Chicago Distracted Driving Car Accident Lawyer

Distracted driving includes all types of behaviors that take a driver's attention from the road. Although distracted driving is often linked to cell phone use (look at our cell phone accident page here), it is not the only activity that is causing drivers to lose focus. Eating, drinking, conversing with passengers, and fidgeting with various gadgets or radio can all be culprits in distracted driving accidents.

The experienced Chicago car accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent people who have suffered serious injuries related to a distracted driver in Chicago, Illinois. Our accident attorneys have experience successfully resolving motor vehicle injury cases from across Illinois and we look forward to assisting you or your family member. We handle every distracted driving accident case on a contingency fee basis so there is never a legal fee charged unless we are successful on your behalf.

Distracted Driving: Why 'Distracted Driving' is Compared to 'Drunk Driving' in Terms of Dangers

Any time a driver looks away from the road, takes their hands from the wheel, or just loses focus while driving, there can be deadly consequences. It only takes a moment for the person in front of them to unexpectedly hit their brakes or for an object to fly onto the road. In many aspects, a distracted driver is considered to be as dangerous as drunk drivers on Illinois roadways.

If the driver is distracted when that occurs, they may not be able to safely react in time. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, the majority of crashes are due to inattention by the driver in that crucial 3 seconds before a crash, accounting for 80% of crashes.

 
• Texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by 23 times.
 
• Reaching for a moving object while driving increases the risk by 9 times.
 
• Putting on make up increases the risk by 3 times.
 
• Looking at an external object increases the risk of an accident by 3.7 times.

In 2011, there were 3,331 people who were killed and another 387,000 who were injured due to a distracted driver in the United States. These people may have been in the car with the driver, walking, riding their bike, or sharing the road in another vehicle. The real tragedy is that distracted driving is completely preventable and these losses should never have happened.

Texting & Driving: A Culture That Just Doesn't Stop

Texting while driving is one of the biggest distractions on the roadway. Although using the cell phone for any reason can distract a driver, texting is the most dangerous because it requires the driver to look away from the road.

An average text message takes 4.6 seconds to read which is equivalent to motorists shutting their eyes while driving the distance of a football field at 55 MPH. In addition to being dangerous, in Illinois, texting while driving is against the law and is a primary offense, meaning drivers can be pulled over by police for that violation alone and issued a ticket.

Proving Distracted Driving Played a Role in a Chicago Auto Accident

In a vehicle accident case, proving that the other driver was distracted and their negligence caused the accident is not always easy to do. Although police are now better trained in Chicago car accident investigations to look for distractions like cell phone use, sometimes it will take eyewitness accounts and other evidence to prove it.

Consequently, our accident lawyers regularly obtain the following evidence to established liability and damages in distracted driving accident cases:

• Cellphone records showing phone calls and text messages made and received
• Police reports
• Photographs of vehicles involved and the scene of the crash
• Medical records and medical expenses for past and future treatment
• Reports from treating physicians regarding the permanency of injuries and medical treatment
• Information on the negligent driver's insurance company

When you retain our law firm following an accident, you can rest assured that every aspect of your case will be handled with a goal of maximizing the value of your case via settlement with an insurance company to taking the case to trial.

Chicago Car Collision Attorneys for Distracted Driver Accidents

If a distracted driver caused an accident that left you or a loved one injured or even worse, caused a fatality of a loved one, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side to ensure that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries from the responsible parties.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has successfully resolved difficult auto accident cases and our team of experts will help you prove your case. We will use our knowledge and research skills to obtain the financial outcome you deserve for your losses. Contact us for a free consultation here and we will explain how the legal process works. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you are not charged a fee until we win your case.