The Dangers of Distracted Driving: Understanding the Consequences

Distracted drivers on the road are one of the leading causes of accidents today.The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) notes that distracted driving caused 3,142 deaths on the roads of the US in 2020 alone. 

What is Distracted Driving? 

Simply put, distracted driving is doing anything while driving that takes your attention off the road. Specifically, as detailed by the CDC, distracted driving happens when you are impaired while driving in any of the following ways: 

• Mentally impaired – anything that distracts a driver’s mind and attention from the road, such as texting while driving, fiddling with the radio, applying makeup, or even talking to a passenger 
• Visually impaired – whenever a driver’s eyes are not on the road, they are visually impaired, with texting while driving being one of the most common forms of this
• Manually impaired – when a driver’s hands are not on the wheel, they cannot control the vehicle safely

As detailed by the NHTSA, if you travel 55 miles per hour and take your eyes off the road for 5 seconds, you will have traveled the length of a football field with your eyes closed. This dangerous activity causes accidents that lead to serious injuries and death. 

Distracted Driving is Illegal in Florida

As detailed by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMW), under Florida Statute 316.306, motorists can be both stopped and cited for texting and driving. Using a wireless device in any manner when in a school or work zone is also illegal in Florida. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that a distracted driver caused, the distracted driver will generally be liable for your damages. 

Determining whether or not another driver was distracted requires collecting evidence to identify what they were doing in the moments leading up to the accident. Your local Florida personal injury attorney from Martin Law Firm can use legal instruments like requests for production and depositions to gather the evidence you need to win your case and collect what you deserve. 

Discuss Options on Your Case with a Personal Injury Lawyer from Martin Law Firm

Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents that result in serious injuries and deaths across the United States. It is illegal under Florida statute, and if a distracted driver has injured you, they are responsible for your damages. Collecting what you deserve requires the collection of evidence, drafting, and filing of a claim, and the negotiation of a fair settlement or the filing of a lawsuit to require the liable party to provide it. Your local Florida personal injury lawyer from Martin Law Firm will provide you with a risk-free, cost-free consultation to determine how we can help, and if we take your case, we only get paid if we win. To learn how the dedicated personal injury attorneys from Martin Law Firm can help you assemble the strongest case or claim in your favor, call us at 239-323-9820, or visit our site to schedule a consultation.