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Driving on Florida roadways can be challenging. Accidents occur on a daily basis throughout the state, and the reasons for those accidents vary. In recent years, there has been an increased focus placed on distracted driving, especially with respect to cell phone usage and texting.

Fort Myers personal injury lawyer Randall Spivey knows that another common reason for accidents caused by distracted driving is rubbernecking. Many drivers do not realize the seriousness of rubbernecking, but one Florida family has had to deal firsthand with the tragic aftermath of a rubbernecking accident.

According to a news report, a Jacksonville grandfather was killed after a motor vehicle crashed into the back of his pickup truck, causing the truck to spin and flip over the railing of a bridge. Based on witness accounts, there had been an earlier accident that involved a jackknifed tractor trailer on the opposite side of the bridge. The driver of the automobile was said to have been rubbernecking at the time of impact with the grandfather's truck. The young driver of the car stated he was shocked and did not see the truck in front of him prior to the crash.

What is Rubbernecking?

"Rubberneckers" is a term that is commonly used to refer to drivers who gaze out of their vehicle windows at an incident that has occurred on the roadway, like police activity or a motor vehicle accident. All too often, individuals who rubberneck ultimately become involved in their own accidents because they are not paying attention to the road ahead of them.

A distracted driving study conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University in 2003 showed that rubbernecking was the primary cause of distracted driving accidents at that time. Today, rubberneckers are still a major cause of collisions and injuries.

Accident victims who have been injured by a driver who may have been distracted at the time of the accident are encouraged to speak with a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to learn more about their rights under the law.

The Injuries That Can Occur From a Rubbernecking Accident

Unfortunately for the pickup truck driver mentioned above, the rubbernecking incident cost him his life. However, for those who do not lose their lives to rubbernecking incidents, they may be forced to deal with very serious medical issues, including cervical spine injuries and other types of neck and back injuries. Since the majority of rubbernecking accidents are rear-end crashes, it is not uncommon for accident victims to need extensive surgeries and sometimes long-term care.

Anyone who has been injured due to a rubbernecking incident or any other type of collision may be entitled to receive compensation that can be used to cover lost wages and medical bills. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about your legal options under Florida law, contact a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. today.