Distracted driving is illegal, which means it is negligent. Not only may a distracted driver face a traffic citation or criminal sanction for causing an accident while distracted, but you also have grounds to sue the driver. You may also receive fair compensation through insurance. In either case, choose to let an attorney fight for you.
Hire your distracted driving accident lawyer from a law firm that knows Chicago and has won millions (and counting) for our clients. Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (312) 924-7575 for a free, no-obligation consultation about hiring a Chicago distracted driving accident lawyer.
Table of contents
- Why You Should Hire Your Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C.
- We Know the Areas in Chicago Where Distracted Driving Can Be Particularly Dangerous
- Chicago Intersections Where Distracted Driving Is Most Likely to Cause an Accident
- How Your Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Will Fight for You
- Damages We Never Overlook in Distracted Driving Accident Cases
- Call a Skilled Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today
Why You Should Hire Your Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C.
We aren’t the only firm that serves distracted driving accident victims in the Chicagoland area. However, we believe that our firm offers a unique array of benefits, and you should choose us to lead your case because:
We Handle All Distracted Driving Accident Types in Chicago
Our Chicago personal injury attorneys step up to the plate for anyone harmed by a distracted driver in Chicago, and that includes:
- Motorists
- Passengers
- Motorcycle riders
- Bus drivers
- Rideshare drivers
- Walkers and joggers
- Bicyclists
- Scooter riders
- Those affected by fatal distracted driving accidents
If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one because of a distracted driver, call Abels & Annes, P.C., as soon as possible.
Our Case Results Carry Weight
Our attorneys have achieved case results that you can put stock in. We have recovered millions for clients who badly needed and deserved the money. Some of our notable settlements and verdicts include recoveries of:
- $6 million
- $4.5 million
- $3 million
- $3.2 million
- $2.75 million
The cost of auto accidents resulting in injuries is well-documented, and the cost is immense. Our case record should instill confidence that we are the right firm to represent you.
Client Satisfaction Is Non-Negotiable at Abels & Annes, P.C.
A law firm is nothing without its clients; we have never lost sight of that. Our role is to serve you, and we will ensure your satisfaction by:
- Pairing you with a specific lawyer who is responsible for completing your case
- Listening to your account of the distracted driving accident and answering all your questions
- Creating a personalized strategy
- Helping you with case-related appointments (including any medical care and mental health services you need to heal)
- Being compassionate, empathetic, and respectful in every interaction
Your Chicago distracted driving accident attorney and the rest of our team will handle every detail of your case. This may be our greatest service, as it will enable you to focus on recovery.
We Exhaust All of Our Legal Options (Including Lawsuits and Trials)
Not every law firm presses for a fair result. Some settle for an easy settlement, even if the client deserves more. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we honor our promise to fight for your deserved compensation.
If it’s in your best interest to file a lawsuit or go to court, we will do that for you.
David Abels & Gary Annes Lead a Team of Experienced Lawyers
Each of our attorneys are:
- In the legal field because they are passionate about helping clients in need
- Well-educated and highly trained
- Experienced in the case types we assign them to
- Committed to our client’s best interests
Attorneys David Abels and Gary Annes built the firm on the principles of integrity and tenacity. Our entire staff follows suit, including when we are seeking justice for victims of distracted drivers in Chicago.
We Know the Areas in Chicago Where Distracted Driving Can Be Particularly Dangerous
Distracted drivers are always a hazard to both others and themselves. However, there are certain driving conditions that make distracted driving even more dangerous than usual. From a high volume of vehicles to a large number of nearby pedestrians, certain environments pose a heightened risk of a serious collision
Some of the specific areas of Chicago where distracted driving can be especially hazardous include:
High-Traffic Roadways
As a city with more than 2.7 million residents and a constant flow of traffic in and out, Chicago’s roads are frequently packed. Some roads are particularly busy, and they include:
- Dan Ryan Expressway
- Kennedy Expressway
- Interstate 90
- Interstate 94
- Interstate 290
- North Ashland Avenue
The more vehicles that are near a distracted driver, the more opportunities there are for that driver to strike one of those vehicles.
Social Hotspots
Chicago is a cultural hub, and there is no shortage of common gathering spots for students, socializers, and others to gather. These hotspots include:
- University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and other colleges in the city
- The United Center
- Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville
- Lollapalooza
- River North
- Logan Park
- Navy Pier
As one of the most walkable big cities in the country, Chicago has many areas where pedestrians are often milling about. Distracted drivers pose an imminent threat to both pedestrians and other motorists (and passengers) in these bustling locales.
The Business District
Chicago’s Central Business District, also known as The Loop, is a common site of both foot and vehicle traffic. Because it is a magnet for employees, business-minded visitors, and the many people who operate around a business ecosystem, The Chicago Loop is an area where distracted drivers can cause catastrophic harm.
Residential Neighborhoods
Chicagoans live throughout the city, but many neighborhoods are reserved primarily for homes and apartments. From South Loop and Hyde Park to Washington Park and Englewood, residential neighborhoods may have a high number of:
- Children playing
- Dog walkers
- Joggers
- Others who are at a heightened risk of being injured by distracted drivers
Distracted drivers choose to endanger their fellow Chicagoans. They can cause a collision anywhere at any time, and when they do, they must be held accountable.
Chicago Intersections Where Distracted Driving Is Most Likely to Cause an Accident
Several intersections in Chicago see far more accidents than average. Because they are already dangerous sites, these intersections may be more likely to be the site of distracted driving accidents:
- E. 79th & S. Stony Island
- E. 95th & S. Stony Island
- W. Garfield & S. Wentworth
- W. Garfield & S. Wells
- E. Wacker & N. Michigan
- W. Cermak & S. Clark
While these intersections are notoriously accident-prone, any intersection in Chicago can be the site of a distracted driving accident—as long as distracted drivers are operating there.
How Your Chicago Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Will Fight for You
Our lawyers are equally comfortable handling insurance claims, lawsuits, and trials. We will develop a tailor-made strategy crafted just for your case. Whether we secure an insurance settlement or take your case to court, you will receive our full effort at every turn of your case.
Some of the most common ways we help victims of distracted drivers are:
Communicating with Insurance Companies on Your Behalf
Protecting the client is a critical part of being an effective lawyer. Unfortunately, you need protection from insurance companies. Insurers may:
- Allege you caused the accident (even if they concede that the other driver was distracted, the insurer may claim you contributed to the collision)
- Lowball you
- Refuse to cover certain losses
- Engage in other bad-faith approaches
These tactics are generally meant to reduce the insurance company’s financial liability. The insurance company’s financials aren’t our concern. Our job is to secure every dollar you are entitled to.
Securing Evidence (Including That Which Proves Distracted Driving)
Attorneys typically have to convince insurance companies and other liable parties to pay their clients. Lawyers begin the convincing process with evidence that proves who caused the accident, and this may include:
- Eyewitness testimony that the distracted driver caused the collision
- Video footage of the distracted driver’s vehicle striking yours
- An admission by the distracted driver (perhaps to you or a law enforcement officer) that they caused the collision
Photos of vehicle damage can also tell a story. Distracted drivers often fail to see vehicles braking ahead of them, which can lead to rear-end collisions. A photograph of your vehicle’s rear portion smashed in can be compelling evidence of a distracted driver’s negligence.
Establishing Financial Liability for Your Damages
Your lawyer will identify:
- Insurance companies that owe you money
- Any parties who may be defendants if you decide to sue
Our lawyers are familiar with Illinois’ insurance rules and laws and those governing civil lawsuits. This enables us to move forward quickly with claims and transition to lawsuits when necessary.
Leading Settlement Negotiations
Our lawyers serve many roles, and “negotiator” is one of the most important. We train our attorneys in the art of negotiation, but no training is as valuable as the years of real-world experience our attorneys possess.
Your lawyer may secure a fair settlement by:
- Presenting an evidence-based, objective calculation of your damages
- Presenting documentation of each of your recoverable damages
- Responding directly (and convincingly) to any counterarguments from liable parties
- Making it clear that if liable parties do not negotiate in good faith, we are ready to file a lawsuit immediately
We often secure fair settlements for auto accident victims, and most civil cases settle. We will strive to secure the settlement you deserve, but we will also prepare to sue.
Filing Your Lawsuit (If You Sue)
It’s our hope that those liable for your distracted driving accident will extend a fair settlement. However, that is their decision—we can only do our best to convince them.
If we give our all to negotiations and liable parties continue to rebuff our settlement demands, we will file your car accident lawsuit in the appropriate legal venue.
Completing Your Trial (If We Go There)
There are two most likely outcomes once you file a car accident lawsuit:
- Liable parties will agree to pay you a fair settlement (perhaps because they fear losing a great sum at trial)
- Liable parties will not offer a fair settlement, in which case trial will begin
The Chicago distracted driving accident lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. fear no legal foe, and we certainly don’t fear a trial. Whatever you need us to do, we are game.
Our firm has dedicated paralegals, case managers, and other support staff. These selfless legal professionals draft documents, facilitate communication, and help us resolve cases as efficiently as possible.
When you hire your personal injury lawyer from Abels & Annes, P.C., the entire team is behind you.
Damages We Never Overlook in Distracted Driving Accident Cases
Your damages are going to be the most critical aspect of your case. Damages are the types of harm you’ve suffered because of a distracted driver’s negligence. Our team will:
- Listen to you explain how the accident has affected you
- Speak with your doctors to learn about your injuries
- Create a comprehensive record detailing both your economic and non-economic damages
- Assign a specific financial value to each of your damages
When we negotiate a settlement or seek a certain amount of damages in court, our financial goals will reflect the cost of your damages. Those damages may include:
- Medical expenses, which will include the cost of emergency care, non-emergency care, rehabilitation, medications, and all other care for your accident-related injuries
- Pain and suffering, which can include many conditions like physical pain, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep loss
- Lost income, as well as any lost earning power, lost performance incentives, and other professional harm related to your accident in Chicago
- Vehicle-related costs, including the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle (if you were in your vehicle when the accident happened)
Many of our clients need temporary transportation, have disabling injuries, and face other unique challenges. We even represent clients who have lost a loved one because of a distracted driver.
Call a Skilled Chicago Personal Injury Attorney Today
Whatever harm you face because of a distracted driver, the Abels & Annes, P.C. team will demand a fair financial outcome. Our firm is passionate about what we do, and that is helping victims of negligence in our home city of Chicago.
Call Abels & Annes, P.C. today at (312) 924-7575 for a free consultation.
Abels & Annes, P.C. - Chicago Office
Address: 100 N La Salle St Ste 1710
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 924-7575