Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Chicago, IL

Making you whole again after a drunk driver’s terrible decision left you to pick up the pieces

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Chicago, IL. If you or a loved one was injured because someone else did not respect your safety and got behind the wheel drunk, call the Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyers immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation. We serve the injured and vulnerable in Chicago 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 drunk drivers can still put you in harm’s way and unfairly injure you. Whether you were on your way to a sports game or just running errands, all of a sudden your entire life was turned upside down through no fault of your own. The Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law truly care about out clients and their cases and families mean something to us. We know the medical bills are piling up, you may not be able to work because of your injuries and your life is not the same as it in the not-too-distance past. We will be by your side until things are made right again. With the dedication, expertise and aggressive legal representation of our drunk driving accident lawyers, this too shall pass.

In our over 30 years of defending the rights of the injured, we have gotten more than $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Chicago, 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 an irresponsible drunk driver, discover how much your claim may be worth by using our free personal injury calculator.

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

A prosecutor will likely do everything they can to convict a drunk driver criminally. But, you will still need a personal injury lawyer to confront the drunk driver in civil court and get you full compensation for your injuries. Skilled, accomplished and persistent drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get the best possible financial recovery by:

• Investigating your claim fully, including obtaining key evidence of culpability and your injuries
• Connecting you with trusted doctors so you can heal completely
• Consulting with economic and medical experts to know exactly how much your damages are worth
• Combating the tricks insurance companies use to devalue your claim
• Proving negligence on the part of the intoxicated driver
• Negotiating for full compensation with the insurance adjuster
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company is not offering the complete 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 you are made whole again

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 Chicago, 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 accident. If there is no dispute about who is at fault and your injuries are minor and only require an appointment with your primary care physician, it probably will not be too difficult to get fair compensation. However, there are often many good reasons you will want a drunk driving accident lawyer on your side:

• The other driver will not admit fault. Drunk drivers who cause accidents are likely looking at criminal charges as well, and may not want to admit liability in order to not be sentenced in criminal court. While a good 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 criminal court. Experienced drunk driving accident lawyers will know how to cross-examine the drunk driver in a deposition in order to prove that the defendant were drunk and injured you.
• The insurance company refuses to offer a full settlement. Ideally insurance companies would realize their commitment when one of their policyholders decides to make a reckless decision that winds up injuring you, that is not always the case. Even if the driver is willing to be held accountable, the insurance company might try to convince you that your injuries were not actually caused by the accident or that they do not have to pay for lost wages because you had paid time off available. Those are all deceptions aimed at devaluing your claim, and a knowledgeable 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 obviously liable, other parties may bear partial responsibility, such as a friend of the driver who knowingly let them use the car while drunk. Drunk driving accident lawyers will carry out a detailed investigation and identify anyone who bears responsibility for the accident. This is especially vital when the policy limits are not sufficient to properly compensate you.
• Your injuries need extensive medical treatment. The more severe your injuries the higher your medical bills will be, which makes calculating the full value of your damages more challenging, and motivates the insurance adjuster to try to minimize your damages as much as possible. Tenacious and dedicated drunk driving accident lawyers will not only be able to calculate and demand full compensation, but we will help you receive all of the appropriate medical care.

At Burger Law, we answer all of your questions for free. Reach out to us now at (314) 500-HURT to speak for a candid conversation with a drunk driving accident lawyer experienced with Illinois laws who will be direct 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 incredibly sobering. Every day 28 people die in accidents caused by drunk drivers, adding up to roughly one death in just under an hour. While drunk driving accidents and deaths have consistently been on the decline since 1982, drunk drivers are still responsible for 29 percent of all auto related fatalities. While safe driving campaigns and strict punishments for drunk driving have certainly helped, some reckless Chicago, IL individuals still decide to jeopardize others’ safety just so they party and avoid paying for a taxi. When that happens and you or a loved one are injured, you are owed a full financial recovery and the careless driver needs to pay for what they did. The Chicago, 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 reported that almost one-fifth of the 1,088 accidents that caused fatalities in the state involved a drunk driver. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, over a third tested positive.

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

While it is only illegal to drink and drive if your blood alcohol concentration is over .008 percent, a level of just .02 percent is sufficient to significantly reduce someone’s abilities behind the wheel. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration the body undergoes a decline in visual functions, inability to do two things at once, exaggerated confidence and loss of judgment. At .05 percent – reached after approximately three alcohol beverages – someone experiences decreased coordination, inability to follow movement, challenges maneuvering and not being able to respond quickly to emergency situations. It is key to follow proper road safety and find other ways of getting home if you are intoxicated. Regrettably, sometimes you can follow all the rules ourselves and still experience the catastrophic consequences of a thoughtless Chicago, IL driver making a selfish decision, getting behind the wheel drunk and harming you or a loved one. Just knowing the harsh penalties that come with a DWI conviction does not make you whole again. You need the experienced and tenacious Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to to see things made right. Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT to find out the best way to proceed and start on the path to being made whole again.

Drunk Driving Laws in Chicago and Illinois

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

• It is a third or subsequent violation
• 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 lead to bodily harm

Other instances in which the penalty is more severe are:

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

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

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

1. Duty of Care — That the defendant was required to act in a certain, safe way.
2. Breach of Duty — That the driver failed or was negligent in that duty.
3. Cause in Fact — That your injuries are a direct result of the accident.
4. Proximate Cause — That the driver’s breach of duty was the direct cause of the accident.
5. Damages — That you have sustained losses, such as economic damages like lost wages as well as mental anguish. It is important to mention that in personal injury claims you cannot make a claim for for noneconomic damages if you have not sustained a monetary loss.

There are two factors that set drunk driving accidents apart from the majority of personal injury claims. Firstly, 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 specifically states that motorists have an obligation to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with other cars, pedestrians and bicyclists. Meaning the first element is a given. Secondly, the legal doctrine of negligence per se means that anyone who breaks the law 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 duty of care and breach of duty. All your drunk driving accident lawyers will need to demonstrate 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; the truth is that many drunk drivers try to avoid taking responsibility and their insurance company will do what they can to help them. That is why it is imperative to have aggressive and talented Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyers by your side to get the compensation you deserve.

Are Any Third Parties Liable for My Drunk Driving Accident Injuries in Chicago, IL?

The driver is clearly to blame for their selfish decision making, but drunk driving accident lawyers familiar 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 allow you to sue a licensed alcohol vendor after a drunk driving accident if the accident caused you injuries. Illinois’ dram shop laws are laid out in 235 ILCS 5/6-15 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Illinois’ dram shop law more liberal than many other states’ in that your drunk driving accident lawyers do not have to prove the vendor did anything wrong, such as sell alcohol to someone underage. You just have to show:

• That the bar or restaurant sold the driver alcohol, which you can demonstrate through recordings, receipts or eyewitness depositions
• That the customer they sold to caused the drunk driving accident
• That the vendor is responsible for the patron being drunk

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

Each 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, the maximum is $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 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. In a negligent entrustment claim, it is negligent to permit someone else to use something which is under the control of the actor if if permitting the activity creates an inherent risk. In a drunk driving accident claim in Chicago, 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 someone who works as a driver, for example in a truck accident, bus accident or rideshare accident, the driver’s employer may also owe you damages. Reasons they are liable could include:

• Failure to perform a sufficient background check
• Ignoring previous drunk driving related charges in the background check
• Ignoring previous complaints of intoxication
• Not adhering to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing requirements

While drunk driving accident claims can seem pretty cut-and-dry, it is imperative to hire an experienced Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyer so they can conduct a comprehensive investigation into your claim. Doing so will not only make sure every negligent party is held accountable, but will also increase your compensation and secure you the full financial recovery you are owed.

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

Civil claims in the United States are based on the theory of being made whole. The idea behind the doctrine is that when someone is to blame for your damages, 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 that is a result of rehabilitating from a lower back injury for a few months. In the most destructive cases, for example if you or a loved one loses a limb, no amount of money can be expected to make you whole, but the settlement or verdict should be high enough to encapsulate the terrible loss you have sustained.

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 an unbiased dollar figure. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any urgent care, surgeries, medications, physical rehabilitation appointments and in-home care. You will also be reimbursed for any medical expenses that we expect to 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 caused a disability that no longer allows you to work, you will also be compensated for the wages you would have made in the future, but for the injuries.
   • Out-of-pocket expenses — If you had to pay for gas to and from physical therapy appointments, or had to invest in childcare while you were recovering, you need to be repaid for that too.

   In the case of future medical costs or lost earning potential, drunk driving accident lawyers will refer to their network of economic experts to be able to precisely account for inflation.

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 effects on your well-being, which can include anything from pain when carrying groceries in to the emotional impact of not being able to exercise the same way anymore.
   • Disability if you sustained life-long physical or cognitive challenges because of the accident.
   • Disfigurement if your injuries result in lasting scarring.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries impede you and your partner from the affection and intimate relationships you are used to.
   • Loss of society if the injuries your loved ones can no longer share the same advice and camaraderie they once did.
3. Punitive damages — These are not common in personal injury compensation, and are meant to punish the drunk driver 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 win you the money you are owed, but it also puts the insurance company on their heels as there is no coverage for punitive damages Under 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers can argue in favor of punitive damagers in personal injury claims for especially dangerous conduct. At Burger Law, we have learned that anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence is very aware of the danger their actions pose.

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

Call Burger Law Now

Chicago, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

We hate bullies, including irresponsible drivers who do not want to take responsibility for their actions and resistant insurance companies focus more on think it is acceptable to withhold the financial recovery you are owed. That is why each of our Chicago-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has dedicated their careers to fighting on behalf of the injured and vulnerable. We have no interest in TV commercials or billboards. When we are not investigating and litigating cases, our drunk driving accident lawyers are consistently sharpening our lawyer skills to secure great recoveries for our clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois. We know your actions did not cause this trying time; someone else’s terrible actions did. For the highest standard of legal advocacy, call the Chicago, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger Law today at (314) 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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