Finding a qualified and experienced Los Angeles car accident attorney can be difficult. Wilshire Law Firm is here to help!
Distracted driving was responsible for countless car accidents in 2019, as well as almost 3,000 fatal crashes. You’re not alone; get the justice and compensation you deserve with the help of legal professionals.
Most Common Driving Distractions
When examining the causes of a distracted driving accident, we need to first examine the different types of driving distractions:
1. Visual Distraction
We define “visual distraction” as distracted driving behaviors that happen when drivers are not looking at the road. Whether it be from texting or from admiring the model of the car next to them, driving without looking at the road can result in serious, sometimes fatal accidents. Becoming visually distracted is a primary cause of distracted driving accidents and serious injury.
2. Cognitive Distraction
Cognitive distraction is a result of driver’s attention not being entirely on the road, and is a main cause for personal injury car accidents. An example of this could be anything from thinking about what you’re going to eat for dinner that night to wondering how your significant other is doing at work!
Driving is such an essential and normalized part of society that people often forget that every single time they operate a vehicle, they are responsible for their life and the lives of the people around them.
3. Manual Distraction
Manual distractions occur any time the driver takes their hands off the wheel. This form of driving is especially common, and extremely dangerous!
If you have operated a vehicle or even been driven in one, you have likely seen or experienced manual distractions. Some common examples include drinking or eating while driving, or trying to grab something that dropped.
As you have probably already inferred, most distracted driving incidents involve more than one of these types of distractions. Texting and driving involves every single one!
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What Causes Distracted Driving?
There are an infinite number of causes that may result in distracted driving. It’s important to try and refrain from doing anything else when you’re driving, and to take note and steer clear of neighboring drivers who are being irresponsible on the road. Some of the most common causes of distracted driving and personal injury include:
- Talking on the phone;
- Texting and looking at instant messages;
- Drinking or eating;
- Changing radio stations;
- Talking to passengers in the car;
- Grabbing an item from the backseat of the vehicle;
- Applying makeup;
- Dealing with children;
- Watching an auto accident happening on the side of the road.
Texting And Driving Laws In California
California is one of few states that have numerous strict and enforceable text and driving laws. If you are an accident victim, you must know the laws that protect you. California law includes, but are not limited to:
California Vehicle Code 23123
This vehicle code states, “A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving”. This means that any use of a cell phone while driving (using GPS, texting etc.) is completely prohibited.
California Vehicle Code 23124
This code dictates that if the driver is under 18, they are prohibited from using a cell phone “even if equipped with a hands-free device”. Multiple studies have shown that people under 18 are statistically far more likely to get into car accidents than any other age group, and cell phone use only increases the odds of distracted driving.
California Vehicle Code 23123.5
This code bans all forms of texting while driving (except when it is completely hands-free). California law recognizes texting while driving as one of the most dangerous causes of distracted driving.
There are many laws and codes in place to ensure that distracted drivers are penalized for not being responsible while operating a vehicle. Call Wilshire Law Firm today to learn about the motor vehicle laws that are designed to protect you.
What To Do After A Distracted Driving Accident In Los Angeles
- Call 911 and/or Get Medical Help
If you are involved in a serious accident, you must contact the appropriate authorities so that the event can be documented and victims can receive immediate medical treatment. Your health and well-being need to be your primary concern right now! - Take Pictures of the Accident Scene and your Injuries
It is incredibly important to document the accident scene. Have your cell phone on hand to take pictures of your motor vehicle damage, the scene around the crash, and any potential injuries. Having pictures as extra evidence can make all the difference in your injury case. - Obtain the Contact Information of All Eyewitnesses
If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, you need to move quickly to obtain their contact information. They could be very helpful resources for a car accident attorney to use to help you get justice in your case. - Request a Copy of the Police Reports
Make sure that you ask for a copy of the police reports surrounding your accident and crash, as soon as you can! These documents are vital for determining fault and/or negligence in your case. - Keep All Documentation of Your Medical Expenses
If you have expensive medical fees and costs from your insurance company, we will need to take that into account when examining your accident and personal injury case. If the accident is not your fault, you should not be responsible for paying for your injury care! - Ask for Other Driver’s Insurance Card and Contact Information
You will need this information as we go forward with your case, and get you the compensation you deserve. - Contact Wilshire Law Firm
Make sure you set up a consultation with one of our distracted driving accident lawyers immediately. If you were involved in a Los Angeles car accident, you need a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer to get you the financial compensation you deserve. Let us fight for YOU!
How Our Distracted Driving Attorney Can Help
At Wilshire Law Firm, we are not just dedicated to informing the public of the dangers of distracted driving, we are also vigilant in our efforts to defend the rights of those innocent individuals who are seriously injured in distracted driving car accidents due to no fault of their own.
Have you or a loved one been hit by a distracted driver? Whether it be a car accident, a truck accident, or one of the hundreds of motorcycle accidents that happen each year – you may be entitled to economic or punitive damages for your injury claim.
Are you struggling to pay off the resulting medical bills and other expenses? Has your life changed for the worse because of someone else’s negligence? You should not have to suffer the catastrophic injury consequences alone.
The other driver owes you for the pain and economic damages he or she has caused you and your family. If you are a car accident victim please contact our office today and let us:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding your auto accident to extract evidence that strongly supports your car accident claim.
- Negotiate a full and fair settlement deal with the insurance company.
- If negotiations don’t work out, fight aggressively for you in court to net you an optimal verdict for your injury claim.
To receive a free consultation with a personal injury attorney, Fill out our online form or call us at (866) 877-4189. Take action!
