Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Item: Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Rating: 5
Author: Heather Boston

Distracted driving crashes are frighteningly common in Chicago, yet they could be eliminated if motorists kept their eyes, minds, and hands on the task of safe driving. Instead of a driver focusing on the road and driving safely, they divert their attention to their phone, a passenger, eating, or something else that distracts. The failure to keep a proper lookout due to a distraction frequently results in tragic car accidents.

Chicago distracted driving accidents often cause devastating injuries that impact your ability to earn a living and support your family. You may face unexpected medical bills you’ll struggle to pay if you are off work due to your injuries. Distracted driving crashes also cause extensive pain, suffering, and mental anguish.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s distracted driving, you need an experienced Chicago distracted driving lawyer to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our team of distracted driving accident lawyers is ready to handle your claim every step of the way so you can focus on your recovery.

Are you ready to get legal help pursuing the money you need to get your life back on track after a distracted driving crash in Chicago? Contact us today for a free and confidential claim review from our proven Chicago car accident lawyers.

What Is Distracted Driving?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving.” Distracted driving occurs when a driver focuses on something like talking or texting on their phone, eating, drinking, talking with other passengers, or adjusting the settings in their vehicle. In short, anything that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or attention away from the road while they drive is considered distracted driving.

Distracted drivers cause fatal accidents. In a recent year, 3,522 lives were lost due to distracted driving accidents, according to NHTSA. Despite new laws prohibiting texting and driving, digitally distracted drivers continue to cause preventable accidents.

What Are the Common Causes of Distracted Driving Accidents?

Distractions are characterized as visual, manual, or cognitive. For example, tapping your phone to read and analyze a text message incorporates all forms of distraction and is especially dangerous for that reason.

Examples of common forms of distracted driving include:

Talking on a cell phone
Eating or drinking
Attending to a child or pet
Adjusting vehicle settings
Using GPS navigation
Applying makeup, shaving, or other personal grooming
Interacting with passengers
Daydreaming
Reading or watching videos
Reaching for objects in the vehicle

Steps to Take After a Distracted Driving Accident

If you are the victim of a distracted driving accident in Chicago, you might not know what to do or where to turn for help. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, you should call 911 to request law enforcement and emergency medical services to the scene. An ambulance may transport you to a local hospital for medical treatment and further evaluation. If you are physically able, you should exchange insurance information with the other driver.

After taking those initial steps, consider following these tips to protect your legal rights after a distracted driving accident:

Seek Medical Treatment. Even if you do not think at first that you were severely injured in the accident, seek a complete medical exam as soon as possible after the crash, then get follow-up medical treatment as needed. Because some car accident injuries do not manifest immediately after a collision, it is critical that you seek medical attention to diagnose injuries that could become life-threatening if left untreated.
Document the Accident Scene. If you were unable to take photographs or videos immediately after the accident, return to the scene to take pictures. Be sure to include any traffic signals and signs. If there are any roadway conditions, such as broken concrete or a tree that could have blocked a driver’s vision, take pictures of those as well. Ask any nearby businesses whether their surveillance cameras may have captured the accident.
Call Our Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers. When you contact our experienced distracted driving accident attorneys shortly after the crash, you can rest assured that you have a strong advocate on your side to protect your legal while you recover from your injuries. If the other driver’s insurance company contacts you, you can advise them to call your lawyer instead.

Hiring a Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

A car accident can leave you confused and frustrated, especially if someone else’s distracted driving is to blame for your injuries. The distracted driver accident attorneys from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. are ready to explain the legal consequences of distracted driving and how it can impact your case.

We can thoroughly investigate the facts and circumstances of the accident by collecting all necessary evidence and speaking with any eyewitnesses. We can obtain pertinent medical records related to your injuries. We can request all records related to the accident, including the other driver’s phone log, if appropriate.

Our experienced car accident attorneys know how to build a solid case to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve. We can deal with insurance companies for you and handle settlement negotiations from a position of strength. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer the full and fair compensation you need to get back on your feet after a crash, we will not hesitate to take your case to court.

You can be confident you will be working with a tested litigator with extensive experience in personal injury cases when you work with an attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Our success speaks for itself as we have recovered more than $2.5 billion for our deserving clients. We are ready to put our experience to work for you.