A tragic car accident in Lecanto last month took the lives of a 22-year-old couple involved and left their three-year-old daughter, who was riding in the back seat, seriously injured. The five occupants of the other vehicle involved were also each injured, and one of them, a 73-year-old woman, died from her injuries at the Shands Hospital in Gainesville the following afternoon. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, although it appears that authorities have been able to build a basic picture of what happened.
According to a local news article, the accident occurred after a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo with the young couple from Ocala and their daughter veered from the eastbound lane into the westbound lane for an unknown reason. The other car involved, a 2012 Toyota Prius, then hit the Chevrolet on the passenger side. The source does not mention if authorities know whether or not the drivers and passengers of either car were wearing their seatbelts.
The Dangers of Texting and Driving
There is no indication that last month’s tragic accident was caused by a driver texting or using their mobile phone in the moments leading up to the accident, but similar accidents in the past have been caused when someone takes their eyes off the road to operate their phone. The distraction that is caused by using a phone while driving has been an issue since the invention of the cellular phone, but the advancements in phone technology over the past decade have made the problem much worse. Nearly every phone has a touch screen, and phones are able to do things that weren’t possible before. It can be tempting for drivers to look up directions or a schedule really quickly online, or to read the Facebook message they were just notified of, but such decisions take their attention from the road and increase the risk of tragedy.
Penalties for Distracted Driving
Laws have been passed in most states making it illegal to text or operate a phone while driving, with some exceptions. In addition to possible criminal penalties, drivers who cause an accident because they were texting or using their phone instead of paying attention to the road can be held civilly responsible for the accident. Accident victims or their family members should consult an attorney to file a Florida personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for the damages that came from another driver’s negligence.
Have You Been in an Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a distracted-driving accident, the South Florida injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon want to assist you in holding the at-fault parties responsible for your loss. Whether an accident was caused by texting, speeding, a drunk driver, or another cause, our dedicated Florida accident lawyers can help you seek the compensation that you deserve. Hiring a skilled Florida personal injury attorney will reduce the stress and anxiety that accident victims commonly feel when struggling to get their life back together after a life-changing auto accident. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we represent clients in most personal injury and wrongful death cases, including accidents caused by distracted drivers. Call us today at 877-499-HURT or schedule a free consultation through the website today.
More Blog Posts:
Speeding Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, June 29, 2015
Understanding Damages in Florida Personal Injury Cases, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, June 29, 2015