Car Accident
Watch Our Video To Learn How We Can Help You
We proudly offer complimentary consultations. Call us at (415) 352-6264 to schedule yours!
SAN FRANCISCO DISTRACTED DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY25+ Years of Experience On Your Side
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than eight people are killed and over a thousand injured in auto accidents involving distracted drivers each day. Distracted driving accounts for approximately one-third of all traffic-related accidents.
If you were injured after being involved in an auto accident with a distracted driver, Scarlett Law Group is dedicated to recovering your entitled compensation on your behalf. With more than 25 years of experience, our San Francisco car accident lawyer has a comprehensive understanding of California driving laws to guide you through the complexities of the legal system. Let our firm fight tirelessly for you while you make the best recovery possible from injury.
Forms Of Driver Distractions
There are three major forms of driver distractions:
- Visual Distraction: This is the most obvious type of distracted driving. The average person will think of texting and driving when considering visual distractions. However, this category also includes anything that takes your eyes off the road, including putting on makeup, looking at the navigation, searching for items on the floor of the car, or even just taking in the view.
- Manual Distraction: Like it sounds, manual distraction involves using your hands to do anything other than driving. For example, eating and drinking include keeping at least one hand on the wheel and the other on some type of food item. In some cases, people will take both hands off the wheel to deal with a tricky kind of food or drink. Manual distraction also includes adjusting your child’s seatbelt, smoking, searching through your purse or wallet, changing the radio, and fiddling with the temperature.
- Cognitive Distractions: These are the most difficult kinds of distractions to avoid because our brains are hard to control. Cognitive distractions, or those concerning the mind, involve anything that causes your mind to drift away from the task of driving. These kinds of distractions include talking to other passengers, thinking about something upsetting, road rage, daydreaming, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drowsy driving could also be considered a form of cognitive distraction.
Examples Of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is driving while performing another activity which takes your attention away from the primary task of operating a vehicle. There are three main types of distractions: visual, manual, cognitive. Whether your eyes are off the road, your hands are off the wheel, or your mind is off of driving, distracted driving can increase the chance of a collision.
Common forms of distractions while driving include:
- Talking or texting on a cellphone
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Changing radio stations
- Eating or drinking
- Looking at the GPS or navigation system
- Spacing out
- Browsing their phones
California has enacted laws prohibiting drivers from distracted driving behaviors, such as texting and driving. Motorists who engage in this kind of behavior can be held liable for any injuries or death they cause.
Preventing Distractions While On The Road
Take precautionary measures to keep as many distractions away as possible when driving. Not only will this ensure you stay safe, but it will also keep others on the road safe as well.
- Plan out your routes so you will not have to fidget with your phone or GPS during the drive.
- Try to make all adjustments to the car before you even start moving.
- If you need to eat, do so in the car while it is at a complete stop.
- If you are having emotional or upsetting thoughts, pull over and wait until you calm down.
Call (415) 352-6264 to speak with our San Francisco personal injury attorney.
Do I Have A Case?
If you’d like to speak with an attorney, fill out the form below or call us at (415) 352-6264 or (800) 262-7576 (Toll Free)
To learn more about how we can protect your rights, please contact our San Francisco office.
Evidence To Prove Distracted Driving
In order to build an effective claim, you will need to gather evidence that shows the driver acted negligently and engaged in distractions while operating a vehicle.
Evidence for distracted driving claims can include:
- Cell phone records
- Black box data from the vehicle
- Photographs from the scene
- Traffic cam footage
- Witness statements
Gathering the required evidence to build a case can be complicated. An experienced accident attorney can help you throughout the claims process, from investigating the accident and compiling evidence, to negotiating with insurers. Working with an attorney can help to maximize your compensation and help hold the negligent driver accountable.
Our San Francisco car accident attorney is listed among the Best Lawyers in America and rated among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the country. With millions of dollars won in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, we are confident that we can produce the same results for you.
Contact our firm and request a consultation today.