In our increasingly technological world, it’s difficult for people to stay focused on the road. Distracted driving due to cell phone use, texting and other non-driving activities is a primary cause of motor vehicle accidents.
If you have been injured in a distracted driving car accident in San Diego, our firm offers free case consultations. Call today.
The details of a distracted driving case in San Diego are often complicated, and it is unlikely that the distracted driver will admit fault. An experienced lawyer and their team of expert crash investigators will figure out what happened in the moments before the crash in order to support your claim. For that to occur, an in-depth look must be taken into the driver statements and admissions, eyewitness statements, cell phone records, any surveillance video, and more. Your attorney will also skillfully handle the negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company to get the compensation you need for a healthy recovery.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts attention away from the primary task of driving. There are three main types of distracted driving:
Any action that takes one or both hands away from the steering wheel or other driving mechanisms. (e.g. eating or drinking, checking a cellphone, fixing makeup or hair, reaching into the back seat)
Any distraction that diverts a driver’s eyes from the road, even if it’s for a brief period. (e.g. collisions, pedestrians, road signs)
Referring to any loss of focus behind the wheel. The most common examples are daydreaming, dozing off, or falling asleep. This type of distracted driving can be tougher to prove in an injury claim since it is difficult to prove what a driver was focused on at the time of a crash.
These categories or distractions can all result in a major safety threat not only to drivers but to everyone who shares the road with them. The most common examples include:
In 2018, more than 2,800 people in the United States died due to distracted drivers.
Distracted drivers commonly cause the following three types of accidents:
1) Rear-end collisions: When a car hits the vehicle in front of them, this is known as a rear-end collision. A driver looking at their phone instead of the road ahead can easily hit the vehicle in front of them. These accidents commonly occur when approaching or stopped for a red light.
2) Side-impact collisions: Also called a T-bone collision, this type of accident occurs when the front end of a car hits the side of another vehicle. Side impact collisions often occur when a car is going through an intersection, and a distracted driver runs a red light or stop sign and hits them. Another common reason for side-impact collisions is when a distracted driver doesn’t yield to oncoming traffic while making a turn.
3) Head-on collisions: When the front of a vehicle comes into direct contact with the front of another vehicle, it’s called a head-on collision or a frontal crash. These accidents can take place when a distracted driver crosses the centerline of the road and hits an oncoming vehicle. One can also take place if a distracted driver is traveling on the wrong side of the road. Head-on crashes are more likely to cause serious injuries or fatalities than any other type of car accident.
Holding a San Diego distracted driver accountable involves building a strong case to prove they were negligent, meaning they did something wrong or failed to use reasonable care, and that you suffered injuries as a direct result.
Building your case will require an in-depth investigation to obtain critical evidence of fault, and there are several ways to determine that distracted driving contributed to a car accident, including:
The attorneys at CaseyGerry work tirelessly to bring justice to motorists who have been seriously harmed by the negligence of distracted drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving car accident in San Diego, we are ready to help. Contact our firm online for a free case evaluation, or by calling.
