Florida Highway Patrol officials believe a West Palm Beach, Florida woman who supposedly changed a CD in her car while driving on Florida’s Turnpike Monday afternoon caused a collision that killed a 63-year-old Riviera Beach woman.
The 55-year-old West Palm Beach woman allegedly told troopers she was changing a CD in her car’s CD player when the accident occurred near Kissimmee. The woman’s car apparently drifted and struck the other woman’s SUV, causing it to roll over.
The Riviera Beach woman was pronounced dead at the scene. She was carrying two passengers in her SUV that suffered minor injuries.
FHP has not made it clear if the woman accused of distracted driving will be charged.
Florida distracted driving wrongful death automobile accidents are caused frequently by the following:
• Toying with a CD player, MP3 player, iPod or any other type of device that plays music
• Using a cell phone to call or text someone
• Eating and drinking
• Fiddling with knobs on the radio
• Applying make-up
• Reading maps or directions
• Talking to passengers
• Accessing a navigation system
• Watching television or videos
Auto Accidents can be caused by any distraction that takes the driver’s attention off the road.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the three main types of driver distraction have been identified as visual, manual and cognitive. Visual distractions cause a driver’s eyes to wonder away from their first priority – the road. Manual distractions happen when a driver takes their hands off of the wheel to engage in some other type of activity. Lastly, cognitive distractions occur when a motorist loses mental focus on what they are doing.
Some driver distractions, like changing a CD while driving, involve all three elements. A person must visually identify the correct CD, manually grab it and insert it into the CD player and press play. As all these actions are carried out, a driver’s eyes leave the road, their hands are removed from the steering wheel and their mind is coordinating the proper actions. The end result can be a fatal disaster.
If your loved one was the victim of wrongful death, the Florida Distracted Driving Attorneys can analyze every piece of information regarding the accident and apply that knowledge towards increasing compensation opportunities for medical bills, property repairs, disability, loss of income and pain and suffering. There is a narrow amount of time to proceed with a lawsuit following an accident, so it is best to contact Whittel & Melton immediately after an accident has occurred.
If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Florida car accident due to a distracted driver, contact the Florida Distracted Driving Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or reach us statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529).