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Who is responsible in a drunk driving car accident?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

Common sense would dictate that the drunk driver is solely responsible for any accident caused by their negligent behavior. However, in the event of a drunk driving accident, the driver may not be the only party responsible. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, car accident lawyer 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.

The Driver

The obvious place to start for fault in a drunk driving accident is the actual driver. Illinois, like all states, considers a blood alcohol level of 0.08 g/dl or higher as legally impaired. Drivers with any level of alcohol in their system can still be charged with a DUI if a police officer deems the driver as “noticeably impaired”, if the driver is under 21, or if there are children in the vehicle at the time of the traffic stop.

If there were other forces at play that could have caused the accident, or the injured party was partially responsible, the driver may not be determined as completely at-fault for an accident, though.

The Driver’s Employer

An employer is responsible for the actions of their employees when they are “on-the-clock”. If a drunk driving accident occurs while the employee is working, the driver’s employer could be liable for damages and injuries sustained.

The Alcohol Provider

Under the Illinois Dram Shop Act, establishments or social party hosts that supply the alcohol may be responsible for damages and injuries a drunk driver causes if they knowingly served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person and that person caused an accident. If anyone serves alcohol to a minor, they can also be held liable, even if the minor is not legally intoxicated.

If a drunk driver visited multiple bars or restaurants and got into an car accidents, there may be multiple parties liable, which can be difficult to determine, but an experienced personal injury lawyer can help fight for the compensation you deserve from all the parties who may be responsible for your injuries.

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.

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