Spending more time on the internet than ever before? If so, you're not alone. The amount of time the average person spends online has skyrocketed since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, with lock downs and other public health restrictions forcing many to more heavily rely on distanced ways to stay 
connected. Unfortunately, several studies suggest that the increased screen time—and the increased use of video chat apps in particular—may be a contributing factor in the sharpest year-over-year rise in motor vehicle fatalities since 1924.
Hurt or lost a loved one in a California crash caused by a “zoned out” driver? Our skilled legal team can help you fight for a fair financial recovery. Here's what you should know about these kinds of cases before taking legal action.
Video Chat Cognitive Overload Can Make Concentration Difficult
Video conferencing apps like Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, and others have been especially instrumental in helping Californians connect with their friends, families, workplaces, and medical providers.
However, extensive use of these platforms is not without downsides. In a 2021 analysis by Root Insurance, 54 percent of people who got behind the wheel after video chatting reported having trouble concentrating. A Stanford University study suggests that the excessive amount of close-up eye contact, opportunity for constant self-critique, dramatically reduced visual mobility, and higher cognitive load that occurs during video calls may be to blame.
Cognitive Overload and Driving Performance
Distracted driving is a leading cause of California car and truck crashes. When you look at the effects cognitive overload can have on driving performance it's easy to see why. Zoning out behind the wheel (also known as “zooming”) can reduce a person's overall awareness of their driving situation, slowing their reaction times, and making it take longer for them to brake or comply with traffic signals. “Zoom zombies” may also follow other vehicles too closely or have trouble staying in their own lane.
Drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely to avoid injuring others, but after a video chat, many report finding it difficult to focus on the road. Even more concerning: 53 percent of people in the Root Insurance study admitted to checking their phones during the first 15 minutes of driving, which can exacerbate the cognitive overload and make it even harder to shift focus to the task at hand. Devastating—or even deadly—accidents can result.
Zoom Zombie Personal Injury Claims
Incurring medical bills and other unexpected expenses after being involved in a crash caused by a distracted, inattentive driver? At the Inland Empire Law Group, we help accident victims just like you recover the financial compensation they need and deserve. Depending on the circumstances of your claim, you may be able to collect damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income (lost wages and loss of earning potential)
- Property repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Reduced quality of life
- And other losses
Before you can recover anything, you and your attorney have to prove:
- That the defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breached duty caused the incident and the injuries in question
- The reasonable value of injuries and losses caused by the incident
Building a Winning Claim for Damages
Personal injury law is complicated. There's far too much at stake to go it alone. Fortunately, you don't have to. Our skilled legal team can guide you through each and every step of the civil litigation process, and handle all the day-to-day responsibilities so you can focus on healing. Hire us to represent you and we'll get to work:
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering important evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Consulting with experts (such as medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, life care planners, etc.)
- Handling communications with the defendant's insurance company or legal team;
- Negotiating for fair damages
- Preparing your case for trial (if necessary)
- And much more
Talk to Us About Your California Crash Case
Understanding your legal rights and options in a personal injury or wrongful death case is vital. Contact the Inland Empire Law Group today at (888) 694-352 to schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation to discuss your claim.
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