California Texting and Driving Accident Attorneys

Advocating for Victims of Distracted Driving for Nearly 50 Years

Texting and driving is dangerous. Some people may think that looking down at a phone for a few seconds can’t hurt. However, the average text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds; at 55 miles per hour, this is equivalent to traveling the length of a football field without looking.

If another driver severely injured you in an accident and you have reason to believe that they were texting and driving, our California lawyers will advocate for you and your rights through a civil lawsuit. At Wisner Baum, we have won over $4 billion in damages for our clients and are eager to take on complex cases. With our team, you can rest assured that your case is in experienced hands.

Get started with a free consultation. Contact our texting and driving accident lawyers online today. We accept cases throughout the state.

California Texting and Driving Laws

In California, it is illegal to drive while distracted which includes using a cell phone or any handheld electronic communication device while driving. While the law does not exclusively ban texting and driving, any cell phone use that requires the use of a hand is forbidden. This includes:

• Searching the internet
• Using social media
• Dialing a phone number
• Changing the song or playlist
• Reviewing a navigation app or GPS

California law allows drivers to use their cell phones in a hands-free mode via Bluetooth or voice commands. You can also talk to someone on speaker, as long as you are not holding the phone while doing so.

Please note: Per state law, drivers under the age of 18 cannot use cell phones at all, regardless of whether they are using them in a hands-free mode.

Exceptions to California Texting and Driving Laws

There are a few exceptions to state laws regarding cell phone use:

• Drivers can use a hand to turn a mounted GPS on or off, as long as one swipe is all it takes to do so;
• Drivers can use embedded systems installed by the vehicle manufacturer, such as an “infotainment” system on the dash;
• Drivers can use a handheld cell phone to make emergency calls to law enforcement, the fire department, a medical provider, or other emergency services.

Work with Award-Winning Lawyers

At Wisner Baum, we have effectively handled numerous cases involving distracted driving since 1985. Some of our biggest truck cases stemmed from drivers distracted by their mobile phones in the seconds before devastating crashes. While the outcomes of these cases remain confidential, our truck accident attorneys were able to resolve the cases and obtain significant compensation for our clients.