Distracted driving accidents in Sherman Oaks, CA, can result in serious injuries, even death. However, you don’t have to deal with this challenging time alone. We can help guide you through the claims process.
Fortunately, California law gives crash victims the right to seek injury compensation from any distracted drivers who hit them. A Sherman Oaks distracted driving accident lawyer from JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers can help you file and prove your claim. For more information, contact us today online or call us at (833) 852-3600.
How JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident In Sherman Oaks, CA
For over 40 years, JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers has helped injured clients in Sherman Oaks, California, seek justice and compensation from those responsible for bringing them harm. Our Sherman Oaks personal injury lawyers have over a century of combined legal experience and have helped recover hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
When you suffer an injury caused by another driver, our Sherman Oaks car accident lawyers will assist you through the following legal services:
- A free case review to advise you about your legal options
- An investigation of your case to gather evidence
- Preparation of an insurance claim and negotiation for a settlement
- Litigation against the at-fault party if a settlement is impossible
A distracted driver can damage your property and leave you with painful and disabling injuries. Do not hesitate to contact our Sherman Oaks car accident attorneys about the compensation you can seek from the at-fault driver and their insurer. Schedule a free consultation with a Sherman Oaks personal injury attorney.
Causes of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving occurs when drivers multitask. When their hands, eyes, or minds are occupied by an activity other than driving, such as the actions listed below, they lack the physical and mental abilities to control their vehicle safely:
Texting
Texting while driving requires an individual’s full attention, effectively leaving their vehicle driverless while they do so. At just 30 miles per hour, a car travels 44 feet per second, meaning many texters do not realize how quickly they are approaching danger.
Use of Devices
While texting is frequently blamed for distracted driving, it is not the only form of distraction. California’s hands-free law bars the use of handheld devices in any manner, including holding your phone to your ear while you talk.
People may believe that these restrictions prevent drivers from causing a crash while speaking on the phone, but research shows that the mental distraction of talking on the phone still impairs a driver as much as alcohol.
Surrounding Environment
Other common causes of distracted driving accidents include the following:
- Rubbernecking at events outside the vehicle
- Reaching for something inside the vehicle
- Adjusting settings for the climate control, sound system, or GPS
- Eating or drinking
- Doing your makeup or hair
A driver will have difficulty spotting approaching hazards and maneuvering around them while engaging in any of these activities.
Inattentive Driving
Inattentive driving, while related to distracted driving, is a distinct behavior. In particular, inattention occurs when the driver’s mind is occupied by internal thoughts as opposed to external distractions.
Some common causes of inattentive driving include:
- Routine
- Fatigue
- Highway hypnosis
- Upset emotions (sadness, worry, etc.)
In these cases, the driver’s brain goes into autopilot. While they may be able to drive a familiar route, such as their daily commute, without paying particular attention, they will not be able to react to changes in conditions. Thus, an inattentive driver might cause a pedestrian accident when turning because they failed to spot someone in the crosswalk.
Liability for Distracted Driving Collisions
The liability for a car accident depends on negligence law. A driver is liable for car accidents that result from a failure to exercise the care and caution expected of a reasonably prudent driver in the same situation. In other, simpler terms, drivers who fail to drive with reasonable care are typically liable for any subsequent consequences.
Distracted driving is a well-known problem; students learn about avoiding distractions in driver’s education courses, and media campaigns encourage drivers to put down their phones. California laws prohibit handheld cell phone use while driving. Every reasonable driver knows to avoid distractions.
When drivers ignore these warnings and multitask while driving, they act negligently. That means crash victims can pursue financial compensation from them to cover their medical bills, earnings losses, and their pain and suffering.
Contact Our Sherman Oaks Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
You may suffer significant financial losses and health difficulties after a distracted driver crashes into your vehicle. Contact JUSTICENTER Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Sherman Oaks distracted driving accident attorney to learn how we can help you pursue injury compensation under California law.
