After a car accident, it’s common to assume the other driver did something illegal. But many serious crashes in Georgia stem from behaviors that are perfectly legal, yet still dangerous and negligent. Understanding the difference between what’s against the law and what creates liability can help you assess your next steps.
Legal doesn’t mean safe
Most Georgia drivers know that holding a phone to text is illegal. What many don’t realize is that dozens of other distracting behaviors are completely legal, but can be just as dangerous. These everyday actions can cause crashes, contributing to serious injuries and catastrophic losses.
Common legal distractions include:
- Adjusting your GPS or navigation system
- Reaching for items that fall on the floor
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Having a dramatic phone conversation
- Talking to passengers or dealing with kids in the backseat
- Changing radio stations or climate controls
- Personal grooming (yes, people really do this)
Generally, these actions won’t earn drivers a traffic ticket. But any of them can take a person’s eyes, hands or mind off the road long enough to cause a serious accident.
Why this matters for accident victims
Here’s what’s important: just because a behavior isn’t illegal doesn’t mean the driver isn’t responsible when they cause a crash. Georgia law holds drivers accountable for negligence, or failing to operate their vehicle safely. If a driver’s distraction causes them to rear-end another car, run a red light or drift into oncoming traffic, they can be accountable for the injuries and damages they cause.
Insurance companies know this. They investigate whether distraction played a role in crashes, even when no ticket was issued. Evidence like witness statements, phone records and dash cam footage can prove a driver wasn’t paying attention.
The bottom line
A police officer might not ticket someone for turning to find something in the backseat or eating a messy burger while driving. But if a distraction causes a driver to crash, they can be liable for the consequences of this carelessness.
Georgia courts recognize that all drivers have a responsibility to operative their vehicles safely, regardless of what the law specifically prohibits. If that duty is broken and people get hurt, victims may be eligible for compensation to cover damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.