When a Text Message Causes a Crash: What Florida Drivers Need to Understand

In Florida, road crashes caused by texting behind the wheel are happening more often than most people realize. The numbers are serious, yes—but for those who’ve been in one of these wrecks, it’s not just about statistics. It’s about pain, stress, and figuring out what happens next.

If you’ve been injured in a crash and suspect the other driver was on their phone, that fact alone could affect your case in major ways—financially and legally. At our firm, we often represent victims of these exact situations. Here’s what you should know.

It Starts With a Glance at a Phone… Then Everything Changes

Most drivers would never think to get behind the wheel after drinking. But they’ll still glance down at a text without hesitation. The truth is, both decisions can lead to the same kind of tragedy.

What makes texting so dangerous is how it disrupts multiple senses at once. Eyes leave the road, hands leave the steering wheel, and the brain—well, it checks out for a moment. That moment is long enough, at highway speeds, to send a vehicle across the length of a football field without the driver being fully aware of their surroundings.

And that’s all it takes.

How Common Is This Problem?

Recent national safety reports suggest that distracted driving—much of it involving phones—is a factor in hundreds of thousands of collisions each year. Tens of thousands of those are directly linked to phone use. Many of these crashes leave victims with broken bones, spinal damage, or worse.

But what the numbers don’t show is how often phone use goes unreported. Many drivers don’t admit they were texting. Many victims never find out. Unless someone investigates, the truth can stay hidden.

When Phone Use Comes Into Play Legally

Let’s say the other driver was texting. What does that mean for your case?

Here’s how it can shift the legal landscape:

• It Makes Fault Easier to Prove
  • In Florida, if you’re hurt in a crash, the other party’s insurance company will often look for ways to share the blame with you. If they can argue you were mostly at fault, you could lose your right to collect anything. But if we uncover evidence that the driver was using their phone, it helps clarify responsibility—and puts the focus where it belongs.
• It Can Increase the Case Value
  • Juries aren’t forgiving when it comes to distracted driving, and neither are most judges. If the evidence is strong, it may justify a higher award—especially if your injuries are serious or long-term. In very clear-cut situations, we may even seek additional compensation meant to penalize the driver for reckless behavior.
• It Changes How the Insurance Company Handles the Claim
  • The moment there’s a chance we’ll uncover texting, the tone of the negotiation often shifts. That’s because insurers know juries don’t look kindly on drivers who make careless choices that lead to harm.

Can You Prove the Driver Was Texting?

In many cases, yes. Even if the police report doesn’t mention it, there are other ways to build a case:

• Phone activity records
• Statements from other drivers or witnesses
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
• Gaps in skid marks or strange crash patterns that suggest delayed reaction

It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible—and when that information is there, we’ll find it.

What You Can Do to Stay Safer (Or Help Others Do the Same)

Not every crash is avoidable, but there are a few habits that make a real difference:

• Keep your phone stored away while driving
• Use voice-assist or “do not disturb” features when you’re on the road
• If someone else is driving and checking their phone, speak up
• Talk to teens or elderly family members about these risks—often

Some of the most heartbreaking cases we see involve young drivers who never thought a single message could change everything.

After the Crash: What to Do Next

If you’re recovering from a crash and suspect the other driver was distracted by their phone, it’s worth having that investigated. Even if you’re unsure or don’t have proof yet, it’s something a good legal team can look into.

At our office, we take these cases seriously. We understand how to work through the evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and build a claim that reflects the full reality of what you’ve been through.

A Final Note

Distracted driving, especially when it involves texting, is a silent epidemic on Florida’s roads. And when someone makes that choice—looking at their phone instead of the road—the results can be life-altering for the people they hit.

If you’re facing injuries, mounting bills, or uncertainty after a crash like this, you don’t have to take it on alone. We can help you get clear on your options, protect your rights, and make sure you’re not left carrying the burden of someone else’s mistake.

If you are injured in an accident, call Jaime “Mr. 786Abogado” Suarez today to Get You Paid!