There are thousands of teenage drivers on the roads in and around Chicago at any given moment. The fact that we share the road with so many young drivers can be somewhat concerning to some. After all, drivers are operating machines that weigh several thousand pounds and travel at high rates of speed. Plenty of these youngsters are driving with a learner’s permit with hopes of earning an official Illinois driver’s license. If you are the victim of an accident with such a driver, or your teen is the driver that caused the accident, your thoughts may likely center on whether he or she has ample auto insurance coverage. If you are involved in such an accident, do not panic. Our accident lawyer in Chicago is here to help you understand this unique situation.
The Matter of Liability in Learner’s Permit Accidents
Every Illinois driver is required to have auto insurance coverage up to a specific amount. This is true for those driving with a learner’s permit as well as those who have been driving for decades. For the most part, teen drivers have coverage through their parents’ auto insurance policy as it would be too expensive to insure a youngster on his or her own policy. The state of Illinois mandates drivers have at least $25,000 worth of liability coverage for bodily injury per individual and $50,000 per accident. The law also requires a minimum of $20,000 worth of property damage coverage. Furthermore, Illinois law mandates every driver must have $25,000 per individual, and $50,000 total per accident in uninsured motorist coverage for total bodily injury.
A teen driving with a learner’s permit can obtain auto insurance through his or her parents’ insurance policy. However, the parents are not always liable for damages or injuries caused by the teen’s negligence on the road. Yet, there is the potential for parents to have no choice but to pay for damages if they instructed the teen to drive for family business purposes. As an example, telling your teen who has a learner’s permit to take the car to the supermarket for groceries has the potential to expose you to liability in the event your teen is even partially at fault for an accident during the drive.
If it seems as though the law is confusing when it comes to learner’s permit accidents and liability, it is because that is exactly the case. This uncertainty regarding liability for auto accidents involving those driving with a learner’s permit is precisely why most people involved in such an accident hire an accident lawyer in Chicago.
Here is What You Should do After a Learner’s Permit Accident
You will undoubtedly feel flustered after your accident. You may also be in considerable physical pain. If you can think clearly, be proactive by taking a couple fairly simple steps to increase the chances of a favorable verdict or settlement stemming from a potential lawsuit.
The first step is to pull over to the side of the road. If your teen does not pull over and stop following the accident, there is the potential for a negative legal outcome.
Illinois state law mandates the drivers involved in any accident to provide their name, address, and auto insurance information to one another. Write down the other driver’s license plate number, too. If you are physically capable, exchange such information with the other drivers involved. However, you should not admit even partial fault. Do not apologize. Refrain from providing any more information than absolutely necessary.
If you are hurt, obtain medical care right away. Call the police to document the situation if it has resulted in bodily injury, death, or property damage. Preserve the scene of the accident, take pictures with your smartphone, and flag down witnesses to record their information. Also, be sure to file an accident report with the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The next step is to reach out to an attorney for legal assistance. The last thing you should worry about after a learner’s permit accident is a potential lawsuit. This complicated legal work is our specialty. You can focus on physical recovery while our accident specialists fiercely represent your interests in court. This is the assistance you need to regain a sense of normalcy and obtain the compensation you deserve following this unfortunate incident.
Injured in an Auto Accident? Contact our Accident Lawyer in Chicago
Our accident lawyer in Chicago is here during your time of need. Contact Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys today to coordinate a free consultation so we can review the facts of your accident. You won’t be risking a thing by getting in contact with us.
We don’t collect fees from you unless we win your case. You can contact us by dialing 844-977-1900. Our office is open from 8am to 5pm. Yet, we are willing and able to field your call anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also have a team of representatives on our LiveChat waiting to help you.