Have You Been a Victim of Distracted Driving in South Florida?

We’ve all seen it—those drivers who are completely distracted while texting, eating, or reaching in the back seat. They seem utterly oblivious to the danger they pose to those around them. Since April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Josh Jones Law, P.A. wants to share some valuable information for residents in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties about distracted driving.

Make no mistake about it: Distracted driving is dangerous. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles site, there were 56,425 distracted driving accidents in 2021, resulting in 2,723 serious injuries and 333 fatalities.

If you’ve suffered an injury in a car crash resulting from distracted driving, your first call after 911 should be to an experienced car accident lawyer. Law firms like our team at Josh Jones Law, P.A. in South Florida know what you need and can help you through those first confusing hours and days and long afterward.

What Constitutes Distracted Driving?

When you hear “distracted driving,” you probably think of texting and driving. However, that’s not the only distraction that affects drivers. The three types of distracted driving include:

Physical: If you take your hands off the wheel for any reason (i.e., fiddling with the radio, looking for something in the back seat, etc.), it’s a physical distraction.

Mental: Have you ever been driving and found yourself on autopilot because you’re daydreaming or thinking about something else? That’s a mental distraction.

Visual: If you’re driving and take your eyes off the road, that’s a visual distraction. It only takes a fraction of a second to cause a major accident.

Things You May Not Have Known About Your Florida Accident

Did you suffer an injury in a Florida car accident resulting from distracted driving? If so, you should know some vital information about your rights and Florida law. For example, if the accident results in property damage exceeding $500, you need to call law enforcement and get a police report. Keep reading for more important information about the laws in Florida pertaining to car accidents:

Statute of Limitations

As a Florida resident, you only have a certain amount of time to file a lawsuit. The current limit is four years. Suppose you fail to file a lawsuit within four years of your accident. In that case, you will be unable to seek or receive compensation for your injuries and associated costs, like medical bills. In addition, you only have two weeks from the date of your accident to seek medical attention.

Pure Comparative Fault

Florida has a pure comparative fault rule. What does that mean for you? If you were partly or even mostly at fault for the accident, you could still receive compensation for your injuries. First, you’ll need to file an insurance claim under your personal injury insurance.

Additional Factors

If you file a lawsuit in civil court, the amount of compensation you can receive will depend on certain factors:

  •   The severity of your injuries
  •   The cost of your medical expenses
  •   How much at fault you were in the accident
  •   If you lost any current or future wages due to your injuries
  •   How much evidence you have gathered to support your case

Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Florida Car Crash?

If you were in a car crash in Florida, the best way to help your case is to hire a lawyer. A Florida car accident lawyer can help you in more ways than one. A skilled personal injury attorney will help you navigate the entire process, including

  •   Filing an insurance claim
  •   Handling all the legal paperwork
  •   Gathering evidence
  •   Ensuring that you meet any deadlines
  •   Negotiating your case through a lawsuit if no settlement occurs

Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you have professional legal assistance and representation during this challenging time in your life.

Don’t Wait: Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Have you suffered an injury due to a distracted driver in Florida? If so, our legal team at Josh Jones Law, P.A. is here to provide the legal help you need. After suffering a serious personal injury, you need time to rest, heal, and focus on regaining your normal life back. We’ll handle all the legal aspects, offering experienced representation and protecting you from the insurance companies, who value profit above all else.

Josh Jones Law: South Florida’s Trusted Car Accident Attorney

We’re a personal injury law practice serving South Florida, including Miami, Miramar, Hollywood, Miami Gardens, Lauderhill, Ft. Lauderdale, and Homestead. Our founder, Josh Jones, is passionate about helping the local community, particularly underrepresented individuals and families.

Josh Jones has extensive experience working as a personal injury attorney, including car accident cases. If you’ve suffered an injury because of a car crash, we can help. Call us at Josh Jones Law, P.A. at (305) 677-8846 or complete our online form today to request your free consultation.

 

Copyright © 2022. Josh Jones Law, P.A. All rights reserved.

 

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Josh Jones Law, P.A.
15715 South Dixie Highway, Suite 214
Miami, FL 33157
(305) 677-8846
https://www.joshjoneslaw.com

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