There are thousands of car accidents across Illinois every day. One of the most common culprits in the cause of these collisions is distracted driving. This occurs when a driver is distracted by something that takes his or her focus off of the road.
Common distractions include cell phones, navigation systems, searching for something, other passengers, stereo systems, dropping an item, eating, drinking, and anything else that diverts your attention from driving safely.
Risk of Injury to Others
It’s one thing to warn of the risks of distracted driving, but understanding how truly dangerous distracted driving can be is another thing. This error in driving can cause tremendous injury to those involved in a resulting crash.
Those who choose to drive distracted can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, limb loss, and permanent disfigurement to individuals involved in the accident. The impact this can have on not only your life but the lives of bystanders and other motorists can be life-changing.
You don’t want to be the cause of someone losing his or her ability to walk or complete daily tasks. When you’re driving, make sure your attention is fully focused on driving safely so you don’t cause harm to yourself or someone else. The distraction simply isn’t worth the risk.
Liability for Injuries
In addition to causing severe injury to others, driving while distracted opens perpetrators up to lawsuits from victims. They could end up being responsible for any costs associated with the injuries they cause, including medical bills and equipment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of income and future earning potential, and loss of enjoyment of life.
These damages can quickly add up. And unless the distracted driver is prepared to write a check for tens of thousands of dollars, a personal injury lawsuit can quickly leave him or her in dire financial straits for the devastation he or she has caused.
Distracted drivers could also be subject to criminal charges, fines, and driver license suspension, which could impact their ability to work. All drivers have an obligation to drive safely so the lives of others aren’t at risk.
Text messages and that bottle of water that rolled under the seat can wait. Focusing your attention on the road—where it should be—is in your best interest and simply a responsible driving practice.
Speak with a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident and believe distracted driving might have played a role in the crash, contact a Chicago car accident lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC. Our experienced attorneys can thoroughly investigate your collision to determine whether distracted driving is to blame. If it was, we can hold the driver accountable to make sure you’re fairly compensated.
Schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today by calling 312-332-1400 or filling out the contact form we have provided at the bottom of this page.
