California Texting and Driving Accident Attorneys

Advocating for Victims of Distracted Driving for Nearly 50 Years

Texting and driving are dangerous. Some may think 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.

Call Wisner Baum today at (855) 948-5098 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our texting and driving accident lawyer in California!

California Texting and Driving Laws

In California, it is illegal to drive while distracted, including using a cell phone or any handheld electronic communication device. While the law does not exclusively ban texting and driving, cell phone use that requires 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 hands-free via Bluetooth or voice commands. If they are not holding the phone, they can also talk to someone on speaker.

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

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.

We have handled numerous cases involving distracted driving at Wisner Baum 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 resolved the cases and obtained significant compensation for our clients.