Technology has improved our lives in countless ways, but recent technological changes have led to a spike in distracted driving accidents across the country, including here in Santa Ana. Cellphones, GPS systems, car stereos, and other distractions keep drivers from focusing on the road, preventing them from noticing potential hazards and making crashes much more likely. Furthermore, distracted drivers often inflict much more harm in a crash than they suffer themselves, leaving others to bear the cost of their negligent actions.
At DJA Injury Lawyers, our Santa Ana distracted driving lawyers are committed to holding careless drivers accountable for their actions. Our team can investigate the crash to gather evidence showing how the other driver was distracted and caused your injuries. From there, we’ll file an insurance claim against the distracted driver and any other liable parties.
We’re skilled negotiators and can push back against insurance company tactics to deny your claim or reduce your compensation. If necessary, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court to defend your rights. Call (949) 229-7228 now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
Why Is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?
While driving is a casual activity for many people, drivers must be aware of their actions and what’s happening around them at all times. Sudden hazards can appear at any time, and drivers may have a fraction of a second to react.
What makes distracted driving so dangerous is that it diverts drivers’ attention from keeping themselves and others around them safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three main types of driver distractions:
- Visual – A visual distraction is anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road. Drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road can easily miss oncoming hazards, such as a car that stops suddenly in front of them.
- Manual – Manual distractions are things that cause a driver to take one or both hands off the wheel. A common example of a manual distraction is when a driver takes one hand off the wheel to adjust the stereo in their car.
- Cognitive – A cognitive distraction is something that keeps the driver from concentrating on maintaining control of their car. For example, a driver who is busy talking to a passenger might not notice a cyclist or pedestrian in their path.
Many of the most common driver distractions in the modern world encompass two or even all three of these types. For instance, a driver who’s texting or talking on the phone must take one hand off the wheel, look at their phone, and concentrate on their phone call or text message for at least a few seconds. Unfortunately, a moment’s inattention is more than enough for a distracted driver to cause a crash.
California Distracted Driving Laws
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, drivers in California cannot use a cell phone or other electronic device while holding it in their hand. Hands-free systems and voice commands are allowed as long as the driver does not have the device in their hand. Drivers under 18 cannot use a cell phone or other device while driving under any circumstances.
Common Types of Distracted Driving Accidents
Common types of accidents involving distracted drivers in Santa Ana include:
- Rear-End Collisions – A distracted driver looking at their phone or adjusting the radio may not notice that traffic has slowed or stopped, leading to a rear-end crash.
- Intersection Accidents – Drivers distracted by texting, eating, or talking may run red lights or stop signs, causing dangerous T-bone crashes.
- Lane Drifting Crashes – A driver who takes their eyes off the road may drift into another lane, causing them to sideswipe another car or force a vehicle off the road.
- Head-On Collisions – If a distracted driver crosses the centerline, they could collide head-on with an oncoming vehicle. These crashes are particularly dangerous and often result in severe injuries or deaths.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents – A driver looking at their phone may fail to see a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a cyclist in a bike lane, causing them to collide with the person in their path.
- Failure to Stop Accidents – Drivers distracted by conversations or in-car entertainment may not notice slowing traffic, leading to crashes at stop signs, crosswalks, or yield signs.
- Highway Merging Accidents – A distracted driver merging onto a highway may fail to check their blind spots or misjudge their speed, causing a dangerous collision.
How Do You Prove a Driver Was Distracted?
Proving a driver was distracted when they hit you requires compelling evidence. Your attorney can gather this evidence for you, which could include:
- Cellphone Records – Phone logs can show if the driver was texting, making a call, or using an app at the time of the crash, indicating they were distracted.
- Traffic or Surveillance Footage – Cameras at intersections, businesses, or nearby homes sometimes capture drivers looking down or holding a phone before impact.
- Witness Statements – Passengers, other drivers, or pedestrians may have seen the at-fault driver looking away from the road, holding a device, or engaging in other distractions.
- Police Reports – Officers responding to the crash may note signs of distraction, such as an open phone app or food spilled in the driver’s seat.
- Social Media Activity – If the driver posted, liked, or commented on social media posts right before the crash, it could be evidence they were distracted.
- Driver Admissions – In some cases, drivers admit to being distracted at the scene, either to police, other drivers, or witnesses.
Compensation for a Distracted Driving Accident in Santa Ana
Our attorneys can do a thorough assessment of your losses from a distracted driving accident to maximize your claim’s value. With our help, your compensation could include money for:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- The cost to repair or replace your vehicle or other damaged property
Deadline to File a Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit
In most cases, California law gives you two years from the date of a distracted driving accident to sue the distracted driver or other liable parties. We recommend you speak to an attorney immediately so they can collect and preserve essential evidence from the crash scene.
Contact Our Santa Ana Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys
Our skilled car accident attorneys are ready to protect your rights and help you fight for fair compensation after a distracted driving accident. Call DJA Injury Lawyers now at (949) 229-7228 for a free case review, or you can reach out online.