In San Fernando, it is common to see other drivers looking at their smartphones while they are driving or while they are stopped at stoplights. It is illegal for people to use handheld cell phones while they drive, and it is also illegal for people who are under the age of 18 to use any type of electronic device while they drive, including hands-free phones. Using smartphones while you are driving is dangerous and can cause accidents. If you are injured in a cell phone car accident San Fernando, it is important for you to get help from one of our San Fernando Valley accident lawyers. Our attorneys have the experience and skills needed to help you to recover compensation for the losses that you have suffered.
How Common Are Cell Phone Car Accidents in San Fernando?
Accidents that are caused by distracted driving are far too common in San Fernando as well as in the rest of the nation. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 92.8 percent of people surveyed reported witnessing other drivers talking on their cell phones on a regular basis. The San Fernando Police Department stated that distracted driving is a major component of the accidents that are investigated by the patrol division. The California Office of Traffic Safety reports that 80 percent of motor vehicle accidents are caused by some type of driver inattention, and cell phone use is the leading cause of distracted driving accidents.
Proving Liability in Cell Phone Accident Cases
If you are able to prove that the other driver was using his or her cell phone just prior to the accident, you may have a high likelihood of success in prevailing in your claim. Our valley accident lawyers have a strong record of proving liability in cell phone accident claims in San Fernando and the surrounding area. We understand how to investigate these claims and to recover evidence from the cell phone records of the negligent drivers so that we can show his or her use of the phone in the moments leading up to the accident. We may work with accident reconstruction experts to show exactly what occurred just prior to and during your accident to help to prove the liability of the driver who caused your accident.
How Drivers are Distracted by Their Cell Phones
While the fact that texting and driving is dangerous has been widely reported, fewer people realize that talking on their cell phones while they drive is also dangerous. According to the National Safety Council, an estimated 1.1 million crashes in 2010 happened when people were talking on their phones while they were driving. Talking on a phone while driving is distracting to drivers because it takes their cognitive attention away from driving. When people are not focused on driving, their reaction times are slower, and they may not notice impending hazards in time to avoid them.
Texting while driving takes people’s cognitive, manual and visual attention away from the road. In the five seconds it takes on average to text, The California OTS reports your vehicle will travel the length of a football field at 55 mph. In addition to talking and texting, phones may distract drivers in other ways. Many people use their phones while they are driving to check maps and GPS coordinates or to check their social media pages. Anything that takes your visual, cognitive or manual attention away from the road while you are driving is distracting and dangerous.
When Should You Call Our Cell Phone Accident Lawyers in San Fernando Valley?
While California law gives you up to two years after your injury accident to file a personal injury claim against a driver who was talking on a cell phone and caused your accident, it is crucial for you to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. When you contact one of our lawyers quickly, we may be able to find witnesses to your accident and ask for important evidence to be preserved. This can help us to build a much stronger case that proves the liability of the other driver.
If you have suffered an injury in an accident that was caused by a driver who was using his or her cell phone, it is important for you to contact us as soon as possible. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation so that you can learn about the rights that you might have.
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If you or a loved one has been injured, you will want a top rated San Fernando Valley personal injury attorney that understands how to get the maximum compensation you deserve. Our pledge is to be your partner, and provide passionate, yet skillful legal representation needed to win your case. Contact our highly trained personal injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.
