DUI Injury Attorneys in Chicago
DUI stands for driving under the influence, and in Illinois, this influence could be alcohol (legally, you cannot drive with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher) or another controlled substance in the person’s blood, urine, or other bodily substance. Alcohol is the leading cause of motor vehicle fatalities and severe injuries in the United States. It is incredibly dangerous for others on the road and particularly frightening for those that are involved in a DUI accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This equates to one death every 50 minutes of the day. Clearly, this is a very large problem in the nation and is capable of immense damage that can change, or even take, one’s life forever. This is where we come in to help you. Injuries sustained from a DUI accident can be extremely serious, and we will help you pursue a claim to get justice and compensation after this devastating event.
At 844 See Mike, we have helped thousands of clients to seek justice and compensation for personal injuries, and you won’t owe us a penny for our services unless we win your case. If you or a loved one has suffered from a DUI injury, contact our office today for a free consultation.
Penalties of Drunk Driving
DUI accidents can be extremely traumatizing and damaging to a person’s life and occupation. The CDC found that in 2016, alcohol-impaired driving crashes accounted for 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. Due to the lack of judgment and the resultant destructive driving of the impaired driver, accidents can be quite brutal. Victims can suffer from broken bones, traumatic brain injuries that can affect the rest of their lives, spinal cord injuries that could lead to paralysis, disability, disfigurement, burns and scarring, and death.
Due to the dangerous prevalence of drunk driving, there are laws in place to penalize those who engage in such negligent and reckless behavior. Illinois drivers are “under the influence” when their blood alcohol level is .08 or higher or under the influence of some intoxicating substance or combination of substances that make them incapable of safely driving. This can be detected through a person’s blood, urine, or other bodily substance.
If a person fails, refuses, or fails to complete a chemical test, they could have their license suspended by the Secretary of State. First offenders typically are issued a monitoring device driving permit, which allows a person to drive their vehicle only if they have a breath alcohol ignition interlock device installed inside. This allows a person to drive only after they have been breathalyzed and show that they are completely sober.
A person’s first offense is a class A misdemeanor, which carries a possible sentence of 364 days in jail or six months if there was a passenger under the age of 16, and the fines range from $500 to $2,500. Community service and evaluation to determine a substance abuse problem can also be expected. If convicted, their license will be suspended for one year. Once a person has reached their third offense, they can face jail time up to seven years, fines of up to $25,000, and a license revocation of 10 years.
How We Can Help You
Following the accident, you may be undergoing hospitalization, physical therapy, or other types of treatment. We want to you rest and recover from your injuries so that we can work hard you manage this situation in the meantime. We will make sure that this driver is not let off the hook for what they have done to you, and what they could potentially do to others.
We will begin an investigation into the accident and gather all of the necessary evidence to prove their negligence. Our attorneys will speak to you, other witnesses, and experts to learn the facts about the accident and ensure that you are not left in your condition. We will go through your medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages to determine the extent of the damages that you have incurred. By consulting us, we can decide whether to pursue action against the driver or the vendor of the alcohol using dram shop laws. With our help, you can win a successful claim against this driver and be compensated for the damages that you have had to take on. Medical emergencies after a motor vehicle accident are no small cost and they are certainly unexpected and stressful. After your settlement, we hope to bring you some peace of mind by lightening your financial burden.
Damages That Can Be Recovered
Motor vehicle accidents are can be very serious in terms of the damages. Repairs to your vehicle can be tens of thousands of dollars, or it could be completely totaled. You may also have sustained some serious injuries requiring hospitalization or surgery. Common motor vehicle accident injuries include bruises and cuts, whiplash, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, neck or spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even death.
With our help, we will make sure your claim is successful and that you are fairly compensated for the damages and experience that you have had to endure. Some common damages that can be recovered after a DUI accident include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Psychological counseling
- Lost wages
- Future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial costs (in a wrongful death claim)
- Wrongful death (in a wrongful death claim)
If you or a loved one has suffered from a DUI injury, contact our office today for a free consultation..
