According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Data, distracted driving accidents resulted in about 260 car accident fatalities in 2022. Distracted driving in Tampa, FL, could lead to catastrophic injuries and sometimes even death. If you or someone you know was in an accident with a distracted driver, you can sue to recover for your injuries. An experienced Tampa distracted driving accident attorney can help you get justice after an accident. Then, you can move on with your life in Tampa, Florida.
Contact Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers at (813) 430-3338 for a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers.
How Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident In Tampa
Distracted driving accidents in Tampa, FL, are complicated to prove. One of the most common reasons why is that a distracted driver may never officially admit that they were distracted at the time of the accident.
Below are some steps our Tampa personal injury attorneys at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers take in a distracted driving accident lawsuit:
- Investigate the accident: We will investigate all causes of the accident. Our attorneys will get to work right away and determine exactly how and why the driver was distracted in the first place. This means looking at the driver’s phone call records, texting records, and data.
- Get you medical care: We will ensure that you get top-rated medical care. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys know top local doctors. They will ensure you were treated for your accident injuries.
- Communicate with insurance companies: We will aggressively fight against insurance companies to make sure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Above are just some steps our Tampa car accident attorneys take when dealing with a distracted driving car accident lawsuit. The steps could change depending on the circumstances. For more information, we recommend you call our Tampa distracted driving accident lawyers to set up a one-on-one case evaluation.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a vague term that encompasses any type of distractions that a driver may face behind the wheel.
There are different categories of distractions, which include:
- Manual distractions: These are distractions that require physical movements. For example, changing the radio station or dialing a phone number are specific steps that may require you to move. These manual distractions can physically take your eyes off the wheel and look down at your lap or at the dashboard.
- Cognitive distractions: Cognitive distractions may not require much physical movement. Instead, they include thinking about a text message and writing back. Cognitive distractions can have you still looking forward but dozing off because you’re thinking about something else.
- Visual distractions: Visual distractions take your eyes off the road. The most common example of a visual distraction is reading a text message or a pedestrian or motorist on the side of the roadway that could distract you from looking forward.
As explained above, there are several different types of distractions. Any of these three distractions could be a dangerous combination for a driver behind the wheel. These distractions are also a little difficult to prove. Our Florida attorneys will investigate the accident. They will find out how the driver was distracted to hold them responsible.
Is Distracted Driving Illegal In Tampa, Florida?
Specific actions are considered illegal in Florida. The state has a Wireless Communications While Driving Law, which is meant to decrease the number of distracted driving accidents.
Texting, emailing, or any other form of messaging while driving is considered illegal in Florida.
You could face substantial fines if you have been pulled over for distracted driving. These fines increase near school or construction zones. Several penalties could get your license suspended.
Causes of Distracted Driving In Tampa, Florida
When people think of distracted driving, they think of texting. However, this is not always the case; there are other causes of distracted driving in Florida.
Other causes of distracted driving include:
- Eating and drinking: When drivers eat behind the wheel, they could shift their attention to their laps and lose focus on the road in front of them.
- Adjusting the navigation or radio: Adjusting the navigation or radio could be dangerous for a driver behind the wheel.
- Conversations with other passengers: Sometimes, passengers in the same vehicle could be a distraction themselves.
- Roadway distractions: Roadway distractions could include pedestrians on the side of the road or a car accident on the side that is taking away the attention of several drivers.
- Grooming: Although it may seem surprising, personal grooming is a common type of distracted driving in Florida. For example, applying makeup or shaving is common among younger adults.
Above are just some examples of distracted driving in Florida.
Distracted Driving Accident Injuries
Injuries could vary depending on the impact.
Some injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hand injuries
- Back injuries
- Arm injuries
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Road rash
If you have suffered any of the above injuries, contact a Tampa, Florida attorney to discuss.
Contact an Experienced Tampa Auto Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been involved in a distracted driving accident, an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to move forward with your life. Distracted driving accidents could get complex in Tampa, FL, especially when trying to prove exactly how the other party was distracted or negligent in the first place. Our top-rated Tampa distracted driving accident attorneys at Mincone Personal Injury Lawyers will help you get the legal care you need.
