• 13
  • January
    2012

A jury has awarded $8.8 million to the family of a Florida woman who was fatally injured in a auto accident caused by a driver who was texting on his cell phone. The amount was awarded by a jury that was shown phone records indicating the defendant had been weaving and texting at the time of the crash. This verdict comes during a time when texting and distracted driver accidents are center stage for state legislature proposals for new laws.

Recent studies and commentary have suggested that distracted driving has become the "new dui", implying that texting while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving.

Currently, Florida, like Alabama, has no laws prohibiting texting or emailing while driving. Both state's legislatures are expected to address this issue in upcoming legislative sessions, particularly since the National Transportation and Safety Board has called for a nationwide ban on the practice. While some Alabama cities have enacted a ban, Florida law prohibits cities from enacting individual laws governing traffic control and safety. Distracted driver or "texting while driving" laws have been proposed in Florida but have yet to pass.

The at-fault driver in the Florida case was given a ticket and paid a fine but not charged with any homicide crime due to the lack of any distracted driver laws.

 

About Drake Law Firm: Our firm has handled a number of distracted driver car accident claims through the years, including those involving fatalities and severe injury. Feel free to visit other sections of our website for additional information.