Maison Law represents victims injured in all different types of car accidents in California. There’s certain expectations in place for everybody that gets behind the wheel of a car. Part of that involves the duty that you have to pay attention and not be distracted. This doesn’t just apply to visuals, but also things like loud music. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contact us today for a free consultation.
Can You Listen to Loud Music in Your Car?
When it comes to listening to music in your car, you might think that you have the right to do so at whatever volume you want. You may even have a custom sound system in your car. However, according to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 27007, no driver is allowed to:
- Drive a car or operate a sound system in a vehicle that can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet away.
So, there’s actual laws in place that govern how loudly you can listen to music in your own car. On top of the legal implications, though, it’s even more important to follow these guidelines for safety and health reasons.
Why You Shouldn’t Listen to Loud Music While Driving
Again, part of your responsibility as a driver in California requires that you take every precaution necessary to not only keep yourself safe, but others you share the road with. This can include listening to loud music, which can be very distracting. On top of that, it poses significant risks for both you and other drivers and even pedestrians, bicyclists, and others:
- Taking your focus away – Loud music can be distracting and take your focus away from the road. It may make it difficult to hear important sounds such as sirens, honks, or other signals from surrounding vehicles.
- Hurting your situational awareness – Loud music can impair your situational awareness. You might miss crucial visual cues or fail to notice hazards, putting yourself and others at risk.
- Decreasing your reaction time – Music that’s too loud may slow down your reaction time. Quick decision-making and timely responses are critical for safe driving, and loud music could hinder your ability to react promptly.
- Making it harder to communicate – If you’re driving with others, loud music can create communication barriers. It may be challenging to hear passengers or respond to important conversations.
- Increasing your stress – While some people find loud music energizing, it can also contribute to increasing your stress levels. High-stress levels can impact your ability to make sound judgments while driving.
In legal terms, listening to loud music and getting in a car accident doesn’t mean you can’t file an injury claim. And if you’ve been seriously hurt in the accident, you’ll need to take every available avenue to potential financial support.
Damages in a Car Accident Claim
Regardless of the cause of your car accident, if injuries are involved, you have the right to file a claim for damages. These damages refer to your injuries and other harm or losses you suffer as a result of the accident. So, in a typical car accident claim, you can potentially recover the following:
- Medical expenses and bills – One of the main damages refers to your medical treatment costs, like hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages – If the injury has led to missed work or impacted your earning capacity, you can be financially supported for lost wages or income. This may also include costs for any future earning potential that has been affected.
- Damage to your car or property – If your belongings were damaged or destroyed in the accident, you can receive funds to repair or replace them.
- Pain and suffering – This covers the non-financial impact the accident has had on your physical pain and mental suffering
- Emotional distress – Alongside pain and suffering, you may be able to recover financial support for psychological or emotional trauma resulting from the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of quality of life – If the injury has impacted your ability to engage in activities or hobbies you once enjoyed, you can recover damages for the loss of pleasure in life.
- Loss of consortium – Recovery of damages related to strained relationships with your spouse or family members, resulting in a loss of love, support, or companionship due to the accident.
It’s important to note that the extent of damages you can claim depends on the specific circumstances surrounding your accident and injuries. In cases where you share some fault by listening to loud music, it could impact your overall recovery. This is known as “comparative negligence.” Acting quickly allows our team to review your case details and guide you on the next steps. Regardless, we’ll make sure you get fair treatment and for your injuries.
Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers
At Maison Law, we’re here to help you through the confusing and sometimes challenging process that you face after a car accident. Even if you were listening to loud music, you have the legal right to file an injury claim. Our experienced California car accident lawyers can guide you through this process and make sure you get what you need for your injuries. If this has happened to you, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
