If you’re like 75% of Californians, distracted driving is your number one concern on our state’s roads. It’s a danger that Sacramento drivers face every day, and the consequences can be life-altering.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve been representing injured people across Northern California since 1981, and we are committed to fighting for maximum compensation on your behalf. If you’ve been injured by a distracted driver, our team is here to help.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the task of driving, compromising their ability to react and operate their vehicle safely. It involves engaging in any activity that takes the driver’s focus away from the road, endangering themselves, passengers, and others on the roadway.
Common Types of Distractions
- Texting or Using a Smartphone: One of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, texting involves cognitive, visual, and manual distractions all at once. Even a few seconds spent checking a message can lead to devastating accidents.
- Eating or Drinking: Grabbing a bite while driving may seem harmless, but it requires a driver to take at least one hand off the wheel and can divert their focus, especially if spills or messes occur.
- Using GPS or Navigation Systems: Inputting an address or adjusting a route on a GPS device distracts drivers both visually and mentally, increasing the likelihood of missing traffic signals or hazards.
- Adjusting the Radio or Music Streaming App: Whether scanning radio stations, switching playlists, or changing songs, these small actions can take attention off the road at critical moments.
- Talking to Passengers: While conversation is a natural part of driving with others, it can lead to cognitive distractions, especially when the conversation is emotionally engaging or requires the driver’s full attention.
- Grooming and Personal Care: Applying makeup, brushing hair, or checking appearance in a mirror can create significant distractions, limiting both visual and manual control.
Impact of Distractions on Driver Reaction Time and Accident Rates
Studies show that distracted driving can impair reaction time as much as driving under the influence of alcohol. On average, texting while driving takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds—enough time to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph. Even momentary distractions can delay a driver’s ability to brake, swerve, or respond to changing road conditions.
Distracted driving contributes to thousands of accidents each year, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. In Sacramento, where traffic congestion is common and pedestrians and cyclists share the roads, even a brief lapse in attention can lead to life-changing accidents.
Sacramento Distracted Driving Laws
Distracted driving is a serious safety issue in California, and the state has implemented strict laws to address it. Sacramento drivers must be aware of these regulations to avoid fines and ensure they are driving safely on local roads.
Overview of California Laws Related to Distracted Driving
California has laws prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld phone while driving. Law enforcement officers can stop a driver solely for that violation, even if no other offense has occurred.
Drivers can only use cell phones in a hands-free manner, such as through speakerphone or voice commands. The law also bans the use of electronic communication devices, like smartphones, for texting, calling, or using apps while driving, except in emergencies.
These laws are intended to reduce the high number of crashes caused by distracted driving. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, the risk of a crash triples when drivers engage in activities like texting.
Specific Regulations on Cell Phone Use While Driving
The California Vehicle Code (VC) outlines several important regulations regarding the use of cell phones:
- VC 23123(a): Drivers over 18 are prohibited from talking on a non-hands-free cell phone while driving.
- VC 23123.5(a): All drivers, regardless of age, are prohibited from texting while driving.
- VC 23124(b): Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone for any purpose, even in a hands-free mode.
The only exception to these rules is for emergency situations, such as contacting law enforcement, medical providers, the fire department, or other emergency services.
These laws also emphasize that any use of the phone—whether to text, dial, check maps, or shuffle music—poses a serious danger and is illegal while driving.
Penalties for Violating Distracted Driving Laws
Violating California’s distracted driving laws comes with monetary fines and increases in penalties for repeat offenses:
- First Violation: A minimum fine of $162.
- Subsequent Violations: Fines increase with each repeated offense.
In addition to fines, drivers cited multiple times for distracted driving can face increased insurance premiums and risk being classified as high-risk drivers. Repeated violations can lead to more severe charges, such as reckless driving, which may carry additional legal consequences.
Injuries Common in Distracted Driving Accidents
Distracted driving accidents can cause devastating injuries, often resulting in long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims. Sacramento drivers and pedestrians involved in these accidents frequently suffer severe trauma, sometimes requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Below are some of the most common injuries sustained in distracted driving accidents.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A sudden impact in a distracted driving accident can cause the brain to move within the skull, resulting in a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can range from mild to life-threatening and often require extensive treatment, including surgery and long-term rehabilitation. Common symptoms include memory loss, headaches, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties, which can persist for months or even become permanent.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Collisions caused by distracted drivers often result in damage to the spine, including herniated discs, fractures, or full or partial paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can drastically alter a victim’s life, sometimes leading to limited mobility, chronic pain, or lifelong dependence on assistive devices. Victims may require surgery, physical therapy, or ongoing medical care to manage their condition.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Distracted driving accidents frequently cause fractures or broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbone. High-impact crashes can leave victims with multiple fractures that may require surgery, physical therapy, and immobilization during recovery. Severe fractures can also result in long-term pain and limited mobility.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
One of the most common injuries in rear-end collisions caused by distracted drivers is whiplash, which occurs when the neck snaps back and forth suddenly. This type of soft tissue injury can cause neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and nerve damage. In severe cases, whiplash can lead to chronic pain, requiring months of therapy and treatment.
Long-Term Complications from Severe Injuries
Many victims of distracted driving accidents experience long-term complications that affect their quality of life. Brain and spinal injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, while chronic pain from fractures and whiplash can result in emotional distress and depression. These catastrophic injuries may prevent victims from returning to work, maintaining their independence, or engaging in activities they once enjoyed.
Injuries from distracted driving accidents don’t just heal with time—many require ongoing treatment, and some leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional. This is why seeking fair compensation and experienced legal representation is crucial for those injured in distracted driving accidents in Sacramento.
Compensation for Distracted Driving Victims
Victims of distracted driving accidents in Sacramento may be entitled to compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial hardships they endure. This compensation is intended to help victims recover and rebuild their lives following an accident. Below are the key areas where victims may receive financial compensation.
Medical Expenses, Lost Wages, and Property Damage
One of the primary forms of compensation covers medical expenses related to the accident. This includes hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any necessary rehabilitation. Victims may also be reimbursed for lost wages if their injuries prevent them from working during recovery. In cases where victims suffer permanent disabilities, compensation can include loss of future earning potential. Additionally, victims may receive compensation for property damage, such as the repair or replacement of their vehicle.
Pain and Suffering and Emotional Distress
Beyond financial losses, victims are often eligible to seek compensation for pain and suffering. This accounts for the physical pain and discomfort they endure, as well as the emotional distress caused by the trauma of the accident. Emotional distress can include symptoms like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which often require therapy or mental health treatment. The goal of this compensation is to address the non-economic damages that significantly impact a victim’s quality of life.
Long-Term Care Costs for Permanent Injuries
For victims with severe injuries—such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) or spinal cord damage—the need for long-term care can create a significant financial burden. Compensation may cover ongoing medical treatments, in-home care, assistive devices, and modifications to the victim’s home to accommodate disabilities. This type of compensation ensures that victims receive the support they need to manage permanent injuries and maintain their quality of life as much as possible.
Sacramento victims of distracted driving accidents deserve to be compensated for the full scope of their losses—both immediate and long-term. Seeking fair compensation with the help of an experienced attorney can provide financial stability and help victims focus on healing and recovery.
Why Choose Berg Injury Lawyers for Your Sacramento Distracted Driving Case?
Choosing the right attorney is crucial after a distracted driving accident, and Berg Injury Lawyers has the expertise and dedication to help you secure the compensation you deserve. With decades of experience and a reputation for success, Berg Injury Lawyers stands out as a trusted advocate for Sacramento residents injured by distracted drivers.
Proven Track Record in Distracted Driving Cases
Berg Injury Lawyers has a history of success handling distracted driving cases, achieving favorable outcomes for countless clients across California. We understand the complexities of these cases, including gathering critical evidence such as phone records, eyewitness testimony, and accident reconstruction to prove liability. Our team is committed to building strong cases to help victims recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering.
Client-Focused Approach and Personalized Service
At Berg Injury Lawyers, our clients come first. We know how overwhelming it can be to recover from an accident, so we provide personalized service to meet each client’s unique needs. From the first consultation to the resolution of your case, our team will work closely with you, keeping you informed every step of the way. We pride ourselves on treating clients with respect, compassion, and understanding, ensuring you feel supported throughout the legal process.
Experience in Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to reduce or deny payouts in distracted driving cases. Our team has extensive experience negotiating with insurers, ensuring they don’t take advantage of you during your time of need. We know the tactics insurance companies use, and we fight aggressively to secure the compensation you are entitled to. If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we aren’t afraid to take your case to trial to achieve the best possible outcome.
With Berg Injury Lawyers by your side, you can focus on healing while we handle the legal complexities of your case. Our experienced attorneys are ready to advocate for you, fight for justice, and ensure you receive the compensation needed to move forward.
Contact Our Sacramento Distracted Driving Lawyers Today
You might be worried about hiring an attorney because of the potential cost, but at Berg Injury Lawyers, if you don’t win, you pay nothing. There’s also no cost or obligation to hire simply to speak to one of our lawyers. We call that our No Fee Guarantee®.
If you’re considering your legal options after being injured by a distracted driver, contact us today for a free consultation.
