Phones help us stay connected–but behind the wheel, they’re a serious issue. In Georgia, using your phone while driving is illegal for a reason: it pulls your eyes, hands, and mind off the road–and that usually means serious accidents. Weaver Law Firm’s team of Georgia car accident lawyers can help you if you’ve been hurt in one of these accidents.
How Does the Hands Free Georgia Act Help Drivers?
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241, also known as the “Hands Free Georgia Act” is Georgia’s attempt at making the roads safer when it comes to using a phone. It sets the parameters for how you and other drivers can legally use a phone while driving:
- No holding phones – Drivers can’t hold or support a phone or other electronic device with any part of their body while driving.
- Voice commands only – You can use your phone with hands-free tech like Bluetooth, earpieces, or speakerphone–so long as you don’t touch it to dial, text, or browse.
- Texting and browsing are banned – Writing, sending, or reading texts/emails, watching videos, or scrolling social media while driving is not allowed.
- GPS is okay – You can use GPS or mapping apps, but you should set the destination before you start driving.
- Applies to all drivers – This law applies to all drivers, regardless of age or license type. (There are extra restrictions for school bus drivers and truck drivers.)
We all know how easy it is to reach for the phone at a red light or sneak a quick text while stuck in traffic. In today’s world, just about every driver has a phone within arm’s reach. But that split-second glance down can have life-changing consequences.
How Does Using a Phone Lead to Car Accidents in Georgia?
Like other places throughout the country, it’s almost a given that drivers are going to also have their cellphone with them. That’s why O.C.G.A.§ 40-6-241 is in place, but unfortunately, that alone can’t prevent someone from using their phone while driving. And when that happns, it leads to accidents because of things like:
- Swerving out of nowhere – A driver looks down to read a text, then jerks the wheel to avoid something they didn’t see coming–often overcorrecting and hitting another car, a pole, or worse.
- Missing red lights and stop signs – Drivers looking at their phone miss critical signs and signals. That one moment of looking down can be the difference between stopping safely and T-boning another vehicle.
- Rear-end collisions – When you’re not fully tuned in to traffic flow, it’s easy to miss when the car in front of you brakes. Rear-end collisions are incredibly common in these types of situations.
- Drifting into other lanes – Glancing at a screen for even a second can lead to veering into the next lane—putting everyone nearby at risk, especially on Georgia’s highways and busy city streets.
- Missing hazards altogether – Whether it’s construction zones, downed trees after a storm, or a stalled car, texting drivers often miss the signs that could help them slow down or steer clear.
When a driver chooses to use their phone, they’re not just risking their own safety-they’re putting everyone else on the road in danger. That usually means accidents, which in turn means dealing with doctor visits, insurance calls, car repairs–and often, no clear idea of what to do next. That’s where we come in.
Contact Weaver Law Firm After a Car Accident in Georgia
Weaver Law Firm helps Georgians handle every part of the car accident process, from investigating what happened to negotiating with the insurance company. We focus on getting you the support you need, including:
- Medical bills and treatment costs
- Lost wages or time away from work
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Pain and physical suffering
- Emotional stress or trauma
- Funeral or wrongful death costs (if the crash was fatal)
We offer free consultations and you won’t pay us anything upfront–we take our fee from whatever result we get for you. If you’re unsure about your next steps, reach out today for a free consultation.
