DISTRACTED CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER CAUSES FATAL COLLISION

Last month a distracted California Highway Patrol Officer rear-ended the vehicle in front of him causing chain reaction that result in the death of a 15-year old. Weston Sites was a passenger in the back seat of a 2013 Hyundai in front of the officer’s patrol car.

Reports state that the CHP officer was traveling northbound on Interstate 5 in Orland when he looked down at his computer screen. When the officer looked back up, traffic had slowed for a construction zone. The officer hit his brakes but was unable to avoid the colliding with the vehicle in front of him. Two other people in the vehicle were transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for treatment of minor injuries. The officer was also transported to the hospital for minor injuries suffered in the collision.

This tragic accident is another reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. In just a few seconds, a distracted driving can turn your world upside down.  If your motor vehicle accident was caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to recover damages from the at-fault driver.

Contact our Sacramento distracted driver accidents attorney at (916) 999-9000 for a free case evaluation.

Tips for Avoiding a Distracted Driving Accident

There are things all of us can do to avoid distracted driving accidents. You cannot contract what other drivers do when they are behind the wheel of a car; however, you can make decisions that reduce your risk of being involved in a distracted driving accident.

• Put Down the Mobile Devices

When you are driving, put down the mobile devices — phones, GPS, tablets, etc. Turn off your mobile devices and stow them until you reach your destination. If you must have a cell phone available while driving, use a hands-free device that responds to mobile commands to avoid looking away from traffic to make or receive a call.

• Pull Over

If you need to make a call, look at a map, take care of a child, or perform any activity that takes your focus off driving, pull over to the side of the road or to a safe location. The few minutes it will add to your trip is worth it if you avoid causing a distracted driving accident.

• Slow Down

Speeding decreases your time to react to a distracted driver. Speeding also decreases your time to react if you become distracted for a moment. By driving a little slower, you give yourself the extra few seconds you need to potentially avoid a collision.

• Allow Extra Room

Do not follow the vehicle in front of you too closely. Allowing extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you gives you extra time to react. Like your speed, giving yourself more room between you and the vehicle in front of you increases the amount of time you have to react if something goes wrong.

Have You Been Hurt By A Distracted Driver?

If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident in Sacramento or the surrounding area, call our office for a free consultation. Call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website.