Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous activities a person can do while driving, as it distracts a driver visually, manually, and cognitively. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a driver who was texting, you may need assistance from a dedicated car wreck attorney to effectively pursue compensation for any resulting injuries and losses. Contact a Cicero texting while driving car accident lawyer today to discuss your rights and potential grounds for a civil lawsuit.
Dangers of Texting and Driving
Research shows that texting while driving increases the chances of being involved in an accident by up to 23 percent. While the average time a person takes to send a text message is somewhere around five seconds, this amounts to taking their eyes off the road while driving the length of a football field. The distraction due to texting while driving can result in serious catastrophic injuries.
Texting while driving has been noted in all age groups, but the problem has been noted to be more prevalent in younger drivers. All told, up to thirty-one percent of all drivers reported either reading or sending a text message while driving in the last thirty days, according to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Legal Consequences for Texting While Driving in Cicero
Beyond just being a dangerous driving habit, texting while driving a vehicle in Illinois is prohibited under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2(b). Furthermore, 625 ILCS 5/12-610.1 prohibits drivers from using a cell phone or other wireless device in a school zone, construction site, or within 500 feet of an emergency zone.
In addition, the Illinois legislature has further extended the laws to apply to commercial drivers under 625 ILCS 5/6-526. If a driver causes an accident while texting, any one of these statutes may support a claim that the driver was negligent and therefore should be held liable for any resulting injuries and losses. For more information about laws concerning texting and driving, reach out to a Cicero texting while driving car accident lawyer.
Holding Texting Drivers Liable for Accidents
Every driver on the road has a duty to operate their vehicle in a safe and prudent manner. This means they have a duty to avoid distractions such as texting and driving. When a driver sends a text and causes an accident, they can be said to be negligent and can be held liable for any resulting injuries and damages.
Compensable damages can include property damage as well as medical expenses and pain and suffering. However, to prove a driver was negligent, an injured party must prove:
- The driver owed a duty of care
- A breach of that duty of care occurred
- The plaintiff suffered compensable injuries or damages
- Those damages were proximately caused by the other driver breaching their duty of care
It is critical to prove each and every one of these elements in order to recover compensation for an accident. A texting while driving car accident lawyer in Cicero could help an injured person prove negligence.
Consulting a Cicero Texting While Driving Car Accident Attorney
If you were in an accident because a driver was texting while driving, turn to a trusted and experienced Cicero texting while driving car accident lawyer who could work on your behalf to prove liability. An attorney could also ensure you receive fair and complete compensation for your injuries and losses. Schedule a consultation today to get started on your case.