Business attempting to curb employee’s use of cell phones while driving
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.
Author Bio
Jim Higgins, founder of the Higgins Firm, is a seasoned personal injury attorney with deep roots in Nashville, Tennessee. A 4th generation Nashvillian, Jim carries on the legal legacy of his father, a judge for over 30 years. After graduating from the University of Memphis School of Law, Jim’s career began on the other side of the courtroom, defending insurance companies and learning their tactics for minimizing settlements. However, he soon realized his true calling was fighting for the rights of the injured, and for the past several years, he has exclusively represented plaintiffs in personal injury cases.
Since then, his dedication and skill have earned him membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization limited to attorneys who have secured million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for their clients. Licensed to practice in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia, Jim focuses on personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation cases. His exceptional work has been recognized by his peers, earning him a spot on the Super Lawyers list from 2021 to 2024, a distinction awarded to only a select group of accomplished attorneys in each state.
