At the end of May 2013 Governor Rick Scott signed SB 52 into law, which is legislation that prohibits texting while driving. Under the law, texting while driving will be a secondary offense, which means drivers must be pulled over for an alleged separate violation before they can be ticketed for texting while driving. The signing of the bill coincided with the beginning of the so-called "100 deadliest days", which refers to the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During this period of the summer, more fatal auto accidents occur than at any other time of the year.
Distracted driving led to more than 3,000 fatal accidents in 2011 alone, and is a leading factor in serious automobile collisions. According to statistics gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting while driving increases a driver's crash risk 23 times more than that of a driver who is not distracted. Perhaps more shocking is the fact that reading or writing a text message takes a driver's eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds; if the driver is traveling at 55 mph, during this time their vehicle will cross the entire length of a football field, while the driver is essentially driving blind.
The injuries and losses caused by texting and distracted drivers are often severe, and victims may be entitled to compensation. If you were harmed in an accident caused by a texting driver in the Tampa area, please don't hesitate to contact Smith & Stallworth, Attorneys at Law. Our law firm is experienced in all types of personal injury cases and we have helped countless clients obtain settlements for their car accident claims.
Distracted driving accidents often leave victims with serious injuries that result in costly medical care, missed wages during recovery, and lifelong pain. We believe victims of texting driver accidents deserve generous compensation to cover their expenses and losses, and a Tampa car accident lawyer from our firm can advocate on your behalf. If you were injured by a distracted driver, contact our firm today to discuss your options to seek a proper settlement.