Distracted driving is a serious offense, and it puts everyone on the road at risk. If you were injured in a car accident due to another person texting and driving, then you could be entitled to receive compensation in Port Charlotte.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) reported that there were approximately 50,000 accidents as a result of distracted driving, which caused 233 fatalities and 2,500 serious injuries. Texting while driving splits the driver’s attention between too many tasks, and it often results in a serious car accident. A driver who makes this kind of mistake will face the consequences of their actions, and you deserve to be compensated for any injuries or other damages that might have occurred.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge when it comes to filing personal injury claims on behalf of clients in Port Charlotte and across the State of Florida. Our law firm has managed hundreds of personal injury claims over the years, and we will ensure that you are fully compensated for your damages.
Call our office to set up a free consultation, in which a distracted driving lawyer will explain the process and answer all of your questions. Our phone lines are opened twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so that you can call us when you are ready.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a distracted driving accident in Port Charlotte.
Texting While Driving Ban in Port Charlotte, FL.
Texting and driving have increased significantly over the recent years, and it has led to the State of Florida banning texting while driving altogether. In simple terms, the ban prohibits drivers from texting while operating a motor vehicle in the state.
The texting while driving ban is considered a secondary offense, which means that a police officer will not pull you over for texting and driving alone, but you can be charged with another offense alongside it. However, it does make it hard to prove that texting and driving was the cause of a car accident.
If you were hurt due to a distracted driver, then you should call a car accident lawyer at The Law Place as soon as possible. We will fight to uncover all of the details in regard to your accident and ensure that justice is served.
Recovering Compensation in a Texting While Driving Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
Any car accident will result in expensive damages. You probably have ongoing medical expenses and other costs like property damage following a distracted driving car accident. It is imperative that you file a personal injury claim and hold the at-fault party responsible for your costs. Our law firm will work to recover the following damages on your behalf:
- Medical bills – Past, present, and future medical expenses including hospitalization, physical therapy, doctor visits, prescription medication, and more.
- Lost wages – Diminished earning capacity and a loss of income due to being unable to work.
- Property damage – Costs to repair or replace a motor vehicle following a car accident.
- Pain and suffering – Experiences of pain and suffering can include fear, depression, emotional trauma, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death – The surviving family members could file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one died as a result of a car accident, according to Florida Statute 768.21.
Proving Fault in a Texting While Driving Accident in Port Charlotte, FL.
It is essential that you have evidence to prove fault after a distracted driving accident. There are a few ways in which you can prove that the driver was using their phone while operating a motor vehicle. For instance, you can look into the billing records of the distracted driver to determine whether they are sending a text message or making a call at the time that the accident occurred. You can also ask an eyewitness to make a testimony or use surveillance camera footage to build your case against the at-fault driver.
Distracted Driving Statistics in Port Charlotte, FL.
Over 2,841 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in the year 2018, according to a report by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The numbers include:
- 1,730 drivers.
- 605 passengers.
- 77 bicyclists.
- 400 pedestrians.
The statistics are very alarming when you think about the amount of people who were injured or killed as a result of distracted drivers throughout the State of Florida. It is estimated that there are close to 1.6 million accidents caused by texting and driving every single year. Distracted driving still remains an issue, even though the state has banned texting and driving.
Types of Distracted Driving Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
There are many types of distracted driving. Even the fastest movement that takes attention away from the road can be dangerous. In simple terms, there are three different forms of distracted driving that can potentially lead to a car accident – visual distraction, manual distraction, and cognitive distraction.
- Visual distraction – All drivers are expected to pay attention to the road and be aware of the dangers that could cause an accident. Visual distractions can include failing to see another motor vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian by looking at their mobile phone, navigational system, searching for something that they might have dropped, checking on a child or passenger in the back seat, reading a map, or more.
- Manual distraction – All drivers are expected to keep their hands on the wheel at all times. Manual distractions can include anything that means the driver is not in full control of the motor vehicle by texting, eating, drinking, applying makeup, helping a child or passenger in the back seat, smoking, searching through a bag or more.
- Cognitive distraction – All drivers are expected to focus on the task of driving and focus on what is happening around them. Cognitive distractions can include anything that makes their mind wander, like engaging in conversation with a passenger, thinking about work, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, thinking about personal issues, daydreaming and more.
Injuries Caused by Distracted Driving Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
The car accident lawyers at The Law Place have managed hundreds of personal injury claims over the years, and they have won compensation for a number of different injuries sustained in distracted driving accidents such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Wrongful death of a loved one.
- Concussions.
- Internal organ damage.
- Amputations and loss of limbs.
- Paralysis.
- Catastrophic injuries.
- Severe burns.
- Broken bones.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Head and neck injuries.
- Back injuries.
- Chest injuries.
- Whiplash injuries.
If you are still in the process of recovering from your injuries, you do not want the pressure of going to court. That is why the car accident lawyers at The Law Place will handle all of the aspects of your case while you take the time that you need to heal.
Statute of Limitations on Distracted Driving Accidents in Port Charlotte, FL.
Every state has different deadlines when it comes to filing personal injury claims in the United States of America. This is also known as the statute of limitations.
People who have been injured in distracted driving accidents are given four years to file a personal injury claim in the State of Florida. However, if someone you love was killed in an accident, then you will have only two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
If you miss the deadline, then you will be unable to secure compensation later.
Florida’s statute of limitations is outlined in Florida Statute 95.11.
How We Can Help You in Port Charlotte, FL.
The car accident lawyers at The Law Place will help you to get past the pain and suffering of a distracted driving accident. It is not fair that you have to suffer as a result of another driver’s error, and we will assist you in securing the compensation that you are owed.
- Free consultation – Our law firm will offer you a free consultation, where we will discuss the details of your case and analyze the effects that the accident has had on your life. At the end of the consultation, you can decide whether you want us to represent you.
- Communication with insurance companies – Insurance companies are notorious for prioritizing profit and wanting to pay less compensation for car accident victims. However, the car accident lawyers at The Law Place will make sure that no one takes advantage of your case. We will communicate effectively and handle all of the negotiations with the insurance company involved. Rest assured that we will work hard to settle on a compensation amount that is favorable and that will cover all of your injuries and other related losses.
- Investigate your case – We will work hard to collect evidence and investigate every aspect of your case in order to determine who was at fault for the car accident by referencing documents such as medical records, witness statements, photo or video evidence, phone records, and police reports.
- Develop a claim – Once we have completed all of the necessary research, we will develop a strong personal injury claim that will convince the insurance company to pay you the compensation that you are owed.
Every car accident case is different from the next. Our law firm will find the right legal direction to take depending on the details surrounding your case. We will handle all of the necessary paperwork, insurance communications, and research while you focus on your road to recovery.
Contact The Law Place Today in Port Charlotte, FL.
If you suffered injuries in a distracted driving accident, then you could be entitled to receive compensation in Port Charlotte. It is not easy when you have been injured, and you will need to hire a car accident lawyer to help you win the compensation that you are owed.
At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of combined experience in managing personal injury claims for clients who have been hurt in car accidents in Port Charlotte and all over the State of Florida. Our law firm has helped hundreds of clients to win the compensation that they deserve following a distracted driving accident, and we know that we can help you to succeed too.
If you are looking for the top law firm in town, then you have come to the right place. Our team of car accident lawyers will investigate your case and hold the at-fault driver liable for your injuries and other related damages. We will fight to secure justice for you and for your family against all odds. The phone lines to our office are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week so that we can be there for you when you need it the most. We are always here to answer all of your questions.
Contact The Law Place on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation today, and a car accident lawyer will fight for the compensation that you deserve following a distracted driving accident in Port Charlotte.