Car accidents occur every day in California. A large number of these accidents are due to distracted driving, or when a driver does not dedicate 100 percent of his or her attention to the road and driving task. If you get hit by a distracted driver in Orange County, the distracted driving accident lawyers at Bridgford, Gleason, & Artinian can help you seek justice against the driver and pursue fair financial compensation for your losses.
Why Choose Us?
- Our Orange County car accident attorneys have significant experience handling cases involving negligent drivers. We understand how to navigate the specific legal issues involved in distracted driving cases.
- Collectively, our lawyers have more than 75 years of experience representing car accident clients. Our law firm has established an impressive record of success since we began in 1990.
- We know how to go up against car insurance companies during distracted driving accident cases and often settle cases for policy limits – or seek damages above policy limits at trial.
- You won’t pay your distracted driving accident lawyer anything in fees unless we win your case. We operate on a contingency fee basis, with $0 in fees charged upfront.
How an Orange County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
During a car accident insurance claim, it can be difficult to get an insurance company to treat you fairly. Car insurers put their profits first; they can use many tactics to try to convince a claimant to settle for as little money as possible. After a distracted driving accident occurs, you can benefit from hiring an attorney to negotiate with an insurance company for you.
Your lawyer can take over communications with an insurer to fight for a fair settlement for your losses. A law firm can also help you prove your case against a distracted driver, such as by obtaining the driver’s cell phone records or hiring car accident experts. Meanwhile, you can rest and recuperate from your injuries.
What Is Distracted Driving?
The act of operating a motor vehicle requires 100 percent of a driver’s focus and attention. If a driver’s attention is diverted from the driving task even marginally, this could be enough to delay his or her reaction times and cause a motor vehicle accident. Distracted driving is so dangerous because it interferes with a driver’s ability to notice and promptly respond to changing roadway situations. This can make it impossible for the driver to react in time to prevent a collision.
Examples of Driver Distractions
A motor vehicle driver could be distracted manually, visually or cognitively. Manual distractions describe anything that takes one or both of the driver’s hands off the wheel, such as holding food and drinks. Visual distractions remove a driver’s eyes from the road, while cognitive distractions engage the driver’s mind and take it away from vehicle operation.
Common types of driver distractions include:
- Reading or writing a text or email
- Taking photographs
- Watching a video
- Posting on social media
- Looking at a map or GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting the radio
- Personal grooming
- Reaching for objects inside the car
- Reading billboards
- Rubbernecking auto accidents
- Chatting with passengers
- Arguing or having intense conversations
- Dealing with children or pets in the back seat
- Daydreaming or getting lost in thought
It is a driver’s legal responsibility to avoid distractions, pay attention to the road and focus fully on the driving task. If a driver fails to meet these duties of care, he or she could cause a traffic accident. Drivers should pull over in a safe location to use handheld devices or engage in any acts other than driving.
What Is the Number One Driver Distraction?
Cell phone use is the deadliest type of driver distraction. A cell phone is a combination distraction: something that involves multiple types of distraction at the same time. Sending a text is a manual, visual and cognitive distraction. According to the National Safety Council, the percentage of drivers using handheld cell phones behind the wheel has increased 82 percent from 2013.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents?
Distracted driving is a major threat to the safety of road users in California. It is a common cause of deadly accidents in the state and throughout the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,308 lives were lost due to distracted driving in 2022. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, in 2021, 140 people were killed in fatal accidents involving a distracted driver – an increase of 27.3 percent from 2020.
Is Distracted Driving Against the Law in California?
While California does not have a law specifically against distracted driving, it does have rules prohibiting cell phone use while driving. It is against the law in California for any driver to use a handheld cell phone or another electronic device while driving. This includes to text and make phone calls. In addition, any driver under the age of 18 may not use a cell phone for any reason (except in emergencies), even if it is hands-free.
Who Pays for a Distracted Driving Accident in Orange County?
California is a fault state. This means that when a car crash occurs, the person or party at fault for the accident can be held responsible for paying for the victim’s injuries and losses. If the other driver involved in your accident was distracted, his or her car insurance company can be held liable for your losses, including medical bills and property damage.
However, you will have to prove your case against the driver based on a preponderance of the evidence. You or your car accident attorney must provide evidence showing that the other driver was multitasking behind the wheel and that this is what caused your collision. Proof in a distracted driving case may include cell phone records, eyewitness statements, surveillance footage, police reports and accident reconstruction. A lawyer can help you preserve and collect all necessary evidence.
Contact Our Attorneys for a Free Distracted Driving Accident Case Review in Orange County
A successful distracted driving accident case in Orange County could result in financial compensation for many past and future losses. It can hold a distracted and negligent driver accountable, as well as help you move forward with the financial compensation you need.
If you’ve recently been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver, contact Bridgford, Gleason, & Artinian for a free case consultation with an experienced attorney. We will review your case and help you understand your legal options at no cost or obligation. Call us at (949) 831-6611 today.