Being hurt in a car accident is frustrating, but it is even more so when you know it was caused by another person’s carelessness. The risks of distracted driving are well-documented, but people still continue to drive in a distracted state throughout St. Petersburg, Florida. Safely handling a vehicle requires undivided attention.
If another driver’s careless decision to drive while distracted harms you, the dedicated St. Petersburg car accident lawyers at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Contact us today for a free case review (727) 314-5988.
How Our St. Petersburg Car Accident Lawyers Can Help If You Were Hurt in a Distracted Driving Accident
Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers was established in 2001 with a singular focus: fight diligently to obtain maximum compensation for injury victims. We take a personalized approach to each case, getting to know you and your particular needs. We then dedicate our efforts to help you achieve the best results possible.
With over 119 years of combined legal experience, you can count on our St. Petersburg car accident attorneys to:
- Investigate the distracted driving accident
- Uncover compelling evidence to establish that distractions contributed to the accident
- Identify all responsible parties and applicable insurance policies
- Accurately determine the losses you’ve incurred because of the accident
- Explain your legal rights and answer all of your questions
- Negotiate fair compensation on your behalf
Contact our St. Petersburg, FL law firm today to speak with a committed distracted driving accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers.
What Is Florida’s Distracted Driving Law?
Florida’s distracted driving law allows Florida law enforcement officers to pull drivers over for texting while driving.
It is illegal in Florida to manually type or enter multiple letters, numbers, or symbols into a wireless communication device to do any of the following:
- Text
- Instant message
Drivers can also be cited if they use a wireless communication device in a handheld manner in a school or work zone.
Common Types of Distracted Driving
While most people associate cell phones with distracted driving, distracted driving can involve various types of activities drivers complete while driving.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three types of distractions for drivers, as follows:
- Visual distractions – Anything that takes your eyes off the road in front of you
- Manual – Anything that takes your hands off the steering wheel
- Cognitive – Anything that takes your mind off the task of driving
Based on these definitions, some of the most common types of distracted driving include:
- Drinking
- Eating
- Looking at a GPS or map
- Fiddling with the infotainment or A/C unit in the car
- Talking on a cell phone
- Talking to passengers
- Tending to children or pets in the car
- Daydreaming
- Thinking about stressful subjects
- Texting
An experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer can investigate your case and determine what kind of distracted driving the other driver was engaging in.
Why Is Texting While Driving So Dangerous?
Texting and driving is a particularly dangerous form of distracted driving because it involves all three types of distractions: manual, visual, and cognitive. Drivers who are absorbed in their messages are not paying attention to the road in front of them. If they do not recognize a hazard in front of them, they will have less time to react to it and avoid an accident.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in Florida?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving killed 3,142 people in 2020.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that distracted driving caused more than 56,000 crashes in 2021, resulting in the death of 333 people in the Sunshine State that year. This was the highest reported number of such deaths in at least eight years.
Evidence To Support Your St. Petersburg Distracted Driving Accident Case
Our team will work diligently to secure strong evidence to establish that distracted driving played a pivotal role in your case.
We will look for evidence such as:
- Police reports indicating that distracted driving was a factor
- Videos showing the driver on their phone or otherwise distracted near the time of the accident
- Accident scene photos that show a phone or other possible distractions
- Cell phone records
- Receipts that show the driver recently purchased food or drink
- Witnesses who observed the driver was distracted
We will also collect medical records, employment records, and other evidence to document the losses you have suffered.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident in St. Petersburg, Florida
You may be able to recover compensation for the various losses you have suffered, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss or reduction of future earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Mental or emotional anguish or distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our law firm will fight hard to recover fair compensation on your behalf.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in St. Petersburg Today for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, the team at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers want to help. Let us use our considerable skills and experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
