Florida has strict rules against texting and driving, including any type of manual typing or data entry while behind the wheel of a car. Nevertheless, some drivers engage in this risky behavior, increasing the risk of accidents. Texting while driving car accidents in Pensacola not only increase the risk of an accident, but the driver’s distraction can also increase the severity of the incident. If you suffered injuries in an accident with a driver who was texting behind the wheel, a vehicle crash lawyer could help you determine how to move forward with a claim.
The Dangers Posed by Texting and Driving
Any type of distraction while driving can prove incredibly dangerous. Distracted drivers have slowed reactions and, in many cases, miss the things happening around them. Texting and driving, however, poses an even more serious risk. Texting involves all three types of distraction: the driver has to take one or both hands off the wheel in order to use the phone, they have to take their eyes off the wheel to see the screen, and they have to split their attention away from the task of driving in order to engage with the text message.
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Filing a Claim for Texting and Driving Accidents
Florida requires its drivers to carry personal injury protection, or PIP, insurance. PIP insurance covers the initial cost of medical treatment after a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident. As a result, the injured individual can get the treatment they need more quickly.
However, PIP insurance may not cover the full cost of the devastating injuries that can occur in texting while driving car crashes in Pensacola. After the damages exceed the protection offered by PIP coverage, an injured individual can file a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Those claims generally include compensation for:
- The injured person’s medical bills that exceed the protection of PIP coverage
- Any wages the injured person missed out on because of the accident
- The injured person’s pain and suffering
Working with a lawyer can help injured individuals establish liability for the accident and seek the full compensation they deserve. A lawyer could also help injured individuals deal with their own insurance company if they struggle to get the coverage their policy should offer.
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Distracted Driving Citations and Injury Claims
Texting and driving can have serious consequences, including fines and points on the driver’s license. However, in some cases, there may be no proof that the driver chose to text behind the wheel. While a distracted driving citation can serve as evidence in a personal injury claim after a car accident in Pensacola, if the distracted driver did not receive a citation, their other dangerous behaviors—swerving, tailgating, or failing to stop or yield, for example—can provide enough evidence for the injured person to file a claim.
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Contact an Attorney After Texting While Driving Car Accidents in Pensacola
Texting while driving car accidents in Pensacola can cause devastating injuries. When your personal injury protection coverage runs out, you need a lawyer who can help you fight to recover fair compensation for the losses from the accident. At Fasig | Brooks, we understand the struggle that can arise following an accident with a distracted driver. Contact us to learn how we can help you file a claim for the damages you suffered because of their negligence behind the wheel.
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