Miami Distracted Driver Accident Lawyers

Last updated on: February 15, 2021

CALL (800) 863-5312 TODAY TO SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR MIAMI DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYERS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR CASE

Distractions are all around us on a daily basis, especially while driving. Distracted driving is extremely dangerous and may cause serious accidents and catastrophic injuries.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident involving a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage. Zinda Law Group Miami distracted driving accident lawyers may be able to help determine who is at fault for your accident and can help guide you through the legal process. Call (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with a Zinda Law Group personal injury attorney in Miami today.

TYPES OF DISTRACTED DRIVING

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention from driving safely. Driving while distracted is never a good idea. Even if you believe the distraction is only minimal, distractions can easily lead to accidents, causing injury, or even death, to yourself or others. Below are examples of common distractions to avoid while driving:

Texting
Talking on the phone
Talking to other passengers
Eating or drinking
Smoking
Searching through your purse or wallet
Doing your makeup
Checking your GPS
Daydreaming
Adjusting your stereo.

Many distractions can easily be avoidable. For example:

If you have to send a text or email, pull over to a safe area or hand the phone to a passenger
Wait to eat until you have made it to your destination
Never put-on makeup or brush your hair while you are driving
Always avoid taking pictures while behind the wheel of any vehicle.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, and you believe the other driver was distracted, call one of our Miami distracted driving accident attorneys today. We may be able to help investigate your case and get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries or property damage.

COMMON INJURIES FROM MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Motor vehicle accidents can be traumatizing events. They may lead to serious injury, painful rehabilitation, and hefty medical bills. Although each accident is different, there are certain motor vehicle accident injuries that are more common than others. Below are common injuries you may sustain from a motor vehicle accident.

Neck Injuries

Whiplash is one of the most common neck injuries sustained in a car accident. Whiplash is caused by the sudden forward and backward motion of the neck. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness in the neck, dizziness, and ringing in the ears. Always seek immediate medical attention if you have neck pain following a motor vehicle accident. You may need medication, massage therapy, chiropractic care, or more.

Back Injuries

Lower back injuries are some of the more commonly reported injuries following a car accident. Back injuries may range from minor sprains to more serious herniated disks, or even fractured vertebrae. These injuries may be felt immediately or may take several days to appear. Symptoms may include numbness, arm and leg pain, and muscle weakness. Mild back injuries may be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, while more serious injuries may require surgery.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are extremely serious and may require years of medical attention and physical therapy. Many times, a spinal cord injury may result in total, or partial, paralysis. In addition, you could be at risk for infection, blood clots, pneumonia, and spinal fluid leaks. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have a spinal cord injury. Rehabilitation must begin as early as possible to maintain muscle function.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are another common type of injury sustained from a motor vehicle accident. The force from an accident can cause passengers to hit the dash, seat, or door. This may result in open and closed compound fractures. Open or compound fractures may require surgery within just a few hours, or an infection may occur. Surgery may be necessary to insert pins, rods, plates, or screws to hold the bones in place.

DISTRACTED DRIVING STATISTICS

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,841 people have died, and 400,000 people have been injured, in 2018 due to distracted driving. Among those unfortunate deaths:

1,730 were drivers
605 were passengers
400 were pedestrians
77 were bicyclists

The temptation to text while driving may be strong, but it could be deadly. When sending a text, you may take your eyes off the road for approximately 5 seconds. That is the same amount of time it takes to drive the length of a football field. At any moment, about 481,000 individuals are handling cell phones or other electronic devices, while driving, in the United States. Further, you are approximately 3 times more likely to get into a motor vehicle accident when you are distracted by your phone.

Do not let the temptation to text make you a statistic. Looking at your phone, eating, or checking your GPS may seem harmless, but it may end up costing you your life, or the life of another driver. If you have to send a text, pull over to the side of the road. Further, if you have been injured by a distracted driver, call our experienced Zinda Law Group attorneys today.

LAWS INVOLVING DISTRACTED DRIVING

Not only is distracted driving dangerous, but it is also against the law. Below are examples of federal and state laws that every driver should be aware of:

National Laws

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several distracted driving laws put forth by the federal government. Examples of these laws include:

Federal employees are prohibited from texting while driving government-owned vehicles
Commercial vehicle drivers are banned from texting while driving
Railroad operating employees are prohibited from using any electronic device while on the job.

Florida Laws

Florida law prohibits anyone from operating a motor vehicle while typing multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into an electronic device. This includes texting, emailing, and instant messaging.

To combat the issue of distracting driving, Florida has unveiled a statewide safety campaign to encourage drivers to pull over to a safe location before using their phones. Florida has designed over 60 rest areas, welcome centers, and turnpike service plazas throughout the state so that drivers can safely use their electronic devices.

HOW YOU CAN HELP TO PREVENT DISTRACTED DRIVING

Distracted driving causes thousands of accidents each year. The United States Department of Transportation has set forth various standards and ideas to help reduce distracted driving and save lives.

Teenagers

One way of reducing distracted driving is to encourage teens to speak up when they see a friend driving while distracted. Further, teenagers should encourage their friends to sign a pledge to never drive while distracted and to share messages on social media to remind their friends and family to make safe decisions while driving.

Parents

Parents can easily lead by example. For instance, parents should never drive while distracted and should encourage their children to also drive safely. Further, parents can educate their teenage drivers on the legal consequences of distracted driving violations, such as a delayed or suspending driving license.

Educators

Educators, such as high school teachers, can also make a difference. Teachers can help spread the word at their school about the dangers of distracted driving. Teachers can also ask their students to commit to distraction-free driving at all times.

CALL OUR MIAMI DISTRACTED DRIVER ACCIDENT LAWYERS

If you believe you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident involving a distracted driver, we may be able to help. Our Miami personal injury attorneys understand that each case is different. We have the experience required to investigate your case, help determine who may be at fault, and help get you the compensation you may deserve for your injuries and property damage. We give each one of our cases the unique attention they deserve.

Zinda Law Group’s Miami attorneys have the experience necessary to help you with your distracted driving injury lawsuit. Our knowledgeable team may be able to help in all aspects of your case, including determining fault, negotiating on your behalf, and fighting for you in court if a settlement cannot be made. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we cover all legal costs and bills upfront. This means that you do not pay us a thing unless we win your case. Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation.