Have you recently been hurt in an accident and suspect the other driver was distracted? Without knowing what evidence points to this, it can be hard to put together your claim. Engaging an attorney early for an accident involving distracted driving in California is vital for protecting your rights.
The Real Impact of Distracted Driving
In 2022, distracted driving was responsible for the loss of over 3,300 lives. Distracted driving accidents are preventable. You may not even realize you’ve been critically hurt in a distracted driving accident until after you leave the scene. The moment surrounding a crash may be blurry, especially if you lose consciousness or suffer devastating injuries. Knowing what to do if you believe distracted driving could have caused the accident is critical for laying the groundwork for a lawsuit.
No matter what, you need to contact the police, get medical attention, and report the accident to your insurance company quickly. These can all help with your claim and form the basis of your evidence for an accident associated with distracted driving in California.
Evidence Supporting Distracted Driving in California
There are many possible causes of serious vehicle accidents, and distracted driving is just one possible cause. Other common causes of reckless accidents include dangerous driving, speeding, failure to obey road laws, drowsy driving, or drunk driving. Multiple factors may be at play in the accident, and some of this information may be recorded on the police report or identifiable with evidence from the scene.
If you can capture photo and video evidence at the scene, this may help tell your story in the future. It is also important to get a copy of the police report and contact details for any eyewitnesses who saw the accident. Make sure to exchange insurance information with the other driver at the scene. If you are seriously injured, calling the police to the scene is critical, not only to get you medical care, but to ensure there is someone to gather this initial evidence.
What Behaviors Cause Distracted Driving in California?
Distracted driving can include many different behaviors, from something as simple as changing the radio station to something more serious like texting and driving or even having a video call while driving. Texting may seem innocuous, but it is actually one of the most serious distractions. Reading or sending a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for at least five seconds. That’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Driving requires your full attention, but if you believe that another driver has not given their full attention to the road and this has left you with the consequences, you need to communicate with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney may be able to help you fill in the gaps of the evidence in your suspected distracted driving claim. They may be able to obtain additional evidence such as video, photo, or even possibly cell phone records that could show that the other driver wasn’t paying attention at the time of the crash.
What to Do If You’ve Been Hurt in an Accident Involving Distracted Driving in California
You may not realize which elements or factors influence a storyline of distracted driving, but an attorney who has ample experience in helping victims after personal injury accidents in California will know this and can guide you through the process. There is so much at stake after an accident that you cannot afford to wait. Communicate with an attorney as soon as possible after you have been injured to put yourself in the best possible situation for recovering compensation for your injuries. Distracted driving shouldn’t leave you reeling with the consequences when the accident was caused by someone else, but this is all too often the case.
Your lawyer may be able to review evidence you have and combine that with other indications of distracted driving. Together, this can tell the story of how you got hurt. Your lawyer can also help you review your medical bills and diagnoses to ensure you’re pushing for a fair settlement or lawsuit amount. This includes both your current expenses and projected future expenses for your injuries.
Time is limited after an accident. You need to speak to a lawyer sooner rather than later. The right lawyer will help you identify your next steps, any missing evidence, and a possible timeline for filing a suit.
