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Head-on collisions are among the most deadly accident types because two vehicles are traveling in opposite directions, and their closing speeds add together to produce catastrophic impact forces. Cellphone distraction is one of the leading causes of head-on crashes because a driver who drifts out of their lane while looking at a screen may cross the centerline before realizing it. California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 prohibits handheld wireless phone use while driving precisely because of this documented hazard. Attorney Damoun Yazdi at Accident Network Law Group handles distracted driving accident claims throughout Southern California.
Johnny Esquer
Accident Network Law Group – where do I even begin? This remarkable team truly excels at getting the best possible outcomes for your injuries due to accidents. From start to finish, they go above and beyond to make the entire process as convenient as it can be. Working with Sandra has been an absolute delight during the aftermath of my son’s and my car accident. Honestly, I didn’t have to lift a finger; I let them do their magic while I focused on healing and getting the right medical care we needed. Although the journey lasted about nine months for both my son and me, it was far smoother than I anticipated. After all, when does a legal case ever wrap up quickly? From the very first day at the ER to the follow-up therapy sessions, x-rays, and evaluations, the communication has been nothing short of exceptional. This was actually my second case with ANLG, and once again, they proved to be absolutely reliable. I can’t express enough gratitude towards ANLG and especially Sandra for transforming a potentially overwhelming experience into something bearable and even positive. My son and I are incredibly grateful for all the hard work, dedication, and compassion they’ve shown us throughout this challenging time. Thank you, ANLG, for being our steadfast allies!
Key Takeaways
- Head-on collisions are among the most deadly accident types due to combined closing speeds of both vehicles
- Cellphone distraction is a leading cause of lane departure and head-on crashes nationally
- California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving
- Violation of CVC Section 23123.5 that causes an accident creates negligence per se, making liability much stronger
- Phone records can prove a driver was using their device at the time of the crash
The Physics of Head-On Collisions
When two vehicles traveling at highway speeds collide head-on, the effective impact speed is the sum of both vehicles’ speeds. Two vehicles each traveling at 55 miles per hour collide with the equivalent force of a single vehicle hitting a stationary object at 110 miles per hour. The energy released in such a collision frequently exceeds the protective capacity of even modern vehicle safety systems.
Head-on collisions produce frontal impact injuries including thoracic injuries from steering wheel and airbag contact, facial and head injuries, traumatic brain injuries even with airbag deployment, lower extremity fractures from dashboard intrusion, and spinal injuries from the extreme deceleration forces.
How Cellphone Distraction Causes Head-On Crashes
A driver who looks away from the road to read a text, glance at a navigation app, or scroll through a feed takes their eyes off the road for what feels like an instant. At 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels approximately 80 feet per second. Even a two-second glance means the vehicle travels 160 feet without a driver actively watching the road. On a two-lane road, two seconds of inattention can allow a vehicle to drift significantly into the opposing lane.
The driver who has drifted may not notice they have crossed the centerline until a car appears directly in front of them. By then, there may be insufficient time and distance to correct and avoid the collision.
California’s Distracted Driving Laws
California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 prohibits driving while holding and operating a handheld wireless communications device, including making calls, texting, browsing, or using apps while driving. The exception is a single touch or swipe for hands-free functions.
California Vehicle Code Section 23123 separately prohibits holding a wireless telephone while driving for calling purposes. The penalty is a $162 fine for the first offense, escalating for subsequent violations within 36 months.
A driver who was violating CVC Section 23123.5 at the time of the accident is subject to the negligence per se doctrine, creating a presumption that the driver was negligent.
Proving Cellphone Distraction
Cell phone records can be subpoenaed to establish whether the driver’s device was actively being used at the time of the crash. Call records, text message timestamps, and app usage logs all may be available through discovery.
Witnesses who saw the driver looking at a phone before the accident provide direct evidence of distraction. Dashcam footage from other vehicles may capture the distracted driver’s behavior.
California Laws Relevant to Cellphone Distracted Driving Claims
California Vehicle Code Section 23123.5 (handheld device prohibition), California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1 (two-year statute of limitations), California follows pure comparative negligence (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 1975), California Vehicle Code Section 16056 (amended by SB 1107, effective January 1, 2025).
Contact a California Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
If you were injured in a head-on crash caused by a driver who was using their cellphone, Attorney Damoun Yazdi at Accident Network Law Group, with 12+ years of experience and a background as a former law clerk at the LA County DA’s Office, can investigate and pursue your claim. Free consultations, contingency basis. Our team serves Riverside, Costa Mesa, Rancho Cucamonga, Apple Valley, Victorville, and throughout Southern California. Se habla espanol.
