Distracted driving is on the rise, causing many critical injuries and even fatalities across Florida and around the country. A driver getting lost in their thoughts or looking away from the road around them for just a few seconds could come with life-changing consequences.
If you or a loved one is dealing with the impact of a distracted driving accident, getting qualified legal help to assist you is an important first step. Contact a skilled car accident lawyer in Plantation, FL, today. Call Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys now for support with your lawsuit.
Common Distractions Behind the Wheel
There are three different types of distractions that can influence a driver: cognitive, visual, and manual. All of these carry the potential for serious repercussions in an accident.
- Visually distracted driving refers to the eyes being removed from focusing on the road.
- Cognitive distracted driving references mental distractions that take a driver’s mind away from the task of driving the vehicle.
- Manual distracted driving refers to situations in which a driver takes their hand off the wheel entirely.
When a driver fails to pay attention to their surroundings, they’re unable to adapt quickly enough to respond to dangerous circumstances. Glancing away or getting distracted for even a couple of seconds could lead to a devastating accident.
Does Florida Have a Distracted Driving Law?
Florida has outlawed distracted driving since July 2019. The law prohibits a person from manually typing or entering multiple symbols, numbers, or letters on a phone, tablet, or other wireless device in the form of texts, emails, or instant messages. The law also forbids the use of handheld wireless communication devices in school zones, at a school crossing, or in active work zones.
Florida is one of only five states around the country that does not allow a law enforcement officer to pull over a driver solely on the suspicion of texting while on the road. This means that texting while driving is not a primary offense. Police officers in Plantation must have another reason to pull over a driver before citing the driver for texting and driving.
When holding a driver accountable for injuries and medical expenses that go beyond personal injury protection insurance coverage, distracted driving can prove the other driver’s guilt in the accident.
Is There Evidence to Prove a Driver Was Distracted?
There are many possible pieces of evidence that could be used to show that a driver was not paying attention at the time of the accident. Eyewitness testimony, for example, could indicate that a driver was using their phone or talking to someone else in the vehicle. If the driver was using a phone at the time of the accident, phone records could be used to prove it.
How to Get Compensation from a Distracted Driver
If you are injured by a distracted driver, you may recover other medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. Speaking with an experienced distracted driving lawyer is one of the most important things a victim can do to protect their right to recover compensation in an accident.
As soon as possible, your attorney will begin gathering evidence of the other driver’s level of responsibility. As an injured victim, you already have enough to worry about in the wake of a devastating accident. The right distracted driving lawyer can make it easier for you to fight for maximum compensation.
Is an attorney necessary?
An attorney can help with the many factors that can influence compensation in a lawsuit. The other party may allege that you were partly or fully at fault. It may be difficult to know who caused the accident if you were involved in a hit and run. Alternatively, if you were hurt in a trucking accident, the trucking company may do everything possible to avoid taking legal responsibility.
Your lawyer can help you fight for fair compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses. Retaining an experienced distracted driving lawyer is a first important step to protecting your full right to compensation recovery.
What does Florida do to prevent distracted driving?
Florida passed the Wireless Communications While Driving Law to help curb distracted driving behavior (Fla. Stat. § 316.305). The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also partnered with law enforcement agencies around Florida for a distracted driving awareness campaign.
Work with a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney in Plantation, FL
We’ll work with you to get the evidence required to file a distracted driving lawsuit. Contact a Plantation, FL, distracted driving accident attorney as soon as possible after a crash to protect your right to file.
Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys can assist you with all aspects of your legal claim.