A single moment of inattention behind the wheel can alter everything. When a driver looks at a phone, reaches for something in the back seat, or allows their mind to drift, the resulting crash can leave others with serious injuries, growing medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. Distracted driving car accidents in DeLand happen more often than most people expect, and the consequences can be severe.
If you have sustained injuries in this type of collision, knowing your legal options early can make a meaningful difference. An experienced car crash attorney can help evaluate your claim, communicate with insurance adjusters, and pursue compensation from the driver whose inattention caused your injuries.
Distracted driving is broader than most people realize. Safety professionals recognize three primary categories: visual distractions that cause a driver to look away from the road, manual distractions that cause a driver to remove their hands from the wheel, and cognitive distractions that pull their attention away from driving. Common examples include:
Under Florida Statutes § 316.305, it is illegal to manually type or enter data on a handheld device while operating a vehicle. For those hurt in a distracted driving car crash in DeLand, this statute can serve as meaningful evidence that the at-fault driver failed to meet their duty of care.
Building a distracted driving liability case after a car wreck in DeLand requires acting quickly to secure the right evidence, including cell phone records obtained through legal subpoena, traffic and surveillance camera footage, eyewitness statements, and police reports. In some cases, data from a vehicle’s event data recorder can also document driver behavior in the seconds before impact. Our team at Rue & Ziffra moves promptly after these crashes to preserve critical records before they are lost or overwritten.
The state follows a modified comparative negligence system under Fla. Stat. § 768.81. As long as you were no more than 50 percent at fault, you may still recover compensation, though your award will be reduced proportionally. Insurers often investigate crash scenes early and may attempt to shift blame onto the injured party. Having legal representation in place quickly can counter those efforts and help ensure the evidence supports your account of what happened.
Injuries in these crashes range from soft tissue damage and fractures to traumatic brain injuries with long-term consequences. Even injuries that initially appear minor can worsen over time, making early medical evaluation and documentation essential to a successful claim. Recoverable damages in a DeLand distracted driving car accident case may include medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, reduced earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. Non-economic losses, including emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life, can be just as significant as financial ones.
With more than 50 years of serving injured people throughout the DeLand area, Rue & Ziffra brings a thorough, client-focused approach to every case. We work with medical and financial professionals to calculate both current and future losses, and we will challenge insurance companies that attempt to minimize valid claims.
Distracted driving car accidents in DeLand can cause harm that follows victims long after the crash. Florida law sets a deadline for filing personal injury claims, so acting promptly protects your right to recovery. Our team is in your community and on your side.
Contact Rue & Ziffra today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can pursue the compensation you deserve.
Rue & Ziffra – Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers
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