In the interest of safety for everyone involved, driving demands total concentration on the road. Unfortunately, some drivers ignore this fact or think that they are the exception to the rule. Before they know it, they have caused or contributed to an accident.
Texting while driving requires looking away from the road and removing at least one hand from the steering wheel. In fact, the National Safety Council reports that one in every four auto accidents in the United States is caused by texting while driving, and that almost 390,000 injuries occur annually from texting-related accidents alone.
Getting the experienced support and guidance of a Bolingbrook texting while driving car accident lawyer may help you to get your life back on track after an auto accident. If you are hurt by someone who caused a crash because they were looking at their phone instead of the road, contact a dedicated attorney today to see what legal options you may have for recovery.
Compensation for Car Accident Injuries
The majority of civil injury cases in Bolingbrook reach a settlement prior to going to trial, although some do still end up in front of a jury. Regardless, the desired outcome of a legal claim is a fair settlement, either through private negotiation or a trial. Either outcome should take under consideration all damages that the victim has suffered. Depending on the circumstances and the injuries the plaintiff suffered, the following damages may be awarded:
- Past and future medical bills
- Past and future lost income
- Physical pain
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Travel expenses related to the case or medical appointments
- Legal fees
While some states cap or limit the amount of monetary awards a plaintiff in a texting while driving car accident can receive, Illinois does not. Get in touch with a Bolingbrook texting while driving car accident lawyer to find out more about what kinds of damages could be pursued in such a case.
Contributory Fault
Civil courts in Illinois have the authority to determine if the defendant was 100 percent at fault for the accident that caused the plaintiff’s injuries or if the plaintiff played a role in their own injuries. If a plaintiff is found partially to blame for their own injuries, the percentage of fault the jury assigns them would be subtracted from their final award, as established in 735 ILCS 5/2-1116.
In a car accident case, a plaintiff can be assigned some of the fault by the jury for actions such as speeding, ignoring a stop light or a stop sign, or their own distracted driving. A Bolingbrook texting while driving car accident lawyer could help potential plaintiffs determine if they have a valid legal claim, and if so, whether this law would apply to them.
How a Bolingbrook Text While Driving Car Accident Attorney Could Help
If you were injured by a texting driver in an auto accident, hiring a Bolingbrook texting while driving car accident lawyer could possibly help you recover the damages you incurred. Our attorneys are well-versed in representing plaintiffs in these types of cases and could provide you with complete legal representation in your case, from sending a strong demand letter all the way to the reading of a verdict.
An experienced car accident attorney could be familiar with the defenses that opposing counsel often try to use and work to develop strategies that may be able to refute these in and out of the courtroom. Call today to learn more about how we may be able to help you during this difficult time.
