Distracted Driving Awareness Month: How To Reduce Bradenton Car Accident Risks And Protect Your Rights In A Claim
April is designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it’s an important reminder of how dangerous it is on Florida roads. Being distracted is a leading cause of crashes, but proving it is often a challenge.
Our experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer helps clients in these cases get the total amount they need to recover. Find out more about the risks and how to protect your rights in a Manatee County distracted driving claim.
How Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Bradenton Happen
Distracted driving is a common cause of Bradenton car accidents. According to Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), three types of distractions put drivers and their passengers at risk:
- Visual distractions involve taking your eyes off the road.
- Manual distractions that require taking your hands off the wheel.
- Cognitive distractions divert your attention from the complex task of driving and navigating traffic.
Eating while driving, changing the car stereo or GPS settings, attending to children in the back seat, or even talking to passengers can all increase your risk. However, texting while driving is particularly dangerous. It combines all three types of distractions at once and is illegal under Section 316.305 of the Florida Statutes.
Injured in a Bradenton Distracted Driving Accident? Evidence That Helps Build a Strong Case
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns proving a driver was distracted poses challenges and often leads to underreporting. Evidence our Bradenton car accident lawyer can gather to show the other driver was distracted and build a strong claim includes:
- Cell phone records showing whether a driver was sending texts, making calls, or using an app at the time of the crash.
- Event data recorders (EDR), often called a vehicle’s “black box,” capture speed, braking, and steering inputs in the moments before impact.
- Traffic and surveillance camera footage may have captured the driver’s behavior leading up to a collision.
- Statements from bystanders or other drivers who observed the at-fault driver looking down or holding a phone.
- Reports from officers who respond to the scene noting signs of distraction.
Keep in mind that it is important to act quickly in gathering evidence in Bradenton distracted driving claims. Camera footage gets overwritten, witnesses’ memories fade, and vehicle data may be lost if a car is repaired or totaled. To protect your legal rights in a claim, get professional legal help from an experienced distracted driving lawyer.
Request a Consultation Today With Our Experienced Bradenton Car Accident Lawyer
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, spotlighting a common problem that puts Florida drivers at risk. If you are injured in a Manatee County car accident and suspect distracted driving is responsible, the Lavely Law Firm provides the knowledgeable legal representation you need to protect your rights in an injury claim.
Our experienced Bradenton car accident lawyer fights for injury victims throughout every stage of the claims process. To get the compensation you need to recover, contact our office and request a consultation today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.305.html
flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/distracted-driving/
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
