Distracted driving can cause a side-impact accident. Distracted driving is dangerous. Motorists who are not paying attention can commit a variety of driving errors that can result in a collision.
How Distracted Driving Causes a Side-Impact Accident
Side impact accidents happen when one vehicle crashes head-on into the side of another. When drivers are not paying attention, they can make mistakes. Distractions may cause a driver to speed, travel into the wrong lane, or run a stop sign or stoplight. All of these actions could result in a side-impact accident.
Defining Distracted Driving
Distractions are anything that takes your eyes, mind, or hands away from the task of driving. This could include things inside the vehicle, like other passengers, navigation systems, entertainment systems, and temperature controls. It can also be the driver’s actions, such as eating, grooming, or even daydreaming. Sometimes, something outside of the car pulls at our attention.
Cell phones are a big source of distraction. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), it is against the law to text and drive. It is a primary offense in Florida, meaning law enforcement can stop a driver and issue a citation for this act alone. The law also forbids motorists to use a handheld device in a school or work zone.
If a Distracted Driver Caused Your Injuries, They May Be Liable for Your Expenses
If a distracted driver caused your side-impact accident, you could win compensation to help with your medical bills and other damages. According to Florida Statute § 627.737, if you have severe and permanent bodily injuries, scarring, disfigurement, or loss of bodily function, you can step outside the state’s no-fault insurance system and pursue compensation from the liable driver. You may also seek compensation if your loved one died from injuries suffered in a crash.
What You Could Win in a Side-Impact Accident Case
You could win awards to help with the cost of:
- Medications
- Doctor visits
- Hospitalizations
- Physical therapy
- Long-term nursing care
- Surgeries
- Mobility aids
In addition to past and future medical expenses, you can seek compensation for your lost wages and household expenses. If you cannot continue in your previous line of employment because of your injuries, you could receive a sum for your lost earning potential.
Serious injuries can change your life and cause mental and emotional anguish as well as physical pain. You can seek awards for pain and suffering to compensate for the negative impact your injuries may have on your mental health and quality of life.
When You Should Start Working on Your Case
You should file an insurance claim immediately after your Fort Lauderdale accident. If you cannot settle your case through your insurer, you have four years to take legal action for personal injury and two years for wrongful death, according to Florida Statute § 95.11.
If you need help with your insurance claims or civil action, a distracted driving accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale with the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help. Call our team for a free consultation.
