What Is the Average Settlement for Distracted Driving Accidents in Florida?

Distracted driving is one of those risks we all know exists, but it still leads to numerous accidents across Florida. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,200 people lost their lives to distracted drivers in 2023 alone. If you were injured because another driver wasn’t paying attention, you may wonder what settlement people typically recover from. Every case has its own unique circumstances, hence there isn’t a fixed “average” amount. Several factors influence the final settlement as discussed in this article.

1.    Types of Distracted Driving

There are numerous distracted driving behaviors, many of which take a driver’s eyes, hands or focus away from the road. These include the following:

2.    Texting

Texting is by far the leading type of distracted driving. A glance at the phone to reply to texts, scroll through social media, or check emails can easily cause a rear-end, T-bone, or head-on collision.

3.    Talking on the Phone

A driver’s attention can be pulled away from the road when on the phone, even if it’s a hands-free call. This is just as risky as taking your hands off the wheel. The same applies to talking to someone in the back seat.

4.    Adjusting Music and Using GPS

Changing the music or inputting an address on the navigation system can cause a driver to lose focus on the road, and this can happen at the wrong moment, leading to an accident.

5.    Putting on Makeup

People always want to look their best before stepping into a meeting or a special occasion. While this is understandable, grooming while driving can dramatically increase the risk of an accident.

6.    Looking for Items or Rubbernecking

Searching for something in the car or staring at accidents, billboards, or monuments diverts a driver’s attention, increasing the likelihood of a distracted driving accident.

What Determines the Value of a Distracted Driving Settlement?

Your settlement may be affected by several factors, including:

Medical Costs

In addition to current treatment costs, your settlement may include future care if you suffered long-term medical issues. This will effectively lead to a higher settlement amount.

Lost Income and Reduced Earning Ability

If you missed work, you can recover that income. Suppose your injury has led to long-term or permanent injuries that affect your career. In that case, the settlement value may increase because of the impact on day-to-day life and future independence.

Property Damage

This includes repairs or replacement for your car and any personal belongings damaged in the accident, such as your phone or laptop.

Pain and Suffering

If you’re dealing with anxiety, sleep issues, trauma or ongoing pain that affects your daily life, they can also be part of your claim, thus affecting the total value of your settlement. An experienced attorney can help you demonstrate their impact on your life, leading to higher compensation.

Loss of Consortium

If you lost a loved one due to the crash, you and your family may be able to seek compensation for loss of companionship, the financial support they provided and emotional support through a wrongful death claim.

Legal Help Is Available

Our West Palm Beach car accident lawyer at The Pendas Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Miami, Naples, and Melbourne areas.

Source:

nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving