Source: Nbcmiami.com
On Monday night, five people were injured in a four-vehicle crash that completely shut down a stretch of Miramar Parkway for several hours. A spokesperson for the Miramar Police Department said the crash occurred on Miramar Parkway near Southwest 164th Avenue when one of the drivers was attempting to turn into a Chili’s parking lot and was struck by a westbound vehicle.
The car spun out, striking a Honda Odyssey and sending debris flying everywhere. Some of the debris from the crash struck another vehicle, causing damage. All five victims were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. Three of them had to be airlifted, while the remaining victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The identities of the victims haven’t been released. All lanes of Miramar Parkway were closed for several hours between Dykes Road and Southwest 169th Avenue during the crash investigation.
Distracted Driving Accidents in South Florida
The NHAPA estimates that driver errors are responsible for more than 50% percent of all serious car accidents in the United States. Distracted Driving can be anything that takes your focus away from driving your vehicle. Some common examples include text messaging, talking on the phone, eating, talking to passengers in the vehicle, etc. There are many distractors on the road from signs, advertisements to mobile phones, it is quite nearly impossible to ignore all of them.
Today, drivers are always checking their emails, text messages, or browsing the internet. Many experts have concluded that using a mobile device while driving a car is like driving drunk. Yet, most drivers on the road continue to do it. In Florida, for example, an officer investigating an accident must document whether any driver was distracted by an electronic device in their police report. In fact, under Fla. Stat. § 316.305, it is illegal to text, email, or send messages while operating a vehicle. Violators are subject to a $30 ticket for the first offense.
A second offense within five years would be a moving violation, punishable by as much as a $60 fine and three points added to the driver’s record. Violation of the law is considered a secondary offense, meaning a police officer can’t pulls someone over for just texting. The driver must be committing another violation such as speeding or running a stop sign. If there’s an accident, motorists’ cell phone records can be used against them only if the accident results in death or personal injury. Even Cell phone manufacturers have also begun taking steps to curb cell phone use while driving. Apple phones have a Do Not Disturb feature that when enabled automatically detects when you are driving and prevents notifications from popping up on your phone.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today!
Have you or a loved one been injured in a distracted driving accident? You deserve justice; however, you may have to fight for the claim you need. That’s where we come in. Thousands of people lose their lives every year in car accidents and countless others sustain personal injuries that change their entire lives. This is because serious personal injuries can amount to thousands of dollars in medical treatment and depending on the severity of the injury, the rehabilitation process can take quite some time for injured victims. If the negligence of another driver caused you or a loved on to sustain injuries in a car accident, you may have a right to seek compensation.
With the increasing medical care costs, treatment of any type of injury can get extremely costly. Even a moderately minor injury can force a trip to the emergency room along with follow-up visits, prescription medication, diagnostic tests, and the like. Serious injuries may require hospitalization, surgeries, or even long-term medical treatment and care. It pays to have a personal injury attorney who will consider all of your medical expenses and ensure you seek the full amount of compensation for your injuries.
The attorneys at Suarez & Montero fight for justice for those who are injured in car accidents. We do this because we want to make sure our clients receive fair compensation for their damages. Backed by over 19 years of substantial experience with personal injury law, we can help you recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and the pain you have suffered. From filing an initial claim, answering all of your questions, to negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf, our team can help you navigate every step of the insurance process. When you need to know your legal options, call the accident attorneys at Suarez & Montero Today!
Don’t let the insurance company convince you that your claim is worth less than you deserve. We encourage you to learn more about and the successes our Florida car accident attorneys have had on behalf of individuals and families who have suffered serious personal injury in car accidents.
