Attorney’s Bernard F Walsh and Beth DeWitt of SGBW were asked by a local high school student, Patrick Lawn, from Anclote High School, to respond to an inquiry about distracted driving and its effect on culpability and liability.

Mr. Walsh and Ms. DeWitt spoke to Patrick about the many distractions of drivers today. With the integration of cell phones in our society, texting and driving has become as dangerous as drinking and driving.

Employers can also be held liable if an employee gets into an accident while talking or texting on the phone for work related business.

Attorney’s today will contact wireless companies for a log of how a person’s cell phone is used. The records will show if the person was talking or texting at the time of an accident.
Mr. Walsh’s said, “even though Florida has failed to pass legislation making texting and driving illegal, it is strong evidence of negligence and distracted driving in civil cases for negligence such as auto collisions.”
About Injury Lawyer Bernard F. Walsh

Mr. Walsh, an AV Preeminent® rate attorney has been listed in Avvo, an attorney rating site, as Superb; . Mr. Walsh is listed in Top Lawyers of America, National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, and inducted into The Southern Trial Lawyers Association. He has also won the largest playground recovery, one of the top three motorcycle recoveries, and the second largest daycare center recovery in the State of Florida. He is also a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is a group of attorneys who have achieved career case successes that include multi-million dollar recoveries, settlements and/or verdicts. Mr. Walsh is currently a partner at the Florida law firm of Shapiro Goldman Babboni & Walsh where he represents injured clients all over Florida from his office in Bradenton. Mr Walsh stays active in the Florida legal community in many

About Elisabeth A DeWitt

Beth DeWitt was a member of the Trial Advocacy Board at Cumberland School of Law. The Trial Advocacy Board organized mock trial competitions, as well as mediation and arbitration competitions to help hone students’ lawyering skills. She was also a member of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) at Valdosta State University. SIFE organizes and performs community service projects. Ms. DeWitt participated in over 20 such projects ranging from teaching senior citizens how to become more computer literate to helping 5th graders open their own business. The Valdosta State University SIFE team was 3rd in the nation in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Ms. DeWitt was honored with the Most Outstanding Senior Economics Student award from Valdosta State University. Elisabeth DeWitt Has Been Awarded The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in 2012