Stopped at a Red Light and Texting Behind the Wheel
Many drivers have had the same thought while sitting at a red light: The car isn’t moving, so it’s okay to quickly check a text message. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily true.
In Florida, simply being stopped at a traffic signal doesn’t automatically mean it’s safe (or legal) to use your phone. Depending on the circumstances, you may still be considered to be operating the vehicle, and distracted driving at the wrong moment can lead to serious accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, understanding how these situations happen can be important when determining liability. Talk to a knowledgeable Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer to learn more.
A Red Light Doesn’t Mean the Driving Has Stopped
When you’re waiting at a red light, you’re still participating in traffic. Your foot may be on the brake, but you’re expected to remain alert to changing conditions around you.
Traffic signals change quickly. Emergency vehicles may approach. Pedestrians enter crosswalks. The driver in front of you could move unexpectedly. Cyclists and motorcycles may be traveling alongside your vehicle.
Looking down at a phone for even a few seconds can cause you to miss these important developments. Florida’s distracted driving laws prohibit drivers from manually typing or entering multiple characters into a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle, subject to certain exceptions. Whether someone violated the law depends on the specific facts of the situation.
Even beyond a traffic citation, a driver’s distraction may become important evidence in a personal injury claim. Phone records, witness statements, dash camera footage, surveillance video, and other evidence may help establish whether distracted driving contributed to a collision. If another driver was texting before causing your accident, don’t assume the circumstances are too minor to matter simply because they were stopped at a red light moments earlier.
An experienced injury attorney can investigate what happened, gather available evidence, and determine whether distracted driving played a role in the crash. That investigation may include reviewing accident reports, interviewing witnesses, obtaining available electronic evidence, and working with experts when appropriate.
Protecting Your Rights After a Distracted Driving Accident
Distracted driving isn’t limited to speeding down the highway. It can happen in parking lots, at stop signs, and even while waiting for a traffic light to change.
Remaining attentive behind the wheel, even while stopped, is one of the simplest ways to help keep everyone on the road safer. If you’ve been injured because another driver’s attention was on a phone instead of the road, it’s worth speaking with a skilled Port St. Lucie Personal Injury Lawyer. Florida attorneys who handle car accident claims understand how to investigate distracted driving cases and pursue the compensation injured victims may be entitled to under the law.
Is it time for you to hold a texting driver accountable? A few seconds spent looking at a text can have consequences that last for years. The attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez are available to fight for your rights. Reach out for a free case review. Call 561-660-9421 today.
