Texting While Driving Accidents in Irvine

Distracted drivers are a danger to themselves and anyone else in their vicinity. In an effort to make California roads less dangerous, many laws have been implemented that limited the use of wireless telephones while drivers operate motor vehicles. For example, people who are over the age of 18 are permitted to use hands free headsets or the speakerphone function of the telephone while driving. Drivers who are under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a telephone while driving, besides calling emergency services. Another example is the Wireless Communications Device Law which specifically prohibits all California drivers from reading, writing, or sending text messages while operating a motor vehicle.

Despite these laws, there are numerous accidents caused by distracted drivers, who are actively using their handheld device and texting while driving. If your safety was endangered and you were injured because of a crash that was caused by someone who was text messaging while driving, an experienced Irvine car accident attorney can help you explore your legal rights.

Statistics on Texting while Driving

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:

  • In 2013, the Department of Motor Vehicles reported that there were more than 426,000 convictions for texting while driving and handheld telephone use while driving.
  • In a 2014 California traffic survey, 53% of the people polled admitted to driving errors while on wireless telephones.
  • People are 23 times more likely to create a risk of collision when they are distracted by text messages.
  • When texting, a driver’s eyes are not on the road for, at least, five seconds, which is long enough to drive the length of a football field, if the person is driving 55 miles per hour.
  • Text messaging while driving caused approximately 25% of all accidents in 2013.

A driver who violated state law by texting while driving which led to an accident causing injury to you, is likely to be found liable for that accident.

Determining Fault

Fault may not be easily determinable when a driver was distracted because she or he was texting while driving, since the driver may not readily admit to their actions. For this reason, an Irvine texting while driving accident lawyer has access to investigators who can determine whether the driver was texting at the time of the crash. For that reason, it is important to contact an attorney immediately after the accident, while the evidence remains available.

Once it is established that the other driver was texting while driving, you may be entitled to recover damages. Damages are the monetary award that is paid to compensate you for your losses, which may include lost wages and hospital bills, and an attorney can help you get.

Learn the Benefits of an Irvine Texting While Driving Accident Attorney

Our experienced Irvine texting while driving accident attorneys will work hard to get you the best possible damage award. They are devoted to advocating for your rights from the start of your case until the end. That may include negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf or, if necessary, standing by your side while your case is litigated in court. Contact us immediately for an evaluation of your case.