What kind of damages can I get in a drunk driving car accident?

In Illinois, you may receive economic damages, non-economic damages, punitive damages, and wrongful death damages if you are involved in a drunk driving car accident. Each case is unique, so it is best to contact a car accident lawyer to determine what type of compensation you may be entitled to.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are awarded as a direct result of financial loss after a drunk driving accident. These types of damages are easily determined and include such things as:

• Medical treatments-Including medical treatments due to the accident and future medical expenses for accident-related injuries.
• Loss of income-If you cannot work after being injured in a drunk driving car accident, you may be entitled to your lost wages and lost future income.
• Loss of property-If you suffered any property damages, including your vehicle and anything of value in the vehicle, you may be entitled to loss of property damages.
• Legal fees-This includes court costs and attorney fees.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible, meaning there is no standard dollar value that can be assigned to these damages and determining their value can be difficult. While it may be difficult to determine their value, non-economic damages can be just as important as economic damages.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life
• Disability and disfigurement

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded only if compensatory damages are first awarded, they cannot be awarded on their own. Punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party and make an example of them to dissuade this type of behavior in the future.

The at-fault party must have shown that their behavior was reckless, egregious, and demonstrated a complete disregard for the safety and well-being of others for punitive damages to be awarded. Punitive damage awards can be quite large, but are also quite often reduced in appeals courts.

Wrongful Death

Wrongful death awards are typically awarded to a spouse, next of kin, or the estate of the decedent. In addition to compensatory and punitive awards, wrongful death awards are intended to help fill the void left behind by the loss of their loved one, including:

• Lost wages
• Loss of support
• Loss of companionship
• Lost prospect of inheritance
• Loss of parental guidance

Wrongful death awards will also compensate the next of kin for the decedent’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, funeral, and burial costs. Each drunk driving accident is unique, and your compensation may vary from those listed above. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident, 844 See Mike can review your case and determine what you may be entitled to.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.