Hurt in a California crash you didn't cause? Did the accident occur during a trip lasting less than 10 minutes? If so, you're not alone. A 2020 study found that many crashes happen in the first few minutes of driving.
Researchers from telematics provider Dolphin Technologies analyzed more than three million car trips taken by 40,000 people over a two-year period. One of the key findings: The shorter the trip, the greater the chances of being involved in an accident. In the short trips studied, 25 percent of all crashes occurred within the first three minutes of driving, with another 14 percent happening within the first six minutes.
If you were in a Rancho Cucamonga or Victorville car accident caused by another driver's negligence and are injured, unable to work, and accruing mounting medical expenses as a result, you need skilled legal representation. At the Inland Empire Law Group, our adept personal injury attorneys can help you protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve. Here's what you should know about crashes in southern California and the high desert, and how our attorneys can assist you.
Distracted Driving Is a Common Cause of California Crashes
Distraction is one of the most frequent causes of motor vehicle accidents—and not just in the Golden State. Each year, every state in the union records many crashes in which distracted driving was a key or contributing factor. Some of the most common types of distraction that can lead to accidents include:
- Taking, texting, playing games, or surfing the internet on a smartphone
- Using in-vehicle navigation or entertainment systems
- Grooming activities, such as brushing or fixing hair, or applying makeup
- Eating, drinking, and snacking
- Situating or disciplining children (or unruly passengers)
- Conversing with passengers
Distraction is not the cause of all accidents. Drowsy driving, intoxication, mechanical failures are also contributing factors in crashes.
Fighting for RecoveryAfter a Car Accident
Fortunately, it doesn't matter if the cause was a distraction or some other cause; a negligent driver is civilly liable for damages and injuries caused by their conduct. If you suffered physical injuries, financial losses, or psychological trauma in a negligence-related car or truck accident, you can submit a claim for compensation for your losses and injuries. Additionally, if you take prompt and timely action, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to have a court order payment of damages for your losses. Available damages may include:
- Crash-related medical expenses (ambulance costs; emergency care; hospitalizations; surgeries; visits with general practitioners and specialists; diagnostics and imaging; prescription drugs; assistive care and devices; reasonable home modifications; etc.)
- Wages lost due to missed work during your physical recovery
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries will have a long-term or permanent negative impact on your wage-earning ability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental or emotional anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Significant scarring or disfigurement
- And more
However, recovering damages hinges on you and your attorney's ability to prove these key elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care, meaning they had a responsibility to operate their vehicle safely
- The defendant breached that duty by failing to uphold their responsibility
- That breach of duty caused the injuries
- The value of those damages or losses
How Our Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Accident victims sometimes expect the personal injury recovery process to be simple and straightforward when it's often exactly the opposite. Our personal injury team is with you every step of the way to ensure you fully understand your legal rights and options. We gather the evidence needed to build a strong claim; interview witnesses and retain experts; handle communications with the defendant's insurance company and lawyers, and much, much more. With so much at stake, you simply can't afford to go it alone.
Schedule a Complimentary Initial Consultation with Our California Car Accident Attorney
Complete the contact form on this page or call us at (909) 481-0100 or toll-free at (888) 694-3529 to schedule an appointment and take advantage of a free consultation to learn more about what attorney David H. Ricks and the Inland Empire Law Group can do for you. Don't wait; California law gives you just two years to file a personal injury claim.
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