Distracted Driving Accidents

Cell phones (and now smartphones) have become very popular in our society; and, while they offer convenience and other benefits, they can also be dangerous if they are not used responsibly. In particular, using a cell phone while driving presents significant risks; and, over the past several years, cell phone use has become a leading cause of auto accidents in the United States.

While the risks of distracted driving are well known, our Villages Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers are well aware of the fact that far too many drivers still make the poor decision to use their cell phones behind the wheel. Drivers continue to give into other distractions as well. As a result, distracted driving accidents continue to occur every day, and they present a very real concern for residents of The Villages and other communities throughout Florida.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries related to a distracted driver then you may have many questions, like: How will I pay my medical bills? Do I need to make a recorded statement to the insurance company? Should I hire an attorney or handle this issue by myself? This is where our Villages Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you out. We will meet with you for free and answer all of your questions so that you can better understand what you are up against. You are under no obligation to work with us after your free initial meeting with us, so you have nothing to lose.

We want you to know that another driver that caused an accident because they were texting and driving is not your fault. The person engaging in the reckless behavior should be held accountable for their fault. We want to help you do just that.

Our Villages Distracted Driving Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton don't get paid unless we settle or win your case. We urge you to call us today at 352-369-5334 or contact us online 24/7 to learn more about the steps you should take to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

When it comes to distractions, it does not take much to significantly increase a driver’s risk of causing an auto accident. For example, in the time it takes to read an average text message, a vehicle traveling at highway speeds will traverse the length of an entire football stadium. A lot can happen in these few seconds, and many distractions take drivers’ eyes and minds off of the road for far longer.

As a result, any distraction has the potential to be dangerous. This includes, but is not limited to, distractions such as:

• Talking on the phone (hands-free or handheld)
• Sending and reading text messages
• Sending and reading emails
• Scrolling and posting on social media
• Entering and following GPS directions
• Adjusting the radio or setting a playlist
• Reading or watching a video
• Talking to passengers
• Eating, drinking or smoking
• Reaching for an object in the vehicle

How prevalent is distracted driving? According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), close to one in six injury-involved auto accidents is the result of distracted driving. Each day, there are more than 1,000 distracted driving accidents in the U.S., and nine people lose their lives daily because someone else chose not to pay attention to the road.

In order to recover financial compensation after a distracted driving accident, it is necessary to prove that the driver who hit you or your loved one was distracted. While this might sound challenging (and it can be in some cases), there are numerous potential ways to prove that a driver was not paying attention at the time of a collision. For example, some of the types of evidence that can be used to prove that a driver was distracted include:

• Cell phone records
• Police records
• Passenger or eye witness testimony
• Photographs from the scene of the accident
• Video footage of the accident
• Social media posts about the accident
• The driver’s own admissions
• Credit card or debit card receipts that show the driver was eating or drinking at the time of the crash

If you need to seek financial compensation for losses you have incurred (and will continue to incur in the future) as the result of a distracted driving accident, we encourage you to contact us promptly. To speak with a The Villages distracted driving accident attorney in confidence, call 352-369-5334 or request a free consultation online today.