Helping the injured since 1950
Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Southern Illinois. Driving while texting or looking at one's mobile phone has tragically become an epidemic on Illinois roadways. When a driver is not paying full attention to the road, it can easily cause an accident—studies have shown that drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a crash when their eyes were on texting or looking at social media instead of traffic. According to the CDC, over a recent six-year period there were 3,260 deaths and 411,667 injuries directly attributed to one or more drivers in an accident being distracted. In Illinois, a study conducted by the Illinois State Police found that six percent of all observed drivers used their phones while driving, despite it being illegal and punishments for distracted driving recently increased,
When you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident caused by the reckless behavior of a distracted driver, you should rely on someone you can trust to get you the justice you deserve. Hassakis & Hassakis has been a trusted member of the Southern Illinois community since 1950. Our experienced, intelligent, compassionate team of attorneys has helped people from all walks of life obtain just, fair compensation after a personal injury accident.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
- Texting or talking on a phone
- Changing radio stations or music
- Checking maps/navigation/GPS
- Taking photos
- Checking email/social media
- Eating or drinking
- Grooming (makeup, shaving, etc.)
- Talking to other passengers
- Smoking/vaping
Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Injury Law Practice Areas
When you or someone you care about is injured as a result of an accident, you want to work with a personal injury lawyer who not only has proven expertise in cases like yours, but also truly has your family's best interests at heart. The attorneys of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are accomplished lawyers in all areas of personal injury law and have been trusted by the Southern Illinois community for generations. With your best interests at heart and a track record of successfully helping Illinois families recover from devastating events by obtaining the compensation they deserve, the personal injury lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis offer the best legal representation available for you and your family after you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, dog bite, or any other type of personal injury.
Helping the injured since 1950
Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Southern Illinois. Driving while texting or looking at one's mobile phone has tragically become an epidemic on Illinois roadways. When a driver is not paying full attention to the road, it can easily cause an accident—studies have shown that drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a crash when their eyes were on texting or looking at social media instead of traffic. According to the CDC, over a recent six-year period there were 3,260 deaths and 411,667 injuries directly attributed to one or more drivers in an accident being distracted. In Illinois, a study conducted by the Illinois State Police found that six percent of all observed drivers used their phones while driving, despite it being illegal and punishments for distracted driving recently increased,
When you or someone you care about has been involved in an accident caused by the reckless behavior of a distracted driver, you should rely on someone you can trust to get you the justice you deserve. Hassakis & Hassakis has been a trusted member of the Southern Illinois community since 1950. Our experienced, intelligent, compassionate team of attorneys has helped people from all walks of life obtain just, fair compensation after a personal injury accident.
Common Causes of Distracted Driving
- Texting or talking on a phone
- Changing radio stations or music
- Checking maps/navigation/GPS
- Taking photos
- Checking email/social media
- Eating or drinking
- Grooming (makeup, shaving, etc.)
- Talking to other passengers
- Smoking/vaping
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Medical Malpractice
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Wrongful Death
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Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers in Southern Illinois
Injury Law Practice Areas
When you or someone you care about is injured as a result of an accident, you want to work with a personal injury lawyer who not only has proven expertise in cases like yours, but also truly has your family's best interests at heart. The attorneys of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. are accomplished lawyers in all areas of personal injury law and have been trusted by the Southern Illinois community for generations. With your best interests at heart and a track record of successfully helping Illinois families recover from devastating events by obtaining the compensation they deserve, the personal injury lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis offer the best legal representation available for you and your family after you have been injured in a car accident, workplace accident, dog bite, or any other type of personal injury.
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Car Accident
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Truck Accident
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Premises Liability
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Workers’ Compensation
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Why Do I Need A Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer?
Proving that another driver was distracted, and therefore negligent, in an Illinois personal injury case often comes down to preparedness and thorough investigation. The experienced Southern Illinois auto accident attorneys at Hassakis & Hassakis use industry-leading technology to help build your case, such as:
- Subpoenaing cell phone records—It may be possible to subpoena time/date records that show that the person was talking on the phone or sending a text message at the time of the accident.
- Determining an “electronic trail” at the time of the accident—Cell phone records may not capture all smartphone activity, but instant messaging apps, social media platforms, email messaging, web browsing, and other activities do leave an electronic trail. For example, if the person made a social media post at or near the time of the crash, that information might be logged and timestamped online publicly.
- Obtaining vehicle data—Many new vehicles have sophisticated computer equipment that monitors and records certain things, such as how fast the car was going or even whether the driver was adjusting the car’s radio at the time of the crash
- Obtaining the police report—Law enforcement officers sometimes include notes about distracted driving in their official police report, such as recording an at-fault driver’s admission of being distracted while driving.
- Conducting witness testimonies—We get in contact with anyone who might have seen what happened, including passengers in your car, the other driver’s passengers, people in other vehicles, pedestrians in the vicinity of the crash, etc.
- Reconstructing the accident—We may hire an accident reconstructionist who can investigate the accident and create a compelling demonstration of how it happened, including tire mark patterns, debris, or other forensic evidence that suggests driver distraction.
- Gathering camera recordings or surveillance footage—With things like traffic cameras, cell phone footage, and security surveillance from nearby businesses being commonplace in today’s modern world, distracted drivers may be caught in the act more than you think. We are able to travel out to the accident site and look for any possible sources of photography or video footage.
Down to earth, knowledgeable, handled my legal issue in a timely fashion. 😎
- William Rauen
I was referred to Hassakis & Hassakis by a past client and was assured I would be treated right. From day one all of their staff were extremely prof …
- jose delgado
I would like to say that Shane Carnine has been the best lawyer that I've had the pleasure to deal with. Shane always returned any phone call or ema …
- Matt Canon
$2.3 Million Settlement
CASE TYPE: Workers' Compensation
$2.25 Million Workers' Compensation Settlement. We fought hard to get this incredible settlement for our client in his workers' compensation claim. Our client worked as a coal miner and suffered a brain injury and partial blindness as a result of a work accident. Through tough litigation, we were able to get this client a $2.5 million settlement.
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If you or your child are hurt while riding your bicycle, the lawyers of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. can help you recover. A minor was riding their bicycle when they were seriously injured by a worker with a local entity. We fought to get a confidential settlement for our client.
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Case Type:
A 61 year old male sustained traumatic and severe fractures to his pelvis and nose, right rib fractures, fractures to his back and neck requiring surgical intervention. He was discharged from the hospital to a rehab facility for occupational and physical therapy. This case was settled for $46,476.46.
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Case Type: Group Home Injuries
In this confidential settlement case, a minor child was seriously injured in a group home.
read moreIllinois Distracted Driving Lawyers: Hassakis & Hassakis
Distracted Driving Laws in Illinois
Unlike in some neighboring states, texting and driving, or indeed having a phone in one's hand, is illegal in Illinois. Drivers can use phones if they are in a hands-free mode (hooked up to Bluetooth, a headset, or more modern car infotainment systems that integrate with smartphones, for example) or in specific cases such as reporting an accident or other emergency situation.
The state of Illinois has recently increased penalties for those caught driving while using a cell phone. First offenses, which were previously considered non-moving violations for purposes of insurance and driving records, are, as of a law signed by then-Governor Bruce Rauner in 2018, now all considered moving violations. Drivers are fined $75 for a first offense, with penalties increasing $25 for each subsequent offense up to the fourth ticket for distracted driving. Drivers who receive three distracted driving violations within a 365-day period will have their license suspended.
An additional law, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2019, stiffens the penalties for those who cause a serious accident while driving distracted. The law creates a criminal charge known as "aggravated use of an electronic communication device", and the severity of the charge depends on the severity of the accident. If the accident resulted in "great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another person", that person will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a punishment of up to a year in jail and a maximum $2,500 fine. If an Illinois distracted driving accident resulted in death, the driver at fault faces a Class 4 felony, punishable by anywhere from one to three years in prison and a fine of no more than $25,000. Additionally, anyone charged under this law will see their license suspended for one year.
Your Southern Illinois Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers
For more than 70 years, Southern Illinois residents have trusted Hassakis & Hassakis to get them a measure of justice and the compensation they are entitled to following all types of personal injury accidents. Our Illinois distracted driving attorneys are ready to talk to you following an accident and get to work investigating your claim, taking on insurance companies, and securing you a just, fair settlement.
When you or someone you care about has been injured in a Southern Illinois car accident caused by a driver who was not paying attention to the road at the time, call (618)-244-5335 or contact us online. A member of our team will be in contact with you as soon as possible to schedule a no-charge review of your case.
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