Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving accidents cause injuries and deaths each year in Florida and throughout the United States. If you have been hurt as a result of someone texting, talking on the phone, eating, or engaging in another activity unrelated to driving, you should contact an experienced Jacksonville car accident attorney who can help you understand your rights in the aftermath of the crash. At The Lawrence Law Group, we realize the challenges that you are facing and will treat you with the care and compassion that you deserve.

Distracted driving is anything that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving. These distractions include texting, using a cell phone, putting on makeup, reading, using a navigation system, tuning the radio, or paying attention to passengers in the car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was the cause of 3,179 deaths and 431,000 injuries in 2014. It has become an increasing problem with the development of new forms of technology and our society’s reliance on them.

Drivers who cause accidents due to distracted driving may be held responsible for the resulting injuries. All drivers are expected to act with reasonable care. Part of this responsibility involves being alert behind the wheel and paying attention to what is happening around them. Someone who is texting or focusing on something else will not be able to see approaching hazards or respond to developing situations.

Typically, an injured victim will be able to recover damages from an at-fault party, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation and therapy costs, pain and suffering, lost income and benefits, property damage, and disfigurement. Damages may be awarded for past, present, and future forms of harm.

A distracted driver who causes a motor vehicle accident may try to assert that an injured victim was also at fault for the crash. Florida uses a pure comparative fault rule, which means that a plaintiff’s recovery will be reduced by their share of fault. For example, while a defendant may have caused an accident due to texting and driving, that defendant may assert that the victim was speeding at the time, thereby contributing to the crash. If the victim is found to have been 20 percent responsible, generally speaking, they could recover up to 80 percent of their damages from the defendant. A comparative fault determination is very fact-specific, so it is important to consult an attorney who will be able to present the evidence in the manner most favorable to you.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a distracted driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Lawrence Law Group, our Jacksonville lawyers are committed to asserting the rights of victims who have been injured through the fault of someone else. We assist people in Duval, Clay, Baker, Nassau, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Brevard, Union, Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Volusia, and Alachua Counties. To talk about your case with a motor vehicle collision attorney in more detail, call us at 904-632-0077 or contact us online to set up a free appointment.