Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents on the roads today; if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver in Chicago, it’s important to seek legal representation from an experienced Chicago distracted truck driving accident lawyer from our truck accident law firm, The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers.
In this Article
What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting the stereo. Texting is particularly dangerous; taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds, which at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blind. Full attention is crucial for safe driving.
How Serious is the Problem of Distracted Driving in Illinois?
Is It Legal to Use a Cell Phone While Driving in Illinois?
Illinois law prohibits using hand-held cell phones, texting, video conferencing, or other electronic communications while driving. Hands-free devices or Bluetooth are allowed for those 19 and older.
Even hands-free technology is a distraction while driving and can be dangerous. If you must make a call, it’s recommended to pull off to the side of the road first.
The only time Illinois drivers can use a cell phone that is not hands free is:
To report an emergency situation.
While parked on the shoulder of a roadway.
While stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.
Signs Of Distracted Driving That Could Lead to Truck Accidents
Signs that truck drivers may be driving while distracted include:
Drifting between lanes
Failure to maintain a consistent speed
Frequent and sudden braking
Delayed reactions to traffic signals or other vehicles on the road
What Causes Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving that leads to truck accident injuries is caused by a variety of factors, including:
Texting and other phone use
Eating or drinking while driving
Adjusting the radio or navigation system
How Can a Chicago Truck Accident Attorney Help Me?
Truck accident victims who have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted truck driver, can hire Chicago truck accident lawyers who can help them seek compensation in their truck accident cases.
Some ways that an experienced truck accident lawyer can assist with a truck accident claim include:
Investigating the circumstances of the accident to determine if the truck driver was distracted
Gathering evidence such as phone records or witness statements
Negotiating with insurance companies representing trucking companies
Representing you in court if necessary and advocating for your rights as a victim
Who May Be Liable for Distracted Driving Truck Accidents?
Car accidents involving trucks may be the responsibility of:
Commercial truck drivers
A trucking company
Cargo loaders
Vehicle manufacturers
Government entities responsible for road maintenance
What Type of Compensation Might I Receive?
Some types of compensation that you may be entitled to in a truck accident case include:
Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck distracted driving accident, seek legal representation from an experienced Chicago trucking accident at The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers promptly.
$7.5 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when a support wall fell and struck him. (Highest award on record for a construction injury in DuPage County at the time).
$3.2 Million
Recovery for a construction worker injured when he fell in an uncovered foundation trench, ranking as the highest award on record for a construction injury in McHenry County at the time.
$3 Million
Recovery for the family of a man struck by a garbage truck that was making an illegal turn.
$2.2 Million
Recovery for a salesman injured in an automobile collision.
$2 Million
Recovery for a man struck by a speeding vehicle as he waited for the CTA bus.
$1.5 Million
Recovery for a truck driver that was struck by another car on the expressway while his vehicle was disabled.
$1.4 Million
Recovery for a computer programmer that slipped and fell in the washroom at work.
Recovery for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in a parking lot. At the time, this was the second-highest recovery on record in DuPage County for a similar injury.
$800,000
Recovered for a disputed wrongful death claim against a trucking company. The company denied they were involved in the collision.
$660,000
Recovery for a truck driver that was injured while unloading his trailer.
$550,000
Recovery for a person who slipped and fell in a grocery store.
$550,000
Recovery for a woman who injured her neck in a motor vehicle collision.
$500,000
Recovery for a pedestrian that was struck by a vehicle while standing on the sidewalk.
$460,000
Recovery for a truck driver that tripped and fell in the parking lot while making a delivery.
$450,000
Recovery for a dental assistant who slipped and fell at work on an unnatural accumulation of ice.
$425,000
Recovery for a union worker struck by a speeding vehicle.
$425,000
Recovery for a passenger in a vehicle struck by an inexperienced driver.
$415,000
Recovered for a woman that required neck surgery after aggravating an existing neck injury in a truck accident.
$400,000
Recovery for a lab technician injured while transporting equipment.
$370,000
Recovery for a construction worker injured on faulty equipment at a construction site.
$315,000
Recovery for a motorist struck by a falling utility pole.
$310,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$300,000
Recovery for a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
$250,000
Recovery for a young woman struck by another vehicle.
$250,000
Recovered for a woman who sustained a partial finger amputation and other injuries in a rollover car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$250,000
Recovered for a 60-year-old woman involved in a car accident. (Policy Limits)
$250,000
Recovered for a man hit by a semi-truck while operating a go-cart.
$240,000
Recovery for the injured party struck by another vehicle.
$235,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$235,000
Recovery for an inventory clerk injured when shelving toppled onto her.
$219,000
Recovery for a restaurant patron that slipped and fell in the bathroom.
$200,000
Recovered for an airline employee struck on the runway at O’Hare International Airport.
$190,000
Recovery for a person injured in a motor vehicle collision.
$175,000
Recovered for a child injured by fireworks at a fourth of July celebration.
$170,000
Recovered for a person injured when she slipped and fell exiting a major retail store.
$150,000
Recovered for a woman who fractured her leg when she was struck by a vehicle.
Britt C.
Andrew Kryder went above and beyond to help me out with a case that I brought to him. He was prompt, attentive, and extremely thorough. It was a pleasure to work with him!