Most of us assume we’re pretty good at multitasking. A quick glance at the phone, adjusting the radio, taking a sip of coffee—no big deal, right? Maybe, but juggling all of them at once and driving? How fast can you react if the car in front of you stops suddenly? Or when a child runs into the street. That split-second distraction could turn into a life-altering crash.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but this issue isn’t seasonal. It’s a daily reality on Illinois roads. You also have to think beyond personal safety. If you’re injured in a crash, even a moment of distraction on your part can make it harder to get the compensation you deserve, even if the other driver was mostly at fault.
What Counts as Distracted Driving?
Texting isn’t the only form of distracted driving. It’s anything that pulls your eyes, hands, or mind away from the road:
- Visual distractions: Looking at a phone, reading a billboard, turning to talk to a passenger.
- Manual distractions: Taking a hand off the wheel to grab food, adjust the radio, or dig through a bag.
- Cognitive distractions: Being lost in thought, arguing with someone over the phone (even hands-free), or daydreaming instead of focusing.
Illinois has strict laws against distracted driving. Using a handheld phone while driving is illegal. Texting? Banned. Even fiddling with a GPS while driving can land you with a fine. And if your distraction causes a crash, the consequences can escalate to reckless driving charges or worse.
The Real Cost of Distracted Driving
Some costs are obvious—hospital bills, car repairs, and lost wages from time off work. Others run deeper. A severe injury can change how you live your life. Chronic pain, permanent disabilities, or losing a loved one in a crash, these are burdens no one should have to bear.
From a legal standpoint, distracted driving can also come back to haunt you. If you’re in a crash and the other driver was at fault, but you were also distracted (even just briefly) the insurance company will use that against you. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning if you’re found to be even 50% at fault, you could lose your right to compensation altogether.
If you were texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted at the moment of impact, the other driver’s insurance company will dig into that. They’ll check phone records, look at surveillance footage, and even bring in witness testimony. Their goal? To pay you as little as possible.
How to Protect Yourself
The simplest way to avoid becoming a statistic (or weakening your personal injury claim) is to eliminate distractions before you even start the car:
- Set your GPS before you start driving. Typing an address while moving is just as dangerous as texting.
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb. Most smartphones have a setting to silence notifications while driving. Use it.
- Eat before you leave. Juggling a sandwich while steering is a recipe for disaster.
- Keep your hands on the wheel and your mind on the road. If you need to make a call, pull over.
If you’ve already been in a crash, be careful with what you say at the scene. Never admit fault, even casually. A simple “I looked down for a second” can be used against you later.
If You’ve Been Hurt, You Still Have Rights
Distracted drivers are dangerous, and if you’ve been injured because of one, you deserve justice. But don’t let the insurance companies twist the story to blame you. The right legal team will fight to make sure your case is built on the truth, not what the other side wants it to be.
At The Berenz Law Network, we believe that justice isn’t just for the wealthy or powerful. If you’ve been wronged, you deserve a way to fight back. Call us at 312-888-6058 for a free consultation.
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