With the increasing prevalence of smartphones and other devices, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of car accidents.
If you were injured in a distracted driving accident caused by another driver’s negligence or wrongdoing in Oceanside, CA, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses.
The skilled attorneys at Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers have the expertise you can trust to handle every aspect of your distracted driving case.
Contact us online or call us at (619) 678-1016 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Oceanside distracted driving accident lawyer today.
How Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Distracted Driving Accident in Oceanside
Our trusted Oceanside car accident attorneys have over 20 years of experience and have helped injured clients recover more than $40 million in compensation.
When you hire Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers, you can count on us to handle your case from start to finish by:
- Evaluating your case and offering sound legal advice
- Gathering evidence and assessing your damages to build your case
- Hiring expert witnesses when needed to strengthen your case
- Contacting insurance companies to negotiate on your behalf
- Representing you in court if a favorable settlement can’t be reached
Contact our law office serving Oceanside, California, today for a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help with your distracted driving accident case.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in Oceanside, CA?
According to state-provided accident statistics, well over 10,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents across the state in 2022. During that time, 129 people were killed in those crashes.
However, the actual number of distracted driving accidents may be underreported, as drivers do not want to disclose that they were using their cell phones when an accident occurred. T
To illustrate, from October 2021 to September 2022, the California Highway Patrol issued 57,446 citations for illegal cell phone use while driving.
What Is My Oceanside Distracted Driving Accident Case Worth?
Every personal injury case is different. If you were injured in a distracted driving accident, you can likely seek compensation for your injuries. However, the value of your case will depend on many factors, including:
- The type and extent of injuries suffered
- The extent of the vehicle and property damage
- Whether the injury will impact your life in the future
- Whether you were partially at fault in the accident
- Insurance policy limits
The amount you ultimately recover will be the result of negotiations with the opposing party or a decision made by a jury. An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your case and discuss what compensation would be reasonable in your case.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
If you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be wondering what damages you can receive compensation for. Damages are the losses you experienced because of the accident or injury.
The two main types of damages available in personal injury cases are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages in Your Distracted Driving Case
Economic damages are the losses related to the financial consequences of the accident or injury. These may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, vehicle repair costs, and property damage.
Economic damages are relatively easy to calculate because they can be supported with an invoice, receipt, or other form of documentation.
Non-Economic Damages in Your Distracted Driving Case
Non-economic damages, in contrast, are losses related to the emotional, psychological, and lifestyle consequences of the accident or injury. These may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, diminished quality of life, loss of companionship, or inconvenience.
Because they are subjective in nature, non-economic damages are harder to calculate than economic damages. A qualified personal injury lawyer can discuss the potential damages available in your distracted driving case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Oceanside, CA?
If you’re coping with medical expenses, lost wages, and vehicle repairs after a distracted driving accident, the last thing you want to do is pay for an attorney. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency fee basis.
A contingency fee arrangement is when a lawyer collects their fee as a percentage of your ultimate recovery in the case – generally 33% to 40%. This means that you don’t pay any attorney’s fees upfront, and your attorney doesn’t get paid unless you do.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Distracted Driving Accident in California?
Many accidents are caused by two or more parties. When a victim is partially at fault in a personal injury case, that is called contributory fault. Different states handle contributory fault in different ways.
California is a pure comparative negligence state. This means each party will be assigned a percentage of fault in the case. A victim’s damages will be reduced by the percentage they were at fault.
For example, if the court determined you were 20% at fault and the other driver was 80% at fault in a car accident, then you could recover 80% of your damages from the other at-fault party.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Distracted Driving Accident in California?
A statute of limitations is a law that prohibits filing a claim after a certain period of time has passed following an accident or injury. In California, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years. An experienced personal injury lawyer can make sure your distracted driving case is filed on time.
Contact Our Oceanside Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a distracted driving accident in Oceanside, CA, let Petrov Personal Injury Lawyers focus on your case and fight for the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation with one of our Oceanside distracted driving accident attorneys, contact our office online or call us at (760) 493-7685.
