Avoid Car Accidents- Tips From The West Palm Beach Accident Lawyer

Avoid Car Accidents- Tips From The West Palm Beach Accident Lawyer

Did you know that 20% of crashes involve distracted driving?

You can understand when you’re driving while distracted it is obviously easier to get into a car accident.

What are some distractions while driving?

• Eating
• Drinking
• Grooming or applying cosmetics
• Reading
• Watching video content on a wireless device
• Conversations with passengers
• Operating the vehicle’s stereo or climate control settings
• Using your cellphone

Tips to prevent distracted driving

• Turn your phone off or put it away
• If you really need to call or text, pull over.
• If someone is in the car with you and you really need to call or text, ask them to do it for you.
• If someone is in the car with you, ask them to help you with directions instead of looking at your phone.
• Try to not let your pets roam freely in the car.
• Prepare yourself before you start driving. If you need directions or make a phone call, review directions or make the phone call before you leave.
• Try not to eat or drink while driving.

Eating while driving. Is it really that dangerous?

You may even wonder if eating while driving is even that dangerous. Eating a slice of pizza and driving may be easier for some and more difficult for others. However, if you take a sip of your soda or bite of your pizza and then drop it on yourself, it could come to a surprise, and cause you to lose control of your car.

Some drivers eat while the are on their way to work. Do you think it is possible to eat the breakfast sandwich in the parking lot,  as you’re walking into work or maybe when you get to your desk?

Wait for a red light

Some of these distractions can be done at a red light, for example, adjusting your stereo or turning up the AC. It takes less than a second for that car to stop suddenly in front of you, and for you not to notice. Texting has been a big distraction in the past years. Did you know that driving with a cell phone reduces brain activity by 37%?

Try not to drive distracted

Some of these are quite obvious, and some we know, but do it anyway.

Try to remember to take some safety precautions when driving and try to avoid driving distracted. You could be saving your life or injuries to yourself or others if you try not to drive distracted.

Frequently Asked Questions:

 Is “Texting while Driving” a primary offense in West Palm Beach?

Yes. Under Florida Statute §316.305, known as the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law,” texting while driving is a primary offense. This means a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputy or West Palm Beach police officer can pull you over solely for seeing you typing on a mobile device. Furthermore, using a handheld device in a school zone or work zone is strictly prohibited and carries enhanced penalties.

How do you prove the other driver was distracted if they won’t admit it?

If you suspect the driver who hit you was distracted (e.g., they didn’t brake or were looking down), an attorney can use the “discovery” process to uncover the truth. In West Palm Beach, we can subpoena cell phone records to determine whether a text was sent or a call was active at the exact moment of impact. We also look for “black box” data (Event Data Recorders) and surveillance footage from local businesses or traffic cameras on busy roads, such as I-95 or Southern Blvd.

Can I be sued if my dog caused me to get into a crash in West Palm Beach?

Yes. While Florida does not have a specific law requiring pets to be crated, Statute §316.1925 regarding careless driving requires all drivers to operate their vehicles in a “careful and prudent manner.” if a roaming pet interferes with your ability to steer or see the road, and an accident occurs, you can be held legally liable for the resulting injuries and property damage.

 If I am hit by a distracted driver, am I entitled to more than just medical bills?

Possibly. In Florida, if a driver’s distraction was so extreme that it constituted “gross negligence” (for example, watching a video while driving on the Turnpike), you may be able to pursue punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer rather than just compensate the victim. Additionally, you are entitled to seek “non-economic” damages for pain and suffering if your injuries meet the state’s permanency threshold.

Does “Hands-Free” technology protect me from liability in a West Palm Beach accident?

Not necessarily. While using Bluetooth or voice-to-text is generally legal in Florida, “cognitive distraction” is still a recognized danger. If an insurance company can prove that you were so engrossed in a hands-free phone conversation that you failed to react to a hazard on Okeechobee Blvd, they may still assign a percentage of comparative fault to you, which could reduce your total recovery.

Contact Your Accident Lawyers in West Palm Beach Florida

Whatever you do, please talk to an attorney before you talk to an insurance company about your car accident. The insurance company’s job is to pay you the least amount of money, we want to make sure you are taken care of during your time of need.

Anyone in southern Florida who has a personal injury legal issue pending should contact Smith & Vanture, LLP for a full free injury claim evaluation. Always retain an attorney who can get you what you deserve for your injury.

How Can We Help You?

Need legal representation? Fill out our contact form with some information about your case/concern. We will respond to any inquiry as soon as possible.