Distracted Driving Accidents in Murfreesboro: Your Legal Rights

If you were injured in a distracted driving accident in Murfreesboro, Tennessee law may allow you to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. Tennessee has a strict hands-free statute, toughened penalties for distracted driving, and a short one-year deadline to file most personal injury claims. Acting promptly can help protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

Distracted driving continues to cause serious crashes across Tennessee, including here in Rutherford County. Whether the other driver was texting, scrolling social media, using GPS, or simply not paying attention, distraction can turn an ordinary commute into a life-altering event.

Understanding how Tennessee law applies to these cases is an important step toward protecting yourself and your family.

What Counts as Distracted Driving in Tennessee?

Distracted driving is more than just texting. It generally refers to any activity that takes a driver’s:

• Eyes off the road (visual distraction)
• Hands off the wheel (manual distraction)
• Mind off driving (cognitive distraction)

Common examples include:

• Reading or sending text messages
• Using social media
• Holding a phone for a call
• Entering directions into GPS
• Eating or drinking
• Adjusting in-car systems
• Talking to passengers while not paying attention

Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law (T.C.A. § 55-8-199)

Tennessee law specifically addresses cellphone use behind the wheel. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-199, drivers are prohibited from:

• Holding a cellphone or mobile device with any part of the body
• Writing, sending, or reading text-based communications while driving
• Watching videos while operating a vehicle

The law requires drivers to use hands-free technology if they need to interact with a device.

A violation of this statute can result in fines and points on a driver’s record. More importantly in civil injury cases, a violation may serve as evidence that the driver failed to operate their vehicle safely. When a distracted driver causes a collision, that statutory violation may become a significant factor in establishing fault.

Increased Enforcement and the Eddie Conrad Act

As of January 1, 2024, Tennessee strengthened penalties for distracted driving offenses under what is widely known as the Eddie Conrad Act. These changes increased license points and created harsher consequences for repeat offenders, especially drivers under 18.

Statewide enforcement campaigns such as “Operation Hands Free” further demonstrate Tennessee’s commitment to reducing distracted driving crashes. Increased enforcement can lead to more documented citations and police findings, which may later become relevant in injury claims.

How Liability Is Determined in a Distracted Driving Case

Most distracted driving injury cases are based on negligence. In simple terms, negligence occurs when someone fails to use reasonable care and causes harm to another person.

To establish negligence in a distracted driving accident, the following elements are typically examined:

1. Duty of Care – Drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely.
2. Breach of Duty – Using a phone or engaging in distracting behavior may breach that duty.
3. Causation – The distraction must have contributed to causing the crash.
4. Damages – The injured party must have suffered measurable harm.

Evidence is central to these cases. A successful claim often depends on showing not just that the driver was distracted, but that the distraction directly led to the collision and resulting injuries.

Tennessee’s Comparative Fault Rule

Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system, established in the Tennessee Supreme Court case McIntyre v. Balentine. Under this rule:

• An injured person may recover damages only if they are less than 50% at fault.
• Any compensation is reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault.

For example, if a person is found 20% responsible for the crash, their total recovery would be reduced by 20%.

Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift blame in accident cases. They may argue that you were speeding, changed lanes improperly, or were partially distracted yourself. Because fault percentages directly impact compensation, these arguments can significantly affect the outcome of a claim.

The One-Year Deadline to File a Claim

One of the most important aspects of Tennessee law is the statute of limitations.

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within one year from the date of the accident.

This is a relatively short deadline compared to many other states. Missing this deadline can result in losing the ability to pursue compensation entirely. Because distracted driving cases often require gathering digital evidence, phone records, and witness statements, waiting too long can make proving the case more difficult.

Evidence That May Prove Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is not always obvious at the crash scene. Many drivers deny using their phones. However, various types of evidence may help establish what happened.

Digital and Phone Records

Call logs, text timestamps, and data usage activity may show that a driver was interacting with their phone at or near the time of the crash. In certain cases, this information may be obtained during the legal process.

Police Reports and Citations

If law enforcement issued a citation for a hands-free violation, that documentation may become important evidence. Even without a citation, officer observations can be relevant.

Witness Testimony

Independent witnesses sometimes report seeing a driver looking down at their phone before impact.

Video Footage

Dashcams, nearby security cameras, and traffic cameras may capture driver behavior before a collision.

Vehicle Data

Modern vehicles often contain event data recorders (EDRs) that store information such as speed, braking, and acceleration. This data can help reconstruct the sequence of events.

Preserving this evidence early can be critical, as digital data may be overwritten or lost.

Common Injuries in Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving crashes frequently occur at high speeds or involve rear-end or intersection impacts. These collisions can cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Permanent disabilities

Even injuries that initially appear minor can develop into long-term medical conditions requiring ongoing care.

What Compensation May Be Available?

When a distracted driver causes a crash, Tennessee law may allow recovery for various types of damages, depending on the facts of the case. These may include:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may have the right to pursue additional damages under Tennessee law.

Insurance companies often attempt to minimize these damages. They may dispute the severity of injuries or argue that medical conditions were pre-existing. Thorough documentation and proper case preparation can significantly influence how these issues are evaluated.

Why Distracted Driving Cases Can Be Complex

Unlike some accidents where fault is immediately clear, distracted driving cases may require deeper investigation. Phone use does not always appear in a crash report. Drivers may deny wrongdoing, and insurers may resist requests for digital evidence.

Additionally, Tennessee’s comparative fault system means the defense may attempt to argue shared responsibility. These factors make careful case development essential.

For individuals in Murfreesboro, working with attorneys who understand local courts, Rutherford County procedures, and Tennessee personal injury law can make a meaningful difference in how a case progresses.

Protecting Your Rights After a Distracted Driving Crash

After a collision involving suspected distracted driving, certain steps can help protect your legal interests:

• Seek prompt medical attention.
• Report the accident to law enforcement.
• Document injuries and vehicle damage.
• Avoid detailed recorded statements to insurance adjusters without understanding your rights.
• Preserve any photos, dashcam footage, or witness contact information.

Time is particularly important due to Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations and the potential loss of digital evidence.

How the Law Office of Gritton & Gritton, PLLC Can Help

The attorneys at the Law Office of Gritton & Gritton, PLLC focus on representing individuals injured in serious accidents throughout Middle Tennessee. Their experience in personal injury litigation allows them to evaluate distracted driving claims with a detailed understanding of Tennessee law.

From investigating evidence to negotiating with insurance carriers, a knowledgeable legal team can help level the playing field against large insurance companies.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident in Murfreesboro, you can learn more about your options or reach out directly through their contact page.

Final Thoughts

Distracted driving accidents are preventable, yet they continue to cause serious injuries across Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. Tennessee law provides a framework for holding negligent drivers accountable, but strict deadlines and complex fault rules mean timing and preparation matter.

Understanding your rights under Tennessee’s hands-free statute, comparative fault system, and one-year filing deadline is a crucial first step toward protecting your future after a crash.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For legal guidance tailored to your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.