Distracted driving is a main cause of automobile accidents in Riverside and throughout California. When a driver makes the dangerous decision to drive while distracted, he or she jeopardizes everyone else on the road.
If you’ve been injured in a serious distracted driving crash in Riverside County, Jacoby & Meyers can help you hold the driver responsible and collect maximum compensation for your losses. Our Riverside car accident attorneys empower clients to understand how the legal process works, so that in the end, they obtain justice and peace of mind.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Choose Jacoby & Meyers as Your Distracted Driving Lawyers?
- Our personal injury lawyers in Riverside have more than 50 years of experience going up against negligent and distracted drivers in California. In that time, we’ve recovered over $2 billion in settlements.
- Our past case results include $19 million for a rideshare accident, $17.5 million for a bicycle vs. truck accident, and $11.9 million for a fatal truck accident.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis. Our team won’t charge you anything for our services unless your distracted driving accident case results in financial compensation for you.
How Can a Riverside Lawyer Help With a Distracted Driving Accident Case?
Distracted driving accident cases can come with complex legal elements, such as required evidence, the burden of proof, the need for the other driver’s cell phone records and defenses presented by a car insurance company. You may have to go up against one or more insurers that don’t want you to achieve a fair settlement.
A Riverside distracted driving accident attorney will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. You can focus your attention on healing while your lawyer hires experts, investigates the distracted driving crash, collects evidence to prove fault and takes over settlement negotiations with an insurance adjuster for you. You don’t have to handle the legal process alone.
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving means a driver is participating in another activity at the same time as operating a motor vehicle. The activity can be physical or mental, such as eating, drinking, using a cell phone or daydreaming. There are three types of driver distractions:
- Manual. Both hands should remain on the wheel.
- Visual. The driver’s eyes should stay on the road ahead.
- Cognitive. The driver’s mind and full focus should be on the driving task.
Anything that causes a manual, visual and/or cognitive distraction can be dangerous in Riverside. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,208 victims lost their lives in 2024 due to distracted drivers.
Common Types of Distracted Driving in Riverside, CA
Drivers in California should be aware of the risks of distracted driving and avoid engaging in any other activities besides driving while operating a vehicle. The driver’s full attention should always be on the road. Unfortunately, thousands of drivers breach this duty daily.
Examples of common driver distractions include:
- Handheld cell phone use
- Texting and driving
- Eating and drinking
- Personal grooming
- Using an infotainment system or GPS
- Chatting with vehicle passengers
- Looking at billboards or external distractions
- Rubbernecking car accidents
- Anger, frustration or road rage
- A wandering mind
In California, drivers are prohibited from using handheld cell phones and electronic devices. Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a phone in any way (even hands-free). Despite these laws, cell phones remain the number one cause of distracted driving accidents in Riverside.
Hit By a Distracted Driver?
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Common Injuries in Riverside Distracted Driving Accidents
Distraction is dangerous because it prevents a driver from being able to notice and react appropriately to changing roadway situations. Delayed reaction times greatly increase the risk of automobile accidents.
Since the distracted driver may not even touch the brakes prior to impact, these accidents often occur at high speeds and cause serious injuries. Examples include:
- Head and skull trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Rib fractures and lung punctures
- Seat belt injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Permanent paralysis
- Whiplash
- Disk herniation
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations, scarring and disfigurement
- Amputations or dismemberment
- Wrongful death
It is important for distracted driving accident victims in Riverside to get medical attention without delay. Even if injuries are not immediately noticeable, they may still exist. Prompt medical care can detect injuries sooner, leading to better recoveries (physically and financially).
How to Hold a Distracted Driver Liable for a Crash in Riverside, CA
Under California’s fault-based or tort-based car insurance rule, a driver can be held financially responsible or liable for any accident he or she causes. However, the victim must provide proof of fault in the form of evidence.
If you believe the other driver involved in your Riverside car accident caused the crash due to distraction, do your best to collect the following types of evidence:
- A police report
- The other driver’s information
- A description of the other vehicle
- Photos of the crash scene
- Physical evidence from the scene
- Traffic, surveillance or dashcam footage
- Witness accounts
- Your medical records
- Property damage repair estimates
The Riverside distracted driving accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers can immediately go to work on preserving and gathering key evidence to support your case. This can include hiring accident reconstruction experts, accessing the other driver’s cell phone records, interviewing eyewitnesses and looking for video footage of the wreck.
Compensation Available for a Distracted Driving Accident in Riverside
Pursuing an insurance claim or filing a personal injury lawsuit following a distracted driving accident in Riverside can help you move forward by providing you with financial compensation to cover related losses.
You may be eligible for economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Hospital bills and medical care (past and future)
- Lost wages, income and future capacity to earn
- Property damage repairs
- Disability-related expenses
- Pain, suffering and emotional injuries
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
If there is evidence that the distracted driver’s actions were grossly negligent or reckless, you may also qualify for punitive damages to punish the driver and discourage future wrongdoing. Discuss the potential value of your individual case with a lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers before accepting a quick settlement.
Contact Our Riverside Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers Today
If you or someone you love was recently injured in a distracted driving crash in or around Riverside, Jacoby & Meyers has a team of attorneys ready to help. We are known for offering our clients the highest-quality service and care.
Our Riverside distracteed driving accident lawyers will handle everything about your case for you, from the filing of a claim against a distracted driver to achieving a fair settlement. Throughout your case, our goal will always be to help you recover from your injuries physically, emotionally and financially.
Contact us online anytime or call our local Riverside law office directly at (951) 720-3007 to schedule your free case review. If you are unable to come to us, we will come to you.