Distracted driving causes many accidents in the St. Petersburg area every year. Drivers who take their eyes or their attention off the road and fail to focus on driving may end up hitting another vehicle. You could experience serious injuries and damage to your vehicle in a distracted driving accident.
In this situation, reach out to a St. Petersburg distracted driving accident lawyer for legal help. An experienced car crash attorney can represent you in a personal injury lawsuit that could allow you to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Distasio Law Firm offers hands-on, personal legal services to St. Petersburg clients. You can contact us for a free consultation on your case. We represent you on a contingency-fee basis with no advanced payments required.
Understand the Hazards Associated with Distracted Driving
Drivers who fail to pay attention to the road are responsible for many accidents every year. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 1,000 people hurt in distracted driving accidents every day. These accidents may be tied to:
Cognitive Distraction
Cognitive distraction occurs when a driver stops thinking about the road. This form of distraction may be daydreaming or having a discussion with someone in the back seat. Anytime someone stops thinking about driving, they may experience cognitive distraction.
Manual Distraction
A driver experiences manual distraction when they remove their hands from the wheel while operating a vehicle. Manual distraction may occur if a driver reaches for a drink, the radio, or a handheld mobile device.
Visual Distraction
Drivers who look away from the road may experience visual distraction. We often think of cell phone usage when considering visual distraction. Note that visual distraction does not have to last long to have catastrophic consequences for drivers. The CDC reports that even looking away from the road for five seconds can allow you to travel the length of a football field if you are driving at 55 MPH.
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Florida’s Laws on Distracted Driving
The state of Florida understands the hazards posed by distracted drivers. The state has passed several laws designed to limit driver distractions. For example, drivers throughout the state are not permitted to:
- Read or send texts while driving
- Use a handheld mobile device in a work or school zone
Drivers who ignore these regulations may be pulled over by a law enforcement officer and given a ticket. If you suspect that the driver who struck you was distracted by a cellphone at the time of your accident, tell the officer who comes to the scene of the accident.
Inform your car accident lawyer that you believe the other driver was distracted. Your lawyer may be able to access the other driver’s cellphone records to demonstrate that they were using their phone at the time of your collision. This information could demonstrate that the driver’s distraction was responsible for the accident.
Establishing fault for a motor vehicle accident may allow you to get compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Start getting assistance after being involved in a collision with a distracted driver by calling a lawyer in St. Petersburg.
Types of Compensation for a St. Petersburg Distracted Driving Accident
You may be able to file a personal injury claim against the insurance company of the driver responsible for your distracted driving wreck in St. Petersburg. A personal injury claim may allow you to get compensation for your medical expenses after an accident. Depending upon your situation, you may be able to recover damages for your:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospitalization
- Surgical procedures
- Medical assessments
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
We understand that you may be unable to return to work immediately following a distracted driving accident. In this situation, you may be able to secure compensation for your lost wages or lost future earnings.
Finally, a car accident may leave you dealing with pain and suffering. You may even experience mental anguish after your collision. The driver responsible for the accident may be responsible for providing you with compensation for these losses as well.
How a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
You do not have to try to secure compensation on your own after a distracted driving accident in St. Petersburg. Reach out to a St. Petersburg distracted driving collision lawyer now to get personal attention for your case.
We can investigate your case while working to show that:
- The other driver had a duty of care towards you
- The driver failed to uphold this duty by acting negligently by driving while distracted or by violating another traffic law
- The driver’s negligence resulted in your accident
- The accident caused your injuries and other losses
We can help you file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company for your damages. If they are not willing to make you a fair settlement offer, we can take your case to trial.
Note that you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim after a distracted driving accident in Florida. Generally, you must file your personal injury claim within two years of your accident, according to Florida Statutes 95.11.
Call a St. Petersburg Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Today
Distracted drivers who cause accidents should be held accountable for their actions. A St. Petersburg distracted driving accident lawyer at Distasio Law Firm can help demonstrate that another driver was responsible for your losses.
Learn more by contacting us. Call today for a free consultation about your accident with a member of our team.
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