Hoffman Estates, IL Truck Accident Attorneys

Distracted Driving Accidents

In recent years, the number of car accidents caused by distracted driving has increased significantly. Many people struggle to disengage from their phones while they are behind the wheel, and there are multiple other issues that may take their attention away from the road. A person who is not fully focused on driving will be slower to react, more likely to drift out of their lane, and less likely to notice hazards until it is too late.

Distractions generally fall into three categories:

• Manual Distractions: Actions that require a driver to remove one or both hands from the wheel can affect their ability to maintain control. These distractions may include eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, or reaching for an object in the back seat.
• Visual Distractions: Anything that causes a driver to take their eyes off the road can affect their ability to notice what is happening around them. Reading text messages, checking a navigation app, or turning around to check on children can all be dangerous distractions.
• Cognitive Distractions: Mental diversions can pull a driver's attention away from the task of driving, even when their eyes remain on the road. Talking on the phone, even when using hands-free technology, can limit a driver's ability to notice important details or respond to changing traffic conditions.

When a distracted driver causes a crash, our lawyers can gather evidence to show that they were acting negligently. We may review phone records, obtain footage from nearby security cameras, and get statements from witnesses to show that a driver had been engaging in distracting activities and make sure they will be held liable for their negligence.

Traffic Violations Leading to Accidents

Many car accidents are caused by drivers who disregard the rules of the road. Traffic laws are meant to protect the safety of everyone sharing the road. When drivers choose to ignore those rules, they put other people at serious risk. The violations that can lead to collisions include:

• Disobeying Traffic Signs and Signals: Drivers who run red lights or roll through stop signs can cause intersection collisions. T-bone crashes in which a vehicle strikes another car or truck on its side can cause serious harm to drivers or passengers.
• Speeding: When driving above the posted speed limit, a driver may not have enough time to react to hazards. They will take longer to slow down and stop, and when they are traveling at an excessive speed, they will be more likely to lose control on curves or if they need to swerve suddenly. Higher speeds can lead to more serious injuries in collisions, since crashes will involve more force, and the effectiveness of safety features like airbags and crumple zones may be reduced.
• Tailgating: A driver may not leave enough room between their vehicle and the vehicle they are following. They may tailgate out of impatience or because they are not fully paying attention to traffic. If the car in front needs to slow down suddenly, the driver behind them may have no way to avoid a rear-end collision. These accidents may lead to injuries such as whiplash or head trauma.
• Illegal Passing and Unsafe Lane Changes: When drivers engage in dangerous behaviors like passing in a no-passing zone, cutting across multiple lanes without signaling, or merging into traffic without checking their blind spots, they can cause sideswipe collisions that may force other drivers off the road.

When a driver committed a traffic violation that led to an accident, a police report citing them for the violation can serve as evidence in a personal injury claim. Our lawyers will review all available evidence to build a compelling case for compensation.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most reckless things any driver can do. When a person has been drinking alcohol, their judgment will be impaired, which may cause them to engage in unsafe behaviors. Their vision, coordination, and reaction time will also be affected, making it more difficult for them to see and respond to other vehicles or pedestrians.

Drunk driving accidents often lead to serious injuries, because impaired drivers may fail to brake, swerve, or react at all before a collision occurs. When drivers are intoxicated, they may act in ways that can be very dangerous, including:

• Driving the wrong way on divided roads or highway ramps
• Running red lights or stop signs without slowing down
• Drifting into oncoming lanes of traffic
• Rear-ending stopped or slow-moving vehicles at high speeds
• Striking pedestrians who are crossing the road or walking on sidewalks

If a person has been arrested or convicted of DUI, this can serve as evidence of their negligence in a personal injury claim. Our attorneys can take steps to hold drunk drivers responsible for causing accidents, and we may also explore whether a bar or restaurant that served alcohol to a driver may be held liable under the Illinois Dram Shop Act.