Being injured by a texting driver can upend your life in an instant. Attorney Ryan Sulte at Sulte Law Firm understands the stress, pain, and uncertainty you’re facing. Our compassionate legal team is committed to helping accident victims like you secure justice and financial recovery.

Texting while driving is extremely dangerous because it combines visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. Even a quick glance at a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about five seconds. At 55 mph, that means traveling nearly the length of a football field without seeing what’s ahead. Texting drivers are six times more likely to cause crashes than drunk drivers, leading to thousands of injuries every year.

In Florida, distracted driving causes over 50,000 accidents annually, including hundreds each month here in Tampa and Hillsborough County. Local roads such as Interstate 4 (I-4), considered one of America’s most dangerous highways, and Interstate 275 experience frequent texting-related collisions.

Attorney Ryan Sulte has extensive experience representing victims of these crashes. Our Tampa traffic ticket defense lawyers investigate thoroughly, gathering critical evidence like cellphone records to prove driver distraction. We work with medical specialists to document your injuries and losses, negotiate firmly with insurance companies, and provide compassionate support every step of the way.

If you’ve been hurt by a texting driver, Attorney Ryan Sulte can help you reclaim your life and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Is Texting While Driving So Dangerous?

Texting while driving is uniquely dangerous because it distracts drivers visually, manually, and cognitively. A single text message takes a driver’s attention away from the road for roughly five seconds. At highway speeds, that’s enough time to cover an entire football field without seeing the traffic ahead.

Research shows texting drivers cause accidents at a rate six times higher than drunk drivers. Nationwide, nearly one in four car accidents results from texting behind the wheel, leading to thousands of serious injuries every year.

When drivers text, they cannot react quickly to changes in traffic or road conditions. This inability to respond promptly increases the severity of crashes, turning minor incidents into devastating collisions. That’s why Florida law strictly prohibits texting while driving to protect everyone on the road.

Is Texting While Driving Illegal in Florida?

Texting while driving is illegal in Florida. State law prohibits manually typing, reading, or sending messages while operating a vehicle. Initially treated as a secondary offense, Florida strengthened the law in 2019, making texting while driving a primary offense.

Under the current law, police can stop drivers specifically for texting behind the wheel. Penalties include a $30 fine for a first offense, increasing significantly for repeat violations within five years. Subsequent offenses can also add points to your driver’s license.

There are exceptions under Florida law allowing drivers to use GPS, hands-free voice commands, or text while the vehicle is stopped. However, actively reading or typing messages while moving is strictly prohibited. Violating this law not only leads to fines but can significantly impact liability in civil injury cases.

How Common Are Texting While Driving Accidents in Tampa?

Texting-related accidents happen frequently in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County. Each month, hundreds of crashes here involve distracted drivers. Statewide, Florida sees more than 50,000 distracted-driving incidents annually, causing thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths.

In 2021 alone, distracted driving resulted in 333 fatalities across Florida, the highest number in years. Tampa’s busy roads, including Interstate 4 (I-4) and Interstate 275, are especially vulnerable to serious collisions. I-4, in particular, is recognized as one of the nation’s deadliest highways due to the frequent distracted-driving crashes occurring there.

Texting accidents are preventable, making their prevalence even more troubling. Attorney Ryan Sulte regularly assists Tampa residents harmed by distracted drivers and knows firsthand the impact these crashes have on victims and their families.

What Are Common and Uncommon Accidents Caused by Texting Drivers?

Texting while driving contributes to numerous accident scenarios, from minor collisions to catastrophic crashes. Common accidents include rear-end collisions when drivers fail to notice stopped traffic, intersection crashes caused by running stop signs or red lights, and head-on collisions from drifting across center lines into oncoming traffic.

Less common, but equally dangerous scenarios include drivers hitting pedestrians or bicyclists they failed to see, multi-vehicle pileups on Tampa highways like I-275 or I-75, and collisions with parked or emergency vehicles stopped roadside. Additionally, distracted drivers can cause accidents in construction zones or run off the road entirely, striking fixed objects such as poles or buildings.

Attorney Ryan Sulte handles all types of texting-related accident cases, from typical rear-end crashes to unusual, complex incidents. Regardless of how the collision occurred, the underlying cause remains the same: drivers choosing to prioritize their phones over safety.

What Injuries Do Texting While Driving Accidents Often Cause?

Accidents caused by texting drivers frequently result in severe, life-changing injuries. Common injuries include whiplash and other neck injuries from sudden impacts, broken bones from forceful collisions, and head trauma, including concussions or traumatic brain injuries.

Victims often suffer serious spinal cord damage, potentially leading to paralysis or long-term disabilities. Internal injuries like punctured organs or internal bleeding can also occur, sometimes going unnoticed immediately after a crash. Psychological injuries, including anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are common but often overlooked consequences of texting-related accidents.

Attorney Ryan Sulte has extensive experience helping victims document these injuries thoroughly to pursue appropriate compensation. Prompt medical attention after an accident is critical, even if symptoms appear minor, as some injuries take time to fully manifest. Our firm ensures victims receive compensation covering all medical, emotional, and financial impacts of their injuries.

What Should I Do After a Texting While Driving Accident in Tampa?

Taking the right steps immediately after a texting accident helps protect your health and legal rights. First, call 911 to report the crash and seek medical attention, even if your injuries initially seem minor. Florida law requires medical care within 14 days to qualify for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage.

Document the accident scene by taking photos of vehicle damage, traffic signals, skid marks, and visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver, and gather contact details from any witnesses who saw the incident or noticed the driver texting.

Avoid discussing fault or responsibility at the scene, as these statements may harm your claim. Before speaking to insurance companies, contact Tampa texting accident attorney Ryan Sulte for guidance. Our legal team handles communication with insurers, investigates promptly, and preserves critical evidence, ensuring you get the full compensation you deserve.

What Compensation Can I Recover for a Texting While Driving Accident?

If you’ve been injured by a texting driver, you may recover compensation for several types of losses. These typically include medical expenses such as hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing rehabilitation. Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity due to injuries can also be recovered.

Additionally, you can pursue compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from your injuries. Property damage costs, including vehicle repair or replacement, are also claimable. In severe cases involving permanent disfigurement or loss of companionship with a spouse, further damages may be awarded.

Attorney Ryan Sulte thoroughly evaluates each case, consulting with medical and financial experts to ensure all your losses are accurately documented. Our goal is to secure a settlement or verdict that fully addresses your current and future needs, allowing you to move forward after your accident.

How Can I Prove the Other Driver Was Texting While Driving?

Proving the other driver was texting during your accident can significantly strengthen your claim. Attorney Ryan Sulte and our legal team know exactly how to gather and present critical evidence to show driver distraction. Key evidence we collect includes:

• Cellphone Records. We obtain the other driver’s phone records to confirm if texts were sent or received at the time of your crash.
• Witness Statements. Passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers may have seen the driver using their phone just before the accident.
• Traffic and Surveillance Footage. Traffic cameras or nearby security footage can capture visual evidence of the driver’s distraction.
• Vehicle Data Recorders. Data from vehicles involved can show driving patterns, sudden braking, or other signs consistent with distracted driving.

Ryan Sulte ensures this critical evidence is quickly secured and preserved. Clearly establishing the other driver’s texting not only strengthens your legal position but encourages insurers to provide fair and full compensation.

Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Also Using My Phone?

If you were using your phone at the time of your accident, you may still be eligible to recover compensation. Florida follows a comparative negligence system, meaning each driver’s level of fault is evaluated, and your compensation may be adjusted accordingly.

For example, if the other driver is determined to be 80% at fault and you are found 20% at fault, you would still recover compensation reduced by your percentage of responsibility. It is crucial not to assume you have no case simply because you were partially distracted.

Attorney Ryan Sulte can assess your situation carefully, minimize your portion of fault, and ensure the other driver’s negligence remains the focus. Before speaking to insurance companies or accepting a settlement, contact our firm for a free consultation. We will guide you compassionately through your options and help you pursue maximum recovery.

Contact the Sulte Law Firm today at (813) 223-4343 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.