Mobile Devices and Car Crashes in Tampa, FL
Mobile devices are now responsible for a large number of car accidents in Florida. Florida’s roadways have always been considered dangerous, but that has never been truer than it is now. Florida rules of the road make it unlawful to operate a mobile device while you are driving. Drivers can be issued tickets for texting while driving and they can be held liable if they cause a car accident leading to injury. Several people have died due to texting while driving spurring legislators to make texting while driving a primary offense. That means that you can be pulled over if an officer spots you on your cell phone while you are driving.
The Tampa, FL car accident attorneys at The Matassini Law Firm have helped injured victims recover damages in lawsuits filed against distracted drivers. In this article, we’ll discuss texting while driving and how it can impact your car accident case.
The dangers of texting while driving
The NHTSA released a report on the types of distracted driving that occur when a driver is using their cell phone or another mobile device.
- Visual distraction – Occurs when you take your eyes off the road. Even if it’s only for a few seconds, it can result in a devastating accident that causes severe personal injury to both you and another driver. Checking messages or notifications, texting, and other forms of visual distraction are among the top causes of distracted driving accidents in Florida.
- Cognitive distraction – Occurs when you take your mind off your driving. This can include engaging in conversations, reading texts, or even using voice commands while you are driving. Your focus is not on your driving when you are playing with your cell phone. This can result in a serious accident, and you can be held liable for any injuries that occur.
- Manual distractions – Those who are texting while driving have to take their eyes off the road, and their hands off the wheel which can impair your ability to maintain control of your vehicle. In this case, you can cause a serious accident without intending to. You are nonetheless responsible for any injuries that occur.
When someone is texting while driving, they are committing all three of the aforementioned forms of distracted driving. Their eyes are not on the road, their focus is not on their driving, and their hands are not on the wheel of their car. Police officers often have a challenging time differentiating between those who are texting while driving and those who are drunk on the road. They operate their vehicles in a similarly dangerous fashion.
If you have been injured by a driver who was distracted while they were driving, the Tampa distracted driving attorneys at The Matassini Law Firm can help you file a lawsuit against the distracted driver. Since 1976, we have helped hundreds of claimants receive fair compensation for their injuries. Call our office today and we can help you recover damages related to your medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced quality of life.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
