Car accidents do not always happen on the street, as an elderly resident of Little Havana found out when a vehicle smashed through her living room window over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend. Sometimes these accidents are unavoidable, while other times they can be directly attributed to inattentive drivers. Inattentive or distracted drivers are becoming more and more prevalent on the roads these days, especially since we live in a world where everyone seems so connected to their cell phones. As soon as a text comes in, we often reach for the phone, unaware of the potential consequences.
Because of this, many states, Florida included, have taken steps to curb the use of cellphones while driving. In the state of Florida, it is against the law to text and drive, and has been since October 1, 2013.
The Law of the Land
“A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device or while sending or reading data on such a device for the purpose of non-voice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging.”
Damage Caused by Distracted Drivers
There are at least 248,000 vehicle collisions that occur on Florida roads every year, with 46,000 traffic accidents happening in Miami-Dade County alone. Some of the leading factors and causes for these crashes include intoxication, weather conditions, automotive malfunctions, and visibility.
But texting while driving has started to slowly climb its way up the list as one of the top reasons why drivers become distracted. Ultimately, drivers should take measures to lower the risk of a motor vehicle accident by being extra vigilant at all times on the road. Make sure that your phone stays in your pocket while your hands are on the steering wheel, and avoid staying close to any other drivers who seem to be distracted by a mobile device.
Contact a Coral Gables Attorney
In the unfortunate event that you, or someone you love, is ever involved in an automobile accident it is incredibly important to secure passionate, trustworthy, and experienced legal representation. Car accidents often involve processing claims, collecting accident reports, dealing with medical staff, insurance companies, billing companies, etc. and you want to make sure that you have dedicated professionals working on your behalf.
Our firm has successfully assisted countless accident victims fight for the compensation they justly deserve and we are ready to serve your needs in the greater Miami-Dade area. Contact the legal team at the Perez–Gurri Law Firm at (305) 661-1200 so we can discuss your available legal options if you are ever faced with the difficulties of the aftermath of a car accident.