Distracted driving is dangerous driving – everyone knows that. Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted drivers kill more than 3,000 and injure more than 300,000 innocent victims in accidents each year. Many of these accidents involve handheld cellphone use; and, more and more frequently, our San Luis Obispo County accident lawyer learns of news reports and hears from victims about accidents caused by drivers who were using social media at the time of the crash.  

The NHTSA estimates that, during daylight hours, 660,000 drivers in the United States are using their cell phones at any given moment in time. With the amount of time it takes to post a photo or read a status update, this means that drivers and passengers are at near-constant risk for being injured – or worse – by a distracted driver. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a driver who was using social media, it is crucial to understand your rights and fight for the compensation your family deserves.

Your Rights After a San Luis Obispo County Car Accident Involving Social Media

As someone who has been impacted physically, emotionally, and financially as a result of a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you have important legal rights. These rights include:

The Right to Know What Took Place

If you suspect that another driver’s use of social media played a role in the accident, you have the right to know what happened. If the driver’s social media posts are not open to the public (or if a critical post has been deleted), your attorney can seek to obtain the driver’s cell phone records and social media account history through the courts in order to prove that he or she was distracted at the time of the crash.

The Right to Appropriate Compensation for Your Injuries

If a distracted driver caused your injuries or your loved one’s death, you are entitled to compensation for all of your accident-related losses. This includes not only financial losses such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost income, but pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and other non-financial losses too. Your future losses are likely to far exceed the losses you have endured already, and it is critical to gain a clear understanding of the true costs of the accident so that you can seek proper compensation.

The Right to Skilled Legal Guidance From a San Luis Obispo County Accident Lawyer

Most car accident cases result in settlements, and you are entitled to experienced legal representation when dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If they refuse to settle, you also have the right to take your case to court. Our skilled San Luis Obispo County accident lawyer will handle your car accident case on a contingency-fee-basis, so it should cost you nothing out-of-pocket to establish your legal rights.

Contact a San Luis Obispo County Accident Lawyer for Help With Your Distracted Driving Accident

Our firm provides skilled legal representation to victims of distracted driving accidents in San Luis Obispo County, California. We offer free consultations and we handle all cases on contingency. To learn if you have a claim for compensation, call (805) 546-8797 or request an appointment online today.