With the advances in cellphone technology, texting and driving has become one of the leading causes of automobile accidents in the United States. Smartphones have made it very easy for us to get distracted and use our phones while driving. Although texting and driving are illegal in 49 states, including Florida drivers, continue to participate in this risky activity.
According to Drive Safe Online, in 2018, there were approximately 36,750 deaths, and 5.7 percent of these deaths were due to texting and driving. Accidents resulting from texting and driving can be disastrous and lead to serious injury and even death. Should you or someone you love have been involved in an accident due to texting and driving, it’s crucial you get in touch with a Boca Raton car accident lawyer. Consider reaching out to our law firm as soon as you are able.
Why Texting and Driving Is a Threat to Road Safety?
Amongst the many risks involved with driving accidents, not many drivers truly realize how dangerous texting and driving is. According to studies by the Transport Research Laboratory, drivers who use their phones to text while driving exponentially increase their likelihood of entering into a collision resulting in injury. There are several risk factors involved in texting and driving, and we have listed a few of them below:
- Texting while driving significantly reduces driver reaction times
- When texting, a driver cannot maintain a safe distance between cars on the road while driving.
- A driver participating in texting while driving spends around 400 percent more time with their eyes on their phone than on the road.
- Texting causes drivers to swerve across road lines, increasing the chances of an accident.
What Are the Texting and Driving Regulations under Florida Law?
Florida statute 316.305 sets out a ban on texting and driving. Under this statute, drivers cannot drive a motor vehicle while typing numbers, symbols, letters, or other characters into a cellphone while driving.
Drivers are also not allowed to participate in emailing and instant messaging, nor are they allowed to check text messages, social media platforms, or play games. Other states have their own statutes regarding texting and driving. There are, however, some allowances for using a wireless device while driving.
Those driving are allowed to text to report an emergency and criminal behavior. Drivers are also entitled to use their devices for navigational purposes and to check weather and traffic updates.
What Evidence Is Needed for A Texting and Driving Case?
Proving that texting and driving was the cause of an accident can be a challenge if it was not recorded that the driver was texting at the time of the accident. Luckily a car accident attorney can help you subpoena the driver’s phone records to prove that they were texting and driving.
Be Sure to Contact a Boca Raton Car Accident Lawyer Today For Assistance in Your Texting and Driving Case
Demand the Limits Personal Injury Lawyers are adept and texting and driving accident cases. You shouldn’t have to worry about the legal ramifications on your own, which is why it’s imperative you contact a Boca Raton car crash attorney who specializes in these cases to assist you. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to determine if our car accident attorneys can help you receive compensation and the justice you deserve.
