Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Anchor, IL

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Anchor, IL. If a reckless drunk driver hurt you or a loved one, call the Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a no-risk, no-obligation case review. We serve the injured and vulnerable in Anchor and throughout Illinois by fighting on their behalf so they can focus on healing.

You can follow all the rules of the road, but drunk drivers can still change your life without warning. Whether you were coming back to town after a long weekend or just running errands, your life was immediately completely disrupted through no fault of your own. The Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law have committed their lives to helping individuals and families in similar circumstances get peace of mind and the best possible financial recoveries when they may be feeling like there was no way out. We know the medical bills are accumulating, you may not be able to work because of your injuries and it is hard to get the same enjoyment out of life that you did before your accident. This burden is not yours to bear alone. With the dedication, expertise and forceful legal counsel of our drunk driving accident lawyers, this too shall pass.

In our more than 30 years of litigating and trying cases, we have recovered over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Anchor, IL clients. Our case reviews are no-risk, no-obligation, and you do not owe us a thing until you get the maximum financial recovery you deserve.

If you were harmed by a selfish drunk driver, discover how much your damages may be worth by filling out our free personal injury calculator.

What Can Anchor, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Do for My Claim?

A prosecutor will likely file charges against the drunk driver who caused the accident. But, a personal injury lawyer is still necessary to get you a financial recovery for all of your damages. Skilled, accomplished and tenacious drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get the best possible financial recovery by:

• Investigating your claim fully, including acquiring police reports, eyewitness testimony and medical records
• Connecting you with trusted doctors so you can heal fully
• Consulting with economic and medical experts to know exactly how much your claim is worth
• Combating the lies insurance companies use to avoid paying you
• Proving negligence on the part of the drunk driver
• Negotiating for full compensation with the insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement
• Taking your case in front of a judge and jury if we cannot secure a fair settlement in mediation
• Fighting on your behalf until justice has been achieved

At Burger Law, we have over 30 years of experience handling all types of auto accident claims and getting full compensation for our clients.

Do I Need Anchor, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for My Claim?

The only way to know when to hire a personal injury lawyer is by having a professional examine the details of your claim. If there is no dispute about who is at fault and your injuries are minor and do not require much medical treatment, you may very well be able to get a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. However, many other circumstances require an attorney for the best results:

• There is a dispute about liability. Drunk drivers who cause accidents will probably be prosecuted, and may be motivated not to cooperate in order to not face the harsh penalties of a DUI. While a capable defense lawyer may be able to get a drunk driver off on criminal charges, you can still sue a drunk driver if they were found not guilty in their criminal case. Experienced drunk driving accident lawyers will know how to utilize their investigative and litigation skills in order to hold the negligent driver accountable.
• The insurance company refuses to offer a full settlement. In a perfect world insurance companies would recognize their commitment when one of their policyholders injures you in a drunk driving accident, that is not always the case. Even in the event that the driver does take responsibility, the insurance company might try to convince you that your injuries were not actually caused by the accident or that a lawyer will only take money from you. None of that is true, and an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer will be able to combat those deceitful tactics and get you the compensation you are owed.
• There are multiple parties at fault. While a drunk driver is clearly at fault, other entities may be at fault, such as the driver’s employer. Drunk driving accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your claim and identify everyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. Finding other liable parties is crucial when your damages exceed the driver’s insurance policy limits.
• Your injuries will require medical care in the future. The more serious your injuries the higher your medical bills will be, which makes putting a dollar amount on your damages more complex, and motivates the insurance company to try to minimize your damages as much as possible. Persistent and compassionate drunk driving accident lawyers will not only fight hard to get you the compensation you need and are owed, but we will ensure you receive all of the medical you need to recover.

At Burger Law, there is no risk or obligation when talking to us. Call us now at (312) 500-HURT to talk directly to a drunk driving accident lawyer familiar with Illinois laws who will be honest with you about whether it is worth it or not for you to hire an attorney for your claim.

How Common is Drunk Driving in Anchor, IL and the U.S.?

Seeing how many people choose to drink and drive can be pretty sobering. Every day there are about 28 fatal drunk driving accidents, or about one fatality in just under an hour. While drunk driving accidents and fatalities have consistently become less common since 1982, drunk drivers are still responsible for almost a third of all auto related deaths. While organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and harsh punishments for drunk driving have certainly done a lot to make our roads safer, some selfish Anchor, IL individuals still decide to put others at risk while not understanding or not caring about the potential consequences of their actions. If you are injured as a result, you are owed a full financial recovery and the careless driver needs to pay for what they did. The Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law will make sure both of those things come true.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts reported that 19.7 percent of the 1,088 accidents that caused fatalities in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.

Alcohol’s Impact on Driving Abilities | Anchor, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

While the legal limit for alcohol consumption before driving is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration, a level of only .02 percent is sufficient to greatly reduce someone’s abilities behind the wheel. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration you experience a decline in sight, inability to do two things at once, an altered mood and loss of judgment. At .05 percent – the product of roughly three drinks – someone experiences decreased coordination, inability to follow movement, difficulty maneuvering and a slower response to unexpected things on the road. It is imperative to do you part in protecting other drivers, passengers and pedestrians and always have someone else drive if you have been drinking. Regrettably, sometimes you can do everything possible to stay safe and still be left reeling from the devastating consequences of a reckless Anchor, IL motorist not caring about the rules, driving while intoxicated and hurting you or a loved one. Just knowing that the negligent driver will likely face criminal charges, steep fees, restrictions on their license and possibly jail time is not enough. You need the savvy and aggressive Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to make sure you recover fair compensation for all of your damages. Call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your options and begin on the path to healing.

Drunk Driving Laws in Anchor and Illinois

Pursuant to 625 ILCS 5/11-501 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a Class A Misdemeanor. However, a it becomes “aggravated driving under the influence” and a Class 4 Felony if:

• The driver had more than two previous DUI offenses
• The driver caused a motor vehicle accident that lead to great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement to someone else
• The driver caused an accident in a school zone that resulted in bodily harm

Third and fourth violations are Class 2 Felonies, a fifth violation is a Class 1 Felony, and sixth and later violations are Class X Felonies.

How Do You Prove a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Anchor, IL?

Typically, when you are proving negligence in a personal injury claim, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers must prove the five elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care — That the driver had a responsibility to avoid harming you.
2. Breach of Duty — That the driver did not act in a way that kept you safe.
3. Cause in Fact — That the accident led to your injuries.
4. Proximate Cause — That the driver’s breach of duty is the reason for the accident.
5. Damages — That the negligence was the reason you sustained a loss, such as economic damages like medical bills as well as pain and suffering. It is important to mention that in personal injury claims you cannot receive compensation for noneconomic damages if you have not sustained economic damages.

There are two factors that make drunk driving accident lawsuits different from the majority of personal injury claims. Firstly, 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 stipulates that people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle are legally compelled to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with other cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. Meaning you do not have to prove the driver owed you a duty of care, as it is already stipulated under the law. Secondly, the legal theory of negligence per se states that anyone who violates a state statute automatically did not act in a reasonable manner to avoid injuring you. Therefore, in drunk driving cases the first two elements are taken care of under the condition that you can demonstrate that the driver was driving drunk. All your drunk driving accident lawyers will need to show at that point is that the accident caused your injuries and that you incurred losses as a result.

None of that means you should take the success of your case for granted; drunk drivers often do not want to be held accountable and their insurance companies do what they can to help their bottom line. That is why it is critical to have tenacious and skilled Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers to stand up for you and fight until you get the financial recovery you are owed.

Is Anybody Else Liable for My Drunk Driving Accident Injuries in Anchor, IL?

The driver is clearly liable for their selfish decision making, but drunk driving accident lawyers experienced with Illinois law will be able to conduct a full investigation and determine if any of the other following parties share liability:

A Bar, Restaurant or Social Host

Dram shop laws permit you to sue a bar or restaurant after a drunk driving accident if you sustained injuries. Illinois’ dram shop laws are stipulated in 235 ILCS 5/6-15 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Illinois’ dram shop law is different from many other states’ in that the drunk driver did not have to show significant impairment when they were sold alcohol in order for the vendor to be at fault. You just have to show:

• That the vendor sold the driver alcohol, which you can demonstrate through recordings, receipts or eyewitness or employee testimony
• That the customer they served caused the drunk driving accident
• That the the patron became inebriated because of the alcohol that was sold to him

You can only sue a social host — meaning someone who furnishes liquor to a guest in a private residence — if the drunk driver was under the age of 21 and became inebriated at the party.

Each year the Illinois Comptroller places dram shop liability limits on the maximum amount of money someone can be required to pay in a dram shop claim. As of Jan. 20, 2022, the maximum is $77,787.30 for each person incurring damages, or $95,073.37 if the accident resulted in loss of support or loss of society a family member’s wrongful death.

The Owner of the Vehicle

If you were injured by a vehicle that was not being driven by the owner, the owner may also owe you compensation. According to the theory of negligent entrustment, a person may be liable if they permit a third person to use a thing which is under the control of the actor if it would not be safe to do so. In a drunk driving accident case in Anchor, IL, that means that you must show that the owner of the vehicle purposely gave the keys to the drunk driver, and that the owner knew or should have known that the driver was in no condition to operate a vehicle.

The Driver’s Employer

If you were injured by someone who earns a living as a driver, such as in a truck accident, bus accident or rideshare accident, the driver’s employer may have some liability. Negligence that could result in liability could include:

• Failure to perform a sufficient background check
• Ignoring alcohol-related offenses in the background check
• Ignoring previous reports of drunk driving
• Not complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing rules

Experienced Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers like those at Burger Law have seen all of these types of claims and know how to hold the appropriate parties liable. When you hire us, we start investigating your accident immediately to determine as many liable parties as possible.

What Damages Are Available for My Anchor, IL Drunk Driving Accident Injuries?

The civil court system in the United States is based on the principle of being made whole. The concept is that when a person or organization injures you, you should be compensated to the extent that returns you to your state before the other person’s negligence. In many car accident claims, for example a rear-end accident, being made whole means recovering compensation money you lost from work while recovering, physical therapy appointments and the pain and inconvenience involved with rehabilitating from a lower back injury for a little while. In the most destructive cases, for example if you or a loved one has permanent disability, no financial recovery can truly compensate you, but the amount should be great enough to provide a least some sense of peace.

There are three categories of damages in a personal injury claim:

1. Economic damages — This refers to the total sum of the money you either lost out on or had to spend because of your injuries. It is a firm dollar figure. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any emergency room visits, surgeries, prescription or over-the-counter meds, physical rehabilitation appointments and assistive devices such as vehicle improvements. You will also be reimbursed for any treatment, joint replacements or replacement assistive devices you may need in the future.
   • Lost wages and lost earning capacity — Lost wages refer to the pay you lost from not being physically able to work. If your injury resulted in a long-term or permanent injury that no longer allows you to earn a living as you once did, we will also help you receive compensation for the money you would have earned but are no longer able to.
   • Out-of-pocket expenses — If you had to pay for gas to and from chiropractic appointments, or had to invest in childcare while you were recovering, you deserve to be compensated for that too.

   In the case of future medical costs or lost earning potential, drunk driving accident lawyers will make sure the settlement or verdict amount adjusts for inflation as well.

2. Noneconomic damages — 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.2 refers to noneconomic damages as “intangible” damages, “including but not limited to”:
   • Pain and suffering refers to the physical and mental tribulations you have been put through, which can include anything from difficulty standing up and sitting down to having PTSD anymore.
   • Disability if you have permanent physical or cognitive impairments due to the accident.
   • Disfigurement if the accident result in lasting scarring or loss of limb.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries impede you and your significant other from the affection and intimate relationships you once had.
   • Loss of society if the injuries your family can no longer share the same guidance and camaraderie they once did.
3. Punitive damages — These are rarely awarded in personal injury recoveries, and are meant to punish the drunk driver and discourage future misbehavior. When we make a claim against drunk drivers, we always pursue punitive damages. Not only does that help win you the money you are owed, but it also makes the insurance company nervous as their policyholders do not pay for punitive damages in their policies According to 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers can seek punitive damagers in personal injury claims for especially reckless behavior. It is clear to us that anyone who drives intoxicated is demonstrating a blatant disregard your safety.

In addition, our Anchor, IL attorneys have decades of experience winning cases in:

• Truck Crash Lawyers in Illinois
• Wrongful Death Lawyers in Illinois
• Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Illinois
• Car Accident Attorney in Illinois

CALL BURGER LAW NOW

Anchor, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

We cannot stand bullies, including irresponsible drivers think they can do whatever they want and resistant insurance companies who care more about money than morals. That is why each of our Anchor-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has committed their education and abilities to standing up for the injured and vulnerable. You will not see us on TV commercials or billboards. When we are not working tirelessly on one of our client’s claims, our drunk driving accident lawyers are constantly honing our negotiation and trial skills to deliver great recoveries for our clients in Anchor and throughout Illinois. We know your actions did not cause this trying time; someone else’s horrible behavior did. For expert, passionate and aggressive representation, call the Anchor, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT or fill out our online form.

Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

View More Reviews on Google Maps and Yelp