What Is the Negligence Rule in California for Car Accidents?

The Negligence Rule in California for car accidents usually refers to laws that follow a pure comparative, which means each party is responsible for their share of fault, and an injured person can still recover compensation even if they were partially responsible. However, the total recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.

What Can a Driver Be Liable for if They Cause a Crash Due to Distracted Driving in CA?

A driver in California can be liable for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering if they cause a crash due to distracted driving in California. If the distraction involved illegal cellphone use, that violation may support a negligence claim. In serious cases, liability may also include future medical care or long-term disability damages.

What Percentage of Car Accidents Are Caused by Distracted Driving?

Exact percentages of car accidents vary year to year, but distracted driving remains a major contributor to crashes nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving caused 3,275 traffic deaths in 2023. Many more non-fatal crashes are also linked to driver distraction. Speak with an experienced car accident attorney to determine what you might be entitled to receive.

What Are the Four Types of Distractions While Driving?

The four types of distractions while driving include visual distractions like checking your phone or GPS, manual distractions where you reach for food or drink, cognitive distractions like daydreaming or thinking about something other than driving, and auditory distractions such as listening to music or having conversations while driving.

Honored as Best Law Firm in the North State

Barr and Mudford

Mar 09, 2026

News

By Barr and Mudford

News

Last Modified on Mar 09, 2026

Barr & Mudford LLP is honored to have been voted Best Law Firm in the North State for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, and 2025) in the Best of North State Community’s Choice Awards. These awards are determined by votes from members of the local community across Northern California. We are deeply grateful to our clients and neighbors in Redding and throughout the North State for their continued trust and support. It is a privilege to serve this community and to represent individuals and families in serious personal injury, trucking collision, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.

In addition to these recent wins, the firm has either won or been nominated for this award every year since 2009—an impressive legacy that reflects our long‑standing commitment to the people of the North State.

About the author: Barr and Mudford

Partner at Barr & Mudford

Catie Barr is a partner at Barr & Mudford, LLP, serving clients from offices in Redding and Chico, California. She has over 11 years of experience handling personal injury matters, including catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, product liability, and insurance bad faith claims. Admitted to the California Bar in 2014, she brings courtroom and negotiation experience to complex injury cases. Ms. Barr earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law and holds a B.A. from Santa Clara University.

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Honored as Best Law Firm in the North State

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Honored as Best Law Firm in the North State

Recent posts

Contact Us

Sidebar Form

Practice Areas

Categories

Archives

Work With Us

Trust your case to a California law firm with a well-documented history of success and an earned reputation for caring about victims of serious personal injury.

Request Your Consultation

Trust your case to a California law firm with a well-documented history of success and
an earned reputation for caring about victims of serious personal injury.