Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Ariel Law Group Will Fight ForYour Rights In Distracted Driving Accident Cases

Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Serving California

Whether someone texts, talks on the phone, applies makeup, or adjusts the controls on the dashboard, they take their mind off the road and make themselves more likely to be involved in an accident. The maximum amount of time drivers can safely divert their attention from the road is two seconds, yet drivers routinely attend to other things.

Texting, for example, takes an average of 5 seconds while driving and increases the risk of crashing by 23 times (NHTSA, 2018), while dialing a phone increases the chance of a crash by 12%. Many states prohibit texting or talking with a hand-held phone but even using a hands-free electronic device is four times more distracting than talking to an adult passenger (Driver’s Alert, 2017).

While the phone is a major source of distraction, drivers have other distractions as well:

• Engaging with cell phone apps such as Snapchat, Pokemon Go, or Waze can encourage people to pay more attention to virtual creatures on the road by reporting traffic conditions than watching the road.
• Attending to a child can be 12 times more distracting than talking on a cell phone.
• Over 80% of drivers admit to dangerous behavior while driving, such as changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails, or even shaving.
• The most frequent (62%) cause of distracted driving crashes is being lost in thought or letting your mind wander (TeenSafe, 2018).
• Driving while crying or visibly angry increased the risk of crashing by 10 times (Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, 2016).

Most of these behaviors seem innocent enough, but the results can be deadly. If you have been injured by a distracted driver, Ariel Law Group will fight for a fair settlement for you.

*Unless otherwise noted, the statistics used were compiled here from various sources

Do I need to hire a distracted driving accident lawyer?

If you have an injury as a result of a distracted driving accident, the short answer is yes. In these cases, it’s best to begin by consulting with a personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with distracted driving cases. 

Due to shock and other things that may be on your mind in the immediate aftermath of an accident, injuries aren’t always immediately noticeable. They make take time to appear and when they do, they may cause debilitating pain. This is why it’s crucial to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your options. 

If you’ve been in a distracted driving accident that has affected your ability to work, required emergency medical care, or required hospitalization, it’s time to speak to a California distracted driving lawyer.

What should I do after a distracted driving accident?

• Call 911 to request police officers and/or emergency vehicles.
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Get information about the other parties involved in the accident.
• Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and the injuries of others involved. Take photos of the scene as well, including traffic signals and street signs.
• Do not sign any documents or give any statements to any insurance representative without first speaking to your lawyer.
• Do not apologize. This can be used to prove that you were at fault, even if you were not.
• Do not admit fault.
• Keep all accident-related medical bills stored together in a secure place. These will be provided to your lawyer to help determine the financial compensation you are entitled to.
• Contact and hire an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. 

Sticking to this checklist in the event of a distracted driving accident will help you ensure that your rights will be protected and you’ll get the compensation you deserve.

Will I be able to get compensation even if I am partly to blame for the accident?

Yes. California is a comparative negligence state, which means that any person involved in a vehicular accident might be responsible for a percentage of the blame.

As your distracted driving accident lawyer, part of our job is to prove that your negligence was as small as possible to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. The comparative negligence principle applies to most personal injury cases in California.

What types of compensation may I be entitled to?

• Past and future medical bills related to injuries sustained in the distracted driving accident. This includes hospital bills, ambulance bills, physical therapy, consultations with specialists, in-home care services, and psychiatric counseling
• Past and future lost wages resulting from the accident.
• Property damage. In the case of a distracted driving accident, this refers to compensation for the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
• Pain and suffering resulting from physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. 
• Punitive damages if the accident was the result of malicious or willful actions.

What if I am undocumented and/or don’t speak English? Will that affect my distracted driving accident claim?

No. According to California law, a person’s immigration status cannot be used against them in civil cases. This includes distracted driving lawsuits.

In addition to this, our attorneys and staff are bilingual in English and Spanish so you can feel comfortable that we will understand the intricacies of your case and keep you informed about what is happening throughout the process.

Learn more about how Ariel Law Group can help you get the compensation you deserve.

With 30 years of experience, we have won millions of dollars in compensation to help alleviate the staggering physical, emotional, and financial toll that accidents take on our clients. Our track record of success indicates we know how to fight for our clients.

Our team has a proven 98% success rate and you will not pay any fees until we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.