Distracted Driving Accidents in San Diego

Few things are more important for drivers than paying attention to the road when navigating the busy streets of San Diego, California. Unfortunately, it’s all too common for drivers to text, talk on the phone, check social media, and get lost in conversation with their passengers when they’re behind the wheel. Many times, these distracted driving behaviors cause serious accidents in which innocent people are injured and killed.

As a victim of a distracted driving accident in San Diego, it’s important to call Singleton Schreiber.

You have rights, including the ability to file a legal claim for damages against the distracted driver. Our San Diego, CA car accident attorneys are the fearless advocates you’ll want to take charge of your fight for compensation.

Clients work with local lawyers and benefit from our law firm’s national resources, which sets the stage for life-changing financial recoveries. As award-winning California trial attorneys, we’ve helped injury victims and families win more than $3 Billion in monetary awards.

Now, we’re here to demand that you’re made whole for the trauma and suffering you’ve experienced because of a distracted driver. Contact our law office in San Diego, CA, today to set a time for your free consultation.

Why is Distracted Driving Dangerous?

Distracted driving involves any behavior that takes your eyes off of the road (visual distraction), causes you to take your hands off of the steering wheel (physical distraction), or draws your attention away from the task of driving (cognitive distraction).

Examples of distracted driving include:

• Texting and driving
• Talking on the phone, with or without a hands-free device
• Eating or drinking
• Smoking
• Applying makeup
• Talking to a passenger
• Reaching for an object in the back seat or on the floor of the vehicle
• Daydreaming
• Changing the radio station or GPS

All of these behaviors have one thing in common: They require the motorist to focus less on the task of driving.

They also increase the chances that a driver:

• Drives on the wrong side of the road
• Rear-ends another vehicle at an intersection or in stop-and-go traffic
• Runs a red light or stop sign
• Hits a pedestrian or bicyclist because they fail to yield the right of way
• Drives faster than the posted speed limit

Taking your eyes off the road for a few seconds to glance at a child in the back seat or read a text message can be incredibly dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it takes about 5 seconds to read a text message. If this is done while driving at 55 MPH, a car can travel the length of a football field. That’s a long time for a driver to have their attention diverted from the road. In turn, a lot can happen in that short amount of time.

How Common is Distracted Driving in San Diego?

Every year, thousands of people are injured and killed because of distracted drivers across the state of California. For many of California’s distracted driving accident victims, the consequences are catastrophic. In 2021, 3 percent of all car accident deaths involved a distracted driver.

According to state crash data, San Diego County ranks first in the state for distracted driving accident fatalities. In 2021, 15 people were killed in car accidents involving distracted drivers.

That year, San Diego County ranked second in the state for serious injuries resulting from distracted driving car accidents with 39. Only Los Angeles County recorded more serious injuries, with 122.

What Compensation Can I Recover If I’ve Been Injured in a Distracted Driving Car Accident?

Distracted driving is an act of negligence because a driver who is distracted breaches the duty of care they assume when they get behind the wheel. So, when you’re injured because another driver is distracted, you’ll reserve the right to hold them accountable for your costs, injuries, and suffering.

In California, this typically entails filing a claim with the distracted driver’s insurance company. California requires all drivers to maintain a minimum level of insurance coverage for situations like these.

You’ll be able to recover compensation for:

• Costs of medical care, both present and future
• Lost wages and disability
• Nursing care and rehabilitation
• Property damage
• Costs paid out of pocket after the accident
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Inconvenience
• Disfigurement and scarring

If the consequences of your distracted driving accident in San Diego are catastrophic, your damages might be greater than the distracted driver’s insurance policy limits. In these situations, you have the right to seek additional compensation from them or another liable party through a car accident lawsuit.

A lawsuit can also provide the opportunity to recover punitive damages as long as a San Diego jury determines that the distracted driver’s actions were reckless or exhibited an intent to cause harm.

Call Singleton Schreiber For Help After a Distracted Driving Crash in San Diego, CA

You got hurt because another driver couldn’t be bothered to pay attention to the road. Now, it’s important that they’re held accountable for your costs and suffering. Call Singleton Schreiber for help. Our San Diego personal injury lawyers have the experience, resources, and skills needed to get you the top-tier case results you deserve.

We’re nationally recognized California car accident attorneys with decades of combined experience and a passion for making a difference in the lives of the people we represent. Our results speak volumes, with billions in monetary awards recovered for deserving clients like you.

California imposes a strict two-year statute of limitations on most distracted driving accident claims, so it’s important to call our law office in San Diego for help right away. If you miss the filing deadline, you lose the ability to hold the distracted driver responsible for your crash-related damages.

Members of our team are always available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and help you schedule a time for your free consultation.