Accidents Caused by Vision-Impaired Drivers

In order to get a driver's license renewed, California drivers need to pass the DMV's vision test. They read lines on an eye chart with both eyes and with each individual eye. When a driver wears corrective lenses, they can take this test with their corrective lenses on. However, the DMV will issue a license only after considering whether there is a serious vision impairment and the extent to which it affects the driver, and whether the condition can be corrected with contacts, glasses, or surgery. Drivers must have 20/40 vision with both eyes, as well as 20/40 in one eye and at least 20/70 in the other eye. If they do not meet these requirements, they need to wear contacts or glasses that result in a better than 20/200 corrected vision in at least one of their eyes. The practical purpose of the vision acuity requirements is to make sure that vision-impaired drivers do not hurt themselves or others on the road. If you have been struck in an accident caused by a vision-impaired driver, the Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Sharifi Firm can assist you in taking legal action.

Drivers with vision impairment are likely to have restrictions placed on their licenses. For example, they may be restricted regarding the time of day that they may drive, or they may be required to wear corrective lenses or place additional mirrors on their vehicles. In some cases, drivers have difficulty seeing at night or seeing peripherally. If a driver fails to comply with the restrictions placed on their license, they may be held liable for any accidents that result.

Although state law requires drivers to meet vision rules, it is not always obvious whether another driver suffers from vision impairment or whether that was the cause of a crash. In the most serious accidents, a victim is unlikely to be in a position to ask the other driver questions like whether he or she was wearing required glasses or contact lenses. It is important after any collision that causes injuries or death to contact the police so that an official report is made of the accident. In some cases, the police report will include information about the other driver's vision impairment, while in other cases, this is information that must be obtained through an investigation or deposition.

To hold a defendant liable for negligent driving, a plaintiff must establish the defendant’s duty of care, the defendant’s breach of duty, causation, and actual damages. Generally, a driver's failure to abide by restrictions on his or her license is a breach of the duty to use reasonable care to avoid posing risks of harm to others on the road. Once negligence is established, you likely can recover compensatory damages, both economic and noneconomic. These may include medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, vocational rehabilitation, the cost of household services, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, and pain and suffering.

If you are injured or a loved one is killed in an accident caused by a vision-impaired driver, the Los Angeles attorneys at Sharifi Firm may be able to help you recover compensation. It can be hard to cope with the serious injuries that result from these traumatic events, and an experienced motor vehicle collision lawyer can try to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact us at (866) 422-7222 or via our online form to schedule a free consultation. Our firm represents injured individuals throughout Southern California, including in Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Glendale, San Bernardino, and Riverside.