Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Aurora, IL

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Aurora, IL. If a thoughtless drunk driver hurt you or someone you love, call the Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary consultation. We serve the injured and vulnerable in Aurora and throughout Illinois by securing them the maximum compensation they are owed.

You can do everything you are supposed to to keep other drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe, but reckless drivers can still cause incredible damage. Whether you were on your way to a sports game or just running errands, all of a sudden your entire life was upended through no fault of your own. The Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law to getting the best possible outcomes for our clients and seeing them made whole again. We know the medical bills are accumulating, you are losing time off work and your life is not the same as it before your accident. This burden is not yours to bear alone. With the dedication, skill and unshakable legal counsel of our drunk driving accident lawyers, this too shall pass.

In our over 30 years of litigating and trying cases, we have secured over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Aurora, IL clients. Our case reviews are no-risk, no-obligation, and you do not owe us a thing until the final verdict or settlement has been reached.

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

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

Law enforcement will likely seek a guilty verdict in criminal court. Still, a personal injury lawyer is still necessary to get you the monetary reimbursement you are owed. Knowledgeable, veteran and relentless drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get maximum compensation by:

• Investigating your claim thoroughly, including gather key evidence of culpability and your injuries
• Connecting you with trusted doctors so you can recover fully
• Working alongside economic and medical experts to know exactly how much your claim is worth
• Fighting back against the tactics insurance companies use to devalue your claim
• Proving negligence on the part of the drunk driver
• Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance adjuster
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company is not offering the full compensation you deserve
• Taking your case in front of a judge and jury if we cannot secure a fair settlement in mediation
• Standing by your side 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 Aurora, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for My Claim?

Every crash is unique, and you can only truly know when to hire a personal injury lawyer by seeking the advise of one. If the driver is taking responsibility for his actions and your injuries are minor and only require a quick trip to the emergency room, you may very well be able to get a fair settlement offer from the insurance company. However, there are often many good reasons you will want a drunk driving accident lawyer on your side:

• There is a dispute about liability. Drunk drivers who cause injuries will probably be prosecuted, and may avoid communicating with you and the insurance company in order to not be sentenced in criminal court. While a knowledgeable 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 on state charges. Experienced drunk driving accident lawyers will know how to cross-examine the drunk driver in a deposition in order to get you the results you deserve.
• The insurance adjuster refuses to offer a full settlement. While you would like to think insurance companies would recognize their obligation when one of their policyholders decides to make a selfish decision that ends up injuring you, an insurance adjusters real job is to save the company money, not fairly compensate you. Even in the event that the driver does take responsibility, the insurance company might try to convince you that your injuries are pre-existing or you waited too long to seek medical treatment. Those are all lies, and an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer will be able to combat those deceitful tactics and get you the money you are owed.
• There are multiple parties at fault. While a drunk driver is clearly at fault, other parties may be at fault, such as the driver’s employer. Drunk driving accident lawyers will carry out a detailed investigation and identify all liable parties. This is especially important when the policy limits are not sufficient to pay for the full scope of your injuries.
• Your injuries will require medical care in the future. The more severe your injuries the higher your medical bills will be, which makes putting a dollar amount on your damages more challenging, and makes it more likely the insurance company will try to claim they do not have to pay for all of your medical expenses. Aggressive and dedicated drunk driving accident lawyers will not only ensure you receive the entirety of your damages, but we will help you receive all of the appropriate medical care.

At Burger Law, our consultations and initial investigations are free. Call us now at (312) 500-HURT to speak directly to a drunk driving accident lawyer familiar with Illinois laws who will be honest with you about whether you need an attorney to get the best results in your case.

How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Happen in Missouri and the U.S.?

Seeing how many people choose to drink and drive can be quite sobering. Every day 28 people die in accidents caused by drunk drivers, which is approximately one death in just under an hour. While drunk driving accidents and fatalities have consistently declined since 1982, drunk drivers still account for almost a third of total traffic fatalities as of 2018. While awareness campaigns and stiff punishments for drunk driving have certainly done a lot to make our communities safer, some reckless Aurora, IL residents still make the irresponsible decision to jeopardize others’ safety while not understanding or not caring about the potential consequences of their actions. If you are harmed as a result, you are owed a full financial recovery and the reckless driver needs to pay for what they did. The Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law will fight to make sure that you receive maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts states that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal crashes in the state involved a drunk driver. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, almost 40 percent tested positive.

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

While the legal limit for alcohol consumption before driving is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration, a level of just .02 percent is enough to considerably reduce someone’s abilities behind the wheel. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration the body undergoes a decline in visual functions, inability to perform two tasks simultaneously, an altered mood and loss of judgment. At .05 percent – reached after roughly three drinks – a person suffers from decreased coordination, inability to trace moving objects, challenges using the steering wheel and not being able to respond quickly to unexpected things on the road. It is key to follow proper road safety and have a back up plan if you are not in the best condition to drive. Unfortunately, sometimes you can commit to protecting others on the road and still be left reeling from the horrible and unfair consequences of a thoughtless Aurora, IL driver not caring about the rules, driving drunk and hurting you or a family member. Just knowing that the negligent driver will likely face criminal charges, steep fees, restrictions on their license and possibly jail time is not enough. Trust in the experienced and skilled Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to to see things made right. Call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your options and start on the road to feeling that true justice was achieved.

Drunk Driving Laws in Aurora and Illinois

Under 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 driving under the influence becomes “aggravated driving under the influence” and a Class 4 Felony if:

• It is a third or subsequent violation
• An accident occurred that resulted in great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement to someone else
• The driver caused an accident in a school zone that resulted in personal injury

Other instances in which the class of felony increases include:

• Class 2 Felony for a third and fourth offense
• Class 1 Felony for a fifth offense
• Class X Felony for sixth and later offense

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

There are five elements needed in order to prove negligence in a personal injury claim:

1. Duty of Care — That the driver had a responsibility to keep you safe.
2. Breach of Duty — That the driver did not act in a way that kept you safe.
3. Cause in Fact — That your injuries are a direct result of the accident.
4. Proximate Cause — That the defendant’s failure to use reasonable care is the reason for the accident.
5. Damages — That you have sustained losses, such as economic damages like medical bills as well as pain and suffering. In personal injury claims you can only recover noneconomic damages if there were also monetary losses.

There are two aspects that set drunk driving accidents apart 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 have an obligation to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with pedestrians or other vehicles. Meaning the first element is a given. Secondly, the legal principle of negligence per se states that anyone who violates a state statute is negligent as a matter of law. Therefore, in drunk driving cases you only need to show that the driver was drunk in order to prove the first two elements. All your drunk driving accident lawyers will need to prove at that point is that the accident caused your injuries and that you incurred losses as a result.

While it may seem like that makes a drunk driving case a slam-dunk, 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 vital to have tenacious and experienced Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers to fight on your behalf and get the financial recovery you are owed.

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

It is important to find all liable parties, especially if the driver has policy limits that do not fully compensate you for your damages. Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be able to make a claim against:

A Bar, Restaurant or Social Host

Dram shop laws allow you to sue a bar or restaurant after a drunk driving accident if you were hurt. Illinois’ dram shop laws are specified in 235 ILCS 5/6-15 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Illinois’ dram shop law easier to apply than many other states’ in that the drunk driver did not have to be visibly drunk when they were sold alcohol in order for the vendor to be liable. You just have to prove:

• That the establishment sold the driver alcohol, which you can demonstrate with surveillance video, receipts or eyewitness or employee testimony
• That the patron they supplied alcohol to caused the drunk driving accident
• That the the patron got drunk because of the alcohol that was sold to him

You can only sue a social host — meaning someone who holds a private party — if the drunk driver was not of legal age to drink and became drunk at the party.

Every year the Illinois Comptroller sets dram shop liability limits on how much compensation you can receive in a dram shop case. As of Jan. 20, 2022, those limits are $77,787.30 for each person making a claim for the accident, or $95,073.37 if the accident resulted in loss of support or loss of society due to the wrongful death of a loved one.

The Owner of the Vehicle

If the driver of the vehicle was not the owner of the vehicle, you may be able to file a suit against the owner. According to the philosophy of negligent entrustment, someone may owe you damages if they permit someone else to use a thing which is under the control of the actor if if permitting the activity creates an inherent risk. In a drunk driving accident case in Aurora, IL, that means that you must show that the owner of the vehicle purposely allowed the other driver to use their car, and that the owner knew or should have known that the driver was too drunk to drive.

The Driver’s Employer

If your accident was caused by a commercial driver, for example in a truck accident, bus accident or rideshare accident, the driver’s employer may have some liability. Reasons they are liable could include:

• Failure to carry out a sufficient background check
• Ignoring troubling aspects in the background check
• Ignoring previous reports of intoxication
• Not complying with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing rules

Experienced Aurora, IL drunk driving accident lawyers like those at Burger Law have seen all of these types of claims and know how to get results in them. When you hire us, we start investigating your accident right away to find as many liable parties as possible.

What Compensation Can I Recover for My Aurora, IL Drunk Driving Accident Injuries?

Personal injury claims in the United States are based on the doctrine of making one whole. “Being made whole” means that when another party is at-fault for your damages, you should receive a financial recovery that is equal to the economic loss and physical pain their negligence put you through. In many car accident claims, for example a simple fender-bender, that might mean paying for lost wages, physical therapy appointments and the pain and inconvenience that is a result of rehabilitating from a whiplash injury for a little while. In the most tragic cases, for example if you or a loved one has permanent disability, no amount of money can genuinely compensate you, but the financial recovery should be great enough to provide a least some sense of peace.

Damages in a personal injury claim are broken down into three distinct groups:

1. Economic damages — This the totaling of all the bills and lost income related to your injury. It is a non-arguable dollar figure. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any emergency room visits, operations, medications, chiropractic appointments and in-home care. You will also be paid for any medical expenses that will arise 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 medical appointments, or had to send your child to daycare because you could not look after them, you need a financial recovery for that too.

   In the case of future medical expenses or lost earning potential, drunk driving accident lawyers will ensure 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 trials you have been put through, which can be anything anything from pain when carrying groceries in to the emotional impact of not being able to engage in the same activities anymore.
   • Disability for any permanent physical or cognitive difficulties the accident caused.
   • Disfigurement if your injuries result in lasting scarring or loss of limb.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries prevent you and your spouse from the affection and intimate relationships you grew accustomed to.
   • Loss of society if the injuries prevent you from giving or your loved ones from receiving the same advice and care they once did.
3. Punitive damages — These are typically not included in personal injury compensation, and are meant to punish the defendant and deter future misbehavior. Punitive damages can — and should — be sought when making a civil claim against a drunk driver. Not only does that help secure you the money you deserve, but it also makes the insurance company nervous as punitive damages are not covered under insurance policies Under 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers can seek punitive damagers in personal injury claims for especially reckless conduct. It is clear to us that anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence is demonstrating a flagrant lack of respect for your safety.

In addition, we have extensive experience winning the following cases for our Aurora, IL clients:

• Survival Action Lawyer in Illinois
• 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

Aurora, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

We hate bullies, including reckless drivers who do not want to take responsibility for their actions and resistant insurance companies whose prioritize more their profits than doing the right thing. That is why each of our Aurora-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has devoted their lives to defending the rights of 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 fine-tuning our abilities to get maximum compensation for our clients in Aurora and throughout Illinois. We know you did nothing to become injured; someone else’s irresponsible behavior did. For accomplished, empathetic and aggressive representation, call the Aurora, 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!

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