DISTRACTED DRIVER ACCIDENT LAWYER

Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from driving can be a distraction. The most common example is a cellphone, but there are many other types of distractions. At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A., we understand the devastating effect that a distracted driving accident can have on your life. Our lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims. We are ready to help you with your distracted driving accident claim.

You shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of a car accident caused by another driver’s careless actions. Contact us today for your free consultation with a Florida distracted driving attorney.

The Types of Distractions

Driving distractions fall into one or more of the following categories:

Visual Distractions

Visual distractions cause a driver to take their eyes off the road. Some common examples of visual distractions include:

• Reading text messages
• Checking social media or email on your phone or other device
• Looking at a GPS or map
• Looking at yourself in the mirror
• Looking at a passenger
• Watching a video on a cell phone or digital entertainment system

Manual Distractions

Manual distractions occur when a distraction results in a driver taking one or both hands off the wheel. This makes them unable to fully control the vehicle. The following include some of the most common examples of manual distractions:

• Texting
• Taking or making a phone call
• Eating or drinking
• Personal grooming, like getting dressed, brushing hair, and putting on makeup
• Adjusting radio volume or changing stations

Cognitive Distractions

A cognitive distraction takes a driver’s mind off of driving. Cognitive distractions include:

• Focusing on a conversation on the phone or with a passenger
• Interacting with children, such as caring for or disciplining them
• Thinking about stressful scenarios
• Daydreaming

Oftentimes, these three categories overlap. Texting is a particularly dangerous distraction because it frequently involves all three types of distractions — looking at a screen to read a text, taking a hand off the wheel to respond, and thinking about the conversation.

Texting and Driving Statistics

Texting is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. The following statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration illustrate the dangers of texting and driving:

• In a recent year, there were 3,179 people killed, and an estimated additional 431,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
• There were 385 fatal crashes that reportedly involved the use of cell phones. This constitutes 13 percent of all fatal accidents in which distractions played a role.
• About 13 percent of all distracted drivers using cell phones in fatal crashes were 15 to 19 years old.
• Drivers aged 20 to 29 made up 39 percent of drivers using cell phones in fatal accidents.
• About 18 percent of those injured in a motor vehicle collision were in an accident in which a distraction was a factor, and 8 percent of these accidents involved cell phone use.

Filing a Claim Against a Distracted Driver

If you suffered serious injuries in an accident involving a distracted driver, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and more.

Medical bills can include any treatment stemming from your accident. This might include:

• EMT response
• Ambulance transportation
• Emergency room visit
• Hospital stay
• Intensive care unit stay
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Physical therapy
• Caretaking

The insurance company of the at-fault party may also be responsible for compensating you for your vehicle damage. This usually includes the cost of repairs or replacement if your car was totaled.

How Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A. Can Help You

In order to successfully access compensation to help cover your accident-related expenses, you will need to prove your right to financial recover. Hiring an experienced texting-while-driving accident lawyer can help you meet this burden. The skilled, dedicated distracted driving accident attorneys from Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A. have extensive experience in advocating for car accident victims. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and will work diligently to pursue all compensation to which you are entitled.

Our firm can help with the following aspects of your claim if you were injured by distracted driving due to texting:

• Gathering necessary information and assisting you with filing insurance claims
• Obtaining and organizing documents like medical records, bills, and claims applications
• Ensuring that all paperwork is error-free and submitted on time
• Determining all potential claims and liable parties
• Communicating with the at-fault driver and/or their insurance company
• Interviewing eyewitnesses
• Hiring expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction experts, technology experts who can explain how we know the other driver was using a cell phone, or medical professionals who can attest to the severity of your injuries
• Requesting and reviewing cell phone records
• Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf
• Fighting for your financial recovery in court, if necessary

Contact Our Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys Now

At Fine, Farkash & Parlapiano P.A., we have seen the devastating impact a distracted driving accident can have on an individual and their family. When life changes, we’re there. We are passionate about using all legal tools available to help our Florida clients get the compensation they need to get back on their feet. Our compassionate, professional, and hardworking approach has consistently resulted in favorable settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients.

If you were injured in a texting and driving accident, call us or fill out our form today for your free consultation.