Atlanta Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
Are You in Need of an Atlanta Distracted Driving Accident Attorney?
Distracted driving is major causes of car accidents across in Atlanta, and it’s completely preventable. When drivers fail to keep their attention on the road, they put everyone around them at risk. Every day, victims of distracted driving accidents are forced to deal with painful injuries, costly medical treatment, lost income, and emotional distress.
At Butler Prather LLP, we represent people who have been seriously injured in vehicle collisions caused by negligent drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver in Atlanta, our attorneys are ready to review your case and explain your legal options.
You may want to speak with an Atlanta distracted driver accident lawyer if:
- A driver was using a phone or other device when the crash occurred
- The accident happened because a driver was not paying attention to traffic
- You suffered serious injuries in a collision
- Insurance companies dispute responsibility for the crash
- The accident caused significant financial losses
Why Choose Us Over Other Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
Distracted driving accidents can happen in many ways. For example, a driver glancing at their phone, reaching for something in the car, or turning around to talk to passengers may miss a traffic signal or fail to see a stopped vehicle ahead.
At Butler Prather LLP, we understand that every case represents a person whose life has been deeply affected by an accident. That’s why we’re proud to have a well-earned a reputation for successfully resolving difficult personal injury cases and getting maximum compensation for our clients.
Here’s why so many people have come to trust our firm:
- Over 35 years of helping injured people and grieving families pursue compensation; we have an impressive track record of winning major verdicts and lawsuits on behalf of clients.
- We’ve represented clients in more than 30 states nationwide, handling complex personal injury claims in Georgia and across the country.
- We’ve won ten jury verdicts that exceeded $100 million, reflecting our ability to pursue justice in high-stakes litigation.
- Recognized by Super Lawyers for 23 consecutive years, based on peer reviews and independent research.
- Partner James Butler featured in the Atlanta Bar Association’s Legends of the Bar Series, honoring his outstanding contributions to the legal profession.
Don’t Let Distracted Drivers Avoid Responsibility
If another driver was using a phone or otherwise distracted, our legal team can investigate and pursue accountability. Call (706) 322-1990 for a free consultation.
How an Atlanta Distracted Driver Accident Lawyer Can Help
Distracted driving accidents may involve complicated legal issues. Insurance companies could attempt to dispute liability or argue that your injuries aren’t that serious. Our attorney resist these tactics by:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly
- Gathering evidence that shows the driver was distracted
- Obtaining phone records or surveillance footage
- Interviewing witnesses
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists
- Aggressive negotiating with insurance companies
- Taking cases to trial when necessary
Get Help From a Leading Car Accident Law Firm
Call (706) 322-1990 to find out how we can help.
Types of Damages Available
Victims of distracted driving accidents may experience many different types of losses. Compensation in a personal injury claim is intended to address both financial and personal harm caused by driver negligence.
In cases involving severe injuries, compensation may cover long-term care and severe hardships that victims face. Our attorneys work with medical professionals and financial experts to clarify the full extent of the damages you are suffering. This may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- In-home assisted care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
How Negligence Causes Car Accidents
Driver negligence refers to situations where a driver fails to operate their vehicle with reasonable care, causing harm to others. In personal injury cases, negligence means the driver acted carelessly or irresponsibly and that behavior led to a crash and resulting injuries. Distracted driving is a form of negligence because it involves taking attention away from the task of driving.
Even a brief distraction can result in a crash when traffic conditions change suddenly. Negligent behavior may include:
- Adjusting Vehicle Controls. Drivers may take their attention away from traffic while adjusting the radio, climate controls, or navigation systems.
- Eating or Drinking. Consuming food or beverages while driving may cause drivers to remove one or both hands from the wheel.
- Grooming and Personal Maintenance. Activities such as applying makeup, fixing hair, or adjusting clothing can distract drivers from watching the road.
- Interacting with Passengers. Turning around to talk to passengers or engaging in heated conversations may cause drivers to lose focus on traffic conditions.
- Unsecured Pets moving around inside a vehicle can distract drivers and interfere with safe vehicle operation.
- Reaching for Items Inside the Vehicle. Drivers may take their eyes off the road when reaching for objects such as phones, bags, or items that fall to the floor.
How Careless Smart Phone Users Cause Accidents
Smartphones are one of the most common sources of distracted driving. Activities such as texting, checking social media, reading messages, or watching videos take a driver’s eyes off the road.
When a driver looks down at a phone for just a few seconds, their vehicle may travel the length of a football field without the driver watching the road ahead. Drivers who use phones while driving may fail to notice traffic signals, slowing vehicles, road hazards, or pedestrians.
Georgia’s Hands Free Laws
Under Georgia law, drivers are generally prohibited from holding a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle. These laws are intended to reduce dangerous distractions and encourage drivers to keep their focus on the road. When a distracted driving accident occurs, a violation of these rules may serve as evidence of driver negligence.
An Atlanta personal injury attorney can prove distracted driving by gathering and analyzing evidence that shows the driver was not paying full attention to the road at the time of the crash. Because distractions often occur inside the vehicle, proving them usually requires a careful investigation and multiple sources of evidence.
Attorneys can use the following types of evidence to prove driver distraction:
- Cell phone records: Phone logs can show whether the driver was texting, calling, or using apps at the time of the collision.
- Vehicle data and technology records: Some vehicles store information about driver activity, including system use or sudden braking before impact.
- Police reports: Officers may note signs of distraction or record statements from drivers and witnesses at the scene.
- Witness testimony: Other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians may have seen the driver looking at a phone or engaging in another distraction.
- Traffic or surveillance cameras: Video footage may capture the driver’s behavior just before the crash.
- Admissions by the driver: Sometimes a driver may admit they were distracted, such as checking a message or adjusting a device.
Reasons to See a Lawyer Right Away
Seeking legal guidance right away allows an attorney to investigate the crash while the evidence is still available. Evidence that proves a driver was distracted may disappear if it is not preserved promptly. For example:
- Phone records may become more difficult to obtain
- Surveillance footage may be erased
- Witnesses may forget key details
- Evidence of vehicle damage evidence may be lost if cars are repaired
What Clients Are Saing About Us
We couldn't have made this happen without this wonderful man and his associates- Lindsay (5-Star AVVO Review)
We filed a wrongful death case from a car wreck where my son passed away. We went all the way to trial and got a verdict of $150 million. We couldn't have made this happen without this wonderful man and his associates.
I would highly recommend them to anyone-Amy Nichols (5-Star Google Review)
Butler Prather LLP was there for my son when he was injured in a wreck at no fault of his own. They worked hard for my son, always available when I called or had questions. They were honest and up front with me about every part of my son’s case. I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Car Accident Case Results
Car Accident / Wrongful Death
Grow v. Georgia D.O.T. and Timothy VanKrieken, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. Surviving mother sued after her daughter was killed in a vehicular collision. The signage, signals, design, layout, and configuration of the intersection caused the driver of the vehicle in which the daughter was a passenger to form the mistaken conclusion that the intersection was a four-way stop. An approaching vehicle collided with the passenger side of the vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger.
Car Accident / Pain and Suffering / Loss of Consortium
In the case of Sistrunk v. Peachtree Pest Control and Freddie May in the State Court of DeKalb County, Georgia, a 52-year-old electrician sustained injuries from a road accident, including a broken ankle and left wrist that necessitated plates and screws, incurring $40,000 in medical expenses. The employer contested the case based on the scope of employment, but the jury found both the employee and employer liable. The verdict awarded the electrician $900,000 for pain and suffering and $25,000 for loss of consortium, despite the last settlement offer being $100,000.
Other Locations We Serve in Georgia
- Albany
- Alpharetta
- Athens
- Augusta
- Brookhaven
- Brunswick
- Columbus
- Dunwoody
- Gainesville
- Johns Creek
- Macon
- Marietta
- Roswell
- Sandy Springs
- Savannah
- Smyrna
- South Fulton
- Stonecrest
- Valdosta
- Warner Robins
Speak With an Experienced Atlanta Distracted Driver Accident Attorney Today
You don’t have to face the legal system on your own after a serious crash. The attorneys at Butler Prather LLP carefully investigate accidents to determine how distraction contributed to the crash. We gather evidence, review records, and prepare a solid claim for the insurance company. If they refuse to make a serious settlement offer, we are always prepared to take your case to trial.
Call (706) 322-1990 to find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Atlanta?
After a car accident, your first priority should be safety. Call 911 to report the crash and seek medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first. If possible, take photos of the scene, gather contact information from witnesses, and exchange insurance details with the other driver. You will want to speak with an Atlanta car accident lawyer before discussing the incident with the insurance company.
How do I know if I have a valid car accident claim?
A valid car accident claim typically requires showing that another party’s negligence caused the crash and your injuries. This may involve proving that a driver violated traffic laws, drove recklessly, or failed to operate their vehicle safely. During your free consultation, Butler Prather LLP can advise you on the best strategy for pursuing compensation.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Georgia?
Georgia generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Every case is different and there are exceptions. That’s why we strongly encourage you to speak with a qualified attorney about your claim as soon as possible.
What types of compensation may be available after a car accident?
Compensation in a car accident claim may include medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. In cases involving severe injuries, damages may also account for long-term care needs, home modifications, and other expenses related to recovery.
What if I was partially responsible for the accident?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may still pursue compensation if you were less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. Butler Prather LPP will use evidence to aggressively push back against insurers and defendants who attempt to exaggerate your level of fault after an accident.
How long does it take to resolve a car accident claim?
The timeline for resolving a car accident claim varies depending on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the complexity of the case, and whether liability is disputed. Some cases may settle within a few months, while others may take longer if litigation becomes necessary.
How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer?
Butler Prather LLP handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means clients generally do not pay attorney fees unless compensation is recovered. During a consultation, a lawyer can explain the fee structure and answer questions about how the legal process works.
Meet Our Attorneys
James E. Butler, Jr.
James E. Butler Jr. is the founding partner of Butler Prather LLP, a nationally recognized civil trial firm. James has represented clients in litigation involving products liability, catastrophic personal injury, business torts, and False Claims Act matters. Known for his strategic approach and courtroom advocacy, he has built a reputation for handling high-stakes cases against major corporations and institutions.
James has served as lead counsel in ten cases where jury verdicts exceeded $100 million. Among these results are two landmark verdicts against Ford Motor Company involving Super Duty roof crush claims: a $1.7 billion verdict in 2022 and a $2.5 billion verdict in 2025. It is believed that no lawyer in American history has served as lead counsel in as many cases with verdicts exceeding $100 million.
He has also achieved record-setting verdicts in multiple states, including Missouri, Tennessee, and Alabama. In Georgia, James has set the record for the largest verdict in state history six separate times across four different types of civil cases: medical malpractice, trucking, auto products liability, and business torts involving breach of fiduciary duty. His first record-setting verdict occurred when he was just 31 years old and was followed three months later by what was then the second-largest verdict in Georgia history.
Ramsey B. Prather
Ramsey B. Prather experienced trial lawyer and partner at Butler Prather LLP. Throughout his career, he has focused on helping injured people pursue justice and compensation after life-changing events. Over the course of his career, Ramsey has handled a wide range of complex personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries, defective products, vehicle collisions, and wrongful death claims. Many of these cases involve powerful corporations, manufacturers, and large insurance companies. His ability to analyze complicated legal and technical issues has helped him advocate effectively for clients facing some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives.
Ramsey works on complex cases that requires extensive investigation and collaboration with specialists in fields such as engineering, accident reconstruction, and medicine. Clients appreciate Ramsey’s thoughtful and diligent approach to representation. He understands that a serious injury affects far more than a person’s physical health; it can impact their family, career, and long-term financial stability. His goal is to provide guidance and strong advocacy during what is often one of the most difficult times in a client’s life.
Atlanta Office:
12 Lenox Pointe NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Additional Information
- How Georgia’s Hands-Free Law Affects Distracted Driving Claims in 2025
- The Rise of Distracted Driving Accidents in Georgia
- Proving Distracted Driving with Cell Phone Data
- What You Need to Know about Georgia’s Hand-Free Law
- Distracted Driving - NHTSA