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Accidents caused by distracted drivers are common in St. Petersburg and elsewhere in the country. Negligent motorists put everyone at risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving killed 3,142 people in 2020. If you were hurt in a collision with a distracted driver, you could be entitled to compensation.
Trust a car accident lawyer in St. Petersburg from our team at Kogan & DiSalvo to leverage our significant resources to fight for your right to fair and reasonable compensation to cover your damages. When you choose us, you’ll have a world-class pool of resources working relentlessly on your behalf. Schedule a free consultation today.
Understanding distracted driving accidents
The NHTSA defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system–anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” Distracted motorists who are not paying attention to the road are more likely to miss sudden changes in traffic patterns.
Like impaired motorists, they have reduced reaction time, a common factor in these accidents. It is often the difference between a close call and a devastating collision. For example, a distracted driver may not notice a stalled car up ahead and will not be able to brake in time to avoid a collision.
Moreover, when drivers are distracted, they are more likely to miss a turn or fail to notice that they are drifting into another traffic lane. The driver may suddenly attempt to overcorrect, which increases the chances of losing control and crashing. It could also lead to a head-on collision.
What are the different types of distracted driving?
From reading a text message to daydreaming, there are many ways to become distracted behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These distractions generally fall into three categories: visual, physical, and mental.
- Visual distractions. A visual distraction is anything that draws your vision away from the road. Examples include reading a text message or watching a video on your phone.
- Physical distractions. The safest option is to always keep both hands on the wheel. Physical distractions involve removing one or both hands from the wheel to groom, change the music, or eat.
- Mental distractions. Mental distractions shift focus away from driving. This might involve something as simple as daydreaming or conversing with a passenger.
Pursuing compensation after a distracted driving accident in St. Petersburg
If your lawsuit against a distracted driver is successful, you could be entitled to monetary damages. The value of your case will depend entirely on the facts, which could include how the accident happened and the extent of your injuries.
Compensation may include the following.
- Lost wages. Serious injuries frequently cause people to miss work. These absences will impact your financial stability. Filing a lawsuit against a distracted driver could provide you with damages that cover your lost wages.
- Medical bills. Medical care is costly, especially when your injuries are substantial. You have the right to seek legal guidance that will assist you with recouping the cost of your treatment. This includes the emergency care immediately after your accident and the long-term treatment your injuries require. Future medical care can also be covered.
- Pain and suffering. Your pain and suffering might also be the basis for financial compensation. These subjective losses are not easy to calculate. However, our attorneys could prove that your quality of life has been negatively impacted by physical and emotional pain.
- Property damage. You should never be saddled with the costs associated with your vehicle damage. When you pursue a personal injury lawsuit against a distracted driver, you also have the right to recover damages for the cost of replacing or repairing a damaged car or truck.
Call Kogan & DiSalvo to Speak with a Distracted Driving Attorney in St. Petersburg
Dealing with the injuries from an accident is challenging. Knowing those injuries are the direct result of a person who was texting and driving is especially frustrating. The good news is that you can seek justice by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit. Let our dedicated team at Kogan & DiSalvo advocate for you.
Reach out to our team of St. Petersburg distracted driving accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency basis. This means there are no upfront legal fees. We do not take any money from you unless and until we are successful in winning your case.
