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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.
Our personal injury lawyers 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. Our driving accident attorneys currently represent clients injured by distracted driving across Illinois, including Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Will County, and Winnebago County.
Chicago Distracted Driving Car Accident FAQs
Comparing 'Distracted Driving' to 'Drunk Driving' in Terms of Dangers
Drivers looking away from the road, taking their hands from the wheel, or losing focus while driving, can cause deadly consequences. It takes only a moment for the person in front of them to hit their brakes unexpectedly or for an object to fly onto the road.
In many aspects, a distracted driver is as dangerous as drunk drivers on Illinois roadways. If the driver is distracted when that occurs, they may not be able to react in time safely.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study, most 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 nine times
- Talking on smartphones or using a navigation system increases the risk by 11.3 times
- Putting on makeup increases the risk by three times
- Looking at an external object increases the risk of an accident by 3.7 times
In 2017, 3,851 people were killed, and another 376,000 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 entirely 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 for longer than an instant.
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
Proving that the other driver was distracted, and their negligence caused the accident is not always easy to do In a vehicle accident case. 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 private investigators 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 Illinois law firm following an accident, you can rest assured that every aspect of your case will be handled to maximize the value of your case. We will conduct a comprehensive case evaluation before building a case for settlement with an insurance company to taking the lawsuit to trial.
Chicago Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorneys
If a distracted driver caused an accident that left you injured or killed your loved one, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Your lawyer's efforts can ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries from the responsible parties.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has successfully resolved challenging auto accident cases, and our team of experts can help you prove your case too. Our auto accident lawyers will use our knowledge and research skills to obtain the financial outcome you deserve for your losses.
Contact us for a free consultation, and we will explain how the legal process works for injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits. Our law office handles personal injury claims on a contingency basis, meaning you are not charged a fee until we win your case.
Our Chicago distracted driving accident lawyers currently follow social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
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