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Aurora, IL Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a distracted driving crash near Aurora, IL, you already know how fast life can change. One moment you’re driving along I-88 or Route 30, and the next, another driver’s phone call or text message has turned your world upside down. You may be dealing with medical bills, lost income, and real physical pain, all because someone else chose not to pay attention. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we understand what you’re going through, and we are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
Table of Contents
- The Distracted Driving Problem in Aurora and Across Illinois
- Illinois Laws on Distracted Driving and What They Mean for Your Case
- What Damages Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Crash?
- What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Aurora
- How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Builds Your Distracted Driving Claim
- Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Aurora Distracted Driving Case
- FAQs About Aurora Distracted Driving Accidents
The Distracted Driving Problem in Aurora and Across Illinois
Aurora is Illinois’s second-largest city, and its roads see heavy traffic every single day. From the busy intersections near Westfield Fox Valley Mall to the commuter routes along the Fox River corridor and the I-88 tollway, drivers face real risks from distracted motorists. The problem is not limited to Aurora. It touches every corner of the state.
Eight percent of fatal crashes, an estimated 13% of injury crashes, and an estimated 13% of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2023 were reported as distraction-affected. That is a staggering number of preventable crashes. Illinois saw 122 fatalities in 2024 due to distracted driving. And while some numbers show a slight downward trend in fatalities, pedestrian fatalities are rising at a concerning rate.
The use of a cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting into a crash by 400%. Think about that the next time you see a driver glancing down at their screen on Route 25 in Aurora. The act of glancing at a phone for just 5 seconds while traveling at 55 mph means that the driver drove the entire length of a football field blind, with no awareness of what was happening around them. That is more than enough distance to rear-end a stopped car, run a red light, or strike a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Distracted driving is not just about phones, either. Distracted driving also includes eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio or climate controls, or adjusting other vehicle controls. Any of these behaviors can cause a serious crash. If another driver’s inattention caused your injuries, you have legal options, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you pursue them.
Illinois Laws on Distracted Driving and What They Mean for Your Case
Illinois has some of the country’s stronger distracted driving laws on the books, and understanding them can directly affect your personal injury claim. By Illinois law, distracted driving, including using your cell phone or any other “electronic communication device” while driving a car, is illegal in most cases. “Electronic communication devices” means cell phones, laptops, and other portable electronics.
Effective January 1, 2024, it is illegal to drive while participating in any video-conferencing application such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Webex. You also cannot access any social media sites such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, or Twitter. This law, codified under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, closed a loophole that many distracted drivers had exploited.
When a driver violates this law and causes a crash, that violation becomes powerful evidence of negligence in your civil lawsuit. A person convicted of violating the aggravated use provision commits a Class A misdemeanor if the violation resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another. A person convicted of violating that same provision commits a Class 4 felony if the violation resulted in the death of another person. Criminal charges against the at-fault driver can strengthen your civil claim significantly.
Illinois also uses a modified comparative negligence standard under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. Under this law, you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. However, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If a jury finds you were 20% at fault and the distracted driver was 80% at fault, your damages are reduced by 20%. This rule makes it critical to have a skilled attorney building your case from day one. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg knows how to gather evidence, challenge fault assignments, and protect your right to fair compensation.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Crash?
A distracted driving accident can leave you with injuries that affect every part of your life. Medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, and emotional suffering are all real costs that you should not have to bear alone. Illinois law allows injured victims to seek compensation for all of these losses.
Under Illinois’s joint and several liability rules (735 ILCS 5/2-1117), all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. This matters when multiple parties share fault for your crash. For example, if a rideshare driver was distracted and their employer also bears some responsibility, both parties can be held accountable for your medical costs. If you were injured in a rideshare crash, our Chicago Uber accident lawyer team can help you sort through those claims.
Damages you may be entitled to include:
- Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, and physical therapy
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries keep you from working
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Pérdida del disfrute de la vida
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. For property damage claims, 735 ILCS 5/13-205 gives you five years. Missing these deadlines can cost you your right to recover anything at all. Do not wait. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your crash so we can start building your case right away.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Aurora
The steps you take right after a crash can make or break your injury claim. Here is what you should do if you are involved in a distracted driving accident near Aurora, whether it happens near the Hollywood Casino Aurora, on Farnsworth Avenue, or anywhere along the Fox Valley corridor.
First, stay at the scene. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in personal injury or death must immediately stop at the scene and remain there until all legal requirements are fulfilled. Any driver who flees the scene commits a Class 4 felony. If the other driver tried to leave, that is important evidence for your claim.
Second, call 911 right away. A police report creates an official record of the crash, and officers may note signs of distracted driving in their report. Third, seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like whiplash, internal trauma, or concussions, may not appear immediately. Early medical evaluation ensures proper treatment and creates documentation that may be critical for insurance claims or legal action.
Fourth, document everything you can. Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic signals, and your injuries. If witnesses saw the other driver using a phone, get their contact information. Fifth, do not speak with the other driver’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer. Insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts, not to protect your interests. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg first. We serve clients throughout the Aurora area and the broader Chicago region, and we can guide you through every step of the process.
We also handle cases throughout Illinois. Whether you need a Rockford car accident lawyer, a Belleville car accident lawyer, a Champaign car accident lawyero un Gurnee car accident lawyer, our firm has the reach and resources to help.
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Builds Your Distracted Driving Claim
Proving that another driver was distracted at the time of your crash requires more than just your word against theirs. Our legal team knows how to gather the evidence that makes the difference between a weak claim and a strong one.
We start by requesting the at-fault driver’s phone records. If they were texting, on a call, or scrolling social media at the moment of impact, those records will show it. We also look for traffic camera footage, dashcam video, and eyewitness accounts. Near busy Aurora intersections like Route 59 and New York Street, or along I-88 near the Farnsworth Avenue exit, surveillance cameras are often present and can capture the crash on video.
We also work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed. These experts can analyze the physical evidence, the point of impact, and vehicle damage to establish exactly what happened and why. If the at-fault driver received a citation for violating Illinois’s distracted driving statute, that citation supports your claim of negligence.
We handle all communication with insurance companies on your behalf. Insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the victim or offer quick, low settlements that do not cover the full extent of your injuries. We push back on those tactics and fight for every dollar you are owed. As a Chicago abogado de lesiones personales firm with deep roots in the community, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has a long track record of standing up for injured Illinois residents. If your case needs to go to court, we are prepared to take it there.
Why Choose Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Aurora Distracted Driving Case
When you are hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, you need a legal team that takes your case personally. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is a Chicago-area personal injury firm that has been fighting for accident victims across Illinois for decades. We handle distracted driving cases in Aurora, Kane County, and throughout the greater Chicago metro area.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. We only get paid when you do. This arrangement lets you focus on healing while we focus on your case.
We know Aurora. We know the roads, the local courts in Kane County, and the challenges that come with proving a distracted driving claim in Illinois. Whether your crash happened near Phillips Park, on the East-West Tollway, or in a parking lot off Ogden Avenue, we are ready to investigate and build the strongest possible case on your behalf. We also handle cases for clients who need a Gurnee car accident lawyer or representation in other Illinois communities.
Do not face the insurance companies alone. Do not let the clock run out on your claim. Reach out to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your rights, and tell you exactly how we can help. You have nothing to lose by calling, and potentially everything to gain.
FAQs About Aurora Distracted Driving Accidents
How do I prove the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash?
Proving distraction takes real investigative work. Your attorney can subpoena the at-fault driver’s cell phone records, which can show whether they were texting, calling, or using an app at the moment of impact. Traffic camera footage, dashcam video, and eyewitness statements also help establish what happened. If police cited the driver for a distracted driving violation under 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2, that citation is powerful evidence of negligence in your civil case.
How long do I have to file a distracted driving injury lawsuit in Illinois?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. If you are also seeking compensation for vehicle damage, 735 ILCS 5/13-205 gives you five years for property damage claims. These deadlines are firm. Missing them means losing your right to recover compensation entirely. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your crash so we can protect your rights from day one.
What if I was partly at fault for the distracted driving crash?
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. However, your total compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found 15% at fault and the distracted driver was 85% at fault, your damages are reduced by 15%. This makes it very important to have an attorney who can build a strong case and push back against attempts to inflate your share of the blame.
Can I sue if the distracted driver was using a hands-free device?
Yes, you can still pursue a claim even if the driver was using a hands-free device. While hands-free use is generally permitted under Illinois law, it does not guarantee safe driving. Research shows that cognitive distraction from a phone conversation can still impair a driver’s reaction time and awareness. If the driver’s inattention, regardless of the device setup, caused your crash, you may still have a valid negligence claim. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case and advise you on the best path forward.
What types of distracted driving accidents does Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handle?
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles a wide range of distracted driving accident cases in Aurora and throughout Illinois. This includes crashes caused by texting, phone calls, social media use, video streaming, eating, adjusting in-car controls, and other forms of driver inattention. We handle rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, pedestrian accidents, rideshare accidents, and multi-vehicle pileups. If a distracted driver caused your injuries, we want to hear from you and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
More Resources About Vehicle Injuries
- Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Aurora, IL
- Aurora, IL Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Car Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Truck Accident Attorney
- Aurora, IL Uber Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Lyft Accident Lawyer
- Aurora, IL Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
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