Collier County Distracted Driving Accident Victims’ Guide

What to Do After a Distracted Driver Collision in Collier County, FL

Distracted driving accidents continue to surge across Collier County, especially around Naples and Southwest Florida’s busy roadways. As a victim of a crash caused by someone distracted behind the wheel, you may be facing medical bills, emotional trauma, and lost wages. Here’s what you must do in the aftermath—and how to preserve your rights under Florida personal injury law.

Understanding Distracted Driving and Its Causes

Types of Distractions Behind the Wheel

Distracted driving takes many forms and is legally defined in Florida as anything that removes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind from driving. Categories include:

• Visual distractions – eyes diverted by texting, looking at GPS, rubbernecking at an accident or billboard.
• Manual distractions – hands engaged in texting, adjusting radio, eating, reaching for items.
• Cognitive distractions – daydreaming, talking on a hands‑free device, mental preoccupation.

Other common causes include interacting with passengers, grooming, drinking, adjusting onboard systems or pets—and even drowsiness or substance effects.

Why Distracted Driving Leads to Collisions

Texting while driving increases your crash risk by more than 23x, dialing a phone raises it nearly twelve‑fold, and reading messages increases risk by ten times. Even a few seconds of inattention at 55 mph is enough to travel the length of a football field without looking ahead.

2024–2025 Distracted Driving Statistics for Southwest Florida & Collier County

Recent official data paints a stark picture:

• Statewide in Florida, preliminary 2024 numbers indicate nearly 300 deaths and over 2,200 serious bodily injury crashes due to distracted driving.
• In 2023, Florida saw 3,275 fatal crashes and more than 324,800 injuries tied to distraction nationwide by NHTSA standards.
• In Naples‑area Collier County alone, more than 5,000 car accidents occur annually, with about 1,500 involving distracted drivers. That equates to roughly 10–12% of all local collisions.
• Across Southwest Florida counties (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Hendry), there were 94 traffic‑related deaths Jan 1 through spring 2024.

Every 44 seconds in Florida a crash occurs—and one in seven of those involves a distracted driver.

Steps for Victims of Distracted Driving Collisions in Collier County

Immediate Actions at the Scene

1. Check for injuries – call emergency medical services if anyone is hurt.
2. Report to authorities – request the Florida Highway Patrol or local sheriff to conduct a crash report.
3. Document the scene – photograph vehicle damage, road conditions, surrounding distractions, license plates, skid marks.
4. Gather witness information – names, phone numbers, vehicle descriptions.
5. Seek prompt medical care – even minor symptoms may indicate internal injuries or delayed onset trauma.

Building Your Legal Case

• Save any messages, call logs, or potential evidence showing the other driver’s distraction.
• If possible, request video footage from traffic or dashcams nearby.
• Don’t give recorded statements or sign any releases without speaking to an attorney.

Why Hire Pittman Law Firm, P.L. for Distracted Driving Claims?

Pittman Law Firm, P.L. serves injury victims across all counties of Southwest Florida, including Collier County and Naples, with offices conveniently located in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs.

• Southwest Florida expertise — the firm understands local crash patterns, insurance practices, and county-specific legal procedures.
• Personal injury focus — their attorneys concentrate on distracted driving, car accidents and related injury cases.
• Client-first commitment — they assign you directly to an experienced attorney, not a case manager.
• No fee unless you win — you don’t pay attorney fees unless they obtain compensation on your behalf.

Recovering Compensation for Your Losses

Victims of distracted driving accidents may be entitled to recover:

• Medical expenses – past and future treatment, hospital bills, therapy.
• Lost income – wages, reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering – physical pain, emotional distress, loss of quality of life.
• Vehicle damage – repair or replacement.
• Wrongful death claims – if a loved one died as a result of a distracted driver.

Pittman Law Firm, P.L. will conduct a thorough investigation and negotiate with insurers—or file a lawsuit if necessary—to maximize your recovery.

Serving Collier County Victims in Southwest Florida

With a strong presence in Southwest Florida & Naples, FL, and offices in Fort Myers and Bonita Springs, Pittman Law Firm, P.L. is well-positioned to serve clients across Collier County—from Naples and Marco Island to Immokalee and Everglades City.