Employees and Distracted Driving

Historically, cell phone use while driving was thought of primarily as a teen driver problem. In reality, cell phone distraction while driving is an epidemic that spans all age groups. According to crash data, 50% of adults surveyed admitted to using a cell phone while driving.

Adult cell phone use while driving has become a problem for employers as well, who are liable for accidents their employees cause due to distracted driving. In response, many employers have adopted anti-cell phone policies for their employees while they are on the clock.

Many employers have been on the hook to pay for their employees who cause distraction-related accidents, sometimes in the millions of dollars. Despite stricter cell phone policies for employees, employers can still be held accountable for these types of accidents.

This can happen when:

• An employee is involved in a distraction-related accident while in a company car, even if they were using the car for personal errands at the time.
• An employee was using a company phone at the time of the crash, whether they were on or off duty.
• An employee was conducting work business on their phone while driving, such as answering emails or taking business related phone calls.

Employers can be held accountable for distraction related accidents their employees are involved in even if they had anti-cell phone policies in place, but did not actively enforce those policies.

If you were involved in an accident caused by a driver who was using their cell phone at the time of the crash, contact The Pittman Firm, P.A. today to discuss potential legal recourse.