Tampa Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
Distracted driving is often associated with teenagers who are texting and driving. However, distracted driving refers to anything that takes your eyes off the road, thereby increasing the potential of an accident. That applies to all drivers, whether they are 16 or 60. Even if you aren’t the distracted driver that causes the accident, you might’ve been able to avoid it if you were watching the road more closely. If a distracted driver struck you and caused you injuries, you should contact an experienced Tampa distracted driver accident attorney.
At Moore Law, we have close to 30 years of experience representing injured victims in Florida car accidents. It should come as no surprise that most cases involve one or more parties who were distracted in some way. Let us help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Distracted Driving Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are three main types of distractions. They are:
- Visual, which is where you remove your eyes from the road
- Manual, which is where you physically take your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive, which is when you take your brain off driving.
Statistics show that in 2018, more than 2,800 people were killed, and an estimated 400,000 people suffered damages in a car accident caused by a negligent driver. Around one in five of the fatalities in these distracted driving accidents were not in a vehicle. They were out for a walk, riding their bicycle, etc.
Who Is Most at Risk for Distracted Driving?
According to these same CDC statistics, 25% of fatal accidents involving a distracted driver were between the ages of 20 and 29. Drivers who are 15 to 19 years old tend to be more distracted than those drivers who are 20 and over in accidents where someone died. 9% of teenagers who died in motor vehicle crashes were in accidents involving a distracted driver.
Examples of Common Distractions
To better understand what distracted driving is, let’s look at some of the most common distractions we see in these types of cases. Examples of visual distractions include:
- Reading or sending text messages
- Checking your GPS
- Turning around to look at passengers in the back
- Looking in the mirror to check your appearance
- Reading your entertainment screen
Examples of manual distractions where someone takes their hand or hands off the wheel include:
- Searching for something online using your phone
- Eating or drinking
- Changing the radio station
- Getting a fallen object
- Handing something to another vehicle passenger
- Smoking
- Adjusting the vehicle’s thermostat
- Grabbing something from your purse or wallet
- Removing an article of clothing such as a sweater or jacket
Cognitive distractions make you feel like you’re doing everything right since your eyes and hands are on the wheel, but the problem is your mind is elsewhere. Perhaps you’re thinking about a fight you had with someone earlier in the day, focused on work deadlines, listening to a podcast, or having a hands-free conversation.
Contact a Tampa Distracted Driving Attorney
If a distracted driver in Florida injured you or a family member, let the skilled Tampa distracted driving attorneys at Moore Law help. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.
