A Brief Summary of the Following Page
- Proving Negligence: California law requires proving the distracted driver owed a duty of care and breached it by being distracted, causing the accident and resulting injuries, which led to damages.
- Types of Recoverable Damages: Victims may recover economic (quantifiable financial losses), non-economic (subjective, quality of life impacts), and punitive damages (punishment for the at-fault party) with professional legal assistance.
- Statute of Limitations: California gives distracted driving accident victims two years to file their claims, so it is essential to act quickly and seek legal guidance after the crash.
- How a Lawyer Can Help: Callahan & Blaine, with 40 years of experience in Orange County, offers expertise in distracted driving claims, including trial readiness, record-breaking settlements, and innovative insurance strategies.
- To schedule a consultation, call us at 714-241-4444 or fill out our contact form.
From texting to eating to daydreaming, drivers face many distractions while on the road. No matter how tempting, all drivers owe those around them a duty of care to avoid these distractions, pay close attention to the road, and operate their vehicles safely. Unfortunately, many drivers neglect this duty and cause accidents and serious injuries to those involved. If you have been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have the right to file a claim and seek guidance from the experienced lawyers at Callahan & Blaine.
With a 40-year legacy and a large team of 29 lawyers ready to fight for your rights, you can rely on us to handle every aspect of your distracted driving accident claim with the utmost attention and professionalism. This allows you to focus on recovery instead of dealing with insurance adjusters and the complex legal process alone. Our commitment to excellence has given us a proven track record, including the largest insurance bad faith judgment in Orange County history worth $58 million. We take a personalized approach, working closely with you to develop a strategy based on your unique needs and situation. Moreover, we communicate with you every step of the way to help you better understand your rights and legal options.
Proving Fault in Orange County Distracted Driving Accident Claims
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, activities like reaching for a phone, texting, or dialing can triple the risk of getting into an accident. California law also prohibits having a phone or electronic device in your hand while driving. While it may be clear who violated this law or caused the accident by driving distracted, you carry the burden of proof. This means to establish liability, your claim must prove the following points:
- The liable party owed you a duty of care
- They breached this duty by driving while distracted
- This negligence directly caused the accident and your injuries
- Your injuries resulted in damages
We understand this can seem intimidating, but we conduct a thorough investigation and collect evidence, such as medical records, police reports, phone records, witness testimony, and video footage, to prove these points and build a strong claim. Our attentive lawyers leave no stone unturned, considering every detail to hold the liable party accountable for their negligence.
3 Types of Damages You May Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident
After suffering injuries in an accident due to someone else’s distracted driving, you should not have to pay for your own bills or worry about missing work. At Callahan & Blaine, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll your injuries can have on your life, so we fiercely advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve, which may include the following types of damages:
ECONOMIC
Economic damages are those with an objective, tangible monetary value. This typically includes past, present, and future medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, and loss of earning capacity. We organize and review your bills, receipts, invoices, pay stubs, and tax returns to calculate these damages accurately.
NON-ECONOMIC
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not have an objective monetary value. Their value is subjective and can be more difficult to determine. These damages often include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Our skilled lawyers understand how to calculate these damages and the full impact your injuries have had on your life.
PUNITIVE
If the distracted driver liable for your injuries acted willfully, maliciously, or grossly negligent, they may have to pay punitive damages. While economic and non-economic damages are rewards for the victim, punitive damages serve as a punishment for the at-fault party and discourage them from exhibiting the same behavior in the future.
Why Hire a Lawyer for Your California Distracted Driving Accident Claim?
Dealing with insurance companies and the complex legal process after suffering injuries in a distracted driving accident can be overwhelming, but with the right legal help, you can avoid making errors and settling for a lowball offer. At Callahan & Blaine, we support you through every step of your claim and make a difference in the following ways:
- Experience and Expertise: Our firm has proudly provided unparalleled services to Orange County victims for 40 years, and every lawyer on our robust team has at least eight years of experience. This gives us expertise in complex claims and negotiations.
- Trial Lawyers: In addition to our negotiation skills, we also have trial experience and are prepared to take your claim to court if necessary.
- Record-Breaking Results: With our comprehensive support, we have achieved multi-million dollar settlements for our clients, including the largest jury verdict in Orange County history worth $934 million.
- Insurance Knowledge: Our managing partner, Edward Susolik, is one of the leading insurance experts in the U.S., handling over 1500 mediations in the last 33 years. This gives the knowledge to create innovative solutions and strategies.
Moreover, our hard-working lawyers handle every aspect of your claim efficiently to meet California law’s two-year statute of limitations. This takes the stress of the legal process off your shoulders while you heal and gives you the best chance of a successful outcome.
Reach Out to the Talented Orange County Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers at Callahan & Blaine Today
Distracted driving is a major problem for Orange County drivers, making it a major cause of car accidents amongst all age groups. Whether a driver is texting, setting directions on their phone, eating, putting on makeup, or not paying full attention to the road, they may be liable for a crash. If you suffer injuries due to the negligence of a distracted driver, our seasoned lawyers at Callahan & Blaine are here to help.
Our 29-lawyer team has years of experience managing complex and intricate car accident claims, so you can have peace of mind your case is in the right hands when working with us. To schedule a consultation, call us at 714-241-4444 or fill out our contact form.
