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Distracted driving is a serious safety issue in Illinois because it can cause accidents, injury, and even deaths. If you have been involved in one, contact our car accident lawyer Rockford Illinois. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of the law along with a personal and responsive approach that positions us to pursue justice on your behalf. Contact us today at 312-622-2900.
There are different components to the state of Illinois distracted driving laws. However, drivers may still be held responsible for accidents caused by a violation of these laws or applicable distracted driving laws in other states they travel through or to.
Common ways drivers can be distracted
- Texting
- Talking on the phone
- Eating and drinking
- Adjusting the radio, GPS device or climate control system
- Reading, writing, or applying makeup
- Watching a video or movie
This list isn’t all-inclusive because anything that takes your attention away from driving may be considered distracted driving. If one or more of these lead to an accident, the distracted driver can be held liable. If you were involved in a car accident, our car accident lawyer Rockford Illinois is here to help you pursue justice.
Use of electronic devices in Illinois
According to Illinois Law, you can’t use electronic devices while driving.
- Hand-held cell phones or smartphones. If you are 19 or older, they must be affixed to your vehicle or you must use a hands-free system or bluetooth system.
- A hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA).
- A laptop computer and/or a notebook computer.
If you’re in an emergency, and you need to call 911 or a local law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department or other emergency service agency, you can use your phone.
Although there are some exceptions, it is still recommended that you pull over if you need to make a call. Even initiating a call, especially while traveling at high speeds or being caught in traffic, can be enough of a distraction to cause an accident.
Even if a driver is complying with Illinois distracted driving laws, that driver can still be held responsible for a car accident under the negligence standard of proof. The negligence standard of proof is a legal standard that holds that a driver is liable for injuries caused by their negligent actions. This can include any situation where the driver’s actions were just unreasonable or careless enough to cause harm to another person or property.
The standard of proof in civil cases, where an injured party seeks compensation from someone who has caused them injury, is lower than the criminal standard because it only needs to be shown by “a preponderance of evidence,” meaning that there is more than 50 percent chance that something happened as alleged. This means you could face liability if you did something that was considered negligent.
Car accidents are unfortunately common and having a top car accident lawyer Rockford Illinois is essential if you need to pursue a personal injury claim. Contact Carlson Bier today for a consultation.
Contact our car accident lawyer Rockford Illinois for a consultation
Distracted driving laws are pretty clear cut and it’s important for drivers to obey the law. If someone has been negligent and driven while distracted our car accident lawyer Rockford Illinois is here to help you pursue justice. We will do a thorough evaluation of your claim and determine what path to justice is best for you.
