California Distracted Driving Accidents
Getting hit by a distracted driver creates an extremely dangerous situation. They may have been speeding, not paying attention to the road, ignoring stoplights or swerving into other lanes. These accidents tend to be very serious.
At Collier Law Firm in Mill Valley, our personal injury attorneys represent people injured by distracted driving accidents in the Bay Area. Our comprehensive car accident practice includes all types of vehicle accidents and injuries. With our experienced, caring lawyers on your side, you will have knowledgeable representation throughout your distracted driving case. We will seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What Counts As Distracted Driving In California?
There are many actions that constitute distracted driving in California. Whether the driver was not looking at the road, had their hands off the steering wheel or was thinking about things other than driving, they likely were driving while distracted.
In addition to texting while driving, distracted driving is also:
- Using a GPS
- Switching radio stations or changing music on a smartphone
- Talking to passengers
- Tending to children
- Securing pets
- Eating or drinking
- Looking in the mirror
These types of actions can result in devastating accidents, such as head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, side-swipe accidents, rear-end accidents, multivehicle accidents, rollovers and being run off of the road. In addition, people on motorcycles and bikes and those who are pedestrians may be injured by a distracted driver.
California Distracted Driving Laws
With some of the harshest penalties in the U.S., California drivers are held to strict laws regarding distracted driving, including:
- Drivers may not hold or use wireless phones, computers or other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. This is also true at stoplights and in stopped traffic.
- All devices must be secured to the dashboard or windshield while still allowing the driver to see clearly.
- Any interactions with the device must be no more than one tap or swipe.
- Drivers under age 18 are not allowed to use any of these devices while they are operating a motor vehicle, even if the device is in hands-free mode.
Failure to follow these laws can result in fines, points on your license and increased auto insurance rates.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault?
Yes, in California you can recover compensation if you are partially at fault for the accident. Under California’s comparative negligence law, you can still get compensation even if you are partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault you have. For example, if you were 50% at fault, your share of an $80,000 settlement would be $40,000.
Let Us Help You After A Distracted Driving Accident
Our lawyers can help with all distracted driving accidents, including those involving wrongful death. For a free consultation, call us in Mill Valley at 628-600-7204 or contact us online.