Distracted driving as a result of cell phone use has become an epidemic problem in this country. 39 of our 50 states have laws limiting the use of cell phones while driving. Now, after some record civil judgments, the business world is attempting to curb the use of cell phones of their employees while driving. In fact, many companies have ban their employees from using cell phones while on the job or while driving because it can cause these accidents and end up costing them large amounts of money.
In one recent distracted driver lawsuit, a family was awarded $21 million following the death of a thirty-two year old woman who was killed in a cell phone related accident. In another case involving Coca-Cola, the company had to pay $21 million to a thirty-seven year old woman who suffered nerve damage to her back after she was hit by a car driven by a Coca-Cola sales person who was talking on her cell phone while driving. These companies and others could be held accountable in cell phone related accidents if their employee is driving a company car or if the employee is driving a private car but is doing so while on the job. They can also be held accountable if the employee is using a company cell phone or if the employee is using a private cell phone for work related issues.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration using a cell phone while driving makes the driver four times more likely to be involved in an accident. Some people may state that talking on a cell phone while driving is no more dangerous than listening to the radio or talking to someone in the car; however, recent research has proven the opposite. The data seems to indicate that f you are talking on a cell phone, your mind is somewhere else. Many companies, including UPS and Time Warner Cable, have banned their employees from using cell phones while driving. The National Safety Council is currently working on making people aware of the risks of personal cell phone use while driving.
If you have been injured by the careless acts of a distracted driver, please contact one of our Tennessee Car Accident Lawyers to discuss your case.