What Chicago Parents Should Know About Teen Driver Accidents This Summer

What Chicago Parents Should Know About Teen Driver Accidents This Summer

Summer in Chicago is a wonderful time. The weather is warm. School is out. And your teen has more freedom. For many parents, that freedom includes a new driver’s license.

Seeing your child get their license is a proud moment. It is a big step toward becoming an adult. But it can also be a scary time for parents. You worry about their safety on the busy Chicago streets. This worry can be even greater during the summer.

The summer months are often called the "100 Deadliest Days" for drivers. This is the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During this time, safety organizations like the National Safety Council note a tragic spike in car accidents involving teen drivers. More teens are on the road, driving to friends' houses, summer jobs, and other activities.

If your teen is involved in a car accident, it can turn your world upside down. You feel stressed, confused, and worried about your child. You may not know what to do next.

We want you to know that you are not alone. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we help families in Chicago who are going through this. Our job is to take the stress off your shoulders. We are here to help you and your family get through this difficult time. This article will explain what parents should know about teen car accidents and how a lawyer can help.

Summer is a Risky Time for Teen Drivers

Statistics show that summer is a dangerous time for teens on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for U.S. teens. The risk gets higher in the summer. There are more cars on the road. Teens are also more likely to be driving with friends, which can be a major distraction.

Here in Chicago, we see the impact of these risks firsthand. According to the data in the official 2023 Illinois Crash Facts report from the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County continues to see the highest number of crashes in the state. In 2023, there were 299,133 total crashes in Illinois, and a staggering 160,036 of them—more than half—occurred right here in Cook County.

When we look closer at when these accidents happen, a clear pattern emerges that is concerning for parents of teen drivers. The same state data consistently shows a spike in crashes during the summer months. For example, looking at statewide data for drivers aged 16-20, crashes and injuries often climb in June, July, and August compared to other times of the year. These are not just numbers; each one represents a Chicago family thrown into a crisis. A child who might be hurt and scared. And parents who are left to pick up the pieces.

These accidents can happen anywhere in our city, from the busy expressways to the quieter neighborhood roads. They can be simple fender-benders or much more serious collisions. No matter how bad the accident is, the moments after are filled with confusion.

This is where having help is so important. You need someone on your side who understands the system and the local landscape. The team at Abels & Annes, P.C. is here to be that help for you.

Illinois Laws for Teen Drivers

Illinois has special rules for teen drivers. These rules are part of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program outlined by the Secretary of State. The goal is to help teens gain driving experience in a safe way. It is good for parents to know these rules. If your teen is in an accident, the other driver’s insurance company may try to use these rules against you.

Knowing the law helps you understand your rights. A lawyer can make sure insurance companies treat you fairly.

Here are some of the key rules for teen drivers in Illinois:

• Passenger Limits: For the first 12 months of having a license (or until they turn 18), a teen driver can only have one passenger under the age of 20 in the car. There are exceptions for siblings. The state has these rules in place to limit distractions for new drivers. If your teen was in a crash, an insurance company might ask how many people were in the car to see if they were following this rule.
• Driving Curfew: There are limits on when teens can drive at night. According to Illinois law, the curfew is from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the curfew is from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. There are exceptions for work, school, or emergencies. A crash that happens after curfew can make a case more difficult, but it does not mean you don’t have a case.
• Cell Phone Use: It is against the law for any driver in Illinois to use a handheld cell phone. For drivers under 19, the rules are even stricter. State law forbids teens from using a cell phone at all while driving, even if it is hands-free. The federal government confirms that distractions like these are incredibly dangerous for any driver, but especially for teens.
• Seat Belts: Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt. It does not matter where they are sitting. The law is very clear that drivers must make sure all passengers have their seatbelts on. This is a basic safety rule that saves lives.

These laws can seem like a lot to remember. When an accident happens, you shouldn't have to worry about figuring out how these laws affect your case. That’s our job. A personal injury lawyer at Abels & Annes, P.C. will handle all the legal details. We make sure your family's rights are protected.

Protect Your Rights: Why You Shouldn't Speak to the Other Insurance Company

Soon after the accident, you will likely get a call from the other driver’s insurance adjuster. They may sound friendly and helpful. They are not. Their job is to pay your family as little money as possible.

They might ask to record a statement from you or your teen. You should not agree to this. They are trained to ask questions that can trick you into saying something that hurts your case. Tell them to talk to your lawyer.

This is a big reason why you should call an attorney right away. Once you have a lawyer, you can simply tell the insurance company to call them. This stops the harassing phone calls. It protects you from their tactics.

Call a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Immediately

The sooner you call a lawyer, the better. Evidence can disappear quickly after a crash. Witnesses can move or forget what they saw. Nearby security cameras might tape over the footage of the accident. Research from groups like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) often relies on this immediate evidence to understand crash dynamics.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., we get to work on your case right away. We start collecting evidence before it is lost forever. The law gives you a limited time to file a lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. While it may seem like a long time, it passes quickly. Building a strong case takes time, so you cannot afford to wait.

How a Lawyer from Abels & Annes Helps Your Family

After a teen car accident, you may feel overwhelmed by everything you need to do. A lawyer takes that burden off of you. We handle the entire legal process so you can focus on what matters most: your child’s recovery.

Here is what our team at Abels & Annes, P.C. does for your family:

We Investigate the Crash Thoroughly

We do not just rely on the police report. Our team does its own deep investigation. We will:

• Visit the scene of the accident to take photos.
• Get all police and emergency medical reports.
• Find and talk to any witnesses who saw what happened.
• Look for security or traffic camera video that captured the crash.
• Hire accident experts if needed to show how the other driver was at fault.

We leave no stone unturned to find out exactly what happened and who is responsible.

We Handle All Communication with the Insurance Companies

You will not have to speak to an insurance adjuster again. We take over all phone calls, emails, and letters. We know the tricks they use. For example, they might offer you a small amount of money right away. They hope you are desperate and will take it. This first offer is almost always far less than what your family deserves. We protect you from these lowball offers.

We Calculate All of Your Family’s Losses

An accident causes many types of losses, not just damage to your car. We work to get you money for all of the ways this accident has affected your life. This can include:

• Medical Bills: This covers everything from the ambulance ride and emergency room visit to future physical therapy or doctor’s appointments.
• Lost Wages: If you had to take time off work to care for your injured teen, you may be able to get that money back.
• Pain and Suffering: This is for the physical pain and emotional stress your child has gone through. A car accident is a scary event for a teen. The memory of it can last a long time. This is a real loss, and you deserve to be paid for it.
• Loss of a Normal Life: An injury can stop your teen from doing the things they love, like playing sports, joining clubs, or just hanging out with friends. This is a serious loss.

We work with you and your child's doctors to understand the full impact of the injuries. We make sure we are asking for an amount that covers everything, both now and in the future.

We Fight for the Best Possible Outcome

Our goal is simple: to get you the best result we can. Most personal injury cases end in a settlement, which means we agree on a fair amount with the insurance company. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators. Dave Abels and Gary Annes have a reputation for being tough fighters for their clients. Insurance companies know that we are not afraid to take a case to court if they refuse to be fair. This reputation helps us get better settlements for our clients.

We have a simple promise: No Fee Unless You Win. This means you pay us nothing unless we get money for you. You do not have to worry about the cost of hiring a top lawyer.

Answers to Common Questions from Parents

After a teen driving accident, parents have many questions. Here are answers to some of the ones we hear most often.

My teen got a ticket at the scene. Does that mean we can’t file a claim?

No. Even if your teen was partially at fault, you may still be able to get money. Illinois has a rule called "modified comparative negligence." This means you can still recover money as long as your teen was not 50% or more at fault for the accident. It is common for a young driver to get a ticket, even when the other driver was the main cause of the crash. Do not give up. Let a lawyer look at the facts.

How much does it cost to hire your firm?

It costs you nothing to hire us. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you. This allows everyone to have access to a great lawyer, no matter their financial situation. We also offer a free consultation 24/7.

How long will this case take?

Every case is different. Some can be resolved in a few months. Others, especially if they go to court, can take longer. The most important thing is not to rush. Rushing can mean accepting less money than you deserve. While we work on your case, you can focus on your family. We will keep you updated every step of the way.

Meet the Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers Who Will Fight For You

When you hire Abels & Annes, P.C., you are hiring a team with years of experience and a record of success.

Dave Abels has been fighting for injury victims since 1997. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an honor for attorneys who have won large settlements and verdicts for their clients. Super Lawyers has named him a Top 100 Lawyer in Illinois, putting him in the top 0.1% of attorneys in the state.

Gary Annes has also been named a Top 100 Lawyer in Illinois by Super Lawyers. He has a perfect "10.0 Superb" rating from AVVO, a lawyer rating service. Gary has spent over two decades fighting insurance companies and getting justice for his clients. He used to work for the insurance companies, so he knows their playbook and how to beat them.

Our firm has about five lawyers who are all dedicated to personal injury law. We have the resources and the experience to take on any case, big or small. We also have staff who speak Spanish and Polish, so we can help even more families in our community.

Our results show our commitment. We have won millions of dollars for our clients, including:

• $6,000,000 for a bicycle accident victim.
• $3,000,000 for a person catastrophically injured in a motorcycle crash.
• $2,750,000 in an auto accident settlement for a client with serious head injuries.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

Watching your teen get behind the wheel is a mix of pride and worry. If that worry becomes a reality and your child is in an accident, please know that you do not have to face it by yourself. The stress of dealing with injuries, car repairs, and insurance companies can be too much for any family to handle alone.

Let us fight for you. The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. are here to help you get through this. We will handle the legal fight so you can focus on helping your teen heal.

Call us now at (312) 924-7575 or contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because we know that accidents can happen at any time. The consultation is always free. There is no risk. Let us help your family get the justice and the compensation you deserve.