Car accidents can occur for all sorts of reasons, but distracted drivers are becoming a major road hazard. In 2021, there were 401,076 collisions in Florida and at least 56,000 of them were caused by distracted driving. As a new campaign to prevent distracted driving gets underway, we look at four things to do if you’ve been hit by a distracted driver:
1. Notify the Tampa Police Department
Calling 911 after a road traffic accident means you can notify the police and request urgent medical assistance if it’s required. Depending on the specifics of the situation, a distracted driver may have committed a criminal offense, so it’s important that the police investigate the cause of the accident and determine whether the person responsible for the incident should be charged.
In addition to this, the Tampa Police Department can help ensure the road is safe for other drivers and pedestrians in the aftermath of a collision. If the road needs to be temporarily closed while damaged vehicles are moved, for example, the police can organize this.
2. Seek Medical Help After Your Tampa Car Accident
If you’ve been seriously injured in a distracted driving crash, you may require assistance from paramedics and EMTs. However, many people don’t realize how serious their injuries are in the immediate aftermath of an accident.
Even if you don’t think you require emergency medical treatment, you should seek advice from a medical practitioner to confirm that you aren’t suffering from any ‘hidden’ injuries, such as internal bleeding. A trip to your nearest Emergency Room will ensure that your injuries are fully diagnosed and that you get any treatment you might need.
3. Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Tampa, FL
Whenever you’ve been injured in a collision that wasn’t your fault, a car accident attorney can help to protect your liability. If an inattentive or distracted driver caused the crash, they’re likely to be 100% responsible for the accident and an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer can help you to prove this. Once liability is established, you’ll be able to move forward with a car accident claim to fight for compensation.
4. Tell Your Insurance Company
Check the terms of your insurance policy and you’ll notice that you’re required to inform your insurance company of any collisions, usually within a specific amount of time. If possible, tell your insurance company about the crash as soon as you can, even if you aren’t responsible for the incident. While you may expect your compensation and costs to be paid by another driver’s insurance, you’ll still need to let your insurance company know what’s happened.
Raising Awareness of Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accounts for a significant number of collisions, injuries, and deaths in Tampa alone. With 343 distracted driving fatalities in Florida and 2,726 serious injuries caused by inattentive drivers in 2021 alone, it’s clear that everyone across the state needs to be more aware of the dangers of distraction when they’re behind the wheel. By sharing your story and raising awareness, you can help put a stop to distracted driving and make Tampa’s roads a safer place for everyone.