Drunk driving accidents often result in devastating injuries. If you have been injured or lost someone you loved in a Chicago drunk driving accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.
The Chicago car accident attorneys at Meyers & Flowers Trial Attorneys have protected the rights of injury victims and their families for decades. We have the experience, skills, and resources to help you get the justice and full compensation you are owed after a Chicago drunk driving accident.
Call (630) 394-5189 or complete the short form on our contact page to schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim.
Why Choose a Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer From Meyers & Flowers For Your Claim?
Choosing the right Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Reasons to choose Meyers & Flowers Trial Lawyers include:
- Results. Our personal injury attorneys in Chicago have recovered over $6 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
- Integrity. We won’t take your drunk driving accident case unless we believe it has merit and that we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
- Resources. We have a vast network of experts to help us win your Chicago drunk driving accident case and establish the value of all your current and future economic and non-economic damages to help you recover maximum compensation.
Illinois DUI Laws
Driving under the influence of any intoxicating substances can lead to a DUI charge in Illinois. Intoxicating substances include alcohol, cannabis, certain prescription drugs,and other controlled substances.
In Illinois, drunk driving is determined by measuring a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A BAC of more than .08 is considered illegal. However, even with an alcohol level of less than .08, a driver may still be convicted of DUI and be liable in an accident.
If a driver was under the influence and caused an accident, measuring their BAC can certainly help establish liability. However, even if the driver’s BAC was not measured or was under the .08 limit, a skilled Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer may be able to gather the evidence to prove drunk driving.
Liability in a Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Case
Drinking alcohol impairs a driver’s reaction time, coordination, vision, and judgment, making them much more likely to cause an accident. These accidents often result in life-altering injuries. Many victims don’t survive. Others may require long term medical care and suffer permanent damages.
The victim of a drunk driving accident should be able to recover compensation for their damages. Potentially liable parties in a Chicago drunk driving accident include:
- The driver who made the decision to drink and drive.
- The owner of the vehicle the drunk driver was operating.
- The drunk driver’s parents or guardians if they are still a minor.
- The drunk driver’s employer if they are on the job when the accident occurs.
- The owner, manager, or server at a bar or restaurant who served the driver before the accident may be liable under the Illinois Dram Shop Law.
At Meyers & Flowers, our Chicago drunk driving lawyers carefully investigate each accident to help identify all possible causes and potentially liable parties to help hold the responsible parties accountable and maximize your recovery.
Compensation Available in a Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Case
The type and amount of compensation you may be able to recover in a Chicago drunk driving accident case depends on numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries. In a successful drunk driving accident case, you may be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include current and future medical expenses, property damages, current and future lost wages, and other expenses and losses incurred due to the accident and your injuries.
Non-economic damages are more challenging to prove but are often more devastating than economic damages. They include pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, disfigurement, disability, and other intangible losses incurred due to the accident and your injuries.
You may also be able to collect punitive damages in a successful Chicago drunk driving accident case. Economic and non-economic damages are intended to compensate the injury victim for their losses. However, punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and help deter similar future conduct. While punitive damages are rarely awarded, they may be appropriate in some drunk driving accident cases.
Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is the law that sets a deadline for filing a claim to recover damages in a personal injury claim. If you miss your deadline, you cannot recover compensation for your damages.
The Illinois statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or incident that caused your damages. However, there are some exceptions to the two-year deadline, so you must promptly consult an experienced Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer to determine your filing deadline.
How a Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Maximum Compensation
Being represented by an experienced Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer greatly increases your chances of recovering maximum compensation. Your Chicago drunk driving accident attorney can investigate your accident to identify all causes and potentially liable parties. They can conduct discovery to uncover vital evidence to build your strongest case.
Your drunk driving accident attorney in Chicago can help ensure that all your current and future damages are established and accurately valued so you know what a fair settlement of your claim would be. They can work to reach a fair settlement of your claim and if a settlement is not reached, they can take your case to trial to help you recover the full compensation you are owed.
When you have an experienced, skilled Chicago drunk driving accident attorney by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing that your claim is in good hands. They will keep you informed, answer your questions, and work hard to get the justice you deserve.
Contact Meyers & Flowers Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation. You need the assistance of an experienced, skilled Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer to help guide you through the claims process and help you get the compensation you are entitled to.
At Meyers & Flowers, our lawyers have decades of experience helping accident victims and their families recover maximum compensation and we want to do the same for you.
Call (603) 394-5189 or complete the brief form on our contact page and schedule a free consultation to discuss your claim. We look forward to meeting you, answering your questions, and explaining your rights. If we represent you, we will work tirelessly to recover the full compensation you deserve.