Driving Under the Influence
Drunk and drugged driving are serious crash risks that threaten the lives of drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians in Illinois. If you get involved in a car accident in Chicago with an impaired driver, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Getting help from a car accident attorney can make it easier to seek justice.
What Is Driving Under the Influence?
In Illinois, driving under the influence (DUI) means operating a motor vehicle while under the intoxicating influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both (Illinois Compiled Statutes § 11-500). It is against the law to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level at or above 0.08 percent for standard drivers or 0.04 percent for commercial drivers. DUI is a crime that can come with criminal and civil penalties.
Common Injuries From Driving Under the Influence
Drunk driving accidents are some of the deadliest vehicle collisions in Illinois. Drunk drivers are often guilty of dangerous and reckless driving behaviors, such as excessive speeding, racing and red-light running. Unfortunately, this can result in high-speed collisions and other catastrophic accidents that cause life-changing injuries. Examples include broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and internal organ damage.
What to Do After a DUI Crash
If you get injured in an accident where you suspect the other driver of impairment, remain calm and take the following steps to protect yourself:
- Check for injuries and seek medical care right away, even if you feel fine. Your adrenaline may be hiding serious injuries.
- Call the police and report the drunk driver. The police should always be notified of an accident involving possible driver intoxication.
- Collect information at the scene, including the driver’s name, crash, photos, and eyewitness information for your records.
Once you’ve collected facts and evidence surrounding your DUI car accident, bring these documents to a meeting with a car accident attorney in Chicago to learn about your legal options.
Who Pays for a DUI Accident in Illinois?
If a driver recklessly decides to operate under the influence, he or she can be held liable, or financially responsible, for a resultant car accident. This means the drunk driver (or the driver’s insurance) can be made to pay for a victim’s medical bills, property repairs, and other losses. Since Illinois is a fault-based state, the victim will need to prove that the driver was intoxicated and caused the crash.
Another legal option is a dram shop liability claim. The Illinois dram shop law permits DUI accident victims to hold alcohol vendors liable for the actions of a drunk driver who was overserved or served under age (20 or younger) at an establishment. This means you may be able to hold a Chicago bar, restaurant, or another alcohol vendor liable for the crash.
How Can a Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney in Chicago Help You?
Recovering from a driving under the influence accident may take medical treatments and ongoing care, therapies, and expensive property repairs. Seeking justice against the drunk driver can help you move forward.
A car accident attorney in Chicago can help you understand your rights as a victim of a drunk driver. You can trust your lawyer to take over settlement negotiations and fight for fair case results on your behalf while you concentrate on healing.
If you want to discuss a recent driving under the influence accident with a local car accident attorney in Chicago, contact Taxman, Pollock, Murray & Bekkerman, LLC to request a free case review.