Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL
Texting While Driving Accident Lawyer Bloomington IL
According to national statistics, every day in this country, nine people are killed, and more than 1,000 victims are injured in car accidents caused by a distracted driver. An increasingly growing issue, it is estimated that distracted driving is a factor in at least 60 percent of teen driver accidents. In an effort to reduce these numbers, the state of Illinois recently passed new laws that mean more severe penalties for those drivers who engage in distracted driving behaviors when they are behind the wheel. Victims of distracted driving accidents should contact a texting while driving accident lawyer Bloomington IL families trust from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols to find out what legal options are available for their losses.
New Law
It has been well documented in study after study that any activity that distracts a driver’s attention from the road is dangerous. When a person is driving, they need to have their visual, manual, and cognitive attention on the road. When a driver is doing something that takes that attention away – like texting, posting on social media, or other uses of their cell phone – all three of those factors are affected and the risks of crashing spikes.
In order to address this issue, Illinois has changed the penalties for a driver who is caught using their cell phone while driving. A driver can now face suspension or revocation of their driving privileges if they cause a crash that results in injury because they were using an electronic device. The fine for this violation has also substantially increased, going from $75 to $1,000. Drivers are allowed to use either hands-free or voice-operated options in order to use their cell phones while they are driving.
Distracted Driving Accident Claims
A car accident lawyer Bloomington IL clients recommend knows that a distracted driving car accident can have a significant effect on a victim’s life, leaving them with serious – even catastrophic – injuries that result in long recovery periods or even permanent disability. Because the driver’s attention is off the road, many times the impact of the crash is at full force because the driver is unaware and there is no attempt at hitting the brakes. There are often high medical expenses, loss of income because the victim is unable to work, and other disastrous financial burdens. There is also the emotional impact of the crash, including pain and suffering and mental anguish the victim is forced to deal with.
All of the losses a victim suffers because a distracted driver broke the law are damages that they can pursue financial compensation for in a car accident claim or lawsuit. It is recommended that victims seek the assistance of a car accident attorney to advocate for them with the at-fault driver’s insurance company in order to get the best possible outcome for the circumstances in their case. If the insurance company fails to negotiate in good faith, the attorney can then initiate a car accident lawsuit for litigation and a jury or judge will determine what the victim deserves for their losses.
If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, contact Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols to meet with a skilled Bloomington IL texting while driving accident lawyer.
