Distracted Driving Lawyers

Although Illinois and many other states have laws in place to prevent distracted driving, it continues to be a serious problem in this country, putting people at risk on the road every day. In fact, distracted driving is a factor in millions of crashes in the U.S. annually. Taking your eyes off the road for even a short time puts other people’s lives in danger; the consequences of this irresponsible behavior can be as severe as life-altering disabilities and even death. If you have been injured by a driver who was texting, eating, putting on makeup, or being distracted in some other way, you need an excellent distracted driving accident attorney on your side. Our team of tough, experienced car accident attorneys know how to fight for you if you have been wrongfully injured due to a distracted driving accident.

At The Collins Law Firm, we have been helping car accident victims for over 30 years and are incredibly skilled at getting our clients the maximum compensation for their injuries. Let our knowledgeable, Naperville car accident attorneys handle the details of your case, so you can focus on recovering. Contact us today and let us get you the justice you deserve.

Distracted driving is anything that you do while driving, that takes your attention away from the road. These activities can be divided into three different types of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive.

• Visual distractions are the most common. These distractions include anything that causes a driver to stop looking at the road, even for a split second. Common causes of visual distractions are looking at beautiful scenery, text messaging, dealing with children in the backseat, or trying to find something in your car while driving.
• Manual distractions involve a driver removing their hands from the steering wheel. These distractions typically go hand in hand with visual distractions. Manual distractions are typically caused by eating or drinking while driving, programming a GPS, changing the radio, or adjusting the air conditioning.
• Cognitive distractions involve a driver who is not focusing on the road. This can be caused by highway hypnosis, fatigue, phone conversations, emotional stress, and other passengers in your car.

Distracted drivers are responsible for around 2.5 million car accidents a year. Every day, 1,000 people are injured, and 9 people are killed due to distracted driving. Out of all of the distractions, cell phone use is considered the most dangerous. Statistics bear this out: cell phone use is the leading cause of distracted driving car accidents. Why? Because using a cell phone is a visual, manual, and cognitive distraction that pulls your entire attention away from the road. Yet, despite this, cell phone use continues to be a problem. According to a survey done by The Zebra, 36% of respondents admitted to texting while driving, even though 51% of those same respondents said they were ‘very’ familiar with the laws in their state about texting and driving. Drivers under the age of 20 are the most at risk, and, sadly, they have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

According to recent legislation in Illinois, it is illegal to use a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law defines these devices as cell phones, handheld digital assistants, or computers. This law does not include a GPS, navigation system, or another device that is a part of the vehicles. As of July 2019, using a cell phone that is not Bluetooth or hands-free and texting while driving are moving violations in Illinois. You will receive a ticket and a fine if you are pulled over. Receiving three tickets in a 12-month period will result in a license suspension. If you injure someone while using a cell phone and driving, you may be charged with a class A misdemeanor. If a death results from the accident, it may be a Class 4 Felony. The only legal way to use a cell phone while driving is if you are using a hands-free device. In addition, it is important to know that drivers under 18 cannot use a cell phone at all, not even if they use Bluetooth or hands-free.

Despite laws to prevent it, distracted driving still accounts for many car accidents in Illinois. If you or someone you know is injured or wrongfully killed due to a distracted driver, here’s what to do next.

• Exchange information with anyone involved and anyone who witnessed the accident. Make sure to get the driver’s name, contact number, and insurance information. Don’t forget to get a statement, name, and phone number for any witnesses, if possible.
• Take photos of any and all vehicle damages and injuries. These photos will help you down the line when you are considering filing a lawsuit, and your attorney is dealing with the insurance agents.
• File a police report. Especially if the at-fault driver was distracted, having this fact in a police report helps your case. It is significant evidence for your claim and can help you investigate and prove how distracted driving played a role in the accident.
• Seek medical attention right away. This will give you an official record of your medical injuries and their severity, which is essential for getting compensation if you file a legal claim. Follow through with all treatment that your doctor recommends.
• Contact a distracted driving accident attorney. Having legal help can be life-changing during this difficult time. An experienced lawyer can defend your rights and fight for fair compensation.

It’s crucial to involve a car accident attorney who is familiar and experienced with these kinds of cases because distracted driving can be a difficult thing to prove in a court of law. Typically, you will need several forms of evidence to show that another driver was distracted while driving. The best kinds of evidence to prove this are eyewitness testimonies, cell phone records, and receipts for food that the driver may have been eating. When you hire a distracted driving car accident attorney, he or she can investigate the accident to determine whether distracted driving was at play. In addition to gathering the necessary evidence, a car accident attorney can retain an accident reconstruction expert to analyze the crash and determine whether a driver was distracted or not.

If you have been severely injured or have lost a loved one due to distracted driving, you need and deserve a compassionate, experienced, and knowledgeable legal team to fight for you. The attorneys at The Collins Law Firm are skilled at getting the best results for our clients. We have been working for people just like you for over 30 years, fighting to get them the compensation they have a right to. Our dedicated team will take every step necessary to properly prepare your case, allowing you to stop worrying and focus on recovering. Moreover, you owe us nothing upfront; we only get paid when you win or settle your case.

We urge you to contact our Naperville car accident lawyers as soon as possible so that we can start proving your case. Please fill out our contact form or call us at (630) 527-1595 for a free consultation today.