Distracted driving has been a significant factor in California car accidents for many decades. Driver distraction appears to be on the rise with the use of cell phones and texting. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), talking on a cell phone or texting is the number one source of driver distractions.

The OTS outlines some other eye-popping facts about distracted driving:

• Eighty percent of motor vehicle crashes involve some sort of driver inattention.
• Texting drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of five seconds (most car accidents happen with less than three seconds of reaction time).
• Nationwide, up to 6,000 people are killed in accidents where driver distractions are involved.

The OTS outlines other facts about distracted driving in its online report. In California, it's illegal to text or talk on the cell phone without a hands-free device. Studies find that even a hands-free device can be distracting to drivers. It's estimated that 10 percent of drivers are using a mobile device.

If you or a loved one sustained a serious injury, or a loved one sustained a fatal injury due to someone else's distracted driving, you may be entitled to compensation. Don't hesitate to talk to a California car accident lawyer. At the Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman, serving Sacramento, Santa Rosa, Napa, Palmdale, Fairfield and other area communities, we are dedicated to helping clients obtain justice after a texting while driving accident or other type of car wreck. We can take an aggressive stand for our clients who may be dealing with insurance companies that want to reduce compensation.

As the California OTS report shows, car accidents happen fast. Drivers need to be focused on the task at hand. If someone's negligent driving behavior has turned your life upside-down, turn to lawyers who fight for their clients: the Law Offices of Freeman & Freeman.