Tampa Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Distracted driving is a serious issue that plagues the roads and highways of Tampa Bay. Every day, thousands of drivers get behind the wheel and drive while distracted by something, such as a cell phone, food or passengers. If you get injured by a distracted driver in Tampa, a car accident lawyer in Tampa can help you pursue justice and fair financial compensation.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle without 100 percent of the driver’s attention and focus on the task of driving. Anything inside or outside of the cab that diverts the driver’s attention away from driving can significantly increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

There are three types of driver distractions: visual, manual and cognitive. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road, manual distractions take the driver’s hands off the wheel and cognitive distractions take the driver’s mind off the driving task. All are dangerous diversions that can result in car accidents.

Why Is Distracted Driving Dangerous?

Distracted driving interferes with a driver’s reflexes and reaction times. A distraction could make a driver miss the signs of a hazard, such as a pedestrian suddenly stepping off a curb or a vehicle coming to a stop. While distracted by something else, the driver may notice a hazard belatedly and not have enough time to stop the vehicle and prevent an accident.

How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in Tampa?

Distracted driving caused the deaths of 3,308 people in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department reported 104,336 accidents involving distracted driving in 2022. Over 47,000 of these accidents involved possible, non-incapacitating or incapacitating injuries. A total of 275 people died due to distracted driving in Florida in 2022: 172 drivers, 61 passengers and 42 nonmotorists.

Common Driver Distractions

Drivers today can be distracted by a variety of things while operating a motor vehicle. From technologies such as cell phones and infotainment systems to flashy billboards, many diversions could take a driver’s attention away from the task at hand.

Examples include:

• Cell phones and other electronic communication devices
• Reading, writing or sending a text message
• Navigation devices and other electronics
• Eating or drinking
• Personal grooming
• Vehicle passengers, including children and pets
• Looking at a billboard or external distraction
• Rubbernecking a motor vehicle accident
• Daydreaming or getting lost in thought

A driver distraction of any kind is a major safety hazard, as it reduces a driver’s ability to notice changing roadway situations, respond to them promptly, and make quick and sound decisions. A distracted driver may not hit the brakes at all before colliding with a victim, which could result in catastrophic damage.

How to Prove a Distracted Driving Car Accident Case

If you get injured in a distracted driving accident in Tampa, you may qualify for compensation from your own insurance provider or the distracted driver’s insurance policy. To hold a distracted driver accountable, you or your car accident lawyer must prove the case. This may require evidence such as cell phone records, photographs and videos, and eyewitness testimony.

The right Tampa personal injury attorney can help you determine fault, file a claim, prove your distracted driving accident case using compelling evidence, and seek fair compensation for your past and future losses. To discuss a recent distracted driving accident with an attorney in Tampa, contact Vanguard Attorneys to request a free consultation.