If your life has been upended by a distracted driver, M. Austin Jackson can help. Our experienced team of distracted driving accident lawyers will listen carefully to your story and then build a strong case on your behalf, helping you receive fair compensation and a sense of justice after your collision.
Our Augusta car accident attorneys have the proven ability to hold distracted drivers accountable. We take a personalized, local approach to every case, and we’ve recovered major settlements for our Georgia and South Carolina neighbors. Together, we’ll help ease the financial burden of medical bills and lost wages so you can invest your energy into healing.
Schedule your free consultation today! Just fill out the form, or call (706) 810-8391 to speak with an attorney at our compassionate Augusta law firm.
Drivers who aren’t fully focused on the road can cause serious motor vehicle collisions.
Texting has become a leading cause of distracted driving accidents, with one recent study finding that 47 percent of drivers admitted to sending or reading a text message while driving in 2024. In Georgia and South Carolina, the law prohibits drivers from having a phone in their hands or touching any part of their bodies while driving.
However, phone usage isn’t the only form of distraction. Drivers who are eating or drinking, reaching for an object, applying makeup, or interacting with passengers can also cause accidents. Distracted driving increases the risk of crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
According to NHTSA, more than 30,000 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in the U.S. in 2022 alone. To bring the data a little closer to home, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety found that, in 2021, 54% of motor vehicle collisions involved a suspected or confirmed distracted driver—and at any given moment, at least 1 out of 6 drivers in Georgia may be distracted.
Those injured in an accident with a distracted driver can face extensive injuries and significant medical bills. If their injuries are severe, victims may be unable to return to work or care for their families.
At M. Austin Jackson, we represent our Georgia and South Carolina neighbors who’ve been harmed by distracted drivers. You have the right to pursue compensation for your accident, and our experienced local attorneys will be by your side to ensure you get every dollar you’re owed.
We understand the challenges distracted driver accident victims and their loved ones face, and we know how to secure results on their behalf.
We charge our clients nothing until we secure them a financial recovery.
Not only is our practice based in Augusta, GA, but so are we. We live right where our clients are.
If you or a loved one have sustained injuries in an accident with a distracted driver, contact M. Austin Jackson today for a free consultation.
There are three main categories of distracted driving accidents:
Drivers who are visually distracted (by a text, a passenger, or a billboard, for example) often fail to notice when vehicles slow down or stop in front of them. As a result, rear-end crashes are common. Distracted drivers may also fail to see pedestrians or cyclists in time to avoid hitting them.
When distracted drivers remove their hands from the wheel to eat, drink, or reach for an object, they can cause their vehicle to drift into another lane. Distracted drivers often sideswipe adjacent vehicles or fail to maintain proper lane position, running their vehicle or other drivers off the roadway.
Whether they’re daydreaming, recalling an argument with a spouse, or thinking about an upcoming meeting, cognitively distracted drivers may miss important traffic signals, signs, and right-of-way rules. Intersection crashes are common among distracted drivers. Cognitive distractions can also delay a driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions or hazards and increase their crash risk.
Distracted driving accidents range from minor fender-benders to catastrophic multi-vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, these types of accidents can be quite severe, and those suffering serious injuries or the loss of a loved one need strong legal representation the most.
When learning to drive, drivers are taught to keep both hands on the wheel at all times. Yet, many drivers become complacent. This might mean glancing down briefly to send a text or reaching into the backseat to retrieve an item.
Drivers who are distracted:
Here are a few of the most common types of distracted driving accidents we see:
Establishing fault in a distracted driver accident claim can be tricky. To do this, you’ll need to establish that the driver acted negligently and that their negligence caused your accident.
Negligence is based on four elements. You must prove the following:
The at-fault party owed you or your family member a duty of care (for example, the duty to remain attentive while driving).
The distracted driver’s negligent conduct failed to meet the applicable standard of care (for example, by texting while driving).
Their breach of duty directly caused your injury and losses.
You suffered substantial damages or losses due to the distracted driving accident.
If you’re unsure whether you have a case, reach out to our friendly car accident attorneys. We’ll listen carefully to your story and help you understand available legal options so you can make the right choice for you and your family.
Distracted driving accidents can cause serious injuries and property damage, which can require lengthy repair and rehab processes. Unfortunately, when caught up in the aftermath of a collision, many people don’t think about the full picture of how their accident has impacted and could continue to impact them.
This is where the experienced attorneys at M. Austin Jackson can help. We approach your case with care and attention, listening to the circumstances of your accident and helping you gather evidence to support your claim. Many of our Georgia and South Carolina neighbors find that their settlement is often worth more than they initially expected.
We consider these three types of damages as we build your case:
These non-monetary damages can include compensation for:
In certain cases, additional damages may be awarded if the distracted driver’s actions were especially reckless or egregious. The courts may award punitive damages to punish the driver and deter future reckless behavior.
M. Austin Jackson is an Augusta native, a champion for the Aiken-Augusta community, and a fierce advocate for victims of distracted driving accidents. For more than a decade, Austin has represented his Georgia and South Carolina neighbors in personal injury claims, recovering millions in damages.
Austin is dedicated to fair, transparent legal practices and making every client feel heard and welcome. He’s not just the guy you hear about and never see—Austin will be in direct contact throughout your case.
Since 2013, M. Austin Jackson has been helping his injured neighbors throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
Having a trusted and experienced personal injury attorney on your side can help improve the outcome of your case. M. Austin Jackson works tirelessly to defend your rights and secure a settlement that will ease your mind and allow you to focus on recovery.
As your attorney, we begin by thoroughly investigating the crash. In distracted driver cases, gathering evidence is important in proving the other driver was distracted. Phone records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert analysis are invaluable tools in distracted driver accidents.
We’ll also handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies to pursue a fair settlement. M. Austin Jackson is an experienced negotiator who will advocate for a settlement that covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and other losses you’ve experienced.
If needed, our firm can secure expert testimony from accident reconstructionists and medical professionals to prove fault. Sometimes, insurance companies refuse to pay a fair settlement, despite evidence that the defendant was at fault. In cases like this, M. Austin Jackson will file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and represent you in court until you receive full compensation.
As you’re considering your attorney options, have these questions handy:
When you work with our local firm, you’ll get friendly, personalized attention and tireless advocacy. We’d love to hear your story and improve your outcome so you can make a full recovery.
When our client was T-boned by a distracted driver who ran a red light, we worked tirelessly to secure a settlement that reflected the full impact of our client’s damages. With persistence, we helped our client receive a settlement that was three times higher than their medical bills, giving them the resources needed to recover and get back to the rhythms of their life.
While it may be tempting to accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company, it’s typically not enough. Accident victims often find themselves dealing with unexpected bills, property damage, and long-term health effects after a settlement. Remember: If you’ve settled the case, it’s too late to request additional damages.
An experienced attorney knows exactly how to calculate damages in a distracted driving case. They are also familiar with the elements needed to prove fault and can go toe-to-toe with the insurance company to make sure you get a fair settlement.
Evidence in a distracted driver accident might include:
Having multiple forms of evidence—especially eyewitness accounts and video footage—can help strengthen your case and prove driver negligence.
The answer to this question depends on the circumstances of the case.
Distracted driving accident cases may take anywhere from six months to a year to resolve—sometimes longer, if the case proceeds into the courts (a lawsuit is filed) and goes to trial.
It’s impossible to predict a settlement without considering the specific details of the claim. However, distracted driver accident victims may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses, and in some cases, punitive damages. An experienced attorney will help maximize the compensation you receive.
With emotions running high, many people apologize to the other driver following an accident, even though they may not be at fault. Avoid apologizing or making statements admitting fault or liability. These statements can be used against you later.
Here are some other important things to avoid:
It’s best to consult with an experienced distracted driving accident attorney like M. Austin Jackson so you don’t have to navigate this process alone.
After an accident with a distracted driver, you may feel powerless. The friendly, approachable attorneys at M. Austin Jackson are here to help you reclaim control and get compensated fairly for your damages. We advocate for our Georgia and South Carolina neighbors so they feel seen and heard along their road to recovery.