Distracted Driver Accident

Even though California state legislators have written laws that prohibit texting or talking on the cell phone while driving, people are still being injured in collisions where the guilty parties have done exactly that. Most people in America own cell phones, and even though they know they shouldn’t, they use them while they are on the roads. If you were hurt because someone was driving while distracted by his or her cell phone, it is time for you to contact a car accident attorney today.

What Is a Distracted Driver?

A distracted driver is someone who is engaged in an activity that takes his or her focus off of driving. Some of the most common activities that distracted drivers have been guilty of doing are the following:

• Using a cell phone
• Shaving or combing their hair
• Reading
• Eating or drinking
• Talking to the occupants of the vehicle
• Using their GPS systems
• Watching videos
• Changing stations on their radios
• Texting

The Three Types of Distractions

Drivers face three types of distractions: manual, visual and cognitive. Visual refers to the driver taking his or her eyes away from the road. Manual refers to taking one’s hands off of the steering wheel. Cognitive refers to the act of taking one’s mind off of driving.

Texting is the most dangerous action that anyone can perform while driving because when someone is texting, he or she is distracted visually, manually and cognitively.

When people take the opportunity to do any of the actions described above, everyone is in danger, including the driver, the passengers, and bystanders who are outside of the vehicle.

Distracted Driving Statistics

With the high prevalence of distracted driving, the streets have become extremely dangerous places for us to be, and the proof is in the statistics that the government has been gathering since 2014. For example, 3,179 people died in crashes that were caused by distracted drivers, and 431,000 people were injured.

Drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 have the highest numbers of accidents caused by distracted driving.  Drivers in their 20s encompass 27 percent of the distracted drivers, and 38 percent of these people were talking on their cell phones at the time of the crash.

Only 52 percent of drivers owned a cell phone in the year 2011. Just three years later, cell phone ownership amongst drivers grew to 80 percent. Most of these new cell phone owners were over the age of 40.

Call a Car Accident Lawyer Today

It is against the law to talk on a cell phone or text while driving, but many people do so anyway on California’s roads. If you were injured in a collision with a distracted driver, you must contact us at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting today.

At Rizio Lipinsky Heiting, we represent people who have been hurt by drivers who have been distracted in a myriad of ways. We are prepared to offer you our best advice and represent you aggressively to ensure that you receive everything you deserve from the guilty party.

Crashes caused by a distracted driver can result in very serious injuries, such as broken bones, brain injuries and even permanent disabilities. It is necessary that you hire a car accident attorney to represent you in this case because you may need money for medical attention for several years.

How an Attorney Can Help

A car accident attorney can help you have your vehicle repaired, but he or she can also make sure that you receive a sum of money for the time that you are unable to work. You could also receive compensation for the pain and suffering you are currently enduring.

If you lost a loved one in a car accident with someone who was distracted, a car accident attorney can help you too. You are entitled to receive an amount for end-of-life expenses, funeral expenses and the loss of your loved one’s salary.

Don’t delay seeking just compensation.  You can reach out to us here at Rizio Lipinsky Heiting by phone at 888-292-8888, or you can contact us online.

We have attorneys conveniently located throughout Southern California, including Riverside Car Accident Attorney, Orange County Car Accident Attorney, and San Bernardino Car Accident Attorney.