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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2011 alone 3331 Americans were killed in accidents and another 387, 000 sustained injuries due to driver distraction. Driver distraction causes many serious accidents leading to spinal cord injuries, fractures, amputations, fatalities, and head injuries in Deerfield Beach and other communities each year. What is most frustrating for victims is that in many cases these accidents and injuries are preventable.

There is more awareness than ever before about the dangers of distracted driving. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, for example, and many agencies and organizations are joining forces to inform drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. The message is clear: driving while distracted causes preventable car accidents in in Deerfield Beach and other communities. Everyone has a role to play in preventing these types of accidents:

1) Lawmakers

Florida is still one of the few states not to ban texting and driving. While all commercial drivers and federal employees using company cars cannot text and drive and while some companies are passing texting bans for drivers using company vehicles, in Florida it is still legal to drive while keeping your eyes on a mobile device. The state has had problems passing a ban, despite much evidence that distraction causes many car and truck accidents in Deerfield Beach and across Florida each year.

Some legislators are concerned that a texting ban would place too many restrictions on drivers, while many point out that a texting ban would not prevent drivers from being distracted by cell phones, passengers, and the myriad other distractions available to motorists. Some lawmakers have expressed doubts about whether a texting ban or even a ban on hand-held devices for drivers would reduce the number of traffic accidents in Deerfield Beach and other communities. Despite this, efforts are still being made to pass new laws to curb distracted driving.

2) Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officials and the justice system have a role to play, too. Law enforcement officials cannot ticket a driver for texting or talking on a phone in Florida, but they can pull over drivers who are driving erratically or recklessly before those motorists cause a traffic accident or pedestrian accident. Many law enforcement agencies have also launched awareness campaigns to alert drivers to the dangers of any distractions – whether those distractions come in the form of a mobile device, food, passengers, daydreaming, or anything else.

3) Drivers

Drivers, of course, have one of the biggest responsibilities when it comes to putting a halt to preventable car crashes. Motorists need to be aware of the risks of distracted driving and need to make sure that every time they step into a car they put their mobile devices (and any other distractions) away. When every driver makes a conscious decision to drive more safely, everyone benefits from safer roads.

Drivers who have been injured by a distracted driver can speak with a personal injury attorney in Deerfield Beach or their community about making a legal claim. When motorists are held accountable for their recklessness, they may important changes to their driving habits.

4) The General Public

The general public – even those who don’t drive – do have a voice. The general public can write to lawmakers about distracted driving laws and can support advocacy groups raising awareness about dangerous driving.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

When we read about Deerfield Beach car accidents, in most cases they are accidents involving at least two cars. However, each day people are seriously injured in Deerfield Beach traffic accidents that involve only one car. This can occur for a number of reasons, including road conditions and tire defects. A driver may lose control of the vehicle and swerve into an object (such as a tree) or the vehicle may rollover.

Whether a Deerfield Beach truck accident or car accident involves multiple vehicles or one car, the results can be devastating. Single-car collisions routinely result in property damage and serious or even fatal injuries. They can also leave victims with large expenses for medical costs, car repairs, and other costs. Single-car accidents usually have a few unique issues to consider:

1) Insurance issues. In most cases, the driver’s own no-fault coverage will pay for the costs of the accident. However, in this type of Deerfield Beach car accident it can sometimes be difficult to recover all the compensation for lost income, medical costs, car replacement or repairs, and other expenses.

2) Liability issues. In many cases, single-car accidents are caused by poor signage, road conditions, or mechanical defects. There is no second driver as a potential cause of an accident. It often requires careful investigation to determine the cause of an accident and to launch a Deerfield Beach products liability case, if appropriate.

3) Assumptions. In many cases, police and other authorities may assume that if only one driver was involved in a single-car accident, then the driver must be responsible for the accident. This can lead to charges and other penalties being levied against the driver, even if he or she did nothing wrong. It often takes a skillful Deerfield Beach personal injury attorney to carefully investigate the accident in order to get answers and to clear the driver of these accusations.

After any serious Deerfield Beach car accident, it may be important to consult with a qualified Deerfield Beach personal injury attorney. This is true even in the event of a single-car accident. Any time an accident causes serious injuries, an attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, can negotiate with insurance carriers, and can help you understand your case and your options. If there are no other parties in an accident, you may assume that you will not be eligible for compensation, but this is not the case. Florida law protects you and you may qualify for more compensation than you realize.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog