Distracted Driving Accidents

No matter how good of a driver someone is or how much experience they have behind the wheel, driving is a task that requires someone’s full attention. However, the unfortunate reality is that we live in a busy society, and drivers often allow themselves to get distracted. In fact, according to a recent study by the National Safety Council, four out of five people admit to using their phones at least occasionally while driving.

The reality is that distracted driving is one of the most dangerous driving behaviors out there, and it is responsible for an untold number of injuries and deaths. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than 3,000 people die as a result of distracted driving, the actual number of distracted driving deaths is likely much higher because drivers rarely admit they were distracted, and law enforcement is not always able to prove otherwise.

At the Blakely Law Firm, P.A., we understand the frustration of distracted driving accident victims. Due to no fault of your own, you’re now faced with tremendous medical expenses, an inability to work, and the possibility of a lifetime of physical limitations. We help accident victims file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against distracted drivers to recover meaningful compensation that enables them to move on with their lives more easily.

Simply put, distracted driving is any activity that diverts someone’s attention away from driving. Certainly, in today’s society, the most talked about form of distracted driving is driving while texting and driving while talking on a cell phone. However, these are just the tip of the iceberg; other types of distracted driving include:

• Inputting a destination into a GPS device,
• Scrolling social media,
• Talking with passengers,
• Eating and drinking,
• Watching videos on a cell phone,
• Reading or writing emails,
• Personal grooming,
• Daydreaming, and
• Dealing with children in the backseat.

Each of these behaviors is considered distracted driving and places other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists at an increased risk of being seriously injured or killed. Yet, by their own admission, most drivers routinely engage in at least one of these risky driving behaviors.

After an accident, it’s unlikely that the other driver is going to get out of their car and say, “sorry, I was just texting and didn’t see you.” yet, to successfully bring a personal injury case arising out of a distracted driving accident, you must be able to show that the other driver was negligent. To do this, Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys have a variety of tools. For example, obtaining cellular phone records can shed light on whether another driver was using their phone immediately before the accident. Alternatively, there may be witnesses who saw that the driver was not paying attention. In other cases, car accident attorneys will work with an expert witness or crash reconstructionist to explain to the jury why the other driver was likely distracted. However, in some cases, it’s simply a matter of presenting circumstantial evidence that the other driver was distracted. For example, if a driver rear-ends you while you’re stopped at a red light, your attorney may be able to argue that there is no other viable alternative other than that they were distracted.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a Fort Lauderdale car accident and you believe the other driver was on the phone or otherwise distracted at the time, reach out to the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. for immediate assistance. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we have a long history of providing accident victims with comprehensive representation. And what we mean by this is once you bring us onto your team, we will handle everything, including helping you deal with your own insurance company to get your car repaired or replaced as soon as possible. At the same time, we will respect and value your input and will work closely with you to ensure the best possible result. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form.