Jacksonville Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Millions in Compensation Recovered for Accident Victims

Distracted driving can cause serious accidents that leave victims with life-changing injuries. If a distracted driver injured you or your loved one, you may have the right to pursue compensation. 

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we help victims fight for the justice they deserve after being harmed by negligent drivers. Our firm is backed by over 150 years of collective experience, two Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Specialists (Tom Edwards and Eric Ragatz), and a record of success that includes millions of dollars in compensation for auto accident victims. If you have a case, we’re the team to trust. 

Our Jacksonville distracted driving accident attorneys serve clients across Duval County and beyond. Call (904) 295-1050  or contact us online to request a FREE consultation. 

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from the primary task of operating a vehicle. There are three main types of distractions:

• Visual distractions: Taking your eyes off the road (e.g., looking at a phone or GPS).
• Manual distractions: Taking your hands off the wheel (e.g., eating or adjusting controls).
• Cognitive distractions: Taking your mind off driving (e.g., daydreaming or having an intense conversation).

While any type of distraction can be dangerous, texting while driving is particularly alarming because it combines all three forms of distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

The Alarming Data on Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has become a serious public safety issue across the country. According to NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts:

• In 2022, distracted driving caused over 3,300 deaths in the United States, and more than 289,000 injuries. 
• About 1 in 5 people who died in distracted driving crashes were not in vehicles—they were walking, biking, or outside their vehicles.
• At any given moment in daylight hours, approximately 9% of drivers are using their phones.

In Florida specifically, distracted driving has been linked to an increasing number of accidents:

• According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), nearly 300 people died in motor vehicle accidents due to distracted driving. 
• Approximately 1 in every 7 crashes in Florida is due to a distracted driver. 

Distracted driving is largely underreported because the behaviors associated with driver distraction can fall under various state laws. This includes texting while driving (which is a primary offense in Florida), and other statutory violations associated with being distracted behind the wheel, such as careless driving, failing to maintain a single lane, or aggressive careless driving, which is cited when drivers commit two or more violations (such as speeding, unsafe lane change, following too closely, failing to obey traffic control, and failure to yield).

Although these laws are designed to deter distracted driving, the data show they’re not always enough to prevent accidents. Fortunately, distracted drivers can still be held civilly liable for crashes even if they aren’t ticketed for traffic offenses. 

Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents

While texting and driving is one of the most well-known forms of distraction, there are several other activities that commonly lead to accidents:

• Phone use: Talking, texting, or checking notifications.
• In-vehicle technology: Adjusting GPS, music systems, or other vehicle controls.
• Eating and drinking: Handling food or beverages while driving.
• Personal grooming: Applying makeup, shaving, or fixing hair.
• Passenger interactions: Engaging in conversations that distract attention from the road.
• Daydreaming: Zoning out and losing focus while driving.

Any of these distractions can take a driver’s attention away from the road long enough to cause an accident. If you were injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Proving Distracted Driving in an Accident Case

Proving that a driver was distracted at the time of the crash can be challenging, but with the right evidence, it is possible to establish fault. Some common forms of evidence that can help prove distracted driving include:

• Cell phone records: These can show whether the driver was texting or using their phone at the time of the accident.
• Eyewitness statements: Passengers or other drivers may have seen the at-fault driver engaging in distracting activities.
• Traffic or dashcam footage: Videos from nearby traffic cameras or other drivers' dashcams can provide visual proof of distracted behavior.
• Social media posts: If the driver was posting on social media while driving, this could be used as evidence of distraction.
• Accident reconstruction experts: In some cases, experts can recreate the circumstances of the crash to demonstrate how distraction may have contributed.

Our attorneys at Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. are experienced in gathering and analyzing evidence to build strong cases. We work tirelessly to ensure distracted drivers are held accountable.