Although we share a lot of cultural and legal similarities across the states, American driving laws can vary wildly. From coast to coast and even state to state, the driving laws can change in subtle ways that have big ramifications on liability.
This is why if you’re a driver in Illinois or you’re simply passing through it, it’s incredibly useful to know Illinois’s driving laws.
It keeps you out of dangerous situations and protects the possibility of filing a claim if someone was negligent and hit you.
Specific Rules in Illinois
Although you’ll want to obey all of the rules when driving on the roads in Illinois, these are a few of the ones you’ll want to pay special attention to.
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Seatbelts: Any person over the age of eight has to wear a seatbelt in Illinois, whether they’re in the front or the back seat. Additionally, children 8 and under have to be in a child restraint safety system (such as a car seat or a booster seat, depending on what is appropriate for their age and size).
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Drunk driving: Drunk driving in Illinois means that someone is driving a car with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08. The law requires that people convicted of a DUI install an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle—even for the first offense.
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Open container laws: On Illinois highways, drivers and passengers are not allowed to handle open containers of alcohol, and there also can’t be any alcohol within reach in the passenger area of the car.
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Distracted driving: Illinois drivers are allowed to use hands-free and Bluetooth devices to operate their phones while driving, but the laws surrounding the use of handheld phones is comparatively strict. Drivers are never allowed to text while driving in Illinois. In fact, they’re not allowed to use handheld phones to make phone calls either. The only exception to the rule about phone calls is if there is an emergency.
Open Container Laws and Your Illinois Auto Accident
Here’s how open container laws could affect your claim. If a driver sideswiped you on the highway, it would be bad enough. But if it also turns out that the driver had an open container of alcohol in the front part of the vehicle, then that could bolster your claim that the other driver was negligent.
Illinois is an at-fault state when it comes to determining who pays in an accident. This means that you need to determine who is at fault for the accident and then either file a claim with his insurance company or file a personal injury claim.
A personal injury lawyer can help you argue that the other driver was liable, so contact one as soon as you develop an interest in filing.
Find an Attorney Who Can Help You
Being injured in an accident caused by another driver is bad enough, but knowing that his negligence caused your injury can make you feel even worse. There’s no need for you to suffer in silence for the other driver’s carelessness.
Consider filing a claim, and if you do, find an experienced personal injury lawyer in Illinois. You’ll get the expertise you need to potentially guide your claim to victory.
