Hollywood, Florida Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

When life hurts, we make it personal.

Distracted driving is one of the top threats on Florida roads, and it’s responsible for thousands of serious injuries and nearly 300 deaths each year. At Ansel & Miller, we deeply understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial impact of crashes caused by driver inattention. Our Hollywood distracted driving accident lawyers serve clients across South Florida, providing personal, compassionate representation backed by decades of experience in high-stakes claims.

Distracted Driving is Not Just Texting While Driving

Distracted driving isn’t only about texting. Safety experts categorize distractions into three types, and many examples of each exist:

• Visual: Taking your eyes off the road—e.g., looking at your phone, your GPS, a billboard, or a passenger.

• Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel—e.g., eating, adjusting music, tending to a child, picking up a dropped item, shuffling papers.

• Cognitive: Losing your mental focus—e.g., daydreaming, emotional distraction, or multitasking mentally.

Some distractions combine all three—like texting while driving or scrolling through social media, which multiplies the risk dramatically. A U.S. study found that texting makes a crash or near-crash 23 times more likely than undistracted driving. Sending or reading a text at 55 mph means you could travel the length of a football field with your eyes off the road.

Florida: Distracted Driving by the Numbers

Florida’s tragedy is unfortunately amplified by high traffic density and tourist volume. In 2023, the state saw nearly 300 deaths and over 2,200 serious injuries attributed to distracted driving, an increase from the previous year, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Distracted driving plays a part in about one in every seven traffic crashes statewide, a strikingly high rate. In 2023 alone, more than 6,600 citations were issued for texting while driving, and 158,000 for careless driving, up significantly since 2020.

On the national front, more than 3,275 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023.

Florida’s Texting and Hands-Free Laws: What You Need to Know

Florida law positions texting while driving as a primary offense, meaning officers can stop and ticket you solely for this violation. The key statutes include Section 316.305, which prohibits manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, or symbols on a handheld device—such as texting, emailing, or instant messaging—while driving. A first offense is a non-moving violation with a base fine of around $30. A second offense within five years is a moving violation, with a base fine of around $60, plus three points assessed on the driver’s license.

The other relevant statute is Section 316.306, which extends hands-free restrictions in school and active work zones. Any handheld use in these areas is prohibited. Violations are moving violations with base fines and three points.

Exceptions exist, for example, if a driver is using the device for navigation, reporting emergencies, using non-manual voice features, or operating while stationary. On the other end of the spectrum, legislation has been proposed to ban all handheld phone use while driving, making Florida a fully hands-free state, but such legislation has not passed into law.

How Distractions Lead to Serious Crashes

Visual, manual, and cognitive distractions all degrade driver response. Texting is especially dangerous because it checks all three boxes. National studies show that distracted drivers are less likely to react to brake lights, stop signs, pedestrians, or highway hazards, increasing the likelihood of high-impact or multi-vehicle crashes.

Teen and young drivers are most at risk. A national survey found that teens (15–20) have the highest rate of distraction at 7%, followed by young adults (21–44) at 6%, reflecting a combination of inexperience and heavy smartphone use.

Why You Need a Skilled Attorney After a Distracted Driving Crash in Hollywood

Distracted driving cases can be deceptively complex. Insurers often try to minimize your injury, blame you for not paying attention, or settle for too little, all before you realize the long-term costs.

At Ansel & Miller, we act swiftly and meticulously:

• We investigate if distraction was a factor, obtaining cellphone records, gathering witness and camera footage, and scrutinizing scene evidence.

• We work with medical experts to prove injury causation and project long-term care needs.

• We protect your legal rights and ensure frequent communication so insurers can’t pressure you during a vulnerable time.

• We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, which often leads insurers to settle more fairly.

Your recovery and the justice you deserve depend on someone who cares deeply and fights tirelessly.

What You Can Do Immediately After a Distracted Driving Crash

1. Seek medical attention right away. Some injuries (like concussions) may not show symptoms immediately, but early diagnosis and documentation are crucial.

2. Contact Ansel & Miller before giving statements to an insurance company. We can protect your rights and preserve critical evidence.

3. Keep records: medical bills, imaging, reports, repair estimates, and any contact with insurers.

Talk With a Hollywood Distracted Driving Crash Lawyer Today

If you’ve been injured or lost someone you love in a crash caused by a distracted driver, the road ahead can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to go it alone. At Ansel & Miller, when life hurts, we make it personal. We bring the legal experience, investigative rigor, and human compassion needed to help you rebuild.

Call our Hollywood office or contact us online today for a free consultation. Let us stand with you and pursue the full justice your case deserves.