Santa Rosa County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Santa Rosa County Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Every day, the roads are filled with people traveling to work, school, errands, and other activities. Because our lives are so busy, sometimes people see time in the car as an opportunity to accomplish something else, which distracts them from the task of driving. Unfortunately, these distractions are the cause of many accidents every year. If you have been the victim of this type of accident, you need to contact a Santa Rosa County distracted driving accident lawyer today.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving involves anything that can take the driver’s attention away from the road, including texting, phone calls, eating or drinking, changing the radio or other controls, talking to people in the car, and more. Distracted driving costs many lives per year and claimed 3,275 lives in 2023. It is also estimated that it cost Americans over $98 billion in 2019.

If you’ve been in a car accident as a result of distracted driving in Santa Rosa County, you might be entitled to compensation. Phil Hall, P.A., has been practicing law since 2002 and will provide the experience and skills necessary to represent you.

How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help

Getting into a car accident can be a traumatizing experience for anyone, but add to that the physical and emotional costs and it can completely disrupt your life. Phil Hall, P.A., understands how to approach this with compassionate care and precise action to ensure you get the help you deserve. An accident lawyer can:

• Investigate the accident. This can mean reviewing the police report, taking photos of the accident scene, talking to witnesses, and maybe even working with accident reconstruction professionals in order to fully understand everything that happened.
• Establish your losses. If you’ve suffered an injury, then you are likely entitled to damages. An accident lawyer could speak with your doctors to track down the necessary medical evidence that proves serious damage from the accident.
• Negotiate on your behalf. With decades of experience, we at Phil Hall, P.A., are skilled at negotiating with insurers and defendants. We will use that skill, along with knowledge of how insurance companies work, to make sure you receive the most favorable outcome possible.

Compensation for a Car Accident Injury in Santa Rosa

In 2024, there were 2,136 car accidents in Santa Rosa County and 1,580 injuries from those crashes. Some of the most common injuries include whiplash, traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, and more.

Receiving damages for a serious personal injury due to distracted driving can be challenging in Santa Rosa County because Florida is a “no-fault” state. In Florida, every insurance company must provide Personal Injury Protection (PIP). This will cover:

• 80% of medical expenses
• Disability benefits, including 60% of lost wages
• Death benefits, equal to $5,000 or less.

PIP is usually not enough to cover all of your needs, especially if the injury is particularly severe. If this is the case, then your injury might fall under the “Serious Injury Threshold,” which means you may be entitled to damages. To qualify for this threshold, the injury must meet these criteria:

• Significant or permanent loss of body function
• Permanent injury
• Significant scarring or disfigurement
• Death

If you fall under one or more of the above categories, you may be able to seek compensation for loss of wages, medical expenses, damage to your property, and pain and suffering. If a distracted driver is the cause of your injury, then you may be entitled to seek these damages. We will help you review your case and give you options for how to proceed.

FAQs

How Do You Prove Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving applies to more than just texting, so how can you prove it was due to distractions? One way is through police testimony, either in court or on the police report taken right after the accident. Other ways to prove distracted driving are:

• If the other driver confesses.
• If witnesses speak out.
• If the cell phone records prove texting or other device use
• If there is video evidence.

What Are Most Lawyers’ Fees for a Car Accident?

Most attorneys will charge a contingency fee in a personal injury case, like a car accident. A contingency fee means that there will be no charge if you’re not awarded damages. If you are, then the lawyer fighting for your case will receive a percentage, which in Florida is 33.3% if the case settles early and 40% if the case goes to trial, depending on the settlement. You can discuss this further with us at a consultation.

Is Distracted Driving Gross Negligence?

A car accident due to distracted driving would not be considered gross negligence, but something called ordinary negligence. Gross negligence is when someone exercises a serious lack of care with complete disregard for those around them. Ordinary negligence is defined as someone who didn’t exercise reasonable care, which caused harm. Gross negligence is much harder to prove and implies that the perpetrator deliberately caused the injuries.

How Do I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?

You must file a personal injury claim within two years of the accident in the state of Florida to receive compensation. In Santa Rosa, we are ready to help you as soon as possible. We want to help you navigate this difficult experience and represent you so that you can receive compensation for the damages that will help you move forward with your life. All you need to do is contact us and schedule a consultation.

Talk With a Santa Rosa Car Accident Lawyer Today

At Phil Hall, P.A., we have worked with accident victims since 2003, and we understand the many difficulties that are involved following a car accident. We’ll be on your side, offering compassionate guidance and quality service. We work on a contingency basis, so you will not pay unless you are compensated. Contact us at our Santa Rosa Office in Pensacola for a free consultation today.