For most of us who drive on a regular basis, it’s no big deal. We get in our automobile and we go to wherever we need to get to without even thinking much. We play with the radio, making sure to find our favorite songs. Maybe check a text message or two, possible even send a few texts. Driving and texting can’t be that hard right? We chat on the phone, looking down to dial the digits only for a brief moment. No big deal right? Until you have been involved in a serious accident, that’s probably the way you think.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were over 43,000 motor vehicle accidents in Miami Dade in 2008. That breaks down to about 118 accidents per day in the Miami-Dade County area alone. There were 271 fatalities resulting from those accidents, and thousands of people who were seriously injured. Of those deaths, 85 were alcohol related accidents. In all of Florida, there were nearly 3,000 fatal car accidents and 200,000 injuries.

Consider these statistics the next time you get behind the wheel or even if you’re driving with someone else who is obviously distracted by doing other things while they are driving. Especially texting while driving, where studies show it’s more dangerous than drunk driving. A little scary isn’t it? Accidents happen everyday and will continue to happen. Make sure you are doing your part to avoid them by not paying attention while driving. Auto accidents lead to all types of injuries including soft tissue injuries, spinal cord injuries, brain injury, loss of limbs and death.