If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s highly possible that the cause of the accident was a distracted driver. A driver only needs to take their eyes off the road or divert their attention for one or two seconds to end up in a crash with other vehicles. While using a cell phone to text or make a call is one of the most common examples of distracted driving, there are other reasons why a driver might fail to pay attention to the road and their surroundings.
Distracted Driving in California
Anything that diverts your attention from driving and being attentive to other drivers or potential hazards can put your life, the lives of your passengers, and the lives of other drivers who share the road with you in danger. Although there are many reasons why an individual might be distracted, some usual distractions include:
- Making a phone call;
- Texting or sending an email on your phone;
- Playing a game or using an app on your phone;
- Fixing your hair or applying makeup;
- Talking with a passenger;
- Watching a video;
- Navigating by using a GPS or map;
- Playing the radio, CD player, or another music system.
Of all these distractions, texting is considered one of the riskiest behaviors since you have to use your eyes, hands, and mind to type and send a text, and an average person takes their eyes away from the road for five seconds when texting.
Ban on Holding a Cell Phone in California
Fortunately for everyone sharing the road in California, since January 1, 2017, drivers have been prohibited from holding their phones while driving. The law expands upon previous laws that specifically addressed texting or talking while driving. With the new law prohibiting drivers from holding their cell phone for any purpose, not only can drivers not text or talk on their phones, but they are also prohibited from taking photographs, checking a map, or taking and playing videos. However, the law does allow drivers to use their phone if they are mounted on their dashboards or set up for hands-free use or voice activation.
The main reason for this new law is to decrease the risk that individuals will be involved in car accidents. As mentioned above, when someone takes their eyes and hands of the wheel for just a few seconds to use their cell phones, they can cause a devastating accident. When someone does use their cell phone, and they cause or contribute to a crash, they can be liable for any injuries or damages that others might sustain as a result.
Distracted Driving Accidents in California
If you’ve been involved in an accident that was caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to pursue damages through a personal injury claim against that driver. When pursuing this claim, you must be able to establish that the driver was negligent. This means that you have to prove that the driver had a duty to drive carefully, the driver failed to adhere to this duty, and that the failure was the cause of the accident and your injuries. Upon a successful claim, you may be able to obtain compensation for medical expenses, property damage, and other damages.
Call The Experienced Attorneys at the Law Offices of Matthew L. Taylor Today
If you have suffered injuries in an accident that you believe was caused by a distracted driver, you should contact an experienced Rancho Cucamonga car accident lawyer right away. Call the Law Offices of Matthew L. Taylor today at (909) 989-7774 to schedule your free consultation.
Matthew L. Taylor is an attorney based in Rancho Cucamonga, California. In addition to being an attorney, he has also acts as a Superior Court Receiver and Partition Referee and is a licensed real estate broker (DRE #02189284) in California.