According to a California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) survey, 58% of California drivers said they had been hit, or nearly hit, by a driver who was distracted while using a cellphone. Unfortunately, cellphones are only part of the problem. Every year, distracted driving causes countless accidents and injuries on Fresno roadways.
This does not have to be the end of your story. If a distracted driver has injured you, you could receive compensation under California law.
Here at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we believe the distracted driver who hit you should be held responsible for the physical, financial, and psychological trauma you have endured since your accident. A Fresno distracted driving accident lawyer at our firm could help you seek justice for your losses.
After representing countless accident victims over the years, we understand how the legal process can seem overwhelming, time-consuming, and expensive. That is why we are happy to handle your legal proceedings for you. Also, you do not have to pay us any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs if we do not win financial awards for you.
In the meantime, we hope you can focus on what truly matters after a serious car accident—your health, your family, and your future.
To learn more about taking legal action in Fresno, contact a Ben Crump Law, PLLC, team member today at (844) 730-0233, to schedule your free consultation.
Types of Compensation for Victims of Distracted Driving
If another driver is found liable for your distracted driving accident, they may be required to compensate you for your economic and non-economic damages.
Ultimately, California law allows you to seek compensation for many types of pain and suffering, including:
- Financial losses: Your financial losses could include medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and property damage.
- Mental anguish: Mental anguish includes your psychological hardships, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), loss of enjoyment of life, newfound insecurities, and more.
- Physical pain: Physical pain involves the discomfort you experienced during your accident and recovery and the chronic pain you will face.
- Damaged personal relationships: These include relationships with family members or spouses, including loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and more
- Assistance with long-term disabilities: This assistance could include rehabilitation programs, medical devices, and transportation methods to accommodate your needs.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving lawyer serving Fresno, call (844) 730-0233
Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents
According to OTS, when drivers text while behind the wheel, they take their eyes off the road for about 5 seconds on average. If they are driving 55 miles per hour during this time frame, that is the same as driving a football field’s length with their eyes closed.
Accounting for all the other internal and external distractions drivers face, it is easy to see why distracted driving accidents are so dangerous. Other common forms of distracted driving include:
- Driving long distances or driving while tired
- Changing the radio station
- Smoking and driving
- Scrolling through social media
- Daydreaming
- Focusing on accidents, scenery, or animals on the side of the road
- Eating behind the wheel
- Paying too much attention to passengers
Even if you witnessed the other driver being distracted before your accident, proving it in court can be challenging. Here at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we think a legal battle is the last thing you need to be worried about after a serious accident. A Fresno distracted driving accident lawyer could investigate your accident, gather evidence, and present our findings to the court.
To learn more about proving liability in distracted driving accidents, speak with a Ben Crump Law, PLLC, team member today to schedule your free consultation.
Fresno Distracted Driving Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
California’s Cell Phone Laws
According to the OTS, it is illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving on California’s roadways. However, it is legal to use hands-free methods such as speaker mode and voice controls if the phone is properly mounted. Even so, teenage drivers are not allowed to use a cellphone under any circumstances if they are under age 18.
California’s cell phone laws also detail more specific rules for drivers. They are as follows:
- Before you can legally use a cellphone while driving, the phone must be attached to a mount on the dashboard, center console, lower-right corner of the windshield, or lower-left corner of the windshield closest to the driver.
- If the phone is mounted, drivers can tap the screen one time to activate or deactivate a feature. It is illegal to use multiple taps to text, type, or scroll.
- It is legal to use in-vehicle communication systems installed by the manufacturer–even though it still causes a certain level of distraction.
- These laws still apply to stop signs and stoplights. Drivers must obey these cell phone laws unless they are at a full stop in a safe parking space.
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Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, Today for a Free Consultation
When you hire a Fresno distracted driving accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, our attorneys can provide legal services to manage your case. That includes representing your case in civil court, working on settlement negotiations, negotiating with insurance companies, assigning monetary values to your losses, and more.
While you consider your legal options, you should keep in mind that California Code of Civil Procedure (CCP) § 335.1 places a general two-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits that begins on the date of the accident. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, you could lose your right to seek compensation.
To get started with your free consultation today, call a Ben Crump Law, PLLC, representative at (844) 730-0233.
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