Like drinking and driving, cell phones and driving don’t mix. In the last ten years, the number of car accidents involving cell phones has dramatically increased. Texting while driving is the primary cause of crashes involving cell phones, but even hands-free phone use can be a hazard. According to AAA (formerly the American Automobile Association), 18 percent of drivers text regularly; for drivers under 18, that statistic jumps to 46 percent. While texting, drivers take their eyes off the road an average 4.6 seconds, long enough to cruise the length of a football field. Also according to AAA, 10 percent of the time drivers are texting, they swerve out of their own lane.

The National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million traffic crashes a year (or 28 percent of all accidents) involve cell phones. AAA has found that even hands-free talking causes “cognitive distraction,” and decreased attention to the road. AAA also reports that drivers who text while driving are 23 times more likely to be in an accident than drivers who are fully focused on driving. The truth could not be any clearer; all cell phone use while driving is distracting and risky.

If you’ve suffered a personal injury in a traffic accident in California, and you believe the other driver was distracted by a cell phone – and therefore negligent – you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Speak with an experienced California personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer will assess your situation and give you sound legal advice. Should you pursue a personal injury claim, an experienced personal injury attorney will fight aggressively for every cent of compensation you deserve. In the San Diego area, if you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident with a distracted driver, contact personal injury attorney Gary Sernaker at (858) 509-0188, or email him at Gsernaker@gmail.com to discuss your rights and options under California Law.