Talk to our distracted driver accident lawyer in Illinois if you have been injured during a crash and suspect a distracted driver is to blame, you may be eligible for compensation as a result of your injuries. Medical costs, pain and suffering, lost time/wages from work and mental and physical rehabilitation can add up to significant expenses for victims in distracted driving crashes.

Every day, more than 1,000 people are injured in car accidents involving a distracted driver, adding up to more than 1 million crashes a year in North America.

Distracted or inattentive drivers are an increasing problem on the road due to the prevalence of cell phones and other mobile devices used by drivers while operating a vehicle. But phones are not the only culprit.

Put simply, anything that draws the driver’s attention away from the road is a contributor to distracted driving. Cell phones are the most obvious and one of the most dangerous contributors to driver inattention. The Illinois State Police report that using a cell phone in any way while driving increases your chance of a car crash by up to 400%.

Many drivers report that they see others texting or otherwise using a cell phone while behind the wheel every single day. The statistics can be difficult to track, as many drivers distracted by their phones don’t admit to having done that when they are involved in an accident. But with so many drivers visibly emailing and texting while driving, this is surely a cause that’s on the increase.

But cell phones aren’t the only cause of distracted driving. Distracted driving can happen while the driver is fiddling with the car stereo/radio, trying to get something out of the glove compartment or back seat, having a conversation with passengers/ children, daydreaming, putting on makeup, grooming, rubbernecking/looking at other cars or accidents, and even by eating and drinking while driving—each action contributes to driver inattention.

Anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, even for only seconds, is distracted driving. With the advent of larger, more interactive computers in cars that connect with your phone, the temptation is even greater to use such a system while driving. The possibility of a serious accident means that, no matter the temptation, allowing yourself to drive distracted is a bad idea.

If you were seriously injured in a crash with a distracted driver, talk to a skilled distracted driver accident lawyer in Illinois today to learn if you have a case. Our Peoria-based team at the Law Office of Jeff Green will ensure we get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

A vehicle crash is costly. Attorneys help clients by making sure they get the compensation they are entitled to. The costs you’ve suffered are referred to as damages, and they include…

• Any medical expenses you have or will encounter due to the crash and injury. This includes hospitalization, ambulatory care, ongoing tests and treatments, rehabilitation and medications.
• Property damage. From your vehicle to any other personal property that might have been damaged in a crash, the damages you list in a claim should include the loss in value of your property.
• Lost income. A crash that results in serious injuries often leads to time missed at work. In the worst cases, injured people can no longer work at the capacity that they did prior to the wreck. Your claim should include all lost income, including past and future wages.
• Pain and suffering. The physical and emotional trauma suffered in your accident should be factored into your claim, too. These “non-economic” damages are often the most profound and far-reaching consequences of a crash. Your attorney should work with you to determine how much compensation to seek for pain, suffering, depression, anxiety and any other consequences that warrant payment.

A successful injury claim covers the costs an injured person faces, so it’s vital to demand payment that truly meets all your needs. If you want to find out how much you’re entitled to, contact Jeff Green by calling (309) 699-0111 or filling out our online contact form. Schedule a free consultation with our team today to find out more about your legal options.

Attorneys have several ways to prove a driver was distracted. Eyewitness accounts, phone records and expert witnesses are all possible resources that a distracted driving accident lawyer might use to build their client’s case.

In some cases, a driver might admit that they were distracted at the time of the crash. Sometimes, this is the case when there is a rear-end accident. If so, it is likely listed in the police report as a cause of the wreck. When you work with Jeff Green, you can be sure that he will do the work of building your case, so you won’t have to worry about establishing a driver’s distraction.

Let us find out who was to blame for your crash, so we can hold them accountable. Contact Jeff Green today to schedule a free consultation.

Jeff Green will investigate your case, determine who was at fault, prepare all documents that need to be filed, correspond with insurance companies and build a case that is ready for trial. Though these cases are often resolved via settlement, we know how important it is to prepare every case to go to trial.

We let the other side know we won’t settle for less than our client deserves. This allows us to come to the negotiating table from a favorable position, and it also ensures that if a trial is necessary, we will be ready to provide a solid case in front of a judge and jury.

The process of a distracted driving case will vary, depending on the circumstances of the accident, the number of parties involved and the complexity of the case. We can help you throughout every step of the process. Contact Jeff Green today to schedule your free case assessment with an Illinois distracted driving accident attorney that knows how to get results.

After a distracted driving accident, you want to be sure you aren’t making key errors that might impact the value of your claim. Here are some common errors to avoid…

Failing to get medical treatment

Don’t forgo medical treatment after being involved in a crash. If you know right away that you’re injured, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have been injured, see a doctor as soon as possible. Follow that doctor’s advice to the best of your ability.

Talking at length with the at-fault driver’s insurance company

Another driver’s insurance company will want to get you on record with a recorded statement. DO NOT give them this statement. In fact, if you are contacted by an insurance company that isn’t your own insurer, refer them to your attorney and say nothing else.

Failing to call an attorney

An attorney can help you through every step of the injury claim process. They will make life easier and maximize the compensation that you will receive. The earlier you contact an attorney, the more effective they’ll be in handling your claim.

There are many opportunities available in the days, weeks and months following a crash that you can take advantage of to maximize the compensation you will receive. To make sure you are doing your case justice, contact Jeff Green to learn more about how we can help.

The state of Illinois has implemented a complete ban on using phones (“electronic communication devices”) in any fashion while driving. The law also bans the use of headsets, or using a phone on speaker. While the law does not ban the use of a separate GPS system, or devices such as a Bluetooth headset that goes in one ear, drivers should be aware that these devices are also a contributor to distracted driving.

If you cause an accident due to distracted driving while using a cell phone, the penalties can be quite steep. In addition to fines, which increase with multiple offenses, you may be charged with a misdemeanor, or even with a felony if the distracted driving crash results in the death of another person.

Find a place to pull over if you need to make a call or send a text. Messages can wait until it is safe for you to answer. If possible, turn your phone completely off while you are driving to avoid temptation. Driving is not the time to try to multitask. The road and others on it deserve your full attention and both hands on the wheel at all times.

If you have been the victim of a car accident in Illinois that was the fault of a distracted driver, the other driver’s negligence should be brought to light. We believe perpetrators of these accidents should be held responsible. The law firm of Jeff Green has a deep bench of experience in going after distracted drivers in car accident cases to make sure justice is served to their victims. We are well-versed in all facets of Illinois laws regarding car accidents and distracted drivers, and will work tirelessly on your behalf to obtain compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages from work, and damage to your vehicle and property as a result of the crash.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation appointment. We will discuss your case and suggest an aggressive forward path to achieving justice for the harm done to you and/or your loved ones. The statute of limitation for car accident claims in Illinois is two years from the time the injury was suffered. However, it’s always best to start the process of an injury claim as soon as possible, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.