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Long Beach Distracted Driver Accident Attorneys

Distracted Driver Accident Attorneys Help Long Beach Drivers

Distracted driving accidents can have devastating impacts on those involved. The immediate consequences often include serious physical injuries that may require long-term medical treatment. Long Beach has many dangerous roads in, including the intersections at 8^th Street and Termino Avenue, West 27^th Street and Daisy Avenue, and East Stearns Street and Palo Verde Avenue. These places become even more hazardous when drivers fail to pay attention.

Although you may not realize it, distracted driving is one of the most underreported traffic incidents. If a distracted driver is involved in an accident and knows they are at fault, it is most unlikely that the culprit will report the fact to the officer documenting the incident. This means that many more people could be harmed in distracted driving crashes than the statistics show.

If you have been injured in a distracted driver in Long Beach, you have the legal right to be compensated for your injuries. At The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, we firmly believe that distracted drivers should be held responsible for their actions. For over 20 years, we've been helping Long Beach accident victims get the money they need to start putting their lives back together.

Contact our Long Beach car accident lawyers at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569 to schedule a FREE consultation today.

Drivers Don't Take Distracted Driving Seriously

Studies show that, although vehicle owners recognize when other drivers are behaving irresponsibly, they find it easy to make excuses for their own distracted driving.

A survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety revealed that more than 90 percent of drivers said it was wrong for drivers to email or text while driving. Yet, 35 percent of the same drivers disclosed that they had sent or read a text message while driving the previous month. Correspondingly, more than 65 percent of the respondents said they had been talking on the phone while driving, even though 88 percent believed it was dangerous.

Dangers of Distracted Driving

Every day in the United States, more than nine people are killed due to accidents reportedly caused by distracted drivers, and more than 1,100 people are injured. A driver becomes distracted when they do something that takes attention from driving, such as:

Taking their eyes off the road.
Taking their hands off the wheel.
Not concentrating on the road.

The dangers of distracted driving are not to be underestimated. It is dangerous for the vehicle's driver and passengers, other drivers on the road, and their passengers and pedestrians. Here are some of the most common causes of distracted driving:

Texting
Using a cell phone
Looking at a GPS
Eating or drinking
Reading
Grooming
Adjusting the music system
Watching a video

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Utah showed that driving while talking on a cell phone increases the risk of an accident by 400 percent, which is about the same chance of causing a wreck if you were driving under the influence of alcohol. That same risk doubles if you are texting while driving.

A driver who is sending or receiving a text is usually distracted for around five seconds. Considering highway speed limits, the car is out of the driver's control for at least 300 feet. That is plenty of time to cause a serious accident.

Different Types of Distracted Driving

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, there are three primary types of driving distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive.

Visual Distractions: These are diversions that cause drivers to take their eyes off the road. Examples include checking your GPS or navigation system, looking in the mirror, or searching for temperature controls or lost items on the floor of your vehicle.
Manual Distractions: These are defined as interruptions that cause drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel. Examples include eating, drinking, smoking, checking a phone, or setting a destination in a vehicle's in-dash navigation system.
Cognitive Distractions: These take a driver's focus and concentration away from the road. This could be anything from talking to other passengers in the vehicle, road rage, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Stress and drowsiness are also considered leading factors for cognitive distraction while driving.

Compensation Available for a Long Beach Distracted Driving Accident

Victims of distracted driving accidents may be entitled to various types of compensation to cover the losses they have endured. This includes economic damages, such as medical expenses, both current and future, as well as coverage for lost wages if you are unable to work.

Non-economic damages are another form of compensation. These are intended to address the more intangible losses, like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded, which are designed to punish the negligent party for their reckless behavior and serve as a deterrent to others.

Accurately estimating the compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering is complex.

Medical costs involve a detailed assessment of past medical bills and a careful projection of future treatment costs, including surgeries, therapies, and medication.
Lost wages are calculated by evaluating your current earnings and the time you've been forced to take off work, as well as potential future lost earnings if you're unable to return to your former employment.
Pain and suffering is more subjective and depends on the severity and permanence of the injuries, as well as the impact on the victim's quality of life.

The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV works with medical professionals and financial experts to quantify these damages. We understand the importance of a comprehensive calculation that reflects the true extent of your losses to ensure fair compensation.

How California Combats Reckless Driving

The Golden State has several laws in place to help prevent distracted driving. A primary law allows the officer to stop a vehicle. In contrast, under secondary laws, an officer must have another reason to stop a vehicle before citing a driver for using a phone. These laws include:

A ban on hand-held cell phone use for drivers of all ages (primary law).
A ban on both hand-held and hands-free cell phone use for any drivers under the age of 18 (secondary law).
A ban on both hand-held and hands-free cell phones for all bus drivers.
A complete ban on texting for drivers of any age.

Steps to Take After a Distracted Driving Accident in Long Beach

Seeking immediate medical attention after a distracted driving accident is crucial for two primary reasons. First, it ensures that any injuries, including those that may not be immediately apparent, are promptly diagnosed and treated. This is vital for your well-being, as some injuries can become more severe without early intervention.

Second, medical records serve as an essential piece of evidence when pursuing compensation. These documents provide a professional assessment of the injuries sustained and form the basis for calculating medical expenses. They also help to establish a direct link between the accident and the injuries claimed, which is critical in a legal context. Our attorneys strongly advise you to prioritize your health and document it thoroughly, as these steps are integral to the success of any subsequent legal action for damages.

Involving law enforcement immediately after a distracted driving accident is another critical step. Police officers document the accident scene, take statements from those involved and any witnesses, and compile this information into an official accident report. This report is a vital piece of evidence because it provides an unbiased account of the events and may include the officer's observations regarding fault.

After a distracted driving accident, documenting the scene and gathering evidence is key to building a solid case. Victims or their representatives should take pictures of the vehicles, any visible injuries, and the surrounding area, including traffic signs and signals. These images can capture details that might later be used to reconstruct the accident and prove the other driver's distraction.

Collecting contact information from witnesses is also essential, as their testimonies can support your account of the incident. Keeping a record of everything related to the accident, such as medical reports, repair bills, and any correspondence with insurance companies, is also very helpful.

Our Long Beach Distracted Driving Lawyers Are on Your Side

The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV provides the following services for victims of accidents caused by distracted driving:

Case Evaluation: Assessing case strength and legal strategies.
Investigation: Gathering evidence and consulting experts.
Negotiation: Settlement talks with insurance companies.
Litigation: Filing a lawsuit and trial process if needed.
Client Communication: Regular updates and ongoing consultation throughout the legal process.

After a distracted driving accident, our lawyers will help you navigate the legal system. But our responsibilities extend beyond representing you in court. We'll engage with insurance companies to secure fair settlements to cover your medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and other expenses incurred due to the accident. If a settlement cannot be reached, we're always prepared to take your case to trial.

Call our firm at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569 and receive a free initial consultation with one of our Long Beach personal injury lawyers today.

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"Joseph, Thank you for your assistance. Your understanding compassion & incredible expertise are admired & appreciated. I will be referring any of my clients who require legal help to you."
- M.D.