , causing approximately 424,000 injuries[2] and 3,154 deaths . Ten percent of fatal crashes, 18 percent of injury crashes[3], and 16 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2013 were reported as distraction-affected crashes. These numbers are probably vastly underreported because most people who cause a crash while distracted do not admit that to a police officer.

The ten most common sources of driver distraction are:

  1. Generally distracted or “lost in thought” – 62%. A driver’s mind may wander far from the car and highway long enough to have a tragic consequence. You may have experienced this on a long car trip, thinking of some challenge in your personal life or work, then realizing that you had driven miles without even realizing it. Usually the only way to get information about this form of distraction is patient cross-examination of the driver who caused the crash in a deposition.
  2. Cellphone use – 12%. We have handled numerous crash cases in which a driver was talking on a cell phone or texting. There are studies indicating cell phone use while driving is roughly equivalent to 0.08 gr/% drunk driving. Even hands free cell phone use may present a serious driving hazard. While hands free phones eliminate the distraction of looking at and manipulating a phone, the cognitive distraction can take the driver’s mind off the road. For good reason, interstate truck drivers are barred from texting and handheld cell phones while driving.
  3. Outside person, object or event – 7%. Looking at someone or something outside the vehicle, like rubbernecking at an accident scene or gawking at people in other cars, is a common distraction.
  4. Other occupants – 5%. While casual conversation may not be much of a distraction, more intense interaction with other people in the car can place major demands on your attention. As a Georgia attorney, Ken Shigley had a case in which a dump truck driver took his live-in girlfriend along in the truck delivering crushed rock from a quarry to a road construction site. They were arguing in the truck when he crashed into our client who was waiting to make a left turn onto a freeway ramp.
  5. Using or reaching for a device brought into the car – 2%. We had a fatal truck accident case in which a truck driver was reaching for a water bottle he had dropped on the floor. Distracted from watching the road ahead, he ran over a car and killed a woman.
  6. Eating or drinking – 2%. People who attempt to eat anything messy or difficult to handle are particularly prone to driver distraction accidents. Ketchup spilling down one’s clothing can momentarily seem more important than safety of other people on the highway.
  7. Adjusting audio or climate controls – 2%. Fiddling with the AC or radio for even a moment is a factor in some traffic crashes.
  8. Adjusting devices or controls – such as mirrors and seatbelts -- in operation of the vehicle – 1%.
  9. Moving objects – 1%. Moving objects in the car such as insects and pets can lead you to take your eyes off the road. We have had cases in which drivers were swatting at a bee or dealing with a dog moving around in the vehicle.
  10. Smoking related – 1%. A driver may be distracted by lighting or putting out a cigarette or cigar, or dropping a lit cigarette on the driver’s lap.

More often, driver distraction is suspected but unproven unless the driver admits to it. There are no chemical tests for driver distraction. Police do not check cell phones without a search warrant, for which probable causes would be required. In lawsuits, as a Georgia attorney, at Shigley Law we subpoena cell phone billing records of the driver at fault whenever possible but defendants use numerous excuses to block access to records of calls and texting.

Inattention blindness.

All the causes of distracted driving accidents relate to a psychological phenomenon called “inattentional blindness.” A person whose mind is on one thing may fail to perceive things that are clearly visible right in front of him. A driver preoccupied with a cell phone conversation – even hands free – may fail to see a red light or stop sign.

We offer free consultation*. Call us today at 404-253-7862 or fill out our online form. We can help.


[1] https://www.distraction.gov/downloads/pdfs/Distracted_Driving_2013_Research_note.pdf

[2] https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/distracted_driving/

[3] https://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Goes above and beyond and is a mountain of knowledge on spine and brain injuries. He does his research and represents you with a level of excellence. Remains a friend after representing me." Dee M., Woodstock, GA
★★★★★
"I have collaborated with Mr. Shigley on several initiatives within Georgia’s Judiciary over the past few years and found him to be a persistent and attentive individual. Ken has taken great pride in his involvement with the projects that I have worked on and he is good at influencing success. Despite his hectic schedule, Ken has always made time to discuss, research and review ideas for the best way to accomplish goals. I look forward to a continued working relationship in this and future roles." Jorge B., CIO, Judicial Council of Georgia
★★★★★
"After having to have a hole drilled in an automobile part at a machine shop 10 years ago, I told my uncle I could have done that. My uncle replied, "You are doing this once these guys do it every day" That simply means if you don't know where to turn, get help and get an expert. Ken was that help when I was severely injured during a fatal accident. Ken and his team at Shigley Law are experts, and are here to help you during your crisis. Ken will be there during the injury, recovery, and trial. He and his firm will work hard to see that you are represented fairly!" Jeremy R.
★★★★★
"Ken is a very kind man. He has a wealth of knowledge and is going above and beyond to help us while representing our case." Candy F., spouse of catastrophic injury client, Plains, GA
★★★★★
"I know Ken as trial lawyer of highest standards. Ken is knowledgeable and innovative and that translates to success in the courtroom. He is outgoing, compassionate and personable which makes him a pleasure to work with in any setting." Eric B., Attorney, Canton, GA