Jacksonville Injury Lawyers
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents in the United States. This negligent form of driving is responsible for thousands of fatalities each year.
While most of us get behind the wheel and look at driving as nothing more than routine, it requires a lot more of your senses than you may realize. As a driver, it is your responsibility to stay focused on the road ahead and any people or vehicles sharing that road with you.
If a driver chooses to take their attention away from the road, even for a split second, they could cause a fatal accident.
Distractions happen for a variety of reasons. While distracted driving is most common in teens, there are plenty of adults committing this negligent act as well.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
Smartphones are mostly to blame for distracted driving but they are not the only way a person can take their eyes from the road and cause a deadly accident. In fact, some of the other causes of distracted driving can include:
- Eating or drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Applying makeup
- Watching a video
- Using a GPS System
- Changing the radio station
- Looking at a tablet
Texting Ban for Florida Drivers
A new law in Florida calls for a strict ban on texting while driving. Any use of a cellphone other than calling with a hands-free device is illegal while operating a moving vehicle. Even though texting while driving is illegal, there are still plenty of drivers on the road committing this dangerous crime.
Federal Bans on Texting
There are also federal bans concerning texting while driving a commercial vehicle in the United States. Since 2010, commercial vehicles that are defined as such by the Department of Transportation (DOT) cannot use cellphones while driving.
These vehicles include any vehicle that is:
- Any truck 10,001 pounds or more
- A vehicle carrying hazardous chemicals
- A vehicle designed to carry 9 or more individuals (including the driver)
- A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more (including the driver) and not for compensation
Hire an Attorney for Your Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver
If you or a loved one was injured by a distracted driver, contact the attorneys at Hardesty, Tyde, Green & Ashton today.
Despite all of the laws against texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving, there are still plenty of people who choose to take their eyes off the road.
By hiring our personal injury attorneys, we can help you file your claim. We understand how insurance companies work and we will fight to get the maximum settlement possible. With an attorney, you can be sure to get compensation for things like:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills – including future medical costs
- Rehabilitative care
- Permanent or temporary disability
- Loss of earning capacity
- Funeral costs (if a wrongful death occurs)
- Personal property damage
- Prescription reimbursement
- Medical devices and procedure payments
It is imperative that you seek out professional assistance with your claim. Because time is limited on how long you have to file your claim, contact our Jacksonville Injury Lawyers now to schedule a no obligation estimate. We are here to answer your questions and evaluate your car accident case for free.