Don’t let insects or spiders in your car distract you so much you cause an accident warns Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

It’s summer in Florida and along with the tourists insects and spiders seem to be coming out of the woodwork. By one estimate there are more than 400 types of insects in Florida and some of them may hitch a ride with you in your car. All types of insects look for a safe and dry refuge during the summer rainy season and cars are the perfect place to nest. If you find yourself in a vehicle with an insect or spider, even one that may really freak you out, don’t freak out behind the wheel says Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

Drivers being distracted by spiders is a documented cause of car accidents.

1. The Broward Sheriff’s Office announced that a June car crash in Cooper City happened after the driver saw a spider in the car. The car hit a light pole, knocking it onto the street, reports the Associated Press.
2. A driver panicked and crashed his car in May in Ephrata Township, Pennsylvania, because he thought there was a spider in his lap. Lancaster Online states the driver reported to police he lost control of the vehicle which struck a utility pole. The driver wasn’t injured but the car had to be towed from the scene.
3. A spider dropping down from the rearview mirror caused a driver to lose control of her car, which went off the road and rolled over in Portland, Oregon, in September, according to CNN. The driver suffered minor injuries but the car was severely damaged.

United Kingdom auto insurer Esure released a survey of a thousand motorists in 2007 which spelled out how drivers are distracted by bugs and respond in ways that may cause accidents, according to Automotportal.

• 75% of those surveyed stated that bugs drove them to distraction,
• 4% admitted to slamming on the brakes when an insect flew into their car,
• 21% stated they took their hands off the wheel to swat at an unwanted bug,
• Women were more distracted by insects while driving (78%) than men (70%) but men admitted to more insect-related accidents than women, and
• 51% of respondents stated they had never been stung before or haven’t been stung in the last ten years and the fear of a serious allergic reaction caused them to get so distracted.

Many of us have phobias about insects and spiders and our reaction to them can be much worse when we’re in a car. Our fears and anxieties can intensify because we’re in an enclosed space, possibly causing a severe response and panic, resulting in being distracted and losing control of the car.

Esure suggests that if you find an insect in your car while driving,

• Focus on driving, not the bug,
• Open the windows so it can get out of the car on its own accord or safely pull over and open the windows, and
• Try not to panic and swat at the insect to try to force the insect away. It will distract you from driving, make you feel more frantic, may irritate the insect and increase the chances of being stung.

We all need to be as rational as possible when we’re driving, even if a spider appears on the dashboard, your kids are screaming at each other in the back seat or another driver cuts you off. Distraction causes accidents which can result in serious injuries or deaths. That accident you cause may inflict far more harm than a bug bite.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury caused by a distracted driver, contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 293-2600 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss your case, how the law may apply and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your injuries.