Unacceptable Dangers Associated With Texting And Driving
Rick Millian • January 26, 2021
You are more likely to cause an accident texting and driving than you are drinking and driving
Texting and driving is an unacceptable and illegal action to take. Many lives can be saved, and many injuries can be avoided by simply putting your cell phone away while driving. Even hands-free devices can result in distracted driving.
Statistics from the National Safety Council evidence that over 1.6 million motor vehicle accidents per year involve one of the persons involved using his/her cell phone at the time of the accident. Of the 1.6 million accidents, almost 400,000 (25%) include texting and driving at the time of the accident. The average text takes approximately 5 seconds to type, and at 55 mph, you are distracted almost the length of a football field.
We all know how dangerous drunk driving is, and we all probably know somebody that has been in an accident with a drunk driver or was driving drunk themselves. What if I were to tell you that texting and driving are statistically more dangerous than drunk driving. According to the National Safety Council, texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than a person driving drunk.
All types of distracted driving, whether texting, surfing the internet, talking on your cell phone, or eating and driving, significantly increase the likelihood of being involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Of the 1.6 million accidents, almost 400,000 (25%) include texting and driving at the time of the accident.
Florida has Banned Texting and Driving
In 2019, Florida passed a law prohibiting texting and driving. As of January 1, 2020, you can be cited by law enforcement for texting and driving. A first offense is a $30 fine and court costs, and a second is a $60 fine, court cost, and 3 points on your driver’s license.
Texting and Driving Can Result in you Paying Punitive Damages
In most motor vehicle accidents, if you cause the accident and another person is injured, you may be responsible for compensatory damages, i.e., medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if you are texting and driving and cause an accident, you may be punished for that action (in addition to the fines and points on your license) with punitive damages.
Punitive damages are rarely sought in motor vehicle accidents. However, accidents caused by texting and driving or drunk driving can undoubtedly expose you to punitive damages. To make matters worse for you, your automobile insurance policy will generally not insure you for punitive damages. As such, you would be personally responsible for paying the punitive damages if awarded.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
Distracted driving accidents require an experienced accident attorney to gather the evidence necessary to prosecute your case. From cell phone records to video cameras, often subpoenas or court orders are necessary to obtain the information.
Retamar & Millian, P.A. is available to assist you on all your car accident-related issues, including accidents that occur because of distracted driving. More importantly, Retamar & Millian, P.A. implores you to put down your cell phone and wait until you reach your destination before reading a text, sending a text, or using your cell phone at all. The life you save could be your own.
If you need assistance on any of the issues related to an accident, contact Retamar & Millian, P.A. at 813-200-5894 for a free consultation contact us.
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