Texting while driving has become a growing risk on Florida's roads. The increase in texting-while-driving accidents has led to Florida banning texting and driving entirely.
Texting while operating a vehicle splits the driver's attention between too many tasks, often resulting in a severe car accident. Drivers who make this mistake can face serious consequences.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a distracted driving accident, you must have a knowledgeable texting-while-driving lawyer in Florida on your side.
Florida's Ban on Texting While Driving: texting while driving facts.
Florida's texting ban prohibits drivers from texting while operating a vehicle. This ban is a secondary offense, meaning an officer will not pull you over for texting while driving, but this charge can accompany another offense.
Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to enforce the texting-while-driving ban. While texting and driving can affect drivers' ability to exercise their legal duty of care to other drivers, proving that it caused the accident can be challenging.
If texting and driving caused your accident, we will fight hard to uncover the details and place the blame where it belongs.
Seeking Compensation in a Texting and Driving Case
Car accidents can lead to significant financial burdens. Whether you're facing ongoing medical expenses or extensive property damage, the at-fault party must compensate you for these losses. At The Ward Law Group, we are dedicated to recovering the following damages in your texting and driving accident case:
- Current and Future Medical Costs: We will pursue compensation for your current medical expenses and any anticipated future medical treatments you may require due to the accident.
- Lost Wages: If the accident has caused you to miss work and lose income, we will seek reimbursement for your lost wages.
- Diminished Earning Capacity: If the accident has affected your ability to earn income in the future, we will fight to recover damages for your reduced earning capacity.
- Property Damage: We will work to ensure that you are compensated for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.
- Temporary Transportation: If you require alternative transportation while your vehicle is being repaired, we will seek compensation for these temporary transportation costs.
- Pain and Suffering: We understand the physical and emotional toll that car accidents can take. We will pursue damages for the pain and suffering you have endured due to the accident.
- Household Costs: If the accident has led to additional expenses for household assistance or modifications, we will seek compensation for these costs.
It is crucial to demonstrate the significant impact of the accident on your life. While compensation cannot erase your challenges, it can help alleviate the financial burden and support you need to move forward.
Let us advocate for your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Let Our Orlando Texting While Driving Lawyers Handle Your Case
Accidents happen unexpectedly, often due to a momentary lapse in judgment. However, these seemingly minor mistakes can have life-altering consequences for those involved. Many drivers never anticipate the possibility of a severe accident until it happens.
At The Ward Law Group, our team of dedicated personal injury lawyers is here to guide you through this challenging time and help you confidently navigate the legal process.
No-Obligation Consultation
Understanding the details of your case and its impact on your life is essential. We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your situation and explore your legal options.
We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless we win your case and secure compensation.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Navigating the complexities of dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from the aftermath of a car accident.
Our experienced attorneys will handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
Thorough Investigation of Your Case
Determining fault in a texting while driving case may require a thorough investigation. We will gather evidence, including medical records, police reports, witness statements, and any available image or video evidence from the accident scene, to build a strong case on your behalf.
Managing the Legal Process
Each case is unique, and our legal strategy will depend on your case's specific circumstances. Our team will handle all aspects of the legal process, from filing paperwork to representing you in court if necessary.
We understand the importance of adhering to Florida's strict time limits for filing auto accident cases, and we will ensure that your case is filed within the required timeframe.
Focus on Your Recovery
While we handle the legal complexities of your case, you can focus on what matters most—your health and recovery. We will keep you informed every step of the way and handle all paperwork, insurance communications, and court proceedings on your behalf, allowing you to concentrate on your well-being.
Don't navigate the aftermath of a texting while driving-accident alone. Let The Ward Law Group be your trusted legal advocate and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Texting and Driving Statistics in Florida
Putting an end to distracted driving remains a crucial safety objective in Florida. According to the latest data from the State Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were nearly 48,500 crashes caused by distracted driving in the state within a single year. Tragically, these collisions claimed the lives of 300 individuals and left 2,700 others with severe bodily injuries.
Understanding the extent of this issue is pivotal in devising practical solutions. Here, we delve into Martin Hernandez's most recent statistics, shedding light on the prevalence of distracted driving and outlining options for accident victims seeking recourse.
Extent of Cell Phone Use While Driving
At any given moment, an alarming 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones while behind the wheel. Annually, approximately 400 fatal crashes can be attributed to texting and driving, as reported by the NHTSA.
Annual Texting and Driving-Related Fatalities
Roughly 400 fatal crashes occur each year directly resulting from texting and driving. When considering distracted driving as a whole, this figure escalates to over 30,000, according to the NHTSA.
Although crashes caused explicitly by texting and driving have shown a decrease in recent years, overall fatal accidents due to distracted driving are witnessing an upward trend.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that one in every three drivers has experienced a personal connection to someone injured or killed in a car crash. Additionally, one-third of all drivers admit to routinely texting while driving—an unnecessary risk considering that one in every four accidents in the U.S. is attributable to this behavior.
According to the NHTSA, approximately 36% of smartphone-equipped drivers use their devices at red lights or stop signs, heightening the risk of distraction even after resuming driving. Moreover, around 35% of drivers acknowledge continued phone use even while actively driving.
It's worth noting that not all cell phone usage during driving is solely focused on the act of driving itself. Social media notifications, breaking news updates, and the temptation to engage with entertainment apps like Pandora and Spotify contribute to driver distraction.
Even tasks such as adjusting navigation settings on a map application pose significant diversion risks.
Analyzing the most recent available data, we observe an increase in texting—and driving-related fatalities from 2013, peaking in 2015 and 2016 before declining in 2017.
Is Texting and Driving More Dangerous Than Drunk Driving?
Indeed, texting and driving pose a significantly higher risk compared to drunk driving. According to findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2011 alone, traffic crashes involving distracted drivers resulted in the deaths of 3,300 individuals and caused injuries to 416,000 others.
Shockingly, accidents caused by texting while driving contribute to nearly 20% of all fatal crashes, rendering the act of driving and texting a staggering 300% more hazardous than drunk driving.
Are Young Drivers More Likely to Text and Drive?
Teens and young drivers face heightened risks when it comes to texting and driving, particularly due to their limited experience behind the wheel.
With fewer years of driving under their belt and a lack of advanced skills, young drivers are more prone to accidents and, tragically, fatalities within their age group.
Texting while driving doubles the likelihood of an accident. It triples the risk of other hazardous incidents on the road, including driving over curbs, veering off the roadway, and collisions with objects like trees, poles, and signs.
It's crucial to recognize that the consequences of distracted driving extend beyond endangering other drivers; pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers are also at risk. In 2018 alone, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists lost their lives due to distracted driving, as reported by the NHTSA.
Is There Safe Driving Technology for Your Cell Phone?
Fortunately, advancements in technology offer solutions to promote safer communication while driving. Apps like DriveMode automatically detect when a vehicle exceeds 15 mph, silencing text and phone alerts to minimize distractions.
Additionally, some apps incentivize safe driving behaviors or offer insurance discounts to reduce risks on the road.
Many modern smartphones have safer communication features, such as text-to-speech functionality that reads messages aloud and voice-to-text tools for hands-free texting.
What Age Groups Are at the Highest Risk for Texting and Driving?
While individuals of all ages use texting and driving, certain age groups exhibit higher activity levels.
Data from the NHTSA indicates that drivers between 20 and 29 and those aged 15-19 demonstrate more significant cell phone usage while driving compared to older adults. However, the risk of texting and driving decreases after age 39, suggesting that older drivers are more responsible behind the wheel.
Contact a Texting and Driving Accident Lawyer in Orlando
At The Ward Law Group, we understand the devastating consequences of distracted driving, especially among young drivers.
We are committed to serving the Hispanic-American community in the United States and extending our support to all those who seek our assistance after experiencing an accident.
Our doors are open to provide guidance and legal representation to ensure victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve.
If you have been involved in a similar case to the one mentioned in this post, contact The Ward Law Group. Call us at 855-DOLOR-55!