If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident caused by distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
An experienced New Port Richey distracted driving accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can demand the full compensation you deserve.
We’ve been standing up for car accident victims like you for more than 50 years.
Don’t hesitate to contact our law office in New Port Richey, Florida if you wish to learn more about how we can help, call us at (727) 815-8442 for a free consultation today.
How Can an Experienced New Port Richey Personal Injury Lawyer Help With My Distracted Driving Accident Case?
All drivers should have their full attention on the road when they get behind the wheel. You have the right to expect that courtesy, whether you’re an occupant in another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. Unfortunately, distracted driving is widespread–both in Florida and across the U.S.
Distracted driving is also careless driving.
When a distracted driver causes an auto accident, they deserve to be held responsible for any injuries and damage that result. In reality, it isn’t always easy to simply file a claim and hold a distracted driver accountable.
As the victim, you have to prove that driver distraction caused your accident. It can be difficult to do this when the other driver claims they weren’t doing anything wrong. Hiring a New Port Richey personal injury lawyer can give you an edge in maximizing your compensation award.
When you hire Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, you can expect our Board Certified civil litigation specialists to:
- Conduct a full and independent investigation into your accident
- Locate video surveillance footage, cell phone records, photos, red light footage, and any other information helpful in proving the at-fault driver was distracted
- Work tirelessly to limit the success of any claims that you were partly responsible for the crash
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to get every dollar you deserve
- Stand up for your rights in the courtroom if needed
Together, our personal injury attorneys have over 50 years of experience handling car accident cases across Pasco County. We know what it takes to get the full compensation you deserve through the insurance claims process. To learn more about what we can do to protect your rights, give our law offices a call for a free case review.
How Dangerous is Distracted Driving in New Port Richey, FL?
Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and, in some cases, even deadly. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports show that 2,841 people lost their lives because of distracted driving in 2018 alone. Center for Disease Control (CDC) data shows that approximately eight people lose their lives because of distracted driving every single day.
Distracted driving isn’t just a problem nationwide. Unfortunately, Florida ranks second in the nation when it comes to measuring the dangers of distracted driving. The state of Florida has taken steps to combat distracted driving–but still, countless people are injured every year because of driver distraction.
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is much more than simply texting while driving or talking on the phone.
There are three primary types of distraction that come into play while driving: manual, visual, and cognitive.
Each can present a significant danger to others on the roads.
Manual Distraction
Manual distraction happens when a driver takes his hands off the wheel.
Some common types of manual distraction include:
- Reaching for something that fell between the seats
- Rummaging through a purse or bag to find something
- Using the vehicle entertainment system
- Eating or drinking
- Applying makeup
It’s incredibly difficult for a driver to control the vehicle when his or her hands aren’t even on the wheel. Of course, cell phone use requires the driver to take at least one hand off the steering wheel.
Visual Distraction
Drivers are visually distracted when they’re looking at something other than the road.
Examples of visual distraction include:
- Looking at a GPS device or map
- Reading a cell phone or other device
- Turning to look at a child in the back seat
Drivers who are visually distracted can’t respond to dangers on the road–because they might not even see them coming.
Cognitive Distraction
Cognitive distraction happens when the driver’s mind is on something other than driving. The driver might be looking at the road–but their mind is in another place.
Common cognitive distractions include:
- Daydreaming
- Having a conversation with someone else in the vehicle
- Thinking about something that happened at work
Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves all three types of driver distraction. Drivers take their hands off the wheel to compose the text. Drivers must look down at their phone when composing a text. The driver’s mind is on the text rather than what’s happening on the roads.
Texting and Driving is Now Illegal in The State of Florida
Texting while driving is now illegal across the state of Florida. Under the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law, it’s illegal to:
- Type on a wireless communications device
- Read or see data on a mobile device
The ban includes texting, emailing and instant messaging while driving. Violating the texting while driving law can lead to monetary fines and points on your driving record. If you cause a crash that results in injuries or death, law enforcement can access your cell phone records to determine whether you were texting at the time of the accident.
Distracted Driving Can Cause Serious Injuries
Some distracted driving accidents result in minor fender benders. Others can cause serious, life-threatening injuries.
Distracted driving accidents often happen at higher speeds because the driver doesn’t have time to slow down before the crash.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we help victims of motor vehicle accidents who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Burn injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
- And more
Were you or a loved one hurt in a crash? You could be facing months of medical care–and you might not be able to work while you recover. If you need help making ends meet, don’t hesitate to call to learn more about how we can put our experience, financial resources, and passion for justice to work in your case.
Time Limits on Filing a Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit New Port Richey, Florida
Every state limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for damages. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. In Florida, you have two years to file a distracted driving accident lawsuit.
The statute of limitations used to give Florida personal injury victims four years to file. However, the law was revised on March 24, 2023, reducing the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. If your New Port Richey distracted driving accident occurred after that date, you have two years to take action.
To protect your interests, it’s smart to speak with a New Port Richey car accident lawyer as soon as you can.
What if I Was Partly Responsible?
Shared responsibility laws can limit or eliminate the amount of compensation you’re entitled to recover. Florida’s modified comparative fault laws apportion financial responsibility for everyone who contributed to the cause of the crash. If your portion of negligence exceeds 50%, you’re barred from receiving compensation.
Cases involving comparative fault can get messy quickly. Call our legal team today to see how having an experienced New Port Richey car accident attorney in your corner can minimize the success of these “blame the victim” insurance tactics.
What Damages Can I Get if I Was Hurt By a Distracted Driver in New Port Richey, Florida?
Drivers in Florida automatically assume a duty to drive carefully to protect others from unreasonable risk. Driving while distracted violates this duty. In other words, distracted driving is a form of negligence.
Like any other personal injury victim, you’re entitled to compensation to cover both your economic and non-economic losses.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ll fight to get the full compensation you deserve, including money for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Damages for wrongful death
As a general rule, your damages award will be higher if your injuries are very serious or permanent. However, it’s important not to discount the value of even a seemingly minor injury. Common injuries like whiplash or a broken bone can keep you off the job–and we all know how expensive medical treatment can be.
Our distracted driving accident attorneys will be there at every turn to help you get the most compensation available. We’ll work with experts and specialists to make sure your past bills are covered and we’ll also put in the work to anticipate your future costs.
Contact a Knowledgeable New Port Richey Car Accident Law Firm Today
It’s rarely easy to hold someone else accountable if you’re hurt. The insurance company might give you the run-around or even try to blame you for your own injuries. Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. An experienced New Port Richey distracted driving accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can quickly put a stop to these insurance tactics.
Are you interested in learning more about how we can put over 50 years of combined legal experience to work for your family? Call or contact us online today. We’d be happy to arrange a free consultation to discuss your options.
