A Closer Look At Texting And Driving In St Petersburg
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
As a nation, we've become so attached to our technology that it's hard to imagine a time without it. And while there's no question that the use of technology and mobile devices in particular has helped us in numerous ways, there are also a wide range of negative issues that have come about as a result of our widespread adoption of tech.A perfect example of this is texting while driving. Texting has become one of the primary ways of carrying on conversations in this country, and it makes sense that as a result the problem of texting while driving continues to grow as well. While most states – including Florida – have taken steps to try to curb the issue, the fact is that there is no good way to completely eradicate the issue.
However, as a motorist there are several key things worth understanding about texting and driving in St Petersburg. This can help you understand the problem and why you should avoid texting, not to mention get a clear idea as to your rights if you're involved in any kind of accident involving a texting driver on a St Petersburg road.
With that in mind, here are some of the main things that you should know.
- Texting while driving in Florida is illegal as of 2013. The ban doesn't allow officers to pull drivers over for texting, however. They can only be charged if they're pulled over for some other traffic offense. Still, its illegality should help highlight what a significant danger it is.
- About 660,000 drivers in this country are using a mobile device in some way while they drive.
- Distracted driving is one of the top causes of auto accidents in Florida over the last several years. Texting is one of the most common forms of distractions while driving.
- Distracted driving causes more than 3,000 fatalities every single year throughout the country and about 380,000 to 390,000 injuries on average annually.
While you can take steps not to drive while distracted yourself, it's important to understand that there is really no way to stop this problem from occurring – drivers text while behind the wheel all the time. If you're involved in an accident on the road and feel that it was caused because the other driver was distracted, you may be able to seek financial compensation for your injuries.
The key to successfully being able to receive compensation is to prove that the other party was texting at the time of the accident. This constitutes acting in a reckless or negligent manner – something that is required in order to receive compensation. The act of texting is known to be dangerous, and as a result it is enough to show that the driver acted recklessly.
In order to prove this your attorney will need to obtain the cell phone records of the other driver. While this is complex for the average person, it's a small matter for a good personal injury lawyer and will take little time. As such, it's vital that you turn to a good St Pete attorney for your injuries. They'll start by identifying whether or not you have the grounds to seek compensation, and then tell you what steps to expect along the way.
If you've been injured by a driver who was texting when they crashed, you owe it to yourself to contact our office. We have decades of experience in automobile personal injury law, and can help you figure out exactly what your options are quickly.