Aggressive Knoxville Car Crash Lawyers Helping Victims of Distracted Drivers

The dangers of driving when hands are off the steering wheel and minds are not focused on traffic

At Banks and Jones, our Knoxville car accident lawyers have a zero-tolerance view of distracted driving. There is simply no excuse for failing to put the safety or passengers and other vehicles first. We fight relentlessly to hold those people and companies who crushed your dreams and prevented you from living a normal life accountable for the pain they caused. We demand payment for your inability to work, your hospital and doctor bills, and each moment of agony. Our lawyers are always ready to Fight 2 Win your case in court before a jury.

Why distracted driving is so dangerous

In Knox County alone, distracted driving led to 803 crashes in 2023.

  1. It affects vision. Drivers who aren’t looking in front of them can’t:
    1. See oncoming cars and cars crossing intersections
    2. See how close they are to cars in front of them
    3. See traffic lights and road signs
    4. See potholes and changes in road surfaces
  2. It affects concentration. Distracted drivers aren’t thinking about how they will handle emergencies such as merging traffic or cars that suddenly hit their breaks.
  3. It limits physical responses. If a driver’s hands aren’t on the wheel, he/she can’t steer and can’t get out of harm’s way

At the end of the day, the brain can’t really handle doing more than one thing at a time. Driving requires a person’s full attention; doing something else diverts that attention away. All types of distracted driving are dangerous. Some of the common types are:

  • Driving while texting
  • Driving while using a cellphone or smartphone
  • Eating or drinking while driving
  • Adjusting the radio
  • Looking at GPS systems
  • Reading while driving
  • Speaking with passengers in the rear seat

Driving while tired and driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics are also types of distracted driving. In these cases, concentration and physical movements are reduced. Vision is usually impaired.

Drivers who need to text, use a smartphone, or who are distracted for any reason should pull off the road and conduct their tasks while the car is stopped.

Liability in Tennessee’s distracted driving cases

We work with the police investigators and traffic reconstruction experts, when necessary, to prove distracted driving occurred. Often, we can show a driver was distracted by questioning witnesses, examining cellphone histories, or reviewing blood alcohol tests.

Our Knoxville drivers hold the following people liable if distracted driving caused a car wreck:

  • The distracted driver
  • The owners of the vehicle
  • Anyone who caused the distraction other than the driver

If a loved one died, we represent the families in wrongful death actions against all wrongdoers.

Tennessee law on distracted driving

In 2024, the “Eddie Conrad Act” went into effect. This new law increased the number of points you’d get on your license if you’re busted for distracted driving:

  1. A second or subsequent violation by a person who is younger than 18 years of age results in seven points being charged to the person’s driving record;
  2. If a person is 18 years of age or older, then a first or second violation of this law results in four points being charged to the person’s driving record; and
  3. If a person is 18 years of age or older, then a third or subsequent violation of this law results in five points being charged to the person’s driving record.

In 2019, Tennessee enacted the “Hands Free Law” – T.C.A. § 55-8-199. Per HandsFreeTN, this new law made it illegal for drivers to:

  1. hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body,
  2. write, send, or read any text-based communication,
  3. reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt,
  4. watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device, and
  5. record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device.

Since 2009, the following laws have been in place in Tennessee:

  • A ban on text message. No driver can text while driving. This includes composing, reading, or sending a text message. Police officers can pull over a driver if they think he/she is violating the law.
  • Novice drivers. Anyone who has a learner’s permit or an intermediate license cannot use a cell phone while they drive.
  • School bus drivers. These drives also cannot use a cell phone while driving unless there is an emergency.

Many people think the Tennessee distracted driving lawyers should be tougher because the statistics repeatedly confirm the danger of distracted driving. For example, currently there is no increased penalty for second and third violations.

Talk with a tough Knoxville distracted driving attorney now

When any type of car accident happens, it is important to speak with an attorney right away. At Banks and Jones, our lawyers work immediately to preserve or capture evidence that can show the accident was due to a distracted driver. Our Knoxville attorneys guide victims and families through each phase of the case. Do not even think about settling your case until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. You can make an appointment by calling us at 865-546-2141 or by contacting us now. We Fight 2 Win you the maximum amount the law allows.