Distracted Driving Accidents: The Dangers of Phone Usage and How to Prove Liability

Distracted Driving Accidents: The Dangers of Phone Usage and How to Prove Liability

On Behalf of Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa | July 22, 2024 | Car Accidents

Distraction is a serious problem on our roadways, and while there is a wide range of distractions that can steer a motorist’s attention away from the task at hand, smartphones are a primary culprit. If a distracted driver leaves you injured in a car accident, seek the skilled legal counsel of an experienced Port St. Lucie car accident attorney early in the process.

The Statistics 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,038 people lost their lives in accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2022 alone. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adds that an estimated 290,000 people were injured by distracted drivers that same year. In other words, distracted driving carries immense risk, and according to NHTSA, texting is the most alarming distraction of all.

Forms of Distraction 

Distractions break down into three basic categories, including:

• Distractions that engage the driver’s sight
• Distractions that engage the driver’s thoughts
• Distractions that engage the driver’s hands

When drivers text, use their phones to make calls, surf the internet, or take a peek at social media behind the wheel, they manage to combine all three forms of distraction in one potentially deadly practice. A good way to put this into perspective is by visualizing the length of a football field, which is the distance a motorist travels in the average of five seconds—when driving at highway speeds—while interacting with one’s phone.

Proving the Other Driver’s Distraction 

If you’ve suffered an injury as a result of another driver’s negligence, obtaining the compensation to which you’re entitled will hinge on your ability to prove their wrongdoing. When it takes the form of distraction, the matter becomes that much more complicated. Your practiced car accident attorney has the experience, resources, and legal skills to carefully gather and compile the evidence necessary to bolster your claim, including all the following:

• Eyewitness testimony, including the testimony of anyone who may have seen the driver engaged with their phone behind the wheel
• The other driver’s phone record from the time of the accident
• The testimony of professionals with expertise in distracted driving and its effects on drivers
• Accident recreation models that illustrate how the accident occurred
• Dashcam and security camera footage
• Photos and videos taken in the buildup to the accident
• Your own testimony regarding what you saw and how the accident happened

Make the Call to an Experienced Port St. Lucie Car Accident Attorney Today 

If you or someone you care about has suffered an injury due to a distracted driver, you face a challenging path forward. The dedicated Port St. Lucie car accident attorneys at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa are well-prepared to harness the full scope of their imposing experience in fierce pursuit of your claim’s optimal outcome. Your ability to recover to the degree possible can hinge on your settlement or court award, so please don’t put off reaching out and contacting us online or calling 561-478-2500 for more information about what we can do to help you today.