Have You Been Involved In A Car Collision Caused By A Distracted Driver?
Drivers who are totally distracted while eating, texting, or reaching in the back seat post an acute danger to themselves and everybody else who is driving on the road around them. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous- In 2021 alone, the Florida highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site counted 56,425 accidents due to distracted driving, including 333 fatalities and 2,723 serious injuries. If you were the victim of a distracted driving incident, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. This article discusses some important aspects of distracted driving accidents and what you should do if you were in a car crash caused by a distracted driver.
What Is Distracted Driving?
The term “distracted driving” refers to more than just texting and driving, although that is a common circumstance. There are three main categories of distracted driving:
- Mental: If you’ve ever found yourself drifting off and on autopilot while driving, you’re driving while mentally distracted. For example, if you’re more focused on recalling your grocery list than the road, you may be more prone to an accident.
- Physical: A physical distraction is when you take your hands off the wheel (searching for something in the back seat, scrolling through your phone, adjusting your radio, etc.)
- Visual: It takes less than a second of taking your eyes off the road to cause a major accident. That’s a visual distraction.
Key Things To Know About A Florida Car Accident
If you suffer from an injury due to distracted driving, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what to do. Some important things to know include:
- The New Comparative Negligence System: Florida recently enacted a new comparative negligence system to replace the old pure comparative fault system. This means that individuals who are found to be more than 50% responsible for their own injuries are not allowed to recover compensation.
- The statute of limitations: The statute of limitations in Florida to file a lawsuit is now two years. If you don’t file a claim within two years of the accident, you will no longer be able to seek or receive compensation for injuries and other damages.
- How the amount of compensation you can receive is calculated: The amount of compensation you can get depends on specific factors, like the cost of your medical expenses, how severe your injuries are, the amount of current or future wages lost due to your injuries, and the amount of evidence you’re able to gather to support your case.
Why You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were involved in a distracted driving accident, you should be focused on healing from your injuries and recuperating from the traumatic event. At BCN Law Firm, our experienced car accident attorneys will help you every step of the way by helping you file the insurance claim, dealing with the legal paperwork, collecting necessary evidence, making sure you meet the deadlines, and negotiating your case if there isn’t a reasonable settlement.
Contact Us Today
Having a Florida car accident lawyer will give you peace of mind that your case is being dealt with properly while you recover, and will help ensure the optimal outcome. If you were involved in a Florida distracted driving accident, call BCN Law Firm to consult with a top car accident lawyer today.
