Keep Your Eyes On The Road In Florida

Auto accidents happen every day in Florida, for a variety of reasons. However, what many people are not aware of is that some car accidents are caused simply by a swerve, or a failure to maintain one’s lane. Even small movements or lapses in attention when driving a car can lead to injuries and damages, if someone does not exercise the appropriate level of care while behind the wheel. If you have been injured in an accident with another driver in this kind of situation, know that you may require the services of an experienced attorney in order to receive money damages.

Lapses Due To Distraction

It is difficult to estimate how many crashes occur each year due to such small actions, but it is worth noting that many times, an element of distraction is at play when they do happen. Distracted driving has been seen as a figurative bogeyman for several years, with campaigns on both the state and federal level to try and discourage the behavior. While many if not all drivers are aware of the dangers of driving distracted, too many believe that only a momentary lapse in concentration or attention is both forgivable and accepted. In reality, all it may take is one moment for an accident to happen.

Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) clarify three different types of distraction – visual (eyes off the road), cognitive (brain being distracted), and manual (hands off the wheel). While prolonged distraction of any type is dangerous, even a count of one can affect a driver’s ability to stop in enough time to avoid a crash. For example, if your car is traveling 50 mph, it will take almost the length of a U.S. football field for even a focused driver to stop properly; if you have to regain your focus before doing so, your stopping distance will be longer.

Other Potential Causes

If someone is driving and has cause to correct themselves – to swerve to avoid something, or to get back into their lane, it is not always due to distraction, though it is the most common reason. There are several other reasons why someone would have to correct themselves, but their occurrences tend to depend on factors like the age of the driver. For example, drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 are statistically more likely to engage in risky conduct like speeding, texting and driving, or not wearing a seatbelt, while older adults may have visual or motor problems that sometimes prevent them from driving safely and effectively.

Regardless, the crux of the issues is that one lapse in attention may lead to an accident and injury, with injured victims racking up countless medical bills. If you have been harmed due to the alleged negligence of another person, you may be able to collect both tangible and intangible damages (that is, money damages for both quantifiable bills and for harm like pain and suffering). However, it can be difficult to establish that the other person was negligent, particularly on your own. An experienced attorney can help.

Contact A Tampa Distracted Driving Attorney

Unfortunately, a traffic accident can happen very fast, and you may be injured through no fault of your own. If you have suffered harm and you suspect it was due to a negligent driver, a Tampa car accident attorney may be able to help. The Rinaldo Law Group is ready and willing to try and assist you. Call us today for a free consultation.

Resource:

fdot.gov/safety/programs/distracted-driving.shtm