Distracted driving accidents in Tampa, FL, can cause severe injuries. If you or a loved one were injured, you may be able to hold the distracted driver responsible. An experienced Tampa distracted driving accident lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our legal team has been representing accident victims since 1992. We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to help those clients get back on their feet again after an accident.
Do you need help with your injury claim? Contact our car accident lawyers near you in Tampa at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation today.
Table of Contents
How Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Tampa
Car accident injuries can alter your life in unimaginable ways. You deserve to be fairly compensated for your losses, both financial and emotional.
Too many accident victims settle for less than they deserve because they don’t know how much their injury case is worth. Insurance companies work hard to protect their own interests. They’ll tell you that your settlement offer is fair. They might even advise against hiring a Tampa car accident lawyer.
At Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers, we’re here to protect your best interests. We have over 28 years of experience helping clients like you recover meaningful financial settlements.
When you hire us, your lawyer will:
- Investigate your crash
- Locate the evidence to prove the distracted driver caused your accident
- Hire experts and specialists to back up your case
- Calculate an accurate value for your claim
- Negotiate with the insurer to recover the maximum compensation available
Our Tampa car accident attorneys will use every resource at our disposal to protect your rights. You deserve someone on your side. To get started, call our law group in Tampa Bay to schedule a free case evaluation today.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in Tampa?
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 3,142 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2019 alone. Another 424,000 were hurt in these accidents.
Unfortunately, when it comes to distracted driving, Florida is the second-worst state in the U.S. The state has enacted various laws to combat the problem. For example, using a cell phone while driving is now a primary offense under Florida law. That means texting drivers can be pulled over and ticketed without violating some other traffic regulation.
Still, distracted driving accidents remain a serious problem. In 2020, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) estimates that 2,756 Floridians were seriously injured in distracted driving accidents. Car accident statistics show that over 305 people lost their lives, representing a significant increase from 267 fatalities in 2019 and 235 in 2018.
What is My Tampa Distracted Driving Accident Case Worth?
To put a fair estimate on your distracted driving accident case, we’ll first need to understand the facts.
Some important factors that can influence the value of your claim include:
- The extent of your injuries
- The cost of your medical care, both past and future
- Your lost income
- Whether you’re expected to recover fully
- Your emotional and mental suffering
The more severe your injury, the more your daily life will change. Consequently, more serious injuries tend to result in higher settlements or verdicts.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Distracted Driving Accident Victims?
Distracted driving accident victims are entitled to economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the expenses associated with the accident and your injuries; they include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income and earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- In-home assistance while you recover
Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering. These types of damages are subjective and their value will depend on the specific facts of your case.
Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Our car accident lawyers in Tampa are here to help you fight for the full damages you deserve. Call our law firm today to learn more.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Distracted Driving Accident in Florida?
Your compensation award can be reduced in proportion to your share of fault under Florida comparative fault rules. However, you won’t lose your right to compensation entirely–as long as at least one other person was partly to blame.
Insurance companies commonly try to use the shared fault rules to minimize a victim’s compensation award. Our lawyers can help you fight back. We’ll do everything we can to minimize the effect of this insurance strategy so that you can recover the fair compensation you deserve.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Distracted Driving Accident Injuries
The injuries caused by distracted drivers vary significantly. Many distracted driving accidents are rear-end collisions where the driver simply doesn’t see the car in front of them. These crashes can be much more serious than the typical fender-bender.
Distracted driving accidents often involve speeding. After all, the distracted driver has significantly less time to slow down before the crash.
At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we handle all distracted driving accident claims in Tampa, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Other types of neck injury
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage and chest injuries
- Burn injuries
- Amputations
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
You shouldn’t have to settle for less than you deserve. If you were hurt in a distracted driving accident in Tampa, call our car accident attorneys for a free consultation today. We can also help you fight for compensation if your accident involved any of the following types of car crashes:
What Causes Most Distracted Driving Accidents in Tampa, Florida?
A driver should focus on the road when behind the wheel. However, any number of things can distract a driver while operating the vehicle.
There are three primary forms of distracted driving:
- Manual distraction
- Visual distraction
- Cognitive distraction
Manual distraction is when the driver takes his hands off the steering wheel. Examples of manual distraction include:
- Using a handheld phone or GPS device
- Eating or drinking
- Grooming
- Reaching for objects in the vehicle
- Adjusting the radio
Visual distraction happens when the driver takes his eyes off the road. Taking your eyes off the road for even five seconds can be disastrous. In that amount of time, a driver traveling at 55 miles per hour will drive about the length of a football field.
Cognitive distractions happen when a driver’s mind is somewhere else. Common examples of cognitive distractions include:
- Having a conversation with someone else in the vehicle
- Thinking about something that happened at work
- Daydreaming
- Composing a text message
Some things involve more than one type of driver distraction. Texting while driving typically involves all three: the driver must take his eyes and hands off the road to compose the text, all while thinking about what to write.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Distracted Driving Accident in Florida?
Distracted driving is a form of driver negligence. You’ll have to prove that the driver’s distraction caused your motor vehicle accident to recover damages.
You’ll need proof to convince the insurance company that:
- A duty of care existed
- The distracted driver breached that duty of care
- The driver’s actions caused your accident
- You suffered damages
Even if it seems that the distracted driver was clearly liable, the insurance company might dispute your claim. Your attorney can help you prove that the driver’s distraction caused your auto accident.
We’ll do that by locating and analyzing all relevant evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Video surveillance footage
- Crash scene photos
- Eyewitness testimony
- Reports prepared by accident reconstruction specialists
Were you or a loved one injured in a distracted driving accident? You don’t have to handle your injury case alone. Schedule a free case review with our experienced legal team at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to learn more about your legal options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Distracted Driving Accident in Florida?
Most car accident victims must file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident. This statute of limitations is a strict deadline. Once four years have passed, victims lose their right to compensation.
There are also situations where the deadline could be shorter–such as when the state of Florida or the city of Tampa shares blame for the accident. That’s why it’s always a smart idea to consult an experienced lawyer soon after the crash.
Call our Tampa Car Accident Attorneys at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers
Our lawyers regularly handle distracted driving accidents in the Tampa Bay area. We’re here to look out for your best interests and fight to recover the maximum compensation possible. To get the legal advice you need, contact Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers. today to schedule a free consultation.
