If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or property damage as a result of someone else’s distracted driving, an Aurora distracted driving accident lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other damages.
To discuss your case with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm, call (800) 223-5115 as soon as you can.
Distracted Driving In Illinois
The term distracted driving does not just apply to one type of behavior in a vehicle. Drivers can be distracted by all manner of things while on the road, and that lack of attention can result in damages for another party.
Some examples of distracted driving in Illinois include but are not limited to:
Handheld Devices
Distracted driving can be synonymous with using a cell phone while driving. While the initial term is much broader than that definition, there is no escaping the role that all kinds of handheld devices can play in distracted driving accidents.
The state of Illinois made it illegal for drivers to send text messages while at the wheel of a vehicle, under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2. This was an attempt to decrease the number of distracted driving accidents that the state sees. Although, drivers are allowed to use Bluetooth devices and other hands-free technology to, for example, to find their way to their destinations or in an emergency situation.
That said, any driver who is proven to have a device in hand at the time of an accident can face not only a fine for their behavior but also the threat of liability, should you wish to take such a case to court.
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is an offense itself. However, in some cases, driving while intoxicated makes it easier for a driver to become distracted while at the wheel. Not only does alcohol limit a person’s ability to react to the environment around them, but it impacts a person’s ability to concentrate on other drivers, not to mention roadway obstacles. As such, should a driver get into an accident and prove to have been both intoxicated and distracted while at the wheel, then you can work with a lawyer to determine how that mutual state may impact what compensation to which you may be entitled.
Other Types of Roadway Distractions
While the above-mentioned are the most common distractions a driver may encounter while driving, others can also result in roadway accidents. These include:
- Eating and drinking while at the wheel of a vehicle
- Searching for a CD or for music to listen to
- Talking with passengers
- Trying to control children
- Driving with a pet in the car
Note that these behaviors are not illegal to engage in while you are at the wheel of a vehicle. However, drivers who are engaging in said behaviors must make an effort to concentrate on driving, or else they may put other drivers and passengers at risk.
The Kinds of Accidents Distracted Driving Can Cause
Instances of distracted driving cause a driver to take her eyes off the road for a brief or extended period of time. In that time, it is easy to get into all manner of accidents. An Aurora distracted driving lawyer can help you determine whether or not you may fight for compensation should a distracted driver cause any of the following:
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Side-collision accidents
- Head-on collisions
Complications involving these types of accidents may make it possible for you to pursue alternative forms of compensation. You can discuss these forms with a lawyer when you move to calculate your potential compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer serving Aurora, call (800) 223-5115
Working with an Aurora Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer After Your Accident
An Aurora distracted driving accident lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you investigate the accident and build your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery all the while. In doing so, though, you can determine whether or not it is in your best interest to take a distracted driving case to court. In some instances, you may receive a settlement offer without having to elicit one. In other cases, it may be in your best interest to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Get in touch with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today, and an attorney can help you decide which legal course would be most suitable for you.
Statute of Limitations in Illinois
If the party you believe to be liable for your losses does not reach out to you with a settlement offer, and you wish to take action against the said party, then you can file a personal injury lawsuit. You must file within two years of the accident, as 735 ILCS 5/12-1102 explains. If you miss this deadline, then you risk not being able to pursue any financial awards for your injuries and other losses. Nevertheless, if your case is an exception to this statute, then a judge may give you an extension.
Aurora Distracted Driving Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 223-5115
What Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Do For You
If you want help understanding your legal rights after a distracted driving car accident, Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help. You will not have to worry about legal fees while you seek out advice, either. Our law firm works on contingency and thus will not send you a bill for the services you receive unless a court awards you compensation for your losses.
For a free consultation regarding your case, you can call us today at (800) 223-5115.
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