Distracted Drivers
Seeking Compensation for Victims of Cell Phone-related Car Accidents
Distracted driving is defined as taking your focus off the road for two seconds or longer. According to the June, 2011, edition of Consumer Reports, nearly 6,000 Americans were killed in distracted driver accidents in 2008. Talking on a cell phone (hands-free or handheld) while driving poses the same risk as driving with .08 percent blood alcohol content, according to a recent University of Utah study.
According to a recent Nielson Mobile survey, the average American sends and receives more than 350 text messages per month, while teens between 13 and 17 send and receive more than 1,700 text messages per month, on average.
There is currently no statewide law in Florida prohibiting texting while driving, but there is plenty of evidence about the dangers. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, driver distraction is a contributing factor in almost 80 percent of all traffic accidents, leading to serious or fatal injury.
If you have been involved in a rear end accident caused by a distracted driver, call the Baird Law Group in Tampa, Florida, for a free initial consultation at (813) 849.2697. You will meet with a qualified Tampa distracted drive accident lawyer who is knowledgeable about personal injury law, and can outline possible legal remedies.
Call Us Immediately
If you believe your injuries resulted from an accident involving a distracted driver, please contact our office right away. Phone companies typically keep records of text messages and cell phone calls for only a few days. If our investigation is delayed, we may lose access to evidence that could strengthen your claim. In some instances, the police do request the time of the texting while they are at the crash site investigating the accident. After we accept your texting while driving accident claim, we request copies of the accident report so that we have the full picture of what happened, and do not miss any information critical to your claim.
After the Accident
We advise clients to seek medical attention after even a minor accident caused by someone who was texting and driving. The medical report documents your symptoms, the extent of your injuries and appropriate medical treatment. It is also important to take photos of your damaged car and the accident scene. Most importantly, do not talk to anybody but your doctor or an attorney about the accident. You could, by mistake, share knowledge that could weaken your case.
Compensation for Your Losses
If you have been injured in a texting while driving accident, you may be entitled to money damages for your injuries. Fair compensation often includes medical expenses related to the injury, lost wages, pain and suffering due to a head on or rear end collision. The only way you will know you have a valid texting while driving accident claim is to consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer.
Contact Us Today for Help With Distracted Driver Accidents: (813) 849.2697
If a driver on cell phone seriously injured you or fatally injured a loved one, contact a lawyer at the Baird Law Group in Hillsborough County for a free initial consultation.
