The Dangers of Distracted Driving in Tampa

When driving an automobile, it is incredibly important to keep all of your focus and attention on the road. Failure to pay attention to the road and to the actions of other drivers can lead to serious and even fatal crashes. And, even though there are many distractions that can take a driver’s concentration away from driving, it is imperative that drivers resist the urge to look away from the road or allow things to interfere with their focus on safely operating their vehicle.

Distracted driving is a major problem throughout the United States. Unfortunately, with the popularity of cell phones and other wireless devices, the problem has grown significantly. Distracted drivers put everyone else on the road at risk of substantial harm and even death.

If you suffered physical bodily injuries or lost a loved one in a Florida car accident due to a distracted driver, you can benefit by having your case examined by an experienced Tampa car accident attorney. Fulgencio Law offers knowledgeable and seasoned personal injury lawyers who can help you file a claim to get the full amount of compensation you deserve.

The Risks That Come with Distracted Driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are three ways that a driver can be considered distracted, and these are:

• Visual distractions: taking one’s eyes away from the road.
• Manual distractions: failure to keep one’s hands firmly on the steering wheel of a car.
• Cognitive distractions: not keeping one’s mind focused on driving.

Distracted driving is a killer. The CDC indicates that as many as nine people will die every single day in the U.S. from car accidents caused by distracted drivers. In 2019, there were over 3,000 people killed in distracted driving accidents, and in 2018, distracted driving also caused serious injuries to more than 400,000 people.

If you are driving, avoid using your phone, eating, putting on makeup, adjusting GPS or car stereo, and request that all passengers in the car behave and refrain from being rowdy. Of course, with little kids, keeping calm may not be practical. In this scenario, packing snacks and toys or activities that are within reach of a child can help them stay occupied and much more composed.

Not only is it much safer to drive without distractions, but doing so also represents a good example for younger passengers. When it is time, and they are old enough to drive, they may have a greater chance of mimicking such responsible behavior because they grew up seeing their parents abstain from engaging in activities that caused them to be distracted when they were driving.

Speak with an Attorney at Fulgencio Law Today

Distracted drivers must be held accountable for their actions when they cause car accidents that inflict harm on others. If you were hurt in a distracted driving car accident in Florida, you may be able to file a car accident injury claim against the driver that caused the crash. For more information, please call the Florida car accident attorneys at Fulgencio Law today to schedule a free consultation at (813) 463-0123.