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Distracted drivers pose a substantial danger to themselves and everyone else on the road. They have slowed reaction times, difficulty staying aware of their surroundings, and trouble responding appropriately to potential hazards. Unfortunately, all too many drivers choose to drive while distracted. If you suffered injuries due to a distracted driving car accident in Chicago, reach out to a car accident lawyer to discuss your right to compensation.
When many people think of distracted driving car accidents in Chicago, they imagine a driver texting away while trying to navigate the road. However, distracted driving involves any activity that takes the driver’s eyes, hands, or attention away from the crucial task of driving. Texting on a cell phone often involves all three, making it one of the most obvious and prevalent distractions. However, distractions can also include:
Even talking on the phone can be a potential distraction. This includes cases in which drivers choose to use hands-free devices to reduce risk. Any type of distraction behind the wheel can substantially increase the risk of an accident or raise the severity of injuries involved in an accident.
Following an accident with a distracted driver, the injured victims have the right to pursue compensation. A car wreck lawyer can help distracted driving accident victims calculate the value of their losses. This can include the cost of all medical treatment the victim had to seek because of injuries from the accident, any income losses because the victim could not work due to their injuries, and compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering. In addition, distracted driving accident victims who sustain severe injuries can seek compensation for their lost earning potential and anticipated future medical needs.
A distracted driving conviction can make it easier to establish who likely bears liability for an accident, since a distracted driver may have struggled with control of the vehicle or paying adequate attention to everything around them. A conviction can serve as much-needed evidence when filing a claim. However, a lack of a distracted driving conviction does not mean that a victim of a car accident cannot file a claim. Often, distracted drivers will engage in other risky behavior, including running red lights and stop signs, or drifting out of their assigned lane of traffic, that leave them liable for the damages caused in an accident. Victims can move forward with a car accident claim with or without a distracted driving conviction.
Distracted driving car accidents in Chicago can cause devastating injury, leaving the victim unsure of their next steps. A lawyer can help distracted driving accident victims pursue compensation for their damages and fight to protect their rights. In Illinois, victims must file a claim with the court or settle out of court within two years of the date of the accident. McCready Law Injury Attorneys can help you file your claim. Reach out to us today for a free consultation.