Texting while driving is a growing risk, and it puts everyone on the road in danger. The increase in using mobile phones has led to banning texting while driving altogether in the State of Florida. If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else texting while driving, then you could be owed compensation.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge when it comes to fighting drivers who were caught texting while driving in St. Petersburg and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has witnessed numerous texting while driving accidents happen over the years, and we know exactly how to help you.
If you are looking for the best legal advice in town, then you should speak to a car accident lawyer from our law firm. We understand the serious nature of texting while driving accidents, and we will fight to secure the compensation that you deserve for the injuries and other damages that you sustained.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation now, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve following a texting while driving accident in St. Petersburg.
The Ban on Texting While Driving in St. Petersburg, FL.
Florida Statute 316.305 strictly prohibits the use of texting on a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. The statute writes that a person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device, including, but not limited to, communication methods like texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging.
A report from the year 2016 stated that there were close to 50,000 accidents caused by distracted driving, which included up to 3,500 injuries and 233 fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV).
The texting while driving ban is a secondary offense, which means that a police officer can charge you along with another offense. However, they will not pull you over for texting and driving alone. The law makes it difficult to enforce the ban on texting while driving, and it is often challenging to prove that it was the cause of a car accident.
If your accident was caused by another person texting while driving, then our team of car accident lawyers will work hard to investigate the case and uncover all of the details that will prove the negligence of the other driver.
Texting While Driving Injuries in St. Petersburg, FL.
A distracted driving crash has the potential to result in a number of different injuries, but the severity of the injury will vary depending on the type of situation. The most common texting while driving injuries include:
- Whiplash.
- Burns.
- Bruises.
- Hearing loss.
- Damage to vision.
- Broken bones.
- Fractures.
- Spinal cord injury.
- Joint, muscle, or tendon damage.
- Internal organ damage.
- Internal bleeding.
- Facial lacerations.
- Concussions.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Death.
Other Forms of Distracted Driving in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are many forms of distracted driving that are worth taking the time to understand, especially when you have been hurt by a driver who was caught driving while distracted in St. Petersburg. The three forms of driver distraction include:
- Visual distraction – It is important for every driver to pay attention to their surroundings and anything that could cause a car accident. A list of visual distractions includes using a mobile phone, reading a map, using a navigational system, helping a child or passenger in the backseat, searching for something that they dropped, and much more.
- Manual distraction – It is essential for every driver to keep their hands on the wheel when they are operating a motor vehicle. A list of manual distractions includes eating, drinking, smoking, looking through a bag, applying makeup, texting, typing an email, and much more.
- Cognitive distraction – It is imperative for every driver to remain focused on driving and what is happening around them. A list of cognitive distractions includes engaging in conversation with a passenger, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, thinking about how to respond to a text message or email, pondering about work, stressing over a problem, daydreaming, and much more.
How to Avoid Texting While Driving in St. Petersburg, FL.
There are a number of steps that you can take to avoid texting and driving. Many people find it hard to resist the urge to use their mobile phone to respond to a text message or check something on the internet, but with a little practice, you will be able to remain focused on the road without getting distracted by the notifications of a mobile phone. Here we have offered a few important tips to help you avoid texting while driving:
- Turn your mobile phone on silent or use the ‘Do Not Disturb’ feature before getting into your motor vehicle.
- Put your mobile phone in a place that is difficult to reach when you are driving. For instance, you could place your mobile phone in the glove compartment or in your bag.
- Turn off all of the notifications on your mobile phone or another technological device like a smartwatch so that you are not distracted while you are driving.
- The more often you practice putting your mobile phone on silent and leaving it alone, the easier it will be for you to keep your eyes on the road.
Compensation for a Texting While Driving Accident in St. Petersburg, FL.
A texting while driving accident can result in a number of expensive damages. It is important that you have the best car accident lawyer on your side to hold the at-fault party responsible for your costs. Our law firm will work hard to recover compensation for your case, including:
- Medical bills – Past, present, and future medical expenses such as doctor’s visits, hospitalization, physical therapy, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – The loss of wages since you have not been able to work or a reduced earning capacity.
- Property damage – Damage to your motor vehicle or other personal property.
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain, emotional anguish, mental trauma, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, and more.
- Wrongful death – The loss of a loved one means that you could be able to recover compensation by filing a wrongful death claim.
Statute of Limitations for Distracted Driving Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL.
The statute of limitations allows every person to file a personal injury claim within four years of an accident in the State of Florida. Every state has a different deadline when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. If a loved one was killed in an accident, then you will be able to file a wrongful death claim within two years of their death.
If you pass the time limit, then you will not be able to recover compensation.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Will Help You in St. Petersburg, FL.
The Law Place will help you to move past a distracted driving accident in St. Petersburg. Our law firm is known for managing the most difficult cases with great success. If you put your trust in us, you will not be disappointed in the outcome of your case. We offer:
- Free consultation – You can call our office to set up a free consultation at any time. Our phone lines are open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. During the meeting, we will discuss the details of your case and explain how we can help you.
- Communication – We will handle all forms of communication with your insurance company and the at-fault party. It is not always easy to deal with insurance companies, and they will use tactics to offer you less compensation than you are owed.
- Investigation – A distracted driving accident lawyer from our law firm will conduct an investigation into your case to determine who was at fault. Then we will gather all of the facts and information in order to evaluate the amount of damage that was caused. We will collect the following documents: medical records, police reports, phone records, witness statements, and image or video evidence.
- Legal process – Every case is different from the next. We will manage the legal process and fill you in every step of the way. It is completely understandable that you might feel overwhelmed by the legal process, but we will deal with all of the necessary paperwork and handle the communication with the insurance companies while you focus on your health.
Contact The Law Place Today in St. Petersburg, FL.
If you were hit by a distracted driver in St. Petersburg, then you should consider filing a personal injury claim. You will need a texting and driving accident lawyer to guide you through the legal system and win the compensation that you are owed.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience in tackling texting and driving accident cases for clients in St. Petersburg and throughout the State of Florida.
If you are searching for legal representation, then you have come to the right place. A distracted driving accident lawyer from our law firm will offer you the support and guidance that you need to get through this difficult time. Call our office today, and we will answer all of the questions that you have in regard to your case.
Contact The Law Place to schedule a free consultation now, and we will fight to win the compensation that you deserve following a texting while driving accident in St. Petersburg.