Distracted Driving Lawyer
Distracted driving includes behaviors that take a driver's attention from the road. Distracted driving refers to car accidents caused by a driver who is distracted by eating, drinking, talking on the phone, conversing with passengers, or fidgeting with various gadgets or radios while behind the wheel can all be culprits in distracted driving accidents.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represent people who have been seriously injured by a distracted driver in Chicago, Illinois.
Our car accident attorneys have experience successfully resolving motor vehicle injury cases from across Illinois, and we look forward to assisting you or your family member.
Contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation with our personal injury attorneys. We handle every distracted driving accidents 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 loses focus while operating a vehicle, there can be deadly consequences.
It only takes 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 considered as dangerous as drunk drivers on Illinois roadways.
If the driver is distracted when a motor vehicle collision occurs, they may not be able to react in time safely. 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 and using a cell phone increases the risk of an accident by twenty-three times. Reaching for a moving object increases the risk by nine times. Putting on makeup increases the risk by three times. Looking at an external object increases the risk of a collision.
Every year, tens of thousands of people are killed, and another 350,000 are injured in car accidents and truck accidents due to distracted drivers 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.
Illinois Laws to Prevent Distracted Driving Accidents
Illinois has some of the most aggressive laws on the books to prevent distracted driving.
Illinois law prohibits the following types of behavior to curb driver distraction:
- Drivers cannot use any handheld device while driving to send text messages or use the internet
- Hand-held electronic device use, even hands-free, when driving in a road construction zone or marked school zone is not allowed
- School bus drivers cannot use any mobile devices at anytime (even hands-free);
- Drivers under 18 can not use a cell phone at any time
- No video or photos can be taken within 500 feet of an emergency accident scene
Our distracted driving accident lawyers are committed to uncovering negligent driver behavior that causes a mishap. Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation.
Texting & Driving: A Culture That Just Doesn't Stop
Texting while driving is one of the biggest distractions on the roadway. Although using a 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 operating a vehicle is against the law and is a primary offense, meaning distracted drivers can be pulled over by police for that violation alone and issued a ticket.
Proving Liability in Distracted Driving Accidents
In a Chicago distracted driving case, proving that the other driver was distracted and their negligence caused the collision is not always easy. Although police are now better trained in Chicago auto accident investigations to look for distractions like cell phone use, sometimes it will take eyewitness accounts and other evidence to prove it.
Consequently, each car accident attorney in our law firm will regularly obtain the following evidence to establish legal responsibility (liability) and damages in Chicago distracted driving accident lawsuits:
- Cell phone records (and phone number) 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 serious injuries and medical treatment
- Information on the negligent driver's insurance company
You will need to prove the four elements of civil tort law to win your case. These include:
- The defendant (responsible party) had a duty of care to ensure your safety
- The defendant breached that duty which led to a car crash
- The accident caused your losses that could include property damage, severe injuries, or wrongful death of a loved one
- All of your damages can be proved in court.
How a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
Our Chicago car accident lawyers use Illinois laws to ensure the most successful case results and personal injury claims involving distracted driving.
We currently handle personal injury cases of Chicago distracted driving in construction zones, school zones, and congested areas. After your car accident, you can rest assured that a distracted driving accident attorney will handle every aspect of your personal injury case to maximize its value.
The injury attorneys at our law office can hold the at-fault driver and their insurance company accountable through a negotiated settlement or take the lawsuit to trial. Call an accident lawyer today for a free consultation to discuss how to file a lawsuit to hold those responsible financially accountable.
Distracted Driving Car Accident FAQs
Our attorneys understand that many car accident victims hurt by a driver who was distracted have unanswered questions dealing with the other driver and their insurance company. Our personal injury attorneys have answered some of those questions below.
Do you need more information on driver distraction and who to speak to about your serious injury? Call us today at (888) 424-5757 and schedule a free case review to speak with our lawyers today.
Hire an Experienced Attorney to Resolve a Chicago Distracted Driving Accident
Were you involved in an accident caused by a distracted driver that left you or a loved one injured or, even worse, caused a fatality of a loved one? If so, you need an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney on your side to ensure that you recover compensation for your injuries from the responsible parties.
The Chicago distracted driving accident lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC have successfully resolved difficult personal injury lawsuits. 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 our Cook County personal injury lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) to schedule a free consultation. Our distracted driving attorneys can explain how the legal process works.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you are not charged a fee until we win your personal injury claim.