Distracted Driving Accidents in Tampa, FL
You’ve seen it happen before. You’re driving on the interstate and someone is failing to keep their vehicle in their lane. You figure that they might be drunk, so you try to get out of their way. You pass them and notice that they’re looking down at their phone.
Distracted driving is one of the major causes of auto accidents in Florida. More than 3,000 people die each year due to distracted driving. That averages out to 9 people per day. In 2020, 3,142 human lives were taken because drivers were distracted on the road. In 2021, that number ballooned to 3,522. The number is likely much higher than the statistics indicate.
Cellphones and infotainment systems have contributed to the number of distracted driving accidents. For that reason, the number grows higher with more vehicles on the road. In this article, we’ll discuss distracted driving accidents, and why it’s so important to maintain your focus on the road.
Texting while driving
There are many different forms of distraction while driving. Driver’s are admonished to keep their eyes on the road and lookout for other vehicles. They are also required to keep their hands on the wheel of their vehicle. Texting while driving is among the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. A driver who is texting not only takes their hand off the wheel of their vehicle, they are also taking their eyes off the road. For that reason, Florida has made texting while driving illegal. It used to be a secondary offense. In other words, a police officer couldn’t pull you over just for texting while driving. Today, it is considered a primary offense. Police officers can pull a driver over simply for texting while driving. Not only will you receive a ticket for texting while driving, your insurance premiums will also increase as your insurer will assume you are a high-risk driver.
The NHTSA recently spent millions of dollars in a campaign to inform drivers of the dangers of distracted driving. Distraction can take many forms. There are a number of potential distractions in modern vehicles. It used to be that you only had a radio. Today, you have infotainment systems, cellphones, and more that are contributing to an ever-growing death toll of American commuters.
Distracted driving and lawsuits
If you have been injured due to another driver’s distraction, you can file a lawsuit to recover damages related to your injuries. You can recover damages related to medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced quality of life. In cases of distracted driving, there is a presumption that the other party is at fault. However, you will need a seasoned traffic accident liability attorney to prove your claim.
Contact a Tampa, FL Distracted Driving Attorney Today
The Matassini Law Firm represents the interests of Tampa, FL residents who have been injured in a distracted driving accident. Call our Tampa personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and we can help you file your claim right away.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
