Distracted Driving Accidents in Sacramento

Distracted driving is a serious problem in cities like Sacramento across the country. Every year, thousands of people lose their lives because of distracted drivers. In 2022, an average of 9 distracted driving fatalities were reported every single day.

Unfortunately, we know that distracted driving is dangerous, but most people simply don’t seem to care. One survey found that 60 percent of participants admitted to talking on the phone while driving, 47 percent admitted to texting at the wheel, and 40 percent said they used other apps while operating their vehicle.

While it only takes a few seconds to send or read a text, a lot can happen in that short period of time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you can drive the length of a football field in 5 seconds if you’re going 55 MPH. Now, imagine driving that far without paying attention to the road.

What Counts as Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving practices can be classified in three ways: visual, cognitive, and manual. 

• Visual distractions involve taking your eyes off of the road. You might be visually distracted if you’re looking at your phone, focused on your car’s GPS, or searching for an object on the floorboard.

• Cognitive distractions involve taking your concentration away from the task of driving. Texting and driving, talking on the phone while driving, conversing with a passenger, or daydreaming are all examples of cognitive distractions.

• Manual distractions involve removing your hands from the steering wheel while driving. Examples of manual distractions include eating and drinking, applying makeup, smoking, or handing an object to a child in the back seat.

Cell phone use often falls into all three categories, making it one of the most dangerous types of distracted driving. This is particularly true for teenagers, who are most likely to text and drive or talk on the phone and drive.

Demanding Compensation From a Distracted Driver After a Car Accident in Sacramento

Distracted drivers are more likely to run red lights, roll through stop signs, make risky turns, change lanes without checking for other vehicles, follow other vehicles too closely, make errors when braking, and speed. When their distractions cause accidents, they can be held legally responsible for their negligence.

When you file a personal injury lawsuit after a distracted driving accident in Sacramento, you’ll have the opportunity to demand compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Disability
• Lost wages
• Rehabilitation
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Disfigurement
• Funeral expenses if a distracted driver causes a fatal accident

A California jury might also require a distracted driver to pay punitive damages if your car accident lawsuit goes to trial.

Don’t worry about how to prove another driver was distracted or win your personal injury claim. Take the time you need to recover and leave the rest to the Sacramento injury attorneys at Singleton Schreiber. Our Sacramento, CA auto accident lawyers or Sacramento wrongful death attorneys will investigate your crash, gather cell phone records and other evidence, and work to build a claim that helps you maximize your financial recovery.

We offer a free consultation, so contact our Sacramento law office to discuss the details of your distracted driving accident today.