Cell Phone + Car Crash = $5.2 Million Settlement
Some states, like New York, have banned hand-held cell phone use while driving outright. Others are just relying on existing laws or passing new ones that, in more general terms, prohibit drivers from doing anything distracting while driving. Back in 2006 Georgia had no specific law against hand-held cell phone use, but that didn't stop a woman from recently being awarded a $5.2 million settlement in the state after tragically losing her arm in a traffic accident that year.
The woman was traveling on the highway at 77 miles-per-hour when she was rear-ended by an employee of International Paper Co. Her car rolled and her arm was wedged between the car and the pavement. It ultimately had to be amputated below the shoulder.
Georgia has since passed a law specifically banning hand-held cell phone use, but whether or not it's illegal in your state is something drivers should consider before making that call on the road.
From textually.org
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Celticlass @ Mar 25th 2008 4:27PM
Seems a little excessive as a payout and I hope that she used some of that money to pay for the speeding ticket.
Ben @ Mar 25th 2008 4:47PM
I'm confused by the article, was she the one talking on her cell phone or was the truck driver?
art @ Mar 25th 2008 4:58PM
I moved from NY to Georgia and I firmly believe that it is mandatory in Georgia that you must be on the cell phone when you drive.
shortie @ Mar 26th 2008 6:59PM
Actually, the linked article says it was the truck driver driving 77 MPH on cruise control. The truck driver was on the phone.