Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Jacksonville
Pajcic & Pajcic has the experience you need for the results you want
Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents, and a large contributor in fatalities. Florida ranks among the top states for distracted driving crashes and fatalities. Many car accidents involve the use of cell phones, whether that’s talking, texting or even using apps like Snapchat to record short videos or take photos while driving. Eating on the way to work, shaving, hairstyling or applying makeup can also pose threats to a driver’s ability to focus on the road and the task at hand: arriving at their destination safely.
We know how devastating a distracted driving car accident can be in Florida. In an instant, your life can be turned upside down when a distracted driver causes a crash. The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic has the resources and extensive experience that you need to get back on your feet. Don’t settle for a low offer from an insurance company. If you were hit by a distracted driver, talk to one of our Jacksonville accident lawyers today.
What is distracted driving?
Distracted driving is any activity that takes away from a person’s ability to concentrate on the road before them. Common behaviors include:
- Texting and driving
- Grooming or shaving
- Applying makeup
- Using a GPS
- Texting or talking on the phone
- Talking to other passengers in the car
- Adjusting stereos or entertainment systems
Any task that interferes with a driver’s ability to concentrate fully on the road and cars around them constitutes distraction. Taking your eyes off the road for any reason for a mere five seconds while traveling at 55mph is equivalent to traveling the length of an entire football field blindfolded. It’s no wonder that there are thousands of distracted driving car accidents every year.
What are the categories of distracted driving?
There are many types of distracted driving, but they fall into three main categories:
- Visual distraction – anything that takes the driver’s eyes away from the road, including looking at a cellphone or dashboard display, or watching videos while driving.
- Manual distraction – anything that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel, including adjusting the radio, operating a GPS, or using cellphone.
- Cognitive distraction – anything that requires the driver to think about something other than driving, including talking to passengers in the car, talking on a cellphone, or simply being anxious, angry or lost in thought.
Reading or writing a text message is particularly dangerous because it involves all three types of distraction, but there is no safe level of distraction. Every driver needs to be focused on the road to operate their vehicle safely.
A visually or cognitively distracted driver can mean the difference between a safe route home, and a crash that can change your life forever. Running red lights, stop signs and speeding are all consequences of distracted driving behavior – and so are accidents.
What are the laws on distracted driving in Florida?
In Florida, the statutes regarding distracted driving specifically target the usage of mobile phones. These laws were put into place in order to safeguard drivers from potential accidents easily caused by distracted driving. There are exceptions for device usage, however. Typing or calling is allowed when reporting a criminal offense or emergency to authorities, or receiving messages pertaining to the operation or navigation of the vehicle.
Florida’s “Ban on Texting While Driving Law” was put into place in order to improve roadway safety. Negligent drivers are not only putting others at risk of an accident if they disobey rulings-they are breaking the law.
Prohibitions for the usage of wireless (defined as any handheld device able to receive and transmit messages) and mobile devices include:
- Texting
- Emailing
- Instant messaging
- Any behavior that requires manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers or characters into a device
- Any behavior that involves reading or sending messages
Citations can be issued if a motorist is stopped by authorities. Legally, any mental or physical activity that takes place while driving and takes the driver’s focus off the road is considered distracted driving. In the event of a crash caused by such negligence, distracted driving may be cited as a cause. Distracted driving is one of the state’s top traffic safety concerns, and its laws should be taken seriously.
How much is my distracted driving accident worth?
If a distracted driver caused your collision, you should be financially compensated for all your accident-related expenses, including but not limited to:
- Cost of all medical care, including emergency medical treatment and future, anticipated medical expenses.
- Repairing vehicle damage or buying a new car if your vehicle was totaled in the accident.
- Replacement income if you need to stay home from work to rest and recover.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work or can only work in a reduced capacity due to a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering.
Add up all these expenses and your distracted driving accident can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. This is why it’s critical that you have an experienced Florida distracted driving attorney on your side, demanding the money you deserve.