Chicago Auto Accident Attorneys
Representing the Clients in Auto Accident Cases involving a Teenager
Accidents involving teen drivers in Illinois are significantly higher than any other group of drivers. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in 2009, there were 60,566 car accidents involving teen drivers, and according to Secretary of State Jesse White, driving accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15-20.
Insurance Coverage and Liability
If you have been in an accident with a teen driver, you may wonder how to proceed in order to recover for your injuries and damages. Teen drivers are often insured under their parents’ insurance policy. The Illinois teen auto accident attorneys at Ankin Law have significant experience protecting our clients’ rights when they have been hurt or injured in an auto accident with a teen driver. Our vast understanding of the laws regarding negligence, as well as our familiarity with insurance company procedures, allows us to effectively advocate on your behalf to protect your rights and obtain the justice that you deserve.
Illinois Laws Regarding Teen Drivers
Illinois has enacted several laws in order to ensure that teenagers are not permitted to drive until they have proven that they can do so safely. Before a teenager can obtain his or her driver’s license, a parent must certify that the teen has completed at least 50 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours of nighttime driving. Once a teenager has obtained his or her license, teen drivers between the ages of 16-17 are prohibited from driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Illinois also understands that teenagers are especially susceptible to distractions from their peers while driving. Accordingly, Illinois law limits the number of passengers to one person under age 20 (unless the passenger(s) is a sibling or child of the driver) for the first year of licensed driving or until the driver is 18, whichever occurs first.
Safety Tips for Teenage Drivers
The following are safety tips for teenage drivers:
- Avoid Cell Phone Use, Including Texting. Studies show that cell phone use while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. Illinois law also prohibits the sending or reading text messages and emails while driving anywhere within the state. Additionally, hand-held cell phone use while driving in a school zone or highway construction zone is strictly prohibited in Illinois and Chicago, Evanston and Winnetka have banned the use of hand-held cell phones in any way while driving all together.
- Obey the Speed Limit. According to the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles, speeding causes about 40% of all fatal teen accidents.
- Minimize Distractions.
- Drive Alone.
Get the Legal Help You Need
If you have been involved in an auto accident with a teenage driver, it is important to understand your legal rights and remedies, as well as the insurance procedures involved with pursuing a claim. Contact one of our Chicago auto accident attorneys today at (800) 442-6546 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help with your teen driving accident claim.