Texting and Driving Accidents

Everyone these days likes to send a quick text to their friends or family members. It has become an easy and convenient way to communicate. However, texting while driving most likely means that you are distracted while driving and this can lead to serious car accidents, severe injuries and maybe even death. The Centers for Disease Control report that an estimated 1,060 people are injured in accidents due to a driver being distracted. If you or someone you care about has been injured or died as the result of a car accident that involved texting while driving, then you should talk to one of our experienced and caring texting and driving lawyers with the Higgins Firm. We will work with you to make sure you get the compensation you need for what you have been through.

In July of 2009, texting while driving became illegal in Tennessee. This means that if you or someone else is caught texting while driving, you could face a class C misdemeanor that could result in a fine of up to $50.00. In order to be found guilty, a person must be reading or sending a text message while the vehicle is moving. So, it is not illegal to send or read a text message while you may be at a stoplight but it becomes illegal if you continue to text or read text messages once the vehicle starts moving again. Other laws about texting and driving include:

• Reckless driving – This means driving a car  or any vehicle in “willful and wanton” disregard for the safety of other people or property. You or someone else may be charged with this if the police see your vehicle swerving on the road while you are looking at your phone. This law does not actually require the police to see you texting and Tennessee state law does not require proof that you were in fact actually texting. Driving in any way that is considered reckless or dangerous can lead to this type of charge.
• Reckless endangerment- This happens when a person is recklessly engaged in an activity that causes them to place or maybe place someone else in serious danger of injury or death. This includes any kind of distraction while driving, including texting and driving.
• Criminally Negligent Homicide- If a person dies as the result of a vehicle accident, the person driving may face criminally negligent homicide charges. Many states have laws that are specific to this type of homicide while texting and driving, but as of right now Tennessee has no specific laws. A person that was texting while driving that led to a crash where someone died can expect to be charged with this or vehicular homicide.

Each day more people are texting and this unfortunately means more texting and driving. If you or someone you love was injured or died as the result of texting while driving, then you should contact one of our knowledgeable and compassionate texting and driving  lawyers at the Higgins Firm. We know how devastating these cases can be for you and your family and we will review your case and fight on your behalf to see to it that you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours for what you and your family have suffered. We will also help to make sure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions.  We have handled these cases in Chattanooga and throughout Tennessee.

You can contact us online or by calling 800.705.2121 to discuss your case and any questions you might have.