Distracted Driving Accidents in Santa Rosa

Distracted driving is one of the biggest threats to our health and safety. According to the NHTSA, 324,652 people were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers in 2020. In 2022, distracted driving was responsible for 3,308 crash-related fatalities.

That’s 889 injuries and 9 deaths every day.

Many of the nation’s distracted driving accidents unfold in California. In 2021, California’s distracted driving caused 9,733 injuries and 96 fatalities.

Research suggests that distracted driving accidents are more prevalent in urban parts of the country, including cities like Santa Rosa.

How is Distracted Driving Defined?

Anything that takes your eyes off of the road, hands off of the steering wheel, or focus away from the task of driving is considered distracted driving. These are known as visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions, respectively.

Some of the most common types of driver distractions include:

• Texting, checking social media, and reading emails
• Talking on the phone
• Recording videos for Instagram or TikTok
• Changing the radio station
• Looking for an object on the floor
• Reaching into the backseat
• Smoking
• Eating and drinking
• Applying makeup or personal care products
• Daydreaming

Texting is among the most dangerous distractions because it falls into all three categories - physical, manual, and cognitive.

Any time a person is distracted in any way, shape, or form, the chances of a car accident increase significantly.

What Makes Driver Distractions So Dangerous?

It takes about 5 seconds to read a text message. If you’re driving a car at 55 MPH and divert your attention to your phone for that long, you’ll drive the length of a football field.

A lot can happen in 100 yards when you’re not paying attention. A lot can go wrong.

A driver who is distracted is more likely to:

• Speed
• Run red lights and stop signs
• Fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists at intersections
• Rear-end other motorists in stop-and-go traffic, at intersections, or when there’s a sudden change in the flow of traffic
• Drive on the wrong side of the road
• Strike fixed objects, such as lane barriers, signs, and trees
• Run off the road
• Lose control of their vehicle

Since the driver isn’t paying attention, the threat of serious injury and/or death is much greater when there’s an accident.

Singleton Schreiber Can Help You Hold a Distracted Driver Accountable After a Crash in Santa Rosa

Drivers make a conscious choice to be distracted at the wheel. When these behaviors cause accidents, they have to be held accountable for resulting injuries and wrongful deaths.

As the victim of a distracted driving accident in Santa Rosa, California, you’ll have the right to demand justice through an insurance claim or car accident lawsuit.

Singleton Schreiber can help you fight for a maximum recovery. Our Santa Rosa car accident lawyers will carefully investigate your crash; gather critical pieces of evidence such as dashcam footage, cell phone records, and witness statements; and consult experts as we build a compelling legal claim on your behalf.

As fearless advocates with your best interests at heart, we won’t rest until you’ve been compensated appropriately for your catastrophic injuries.

Call our Santa Rosa, CA, law office to discuss your distracted driving car accident today. Your first consultation is free.