Distracted driving has quickly become a serious threat to Florida’s roadways since mobile technology has become part of our daily lives. Some drivers find it challenging to keep their full attention on the road and not their smart devices. Car accidents involving distracted driving have become commonplace across the Sunshine State, and lawmakers have passed legislation to help curb this dangerous hazard. Citations are on the rise for texting while driving, with Florida coming in as the second-worst state next to Louisiana for auto crashes involving distracted drivers.

The negative impact of these incidents is an increase in reported accident-related injuries and deaths. These circumstances frequently leave victims with long-term injuries and devastating financial bills, as well as uncertainty about their future well-being. Fortunately, the state of Florida does provide opportunities to pursue personal injury compensation to cover such losses and damages.

What Is Distracted Driving?

When a driver’s attention is on anything but the road, they put everyone’s safety at risk with their distracted driving. Texting while driving is one of the most often cited accident-causing actions that Florida drivers commit, and it costs hundreds of lives annually. Worse, mobile phones now have messenger apps so that users can chat live and face-to-face with whomever they call, which makes it impossible to focus on the road when engaged.

This risky driving behavior also happens for various reasons, though mobile usage is the most prevalent. There are a few categories in which a driver might find themselves taking their eyes off the road:

Cognitively distracted by shifting their focus off safe driving practices;
Visually distracted by taking their eyes off the traffic; or
Manually distracted by not having their hands on the steering wheel.

It’s important to understand that a distracted driver could commit all three of these distractions at once by merely sending a text message. Other ways that drivers can become distracted and cause a car accident include:

Eating and drinking;
Gawking (rubbernecking);
Putting on makeup or shaving;
Searching for a charger cord;
Fiddling with the radio, onboard GPS, or built-in TV;
Conversing with passengers or taking a phone call; or
Adjusting settings in the car, such as A/C or seats.

Any of these scenarios can lead to a devastating vehicle accident and leave you injured permanently. This fact highlights the importance of contacting an experienced car accident attorney if you have suffered injuries and damages because of another driver’s distracted driving.

How to Prove the Other Driver Was Distracted While Driving

Plaintiffs seeking compensation for their accident-related damages and injuries because of a distracted driver will have to face an insurance company that will do anything to minimize or outright deny their claim. Proving your case can be done in a few ways, but having a skillful car accident lawyer to help you is key to succeeding.

Some ways that your attorney can prove the at-fault driver was distracted and therefore caused your injuries may include:

Phone Records

If the other driver was on a call or texting when the crash occurred, obtaining phone records will help prove your claim. Phone companies keep detailed records that can show the time of texts or calls received and if these instances coincide with the accident timeline.

Social Media

Another way to prove a driver may have been distracted is to check their social media presence. People shoot videos all the time while driving or try to take pictures of beautiful scenery they see ahead, which makes them lose track of their speed and distance from other cars.

Accident Evidence at the Scene

Evidence from the accident scene is another way to prove negligence. Sometimes a driver might admit distraction or recklessness to the police, and obtaining the police report will satisfy liability questions. Other times, it is on you to take photos or videos and get names of witnesses and their contact information. If you are completely incapacitated, this option may be impossible to do on your own.

Witness Testimony

Accidents in touristy areas like St. Pete Beach often draw crowds of people to the scene. This can work to your advantage because you will have witnesses for your claim. Make sure you get their contact information or have the police do so if you cannot so that important testimony is not lost.

Traffic and Security Cameras

Today’s age of technology means we are frequently on camera. Proving that a driver’s inattention caused your accident injuries may depend on security monitoring or even traffic cameras near the crash scene.

Rely on a Skilled Auto Accident Attorney to Prove Your Injury Case

If you suspect that the at-fault driver was not paying attention to the road when they caused your car accident in St. Petersburg, you must retain an experienced auto crash attorney right away. As one of the area’s premier personal injury attorneys, Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi has a proven track record of successfully representing individuals wrongfully injured by negligent behavior like distracted driving. He has the experience and skill to obtain all the evidence needed to prove you were the victim of such circumstances and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Trust Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi if you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic auto or motorcycle accident. Our firm has helped thousands of St. Petersburg families recover compensation after suffering injuries and damages because of the negligent actions of others. Being selected by The National Trial Lawyers as Top 40 Under 40, you can trust us to meet the highest standards of representation for your case. Contact our office online today or call (727) 800-5052 for a free case evaluation to learn what your rights are and how we can help you.

Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal!