Hit By a Distracted Driver? We Can Help – Call Now.
Driving is a task that some people take too lightly. In their hurry to get from place to place, they may forget that they are operating vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds, traveling down roadways at speeds that may range anywhere from about 30 to 70 miles per hour. They may have other things on their mind or may try to multitask by texting, applying makeup, shaving, eating, or doing any of a number of things while behind the wheel. When drivers do this, they greatly increase their chances of causing and being involved in collisions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) couldn’t have said it better: “Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America’s roadways.” Even if you are a careful, attentive driver who obeys traffic laws, you have to trust that other drivers will do the same. It is an unfortunate reality in today’s society that some drivers simply do not pay enough attention to the road and the task at hand.
If you were injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver, call Robert Sparks Attorneys. We realize you may have a number of thoughts going through your mind, and retaining legal counsel may not be at the forefront of your concerns. What you need to realize, however, is that you may soon be facing exorbitant medical bills and financial problems caused by lost earnings. By getting involved early on, an attorney can fight for fair compensation through your insurance claim or lawsuit. This can make all the difference as you work to move on with your life.
Types of Driving Distractions
If you spend a good deal of time on the road, you have probably seen drivers doing any of a number of strange things while driving. While some of these things may only create minor distractions, others can take a driver’s eyes off the road and hands off the wheel for a number of seconds at a time – a dangerous amount of time when you consider the sudden nature of car accidents. It takes just a moment for a driver to lose control, fail to notice an obstacle or veer out of his or her lane.
Our firm handles distracted driving cases involving:
- Texting while driving;
- Emailing while driving;
- Surfing the net or using apps while driving;
- Using a handheld cellphone;
- Talking to a passenger;
- Eating, drinking or smoking;
- Adjusting the radio;
- Using an in-vehicle navigation or video system;
- Shaving, applying make-up or other grooming; and
- Reading while driving.
Texting is widely recognized as the most dangerous distraction affecting today’s drivers. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), for example, found that texting while driving increased a driver’s chances of being involved in a collision by up to 23 times, as compared to a distraction-free driver. Recognizing the danger of texting and driving, many states have implemented bans. In Florida, drivers are prohibited from texting while driving. It is a secondary offense, meaning a driver cannot be pulled over for texting alone. A driver can only receive a ticket for texting if he or she is pulled over for a different violation.
Legal Counsel for Car Accident Victims in Tampa, FL
Proving cause and liability in a car accident is not necessarily an easy task, but our team has the resources and understanding of these collisions to succeed. If you would like to learn more about the steps you can take to hold a distracted driver responsible for his or her conduct, contact a Tampa distracted driving accident attorney at Robert Sparks Attorneys, PLLC. Your initial consultation is free, and you pay no legal fees unless we win your case!
