Multitasking while driving is something that most of us admit to doing. It can be tempting to read a document, fix your hair, or even enjoy that cheeseburger while you’re behind the wheel. But driving while multitasking is dangerous.
When you take your complete concentration off the roads, the risk of an accident drastically increases. What are the risks of multitasking while driving? What are your rights if a multitasking driver hits you? Our experienced Miami car accident lawyers explain the risks and possible consequences of multitasking while driving.
Some dangerous examples of multitasking while driving:
- Eating
- Putting on makeup
- Fixing your hair
- Reading a document
- Shaving
- Watching something on your phone or a computer
- Texting, instant messaging
- Changing music while you drive
- Car karaoke
- Reaching for the glove compartment
- Picking something up off the floor
- Writing while driving
- Taking a selfie
- Giving attention to pets
What Does Multitasking While Driving Mean?
Multitasking while driving means any activity that takes your complete attention off the road. When you’re multitasking while driving, you’re trying to do something else while you drive. It’s more than just listening to the radio or collecting your thoughts. Multitasking while driving is a diversion of your attention from driving so that you can accomplish something else.
Multitasking Dangerous While Driving Is an Example Of
Multitasking dangerous while driving is an example of careless driving. Florida law defines careless driving as a failure to act carefully and prudently with regard for the road and all other circumstances. When you’re multitasking, you’re not having careful and proper regard for the road. If you’re caught multitasking, law enforcement can write you a ticket for careless driving, a violation of Florida law 316.1925 [1].
Florida Multitasking While Driving Law
While Florida doesn’t have a specific Florida multitasking while driving law, Florida has a law that bans all forms of careless driving. Florida law 316.1925 prohibits driving with anything other than complete regard for the road and possible hazards on the road. Multitasking activities likely fall into this category. Some forms of multitasking while driving may even constitute reckless driving.
Negligence and Multitasking Behind the Wheel
When you try and do other things while you drive a vehicle, those other things may be negligent. Negligence just means that you’re not as careful as a reasonable person would be in the same situation. Most people agree that a reasonable person wouldn’t multitask behind the wheel. Multitasking behind the wheel is almost certainly an example of negligence.
If you’re in an accident and the other driver is multitasking, there’s a good chance that they’re guilty of negligence. The negligence of the other driver is the first step in bringing a third-party claim for compensation. Because Florida uses a no-fault system, to bring an action against the other driver for multitasking, your injuries must be serious, permanent, or both. An experienced attorney can help you understand if you qualify to bring this type of claim.
Multitasking Dangerous While Driving
Multitasking is dangerous while driving. When you try to do something else while you drive, your brain doesn’t have full concentration on the task of driving a vehicle. The result may be that your reaction times are slower, you aren’t as able to notice dangers on the road, and your judgment isn’t as good as it might be if you were fully paying attention.
When you’re on the road, you often have only seconds to avoid an accident. Multitasking is dangerous while driving because it can cost you those precious seconds that you need to react appropriately on the road and prevent an accident.
How Do You Prove If the Other Party Was Multitasking While Driving?
An essential part of any case based on multitasking while driving is proving that the other party was distracted. When an accident first occurs, thinking about whether the other party was trying to multitask is probably the last thing on your mind. Of course, the first thing that you should think about is getting medical attention for yourself and anyone who is injured. But then, you need to know how the accident occurred. It’s important to have the evidence to show that the other party was multitasking. To have that evidence, you need to know how to get it.
Third-party witnesses can be critical to proving your case. For example, there might be a person in one of the vehicles or even a bystander on the road that sees what is happening at the time of the crash. They may be able to tell you what the other driver was doing at the time of the accident.
Another way to gather evidence is by conducting a deposition of the other driver. You can serve them with a subpoena to appear at a specific date and time to answer questions under oath about what they were doing leading up to the accident. The power to serve a subpoena begins after you file a formal claim.
Electronic documentation can be helpful, too. If the other driver was texting at the time of the crash, you might be able to pull records from their phone. In addition, you can look to see if the other driver has posted anything about the crash on social media. Your attorney can help ensure that you take advantage of all of the ways to gather evidence in your case.
Miami Auto Accident Lawyers
Were you in an accident that involved multitasking while driving? We can help. Our team of accident attorneys has decades of experience helping thousands of clients. Let us help you examine how you can recover full compensation for your injuries, lost income, and other losses following an accident.
When you work with us, you have a team of dedicated professionals ready to fight for you. There’s no cost to call for your free consultation. Let’s work together to get you the justice that you deserve.