Texting and driving will not only get you in trouble with law enforcement, but it can lead to significant accidents. Unfortunately, distracted driving accident victims often struggle to recover the compensation they need for the medical expenses and property damage losses. At GOLDLAW, we are here to help if you need a Port St. Lucie car accident attorney by your side. Let us help you stand up to the insurance carriers and recover the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Choose GOLDLAW for Your Car Accident Claim
- At GOLDLAW, we take pride in the work we do for clients. We know individuals come to us when they need help the most, and we work hard to achieve a positive outcome every time.
- Our team has an impressive track record of success handling complex injury claims throughout this area of Florida, and we are ready to handle your case today.
- We handle car accident claims, including texting and driving incidents, on a contingency fee basis. This means clients never worry about legal fees until after we recover the compensation they need.
Florida Texting and Driving Laws
In Florida, texting while driving is a significant traffic offense, governed by stringent laws to curtail this dangerous behavior. Under Florida Statutes Section 316.305, it is illegal for drivers to operate motor vehicles in FL while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other text into a wireless communications device. This includes texting, emailing, and instant messaging while driving. The law categorizes texting and driving as a primary offense, meaning police officers can stop and cite drivers solely for this violation without needing any other cause.
Moreover, the statute outlines that drivers are permitted to use their devices for navigational purposes or to receive traffic updates. However, any form of manual data entry or communication while the vehicle is in motion is prohibited. Exceptions to the Florida rule include using a device in autonomous vehicles where the driver does not need to be engaged in driving or when the vehicle is stationary and not in a travel lane.
Dangers of Texting and Driving
Texting while driving poses severe risks, significantly distracting drivers and increasing the likelihood of accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving, particularly texting, diverts attention from the road more than any other in-car activity. Texting involves all three types of distraction – visual, manual, and cognitive – making it one of the most hazardous behaviors on the road. Drivers who text while driving have a much higher risk of collision because they are not looking at the road, their hands are not on the wheel, and their focus is not on driving.
Statistically, young drivers are especially prone to texting and driving, which can lead to tragic accidents and fatalities. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that distraction was a confirmed factor in over 4,000 crashes in a recent year alone. The actual numbers might be even higher, given the difficulties in proving distraction post-accident.
The message is clear: texting while driving is not only illegal in Florida, but it significantly endangers the driver, passengers, and others on the road. At GOLDLAW, we believe that you should be represented by a firm that emphasizes the importance of staying informed about legal standards and the dire consequences of distracted driving, advocating for vigilance and adherence to road safety regulations.
Recovering Compensation After a Distracted Driving Collision
Victims of texting and driving accidents may be able to receive a range of economic and non-economic damages, which is what we strive to recover for every car accident victim we assist.
Economic damages consist of losses that are relatively calculable, including medical bills, lost income and loss of future earnings, property damage losses, out-of-pocket expenses, and more. We want to be careful not to formulate a final total for these types of losses until after we know the extent of your medical care needs and recovery process.
Non-economic damages are not as readily quantifiable but are equally important as these revolve around the compensation for a person’s physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering as well as any loss of quality of life caused by the incident.
Hiring a Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer significantly enhances your chances of successfully navigating the complexities of personal injury claims. An experienced attorney will take several critical steps to bolster your case:
- Evidence collection: Your texting and driving accident lawyer in Port St. Lucie will gather all necessary evidence, including police reports, photographs, witness statements, and traffic camera footage, to build a robust case demonstrating the other party’s negligence.
- Expert consultation: Attorneys may need to collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to establish how the accident occurred and to illustrate the impact of the other driver’s distractions on your safety.
- Negotiation with insurance companies: Skilled in negotiation, your Port St. Lucie texting and driving accident lawyer will handle all communications with insurance companies, striving to arrange a fair settlement that sufficiently handles all your damages, including medical bills, lost current and future income, and pain and suffering.
- Legal representation: If the insurance settlement is insufficient, your texting and driving accident attorney in Port St. Lucie is prepared to represent you at trial, ensuring that your rights are defended throughout the legal process.
Peace of mind. That is what you gain by working with us after this type of incident. We want to make sure you can focus on recovering and getting back to your daily life.
Call a Texting and Driving Accident Attorney in Port St. Lucie Today
If you have sustained an injury or property damage caused by a driver texting behind the wheel, contact the team at GOLDLAW today. We have the resources needed to help with every aspect of your claim. We want to make sure that you recover the compensation you are entitled to, and we have no problem standing up to aggressive insurance carriers. When you need a Port St. Lucie texting and driving accident lawyer, you can reach out to our team for a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling (561) 222-2222.
