Car Accident Lawyer Arlington Heights, IL
If you have been injured in a car crash, you may want to get in touch with an Arlington Heights, IL car accident lawyer from Therman Law Offices, LTD. You may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you file a timely claim against the negligent party.
How to Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Illinois. When drivers do not have their complete attention on the road ahead, they are more likely to cause a crash. Here are some different ways to avoid distracted driving.
- Put your cell phone out of reach. Whether it is talking on the phone or texting, cell phone use is one of the most common forms of distracted driving. If you use your cell phone while behind the wheel, you can’t keep your eyes and focus on the road ahead. If you are always tempted to use your cell phone while driving, put it out of reach, like in your back seat.
- Groom at home. When people are running late in the morning, they might brush their hair or do their makeup in the car. Unfortunately, this can increase the risk of a car accident. When you groom yourself, you are forced to take at least one hand off the wheel. You may also have trouble concentrating on the road. That is why you should always groom yourself before you leave the house, even if you have to wake up earlier.
- Do not eat or drink. As an Arlington Heights car accident attorney can attest, eating or drinking while behind the wheel can increase chances of getting into an accident. Although eating or drinking behind the wheel might be convenient and save you time, it is not safe. Make sure to eat and drink before you get on the road.
- Avoid deep conversations. If you have passengers in your vehicle, you likely want to talk to them, especially if you are driving long distances. While it is okay to have basic conversations, you should avoid talking about anything too deep while behind the wheel. If you are discussing a deep subject, you may have trouble focusing your entire attention on the road.
- Get plenty of sleep. It is never a good idea to operate a vehicle when you are feeling drowsy. When you are very tired, you may have a much harder time focusing on the road ahead and get distracted easier. Try to get eight hours of sleep at night.
- Set up your GPS beforehand. When you are traveling somewhere unfamiliar, it can be very helpful to use a GPS system. However, you should avoid fiddling around with your GPS while behind the wheel. Set up your GPS before you head out on the road to avoid taking your hands off the wheel.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, you should schedule a consultation with an Arlington Heights car accident lawyer from Therman Law Offices, LTD today to discuss your case in detail.
Understanding Driver Fatigue
An Arlington Heights, IL car accident lawyer can help if you’ve been involved in a collision with a fatigued driver. Read on to learn more about driver fatigue, and get in touch with the professionals at Therman Law Offices, LTD for a free consultation.
- What Is Driver Fatigue?
Driver fatigue is pretty self-explanatory: It’s any time a driver is too tired to safely operate a motor vehicle. Most people assume this means “not enough sleep”, but it applies to a variety of circumstances. A driver may experience driver fatigue if he or she had an intense workout at the gym, or had to work overtime at the office.
Driver fatigue can be hazardous, not just for the driver, but for others on the road. It’s important to recognize the warning signs of driver fatigue so you can avoid causing and accidents on your commute.
- What Are The Warning Signs Of Driver Fatigue?
There are many different signs of driver fatigue. Behind the wheel, tiredness can take different shapes. Some fatigued drivers may swerve into other lanes or experience slowed reaction times, and others may be more likely to take extra risks on the road.
If you’re driving but you suddenly can’t remember where the last couple of minutes (or miles) went, it’s a pretty strong sign that you’re experiencing driver fatigue. It’s important to know what to look out for when you’re on the road, and it’s important to know who’s most at risk of driver fatigue.
- Who Is Most At Risk?
Driver fatigue can affect anyone. If your work prevents you from adequately resting before you head home, or you’re just not getting enough sleep, you’re more at risk of driver fatigue affecting how you handle your vehicle.
On the other hand, diet, exercise, and health play a factor in driver fatigue as well. Eating heavy meals before getting on the road can make you feel more tired, and working out hard before buckling up for a long drive means you may be too exhausted to safely drive as well. There’s also the risk of medications causing drowsiness.
- How Can I Avoid Driver Fatigue?
There’s only so much caffeine, loud music, and full A/C can do for you if you’re exhausted. Everyone has their own tips and tricks for avoiding driver fatigue, but unless it involves getting adequate rest before hitting the road, those tips and tricks don’t work.
If you want to avoid driver fatigue, avoid driving while tired. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, and make sure you aren’t eating anything too heavy before a drive. If you have to take any medication that may induce drowsiness, talk to your medical professionals about how to minimize your side effects. And worse case, pull over someplace where you can get some rest.
- When Should I Contact A Lawyer?
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a fatigued driver (or you were fatigued when you were involved in an accident) you should get in touch with a lawyer who can help you manage your case. Every car accident is different, and insurance providers are usually pretty slow to release that much-needed money.
The right legal team can help you get the money you need from your insurance provider, and anyone else who may have been responsible for your injuries. Get in touch with Therman Law Offices, LTD today, and see how an Arlington Heights car accident lawyer from our office can help.