Texting While Driving in Florida

Serving Florida from our Boca Raton Office

Florida, just like other states in the United States, is dealing with an increase of car accidents related to distracted drivers. The most common cause of these distractions is texting while behind the wheel.

According to the NHTSA, distracted driving killed over 3,000 people and injured more than 400,000 in 2010. As of October 2013, Florida made it illegal to text and drive, but that does not mean drivers are following the law.

Texting While Driving is a Punishable Offense

Florida’s new texting-and -driving law will make texting and driving a primary offense, which means law enforcement officers can pull you over and give you a ticket if they see you texting and driving.  The new law will also make school zones and active work zones hands-free areas. Drivers who are caught texting while operating a vehicle will be pulled over and issued a citation. They may also face court fees and fines that vary depending on the level of offense.

Personal injury claims in the state of Florida are based on negligence. In the event someone is texting while driving, they are performing a negligent act. They are not only criminally liable, but civilly liable because they had a duty to act as a reasonable, safe driver, and they broke the law.

Why Texting While Driving is Dangerous

Texting is an operation that requires a person to think, look, and interact with a device. Even just glancing at a cell phone to read a text can take a person’s eyes off the road long enough to veer into another lane, miss a red light or even fail to see traffic slowing or another obstruction in front of them.

Less experienced drivers, such as teen drivers, are more likely to use a smartphone while driving.

Injured in a Car Accident Because of a Distracted Driver? You Have Rights

Those who choose to text and drive, even though it is against the law, are posing a serious safety hazard to the public. If you or a loved one is injured because of a person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

Car accident attorneys in Florida have legitimate claims against these negligent individuals. And, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

Proving Your Case

If the driver is not already cited at the scene for texting while using their phone, car accident attorneyswill subpoena their cellphone records to prove they were receiving and sending text messages up until the point of the accident.

Glotzer & Kobren’s team of attorneys will do everything we can to ensure distracted drivers are held accountable for their actions.

We will seek compensation for your:

• Medical Bills
• Repair or Car Replacement Costs
• Hospital Charges
• Long-Term Care Costs
• Lost Wages
• Disabilities (if applicable)
• Wrongful Death