Chicago Teen Driver Accident Lawyer

Seek Compensation for Car Crashes Involving Teenage Drivers

Young drivers lack the experience to navigate major roads like Michigan Avenue or Lake Shore Drive in a safe and responsible way, leading to serious car wrecks. If you’ve been in an accident involving a student driver, you can rest assured knowing that a Chicago teen driver accident lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help. 

Contact an experienced car accident attorney from our firm for a free consultation about your personal injury claim. 

Settlements Recovered by Our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers

$2,800,000: Diana was a passenger in her older boyfriend’s car. The boyfriend had just turned 19 and had been drinking heavily before driving her to a movie. He lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a utility pole, killing Diana. The car accident caused severe trauma for her family members, and we recovered compensation for their emotional distress. 

$2,000,000: Ryan, an accountant, suffered catastrophic injuries in a rollover crash, including spinal cord injuries. The at-fault driver was a high school senior at Lane Technical High School. The other driver argued that Ryan’s reckless driving caused the accident, but our Chicago car accident lawyers found surveillance footage to show he was not the at-fault party. 

$385,000: Latoya, an Auburn-Gresham woman, was in a motor vehicle accident with a teen drunk driver who rear-ended her at high speed. She suffered a herniated disc and was no longer able to play basketball. While the driver’s insurance company attempted to negotiate down because of the inexperienced driver, our personal injury lawyers pointed out the severe risk of driving drunk while underage. 

What Is the Average Payout for a Teen Driving Accident in Chicago?

The average payout for a teen driver car accident claim is $4,597,968. Factors determining how much an injury victim can receive include their medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, available evidence like police reports, and liability. 

Example Cases Filed in Cook County

Alejandra Fajardo, age 6, was a front-seat passenger in a vehicle driven by her father. As the car passed through the intersection of Weist and Springinsguth roads in Schaumburg, they were hit by Pamela Layden, 17. Tragically, Alejandra died in her father’s arms at the scene of the accident. Accident reconstruction specialists determined that Layden was turning left through the intersection while Fajardo’s father was going straight through a yellow light, meaning he had the right of way. A court awarded the Fajardo family $3,509,971.00. 

Christina Chakonas, 17, a student, was driving two friends on a side street when they approached the intersection of Route 30 in Wanatah. Chakonas was turning in the intersection when the vehicle was hit by Jaime Reeves, who was driving an 18-wheel tractor-trailer. Two of the injured parties died on impact, and the third died shortly afterward. Chakona’s parents sued Reeves and his employer, arguing that he had violated federal trucking laws for hours of service and had not braked in time. The families of the deceased teens were awarded $23,000,000.00. 

What Laws Govern Teen Car Accidents in Chicago?

Teenage drivers sometimes exhibit poor decision-making and may lack the safe driving practices needed to navigate potential road challenges. As such, Illinois law has a graduated driver licensing program that begins at age 15 and continues until age 20 (95-0310). 

A teen must hold their learner’s permit for at least nine months and be enrolled in a driver’s education course. They can only drive while supervised by a legal guardian or an adult above the age of 21 with a valid license. Violating any traffic law results in a nine-month waiting period before applying for an initial license (95-0310).

During the permit and initial licensing phase, there are restrictions on nighttime driving, particularly on the weekends. These remain in place even if the driver has a qualified adult with them. 

Drivers under age 19 are not allowed to use any cell phone, even a hands-free device. Despite the cell phone restrictions, distracted driving is a leading cause of fatal crashes among teenage drivers across the United States. A recent study found that 7 out of 10 young drivers use cell phones while driving, putting them at much higher risk of an accident. 

While teens are less likely to drink and drive than adult drivers, they are far more likely to be killed or injured in a car accident should they do so. Any teen driver caught drinking while driving has their license immediately suspended (625 ILCS 5/11-501.8). This suspension can last anywhere from three months to two years, depending on whether an accident occurred and if they had previous suspensions (625 ILCS 5/6-208.2). 

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence to determine liability for car wrecks (735 ILCS 5/2-1116). You can pursue compensation as long as you were not more than 50% responsible, but your percentage of blame will reduce your compensation. 

Insurance companies dealing with teen drivers may fight to prevent you from seeking fair compensation using manipulative, emotional tactics, such as claiming that you will damage the child’s future prospects. This makes it essential that you work with a teen driver accident lawyer who can offer legal guidance throughout the process. 

How Long Do Chicago Accident Victims Have to File an Auto Accident Insurance Claim?

You have two years to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering through a lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For a fatal car accident, you have two years after the person’s death (740 ILCS 180/). Contact a skilled lawyer immediately to begin the legal process. 

FAQs

Can teens get their license revoked for distracted driving in Illinois?

Yes, a teen can have their license revoked for distracted driving accidents. Cell phone use, even with a hands-free device, is prohibited for drivers under 19 (95-0310). If the teen driver has two moving violations within a 24-month period, they can have their license revoked for a minimum of one month (95-0310). 

Can parents be held liable for Chicago teen driving accidents?

Yes, a parent can be held responsible for their child’s accident under the Illinois Parental Responsibility Law (740 ILCS 115/3). This law holds parents accountable for wilful or malicious acts. However, it has a maximum compensation of $20,000 for the first occurrence or $30,000 for a pattern of negligence (740 ILCS 115/5). 

How Our Chicago Law Firm Can Help Your Teen Driver Accident Case

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers will protect your legal rights and guide you through the court system while negotiating with insurance adjusters on your behalf. 

We will gather evidence like accident reports, medical records, and witness testimony to demonstrate that the teen driver was liable for your injuries. We’ll then file a claim and negotiate a fair settlement with the responsible insurance company, ensuring that you have the funds you need to recover.

With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our firm has a 10/10 AVVO rating and the prestigious Super Lawyers® designation. Our team has recovered over $450 million in successful settlements and verdicts for 5,000 clients and counting. 

Our experienced lawyers work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we earn compensation for you. This ensures that you can focus on healing rather than worrying about how to pay your legal fees. 

If you’ve been injured in a car accident with a young driver, you’re not alone. Our firm offers comprehensive legal services so that you can recover in comfort while being protected from manipulative insurance tactics. To schedule your free case review, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form. 

Sources: Law.com