In 2018, an estimated 400,000 people in the United States were injured and almost 3,000 were killed in car accidents involving distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Distracted driving is a serious problem nationwide and in California, and if you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you need an attorney who understands the legal strategies that give you the best chance of obtaining the compensation you need and deserve.
Distracted driving refers to any situation in which a driver removes his or her attention from driving to focus on another task. One well-known cause of distracted driving is cell phone use, especially texting, which can remove a driver’s eyes from the road for five seconds or more. In California, texting while driving and any other handheld cell phone use is against the law. Other common distractions are not explicitly forbidden, but they can be dangerous, nonetheless. Some of the most frequent causes include:
Looking at a GPS device
Reading a map or directions
Interacting with a passenger
Adjusting the radio or other vehicle controls
Eating or drinking
Grooming or checking your appearance in the mirror
Looking at something outside of the vehicle
After an accident with a distracted driver, it can often be challenging to establish that the driver’s distraction caused the accident. Hiring an attorney soon after the accident often gives you the best chance of collecting the evidence you may need to show that the other driver was at fault. In many cases, the observations of a law enforcement officer recorded in a police report can be important evidence, as can the testimony of witnesses to the accident, including passengers in the distracted driver’s vehicle. In cases involving cell phone use, your attorney may be able to obtain the driver’s phone records to demonstrate that the driver was using the phone at the time of the accident.
It may not always be necessary to demonstrate the specific cause of the distraction in order to show that the other driver was negligent. For example, if the driver drifted into another lane or failed to stop in time to avoid a collision despite an adequate distance between vehicles, this alone may be considered a breach in the driver’s duty of care to others on the road, regardless of the reason.
If you were injured in an accident and you believe the other driver was distracted, Attorney John J. Garvey can help. He will assist you with thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the accident and gathering as much evidence as possible to demonstrate fault so you can receive adequate compensation. Contact our knowledgeable and compassionate San Jose, CA car accident lawyer today at 408-293-7777 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/campaigns/distracted-driving-april/#:~:text=In%20California%2C%20you%20cannot%20use,cell%20phone%20for%20any%20reason.
While this website provides general information, it does not constitute legal advice. The best way to get guidance on your specific legal issue is to contact a lawyer. To schedule a meeting with the attorney, please call at 408-293-7777 or complete the intake form below.