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Tinley Park Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Every day, drivers in the Tinley Park area get behind the wheel and face a real danger that has nothing to do with road conditions or weather. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of serious crashes in the Chicago south suburbs, and the consequences can be life-changing. If a distracted driver hit you near Oak Park Avenue, on I-80, or anywhere else in the Tinley Park area, you have rights under Illinois law. The team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help you understand those rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Serious Is Distracted Driving in Illinois?
Illinois Laws on Distracted Driving You Should Know
Your Legal Rights After a Tinley Park Distracted Driving Crash
What Damages Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident?
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Can Help After Your Crash
FAQs About Tinley Park Distracted Driving Accidents

How Serious Is Distracted Driving in Illinois?

Distracted driving is not a minor issue in Illinois. The numbers tell a sobering story. In 2023, cell phone use was a factor in 2,510 roadway crashes in Illinois, resulting in 15 deaths and 1,013 injuries. That is thousands of families affected by a problem that is entirely preventable.

On a national level, the picture is just as troubling. In 2023, 3,275 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes, accounting for 8% of all traffic deaths. An estimated 324,819 people were injured in crashes involving distracted drivers, up from 289,310 injuries in 2022. These are not just numbers. Behind every statistic is a real person dealing with medical bills, lost income, and pain.

The danger is also immediate and physical. Glancing at a phone for just 5 seconds while traveling at 55 mph means a driver traveled the entire length of a football field blind, with no awareness of what was happening around them. Think about what that means on a busy stretch of Harlem Avenue or while merging onto I-57 near Tinley Park. According to AAA, even looking at a phone while stopped at a traffic light is dangerous. It takes an average of 27 seconds for the brain to re-focus on the road after that glance at a screen, and for those 27 seconds, the driver is essentially operating as if they had consumed 4 beers.

Distracted driving takes three forms: visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel), and cognitive (mind off driving). Texting hits all three at once. That is why it is so dangerous, and why Illinois law treats it so seriously. If you were hurt by a driver who was not paying attention, the law may be on your side.

Illinois Laws on Distracted Driving You Should Know

Illinois has some of the toughest distracted driving laws in the country, and those laws have only gotten stricter in recent years. Illinois law prohibits the use of electronic communication devices to write, send, or read text messages, emails, or other electronic communications while driving. In 2024, legislation went into effect that also made it illegal to use teleconferencing apps, watch videos, or access social media sites while driving.

Hands-free devices or Bluetooth technology are allowed for persons aged 19 and older. But even that comes with a warning. Even using hands-free technology is considered a distraction while driving and can be dangerous. The law is clear about when a phone can be used without hands-free technology: only to report an emergency situation, while parked on the shoulder of a roadway, or while stopped due to normal traffic being obstructed and the vehicle is in neutral or park.

The penalties reflect how seriously Illinois takes this problem. The fine for a first offense is a maximum of $75, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense, and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. But when distracted driving causes a crash, the stakes go much higher. A driver who gets into a car accident while using a cell phone may face criminal charges. Penalties include a Class A misdemeanor (up to $1,000 fine) if the driver causes an accident resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement, and a Class 4 felony (up to 3 years in jail and up to $25,000 fine) if the driver causes the death of another person.

Beyond criminal penalties, a distracted driver who injures you can also face a civil lawsuit. That is where Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can help you pursue the financial recovery you need.

Your Legal Rights After a Tinley Park Distracted Driving Crash

Being hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver is frustrating and frightening. You may be dealing with hospital visits, missed work, and a damaged vehicle, all while trying to figure out what to do next. Illinois law gives you the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver, but there are rules you need to know.

Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/2-1116), the state follows a modified comparative negligence standard. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the crash, as long as your share of fault is not more than 50%. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a distracted driver ran a red light on Oak Park Avenue and hit you, but you were found 10% at fault for speeding, your total award would be reduced by 10%.

Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/2-1117) also addresses joint liability. All defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for your past and future medical and medically related expenses. If a defendant’s fault is 25% or greater of the total fault, they are jointly and severally liable for all other damages too. This matters when multiple parties share responsibility for your crash.

You also need to act quickly. Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202), you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing that deadline can mean losing your right to recover anything at all. Do not wait to speak with an attorney. The sooner you call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, the sooner we can start building your case.

Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401) also requires that any driver involved in a crash causing injury or death must stop immediately at the scene and remain there until they have fulfilled their legal duties. A driver who flees the scene faces serious felony charges. If the driver who hit you left the scene, that is important information for your case.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident?

One of the first questions people ask after a crash is: what can I actually recover? The answer depends on the facts of your case, but Illinois law allows injured victims to pursue a wide range of damages. Knowing what you may be entitled to can help you make informed decisions about your claim.

Economic damages are the most straightforward. These include your medical bills, both past and future. If you needed surgery after a crash on I-80 near the Tinley Park interchange, or if you required physical therapy after a collision near the Metra station on 80th Avenue, those costs are recoverable. Lost wages are also part of your economic damages. If your injuries kept you from going to work, you deserve to be compensated for that lost income. Future lost earning capacity is also on the table if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.

Non-economic damages cover the human side of your losses. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are all recognized under Illinois law. If your injuries changed the way you live, whether that means you can no longer coach your child’s soccer team at Tinley Park’s recreation fields or enjoy weekend activities at Centennial Park, those losses matter and deserve compensation.

In some cases, punitive damages may also be available. If the distracted driver’s conduct was especially reckless, a court may award additional damages to punish that behavior and deter others. An attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review the facts of your case and tell you what types of damages may apply. Whether you were injured in Tinley Park or in a neighboring community, we handle cases throughout the Chicago area, including as a Rockford car accident lawyer, a Belleville car accident lawyer, and a Champaign car accident lawyer.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Can Help After Your Crash

Dealing with an insurance company after a distracted driving crash is not easy. Insurers often try to minimize payouts, dispute liability, or shift blame onto the victim. Having an experienced legal team on your side changes the dynamic significantly. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been helping injured people in the Chicago area for decades, and we know how to build a strong case.

When you work with us, we start by gathering the evidence that matters. That includes police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, and any available traffic or security camera footage from the crash scene. If your crash happened near the Tinley Park Convention Center on Oak Creek Drive or along the busy stretch of 167th Street, there may be surveillance footage or witnesses who can support your claim. We know how to find that evidence and use it effectively.

We also work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries. Insurance companies often try to argue that your injuries are minor or pre-existing. We counter that with solid medical documentation that tells the true story of how the crash affected your life and health.

Distracted driving crashes can also involve rideshare vehicles. If a distracted Uber or Lyft driver caused your accident, the legal issues become more complex. Our team handles those cases too, including as a Chicago Uber accident lawyer. We also serve clients in the northern suburbs as a Gurnee car accident lawyer. No matter where your crash happened or who caused it, we are ready to fight for you. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation and let us help you move forward.

FAQs About Tinley Park Distracted Driving Accidents

What should I do immediately after a distracted driving accident in Tinley Park?

Call 911 right away and stay at the scene. Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401) requires all drivers involved in a crash causing injury to remain at the scene. Get medical attention even if you feel fine, since some injuries like whiplash or internal trauma do not show up immediately. Take photos of the scene, exchange information with the other driver, and get contact details from any witnesses. Then call an attorney before speaking with the other driver’s insurance company.

How do I prove the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash?

Proving distraction often comes down to evidence. Cell phone records can show whether the driver was texting or calling at the time of the crash. Police reports may note signs of distraction. Witness statements can also be powerful. Traffic or security camera footage from nearby businesses or intersections in Tinley Park may capture what happened. An attorney can help you obtain and preserve this evidence before it disappears.

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Illinois?

Under Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202), you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover any compensation. There are limited exceptions, such as cases involving minors, but you should never count on an exception applying to your situation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your crash to protect your rights.

What if I was partially 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 you are not more than 50% at fault for the crash. Your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. An attorney can help you fight back against attempts by the other side to unfairly inflate your share of the blame.

Does it matter if the distracted driver was on a work call when the crash happened?

It can matter a great deal. If the driver was using their phone for work purposes at the time of the crash, their employer may also be liable for your injuries under a legal theory called respondeat superior. This is especially relevant if the driver was making a business call, traveling for work, or operating a company vehicle. Employer liability can significantly increase the amount of compensation available to you, and it is one of the reasons having an attorney review your case is so important.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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