Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Thousands of innocent people die in drunk driving accidents in the United States every year. In Illinois, the actual number of alcohol-related fatalities has decreased substantially since 1982. Still, in 2008, out of all traffic accident fatalities, 35 percent were accounted by drunk driving accidents that involved drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher.
The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant involved in the crash has a positive BAC value." Illinois' DUI law states that a person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle within the state of Illinois while:
- The alcohol concentration in that person's blood or breath is 0.08 percent or more
- Under the influence of alcohol
- Under the influence of any intoxicating compound or combination of intoxicating compounds to a degree that renders a person incapable of safely driving
- Under the influence of any other drug or combination of drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely.
- Under the combined influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
The best course of action to take when you have been drinking is to not get behind the wheel. It's simple – do not drink and drive. Not only do you put your life in danger, but you also put the lives of other commuters in grave danger. Often in drunk driving accident, we see that it is the victim who gets critically injured or killed, as opposed to the drunk driver.
If you have been injured in an Chicago auto accident because of a drunk driver, please understand that you have rights. Victims injured in Illinois DUI accidents could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, cost of hospitalization, surgery expenses and even long-term care. Drunk drivers should be held criminally and civilly liable for their actions. Contact the Bradley Law Firm today to find out how we can help you.
