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Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers 601 W Swann Ave Tampa, FL 33606 personal injury and car accident lawyer in Tampa

Distracted Driving Accidents in Lakeland, FL

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Distracted Driving Accidents in Lakeland, FL

Did you sustain injuries in a car accident caused by distracted driving in Lakeland, FL? If so, you deserve to be fully compensated by the responsible party. You may have a claim to receive money damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, is one of the most well-regarded personal injury law firms in the Tampa Bay area. Our Lakeland distracted driving accident lawyers have more than 119 years of combined experience, and we’ve secured tens of millions of dollars for our clients. This track record of success means we’re confident in our ability to help with just about any case, no matter how complex.

Contact us today at (863) 251-6196 for more information. We offer a free case evaluation to review your situation and let you know what your legal options are.

How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Lakeland

How Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Lakeland

Since Florida is a “no-fault” state regarding its car insurance rules, your first option after an accident is generally to go through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance provider for benefits. However, if you’ve sustained a “serious injury” as defined by state law, you can file a claim directly against the at-fault driver.

The experienced Lakeland car accident lawyers with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, can help you with your claim from start to finish. Our attorneys are known for their aggressive approach, which means zealously advocating for the rights and interests of our clients regardless of who’s on the other side of the negotiating table. We can help after a distracted driving accident in Lakeland, Florida, by:

  • Collecting evidence on your behalf to strengthen your claim, with the aid of experts if needed
  • Apprising you of your best legal course of action as your case develops
  • Taking care of all the communications and negotiations with the at-fault party
  • If the other side refuses to settle your claim, we can file a lawsuit and take your case to court

Want to learn more about what we can do to help your case? Just give us a quick call or send us an online message to set up a free case review.

How Often Do Distracted Driving Car Accidents Occur in Polk County and the United States? 

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides state car accident statistics. These data are broken down by county. Although the numbers are not specific to distracted driving accidents, they are still illustrative of how prevalent crashes are in the area. The figures are as follows for Polk County in recent years:

  • 2022: 13,443 crashes, causing 9,502 injuries and 128 fatalities
  • 2021: 13,391 crashes, causing 9,102 injuries and 183 fatalities
  • 2020: 11,230 crashes, causing 7,445 injuries and 134 fatalities

There are national data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding distracted driving accidents. According to the NHTSA, 3,142 lives were lost due to distracted driving across the country in 2020.

What Causes Distracted Driving Accidents in Lakeland, Florida?

There are three major types of distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Visual distractions, where the driver’s eyes are taken off the road
  • Manual distractions, which involve taking one’s hands off the wheel
  • Cognitive distractions, which occur when the driver is mentally distracted

Many distracted driving accidents involve a combination of these categories. For instance, using a cell phone while driving can involve all three types.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Lakeland Distracted Driving Accident?

You can receive two types of compensatory damages after a distracted driving crash in Lakeland, Florida: economic and non-economic.

Economic damages include things like:

Non-economic damages are awarded for losses such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium

You may also recover punitive damages after a car accident in Florida, but only if the at-fault driver acted in an especially disgraceful manner.

How Much Time Do I Have To File a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in Florida?

In the State of Florida, you’ll generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If a loved one has passed away in an accident and you intend to file a wrongful death claim, you will also have two years.

However, there are exceptions to these deadlines which could allow you more time to submit your claim. For example, the statute of limitations used to be four years before a March 2023 law reduced the deadline. If you got into an accident before 3/24/2024, you will be subject to the four-year deadline.

Reach out to our law office to confirm you have the appropriate timeline in mind for your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Lakeland Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Unfortunately, distracted driving accidents are far from unheard of in Lakeland, Florida. If you or a loved one have been injured in this type of car crash, it’s critical that you understand your options and take legal action.

If you select the experienced Lakeland distracted driving accident attorneys with Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, to represent you, you’ll be able to focus on recovering from your injuries. We will work hard to pursue the compensation you need and deserve during that time.

We also work for a contingency fee, meaning we only receive attorney’s fees if we obtain compensation for you. It also won’t cost you anything upfront to hire us.

Contact us by phone or online if you have any questions or would like to get started.

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