Chicago DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
Despite harsh penalties and law enforcement officials' attempts to crack down on DUI offenders, driving under the influence of alcohol continues to be a serious problem in Illinois. Drunk drivers will face criminal charges in the aftermath of a crash. Victims of drunk drivers may choose to hold them civilly responsible by filing a Chicago personal injury claim. With the assistance of an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney, victims may seek compensation for medical costs, lost revenue and any other damages caused by the crash.
Illinois DUI Law
It is illegal to drive in the state of Illinois with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. Illinois has also instituted a "zero" tolerance for drivers under the age of 21 who drive under the influence. The underage drinking and driving law means that minors with a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher can be arrested for driving under the influence.
Illinois has strict penalties for drivers convicted of a DUI. First-time offenders face a minimum one-year driver's license suspension, jail time up to one year and a fine of $2,500. If the convicted driver had a passenger in the car under the age of 16, there are additional fines. Drivers who are convicted multiple times face steeper penalties with each conviction. These severe penalties are sadly not enough to deter all drunk drivers in Chicago.
Illinois DUI Statistics
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2008, 434 people were killed in alcohol-related car accidents in Illinois. That number accounts for 42 percent of all fatal car accidents that year. The good news is that the total number of alcohol-related fatalities has been dropping since 1982 when there were 1,014 total alcohol-related fatalities in Illinois. Perhaps that is proof that the stricter penalties and increased law enforcement are having a positive effect.
Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Drunk driving accidents in Chicago can result in catastrophic injuries. Brain trauma and spinal cord injuries occur in the most devastating crashes. Other victims may experience broken bones, lacerations and organ damage caused by internal injuries. These serious injury accidents tend to happen at intersections when negligent drivers fail to obey traffic signals or on the highway when drunken drivers exceed the speed limit and lose control of their vehicles. There have also been numerous DUI crashes where the drunk driver was going the wrong way.
The Chicago Illinois drunk driving accident victim attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm believe in holding negligent drivers accountable for the crashes they cause. We work with toxicology experts to gather evidence, review police reports, interview witnesses and help victims deal with insurance companies. We have been serving injured victims for over 30 years. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, please contact The Bradley Law Firm for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.