Distraction is one of the leading reasons for various types of motor vehicle accidents. Losing focus for even a second or two can have devastating consequences, and California lawmakers have done their part to reduce the chance of these types of accidents from happening. Earlier in 2021, legislators passed new distracted driving laws, prohibiting certain behaviors behind the wheel. Despite these laws, this issue is still a significant safety concern.
Violating the distracted driving laws in the state can come with steep penalties. Despite the threat of fines and other consequences, drivers often choose to engage in dangerous behaviors while they are driving. If you are suffering from injuries you suffered in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you could have grounds to pursue compensation through a civil claim.
The use of phones while driving
There are many things that can take the attention of a driver while he or she is behind the wheel. Anything from a billboard on the side of the road to a passenger in the backseat can cause distraction, but phones are the most common reasons for drivers to lose focus. Checking a text or looking at a phone can take a driver’s eyes off the road for multiple seconds at a time. In California, a driver can only use a phone in the vehicle by mounting it in the car in a specific way.
Drivers may touch their screens to either activate or deactivate features in the phone after properly mounting the device. The new laws prohibit drivers from swiping multiple times or typing into a mounted phone. A mounted phone cannot hinder a driver’s view of the road. Even a mounted phone can be dangerously distracting, and drivers are responsible for all of the choices they make while operating a vehicle, even with a hands-free device.
Are you a victim of distracted driving?
If you or someone you love is the victim of distracted driving, there are legal options available to you. It is possible you have grounds to pursue compensation through a civil claim, but these cases are time sensitive. Quick action is prudent in order to ensure the preservation of critical evidence and meet important requirements for a successful civil claim. While litigation cannot reverse the damage you suffered, it does allow you the opportunity to pursue what you need to move forward after a car accident.