In Clermont, Tavares or Inverness, Texting While Driving Is a Negligent Act

Distracted drivers puts themselves at risk for legal liability if an accident results

Safe driving requires focus and attention. People who distract themselves while driving, with texting or any other activity, ignore the duty of care that all motorists legally owe to others with whom they share the road. If you have been injured in a car accident in the Central Florida area and suspect distracted driving may have played a role, talk to the experienced attorneys at Largey Law as soon as possible.

What are the texting and distracted driving laws in Florida?

Florida is one of the last states in the country to pass a law specifically banning texting while driving. On October 1, 2013, Statute Section 316.305 went into effect. It is known as the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law.

Unlike most states, the new Florida law on texting and driving is a secondary violation. That means you cannot be stopped for texting while driving. You must commit another infraction such as running a stop sign first. The law also does not apply to stopped vehicles, so Florida drivers can still legally text at stoplights, stop signs and so on.

Still, even with these lax laws, people injured in car accidents have a legitimate basis for a claim against the negligent party. You may be able to obtain compensation for:

Medical bills Lost wages Emotional distress

Pain and suffering Punitive damages such as those available against DUI drivers

Aside from texting, what are other types of distracted driving?

Texting is the most famous example of distracted driving, but a driver can engage in many other activities that take his or her eyes off the road. These include:

Any use of a cellphone or smartphone Talking to passengers Eating and drinking Grooming or applying makeup Reading, including maps

Using a GPS or other navigation system Adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player Watching a video

One reason texting tends to be a more dangerous form of distracted driving is that it requires three different types of attention from the driver: visual, cognitive and manual. So when you are texting, almost none of your attention can be focused on the task of driving safely.

Talk with a knowledgeable attorney in Clermont, Tavares or Inverness as soon as possible

Whether they are caused by texting drivers, distracted drivers or any other reason, car accidents are serious matters. Let the Central Florida legal team at Largey Law help you understand your options in the wake of an accident. Contact us at 352.508.1485 or online today to arrange a free consultation at our offices in Tavares, Clermont or Inverness. We can arrange your meeting around your unique schedule. Se habla español.