Did someone who was texting and driving injure you?

It’s no secret that texting and driving can be extremely dangerous in Illinois. Unfortunately, many people don’t take the issue seriously until it’s too late. If you’re ever in a situation in which someone who was texting and driving injures you, there are steps that you can take to recover.

Seek medical treatment

It’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident even if you don’t think that you’re hurt. Many injuries aren’t immediately noticeable but can cause long-term damage if not treated. Just remember to have the doctor document your injuries in case you need to file a claim later.

Call the police and gather information

If you are in a position to do so, always call the police after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. They will help you gather information and create a report that can be used in any legal proceedings. Make sure you get the driver’s name, contact information, license plate number and insurance information.

Take pictures and get witness statements

If possible, photograph the accident scene and any injuries you sustained. This can help document the accident scene and prove that another driver was texting and driving. If you’re injured, make sure to take photos of your injuries as well for documentation purposes. Also, if there were any witnesses to the crash, make sure you obtain their contact information.

File a claim

Once you have gathered all the information, it’s important to file a motor vehicle accident claim as soon as possible. This will start the process of obtaining compensation so that you can begin to recover.

Consequences of texting while driving in Illinois

If you’re caught texting while driving, you can face a $75 fine and up to 15 days in jail. For a second offense, the fines increase to $100 and 30 days in jail. And for a third or subsequent offense, you can receive a fine of up to $125 and a jail sentence of up to one year.

If get hurt by someone who was texting and driving, don’t hesitate to take the necessary steps to receive compensation for your injuries. It can be a long process, but it’s important that you can recover the compensation to which you are entitled.