Boca Raton Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Representing the Injured Across Florida

When you are driving, you should be focused on the road and the task at hand. Unfortunately, many drivers are distracted by their cell phones, GPS devices, and other electronic devices. In fact, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Chad J. Robinson, PLLC, our Boca Raton distracted driving accident lawyer is dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families recover the full, fair compensation they are owed. We understand the many challenges you are facing, and we are here to provide the compassionate, personalized legal guidance you need during this difficult time.

Call our office at (561) 564-0233 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24/7 to take your call.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This includes both physical and mental distractions. While many people think of cell phone use when they think of distracted driving, there are actually many other activities that can distract a driver and cause an accident.

There are three main types of distracted driving:

• Visual distractions, which take a driver’s eyes off the road
• Manual distractions, which take a driver’s hands off the wheel
• Mental distractions, which take a driver’s mind off the task of driving

Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it involves all three types of distractions. When a driver is texting, they must take their eyes off the road to read or send a message, their hands off the wheel to type, and their mind off the task of driving to think about what they are going to say.

However, there are many other activities that can distract a driver and cause an accident. These include:

Any of these activities can cause a driver to become distracted and cause an accident. If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, our firm can help you seek justice.

How Common Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is a serious problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in distracted driving accidents every single day in the U.S.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the country. In fact, in 2019 alone, distracted driving caused more than 3,100 fatal car accidents and more than 400,000 injury-causing crashes.

These numbers are likely much higher, as many distracted driving accidents go unreported or are misreported as other types of accidents. However, even these statistics are alarming and show just how common and dangerous distracted driving is.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Distracted Driving?

In Florida, it is illegal to text and drive. it is a primary offense. However, it is not illegal to talk on the phone while driving as long as you are using a hands-free device. If you are in a school zone or construction zone, talking on the phone is prohibited unless it's an emergency. Even so, if a driver is caught texting and driving, they can be pulled over and ticketed. The fine for a first offense is $30, and the fine for a second offense is $60 and 3 points added to their driver’s license.

While these penalties may seem steep, they are not enough to deter many drivers from texting and driving. As such, many people continue to engage in this dangerous behavior, putting themselves and others at risk.

However, if a driver causes an accident while texting and driving, they can face much more serious legal consequences. In addition to being ticketed, a driver can be held liable for the victim’s damages. This means that the victim can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver and seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Additionally, if the at-fault driver was texting and driving, this can be used as evidence of negligence. In Florida, all drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow the rules of the road. When a driver breaches this duty of care, they can be held liable for any resulting damages. By texting and driving, a driver is breaching their duty of care and can be held liable for any damages they cause.