Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Winter Haven, FL

Driving a motor vehicle comes with significant responsibility, but it’s so commonplace that many drivers don’t respect the potential dangers.

While most people recognize the inherent dangers of driving while intoxicated, many think nothing of texting, daydreaming, or taking their eyes off of the road while driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents in the U.S. If you sustained injuries in this type of accident, contact a distracted driving car accident lawyer in Winter Haven from JustCallMoe for assistance.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your focus away from driving. If your hands aren’t on the steering wheel, your eyes aren’t on the road, or your mind isn’t focused on driving, you’re probably distracted. Distracted driving falls into several categories:

Manual

Unless you have a self-driving car or are shifting a manual transmission, both of your hands should be on the steering wheel for optimal control of your vehicle. Sudden maneuvers may be easier and safer with both hands on the wheel .

Multi-tasking may be popular these days, but you should avoid doing anything that requires manual manipulation when you’re behind the wheel.

Visual

Traffic conditions can change in the blink of an eye. Cars around you can suddenly swerve into your lane, animals can dart into roadways, and large potholes can appear out of nowhere. You must always be looking out for any potential hazards.

If you’re distracted in any way, you may not have time to avoid a collision. Your distracted driving lawyer in Winter Haven from JustCallMoe can help you seek the compensation you deserve if a distracted driver injures you.

Cognitive

It’s easy for minds to wander during the course of the day. Thinking about evening plans during long work meetings probably won’t hurt you, however, tuning out your focus while driving presents an immediate danger to drivers, passengers, and everyone else in your vicinity. Anything that takes your mind away from paying attention to the road and safe driving behaviors is a distraction. Strive to keep yourself from becoming lost in thought and stay aware at all times.

Common Types of Distracted Driving

As a leading distracted driving law firm in Winter Haven, JustCallMoe has handled multiple accident claims. While it’s impossible to list every action that could be considered a distraction, there are a few common distractions:

• Hands-on use of wireless communication devices
• Drinking, eating, and smoking
• Daydreaming or rubber-necking
• Significant interactions with passengers
• Putting on makeup or fixing hair

Many of these actions could be placed in multiple distraction categories. If you think an action is unsafe, it probably is.

Distracted Driving Accident Statistics

Many drivers mistakenly think that a few seconds of distraction won’t hurt anything or that accidents can’t happen to them. These alarming statistics prove otherwise:

• A 2021 survey showed that 23.6% of drivers text, 52.5% eat, 6.5% apply makeup, and 11.7% take photos while driving.
• Distracted driving accidents killed 3,522 people in 2021 in the U.S.
• In 2021, distractions affected 8% of nationwide fatal crashes.
• 2022 distracted driver crashes in Florida injured 16,246 drivers, passengers, and non-motorists, with 30,820 more having possible injuries. These accidents produced 275 fatalities.
• 80% of 18- to 24-year-olds use wireless devices to communicate while driving.

Distracted driving has become such a significant danger that most states have passed various laws to curtail these hazardous behaviors. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore these laws, causing accidents. If a distracted driving accident in Winter Haven impacted you, contact JustCallMoe to see how we can help.

Florida Distracted Driving Laws

Florida law bans most hands-on uses of wireless communications devices while operating a moving vehicle. Prohibited actions behind the wheel include:

• Using these devices to send or read messages
• Wearing headsets, earbuds, or similar devices that cover both ears
• Using Internet-based applications or conducting searches

You can use your phone or other device while you are stopped, but it should always be stored away before you begin operating your vehicle. Exceptions include using navigation aids or reporting emergency situations.

These laws are more strict in school and work zones, prohibiting any use not related to an emergency.

Consequences of Distracted Driving

Driving while distracted can cause chaos on the road. But even when drivers are focused, adverse conditions, such as poor visibility, heavy traffic, and inclement weather, can make driving hazardous. Distracted driving in these conditions significantly increases the danger.

Effects on the distracted driver

Driver reaction times play a significant role in safe driving behaviors. It takes time to notice a danger, process it, decide what action to take, and control a vehicle to respond to the danger. Every fraction of a second counts and could mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophic accident.

Do you know that at 55 mph, you can travel 100 yards (the length of a football field) in five seconds? Think about what could happen in that distance. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reading or sending a text can take five seconds and is basically equivalent to driving with your eyes closed.

If a driver can’t notice and respond to sudden traffic situations in time, they may cause an accident.

Effects on other drivers

Distracted drivers often meander between traffic lanes and speed up or slow down inconsistently. Other drivers may need to adjust to accommodate these unpredictable behaviors, but they don’t always have enough time or room to do so safely.

How to Prove a Driver Was Texting

If you are injured in an accident, your distracted driving lawyer in Winter Haven will search to discover if the at-fault driver was texting and driving. We will gather evidence, such as:

• Driver cell phone records
• Eyewitness statements
• Police reports
• Video surveillance footage

To hold someone accountable for your damages, we need to prove negligence.

Why Proving Negligence Matters

Though your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance policy should pay your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages, PIP payouts often aren’t enough to cover all of your accident-related financial losses. These policies also don’t provide coverage for certain types of financial losses or the effects your injuries can have on your overall quality of life.

When your attorney can prove negligence, we can help you seek compensation for all accident-related damages from the at-fault driver.

How Can a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Winter Haven, FL, Help?

Distracted driving accidents happen in an instant but can have long-lasting consequences. You deserve compensation, but insurance companies are often reluctant to pay what they know your claim is worth.

Your distracted driving lawyer from JustCallMoe knows how insurance companies operate, and we won’t let them take advantage of you.

Contact JustCallMoe 24/7 to find out what your claim is worth and how we can help you reach a favorable resolution. Call us, use our online contact form, or reach out via live chat. Your consultation is free, so don’t wait.