Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Hyde Park, IL

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Hyde Park, IL. If you or a loved one was injured because someone else broke the rules of the road and got behind the wheel drunk, call the Hyde Park, IL drunk driving accident lawyers immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a complimentary case review. We serve the injured and vulnerable in Hyde Park 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 destruction. Whether you were on your way home for your in-laws or just running errands, your life was immediately turned upside down when you did nothing wrong. The Hyde Park, 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 accumulating, you you cannot earn a living right now and your life is not the same as it just a short while ago. We will be by your side until things are made right again. With the dedication, expertise and unshakable legal representation of our drunk driving accident lawyers, this too shall pass.

In our over 30 years of litigating and trying cases, we have won over $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Hyde Park, IL clients. Talking to us is free, and you do not owe us a thing until the final verdict or settlement has been reached.

If you were hurt by a thoughtless drunk driver, find out how much your injuries may be worth by utilizing our free personal injury calculator.

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

The criminal justice system 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 a financial recovery for all of your damages. Talented, seasoned and persistent drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get justice by:

• Investigating your claim comprehensively, including obtaining police reports, eyewitness testimony and medical records
• 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
• Combating the lies insurance companies use to avoid paying you
• Proving negligence on the part of the inebriated driver
• Negotiating for full compensation with the insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company is not offering the maximum compensation you deserve
• Taking your case to court if the insurance adjuster will not be fair in mediation
• Fighting on your behalf until justice has been achieved

At Burger Law, we know the ins-and-outs of every type of auto accident claim and know how to get great compensation.

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

That depends on the specifics of your case, and if you have never had to hire an attorney before it may be difficult to determine when to hire a personal injury lawyer. If the driver is taking responsibility for his actions 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 legal representation for the best results:

• There is a dispute about liability. Drunk drivers who cause injuries are likely looking at criminal charges as well, and may be motivated not to cooperate in order to not face fines, a suspended license and possibly jail time. While while not every drunk driver is found guilty, 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 obligation when one of their policyholders drives drunk and injures you, far too often that does not happen. Even in the event that the driver admits liability, the insurance company might try to say that your injuries were not actually caused by the accident or you waited too long to seek medical treatment. Those are all lies, and a knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyer will be able to combat those deceitful tactics and get you the money you are owed.
• The drunk driver is not the only one responsible. While a drunk driver is obviously 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 anyone who bears responsibility for the accident. 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 will cause the insurance company to fight back against giving you a fair settlement. Skilled and dedicated drunk driving accident lawyers will not only fight hard to get you the compensation you need and are owed, but we will help you receive all of the appropriate medical care.

At Burger Law, there is no risk or obligation when talking to us. Reach out to us now at (312) 500-HURT to speak directly to a drunk driving accident lawyer familiar with Illinois laws who will be straightforward with you about whether the insurance company is offering a fair settlement.

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

Understanding just how bad the problem of drinking and driving can be incredibly sobering. Every day there are about 28 fatal drunk driving accidents, or about 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 harsh punishments for drunk driving have definitely helped, some careless Hyde Park, IL residents still make the terrible decision to put others at risk because of a misplaced self-centeredness. If you are hurt as a result, you deserve to be fairly compensated with a full recovery and the reckless driver needs to be held accountable for breaking the rules. The Hyde Park, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law will make sure both of those things come true.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts reported that almost one-fifth of the 1,088 accidents that caused fatalities in the state involved alcohol. Alcohol was found in the symptoms of 37.1 percent of 448 deceased drivers who were tested.

How Alcohol Affects Driving | Hyde Park, 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 even .02 percent is sufficient to substantially impede someone’s driving skills. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration the body undergoes a decline in visual functions, inability to perform two tasks at the same time, exaggerated confidence and loss of judgment. At .05 percent – the product of approximately three alcohol beverages – someone suffers from lowered coordination, inability to follow moving objects, challenges steering and a slower response to unexpected things on the road. It is vital to do you part in protecting other drivers, passengers and pedestrians and find other means of transport if you are intoxicated. Unfortunately, sometimes you can commit to protecting others on the road and still be left reeling from the catastrophic consequences of a reckless Hyde Park, IL driver making a selfish decision, driving drunk and injuring you or a family member. Just knowing the harsh penalties that come with a DWI conviction cannot truly compensate you and your family for all of the ways they have impacted your life. Trust in the knowledgeable and skilled Hyde Park, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to get you the full financial recovery you deserve. Call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT to find out the best way to proceed and begin on the path to recovery.

Drunk Driving Laws in Hyde Park 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 drunk driving 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 personal injury

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

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

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

1. Duty of Care — That the defendant had a responsibility to keep you safe.
2. Breach of Duty — That the defendant did not use reasonable care.
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 monetary damages like lost wages as well as mental anguish. In personal injury claims you can only recover noneconomic damages if there were associated monetary losses.

There are two aspects that set drunk driving accidents apart from most other personal injury claims. Firstly, 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 specifically states that drivers are legally compelled to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with anyone else on the road. 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 philosophy of negligence per se states that anyone who violates a state statute is automatically considered to have breached their duty of care. 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.

Negligence per se does not mean you will automatically get the compensation you are owed; 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 critical to have aggressive and experienced Hyde Park, IL drunk driving accident lawyers by your side to fight until you get the financial recovery you deserve.

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

The driver is clearly at fault 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 anyone else is at fault:

A Bar, Restaurant or Social Host

Many states have what is called a dram shop law, under which you may be able sue a bar or restaurant after a drunk driving accident if you sustained damages. Illinois’ dram shop laws are explained in 235 ILCS 5/6-15 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Illinois’ dram shop law is different from 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 a visibly intoxicated person. You just have to prove:

• That the bar or restaurant sold the driver alcohol, which you can show through recordings, receipts or eyewitness or employee testimony
• That the customer they sold to caused your injuries
• 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 supplies their private guests with alcohol — if the drunk driver was not of legal age to drink and became drunk at the private residence.

Annually, the Illinois Comptroller sets dram shop liability limits on how much a vendor or social host is required to pay out. As of Jan. 20, 2022, those limits are $77,787.30 for each injured party, or $95,073.37 if the accident led to 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, the owner may also owe you compensation. According to the philosophy of negligent entrustment, a person may be liable if they permit a third person to engage in an activity which is under the control of the actor if that would create an unreasonable risk of harm to others. In a drunk driving accident case in Hyde Park, 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 had had to much too drink.

The Driver’s Employer

If you were injured by someone who earns a living as a driver, for example 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 carry out an adequate background check
• Ignoring alcohol-related offenses in the background check
• Ignoring previous accusations of intoxication
• Not adhering to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing rules

Experienced Hyde Park, IL drunk driving accident lawyers like those at Burger Law have seen all of these types of negligence claims and know how to get results in them. When you hire us, we start investigating your case immediately to find everyone who is responsible for your injuries.

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

Personal injury claims in the United States are based on the theory of being made whole. “Being made whole” means that when another party injures you, you should be paid a dollar amount commensurate to the extent of your damages. In many car accident claims, for example a a low-speed crash in a parking lot, being made whole means recovering compensation money you lost from work while recovering, follow-up doctors’ appointments and the pain involved with rehabilitating from a neck injury for a little while. In the most tragic cases, for example if you or a loved one becomes paralyzed, no financial recovery can be expected to make you whole, but the settlement or verdict should be high enough to encapsulate the terrible loss you have sustained.

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 an unbiased dollar amount. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any emergency room visits, surgeries, prescription or over-the-counter meds, physical rehabilitation appointments and in-home care. You will also be reimbursed for any medical bills that will arise in the future.
   • Lost wages and lost earning capacity — You will be reimbursed for full amount of the wages you lost from not being able to work while you recovered. If your injury caused a long-term or permanent injury that no longer allows you to work, 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 transportation to and from medical appointments, or had to hire a nanny to be able to take care of your kids, you need to be compensated for that too.

   If we have to take into consideration future medical bills or lost earning capacity, drunk driving accident lawyers will make sure the recovery 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 emotional effects on your well-being, which can be anything anything from difficulty turning your head to having PTSD anymore.
   • Disability for any life-long physical or cognitive difficulties the selfish driver caused.
   • Disfigurement if the accident caused permanent scarring.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries prevent you and your partner from the companionship and intimate relationships you are used to.
   • Loss of society if the injuries your family can no longer share the same guidance and care that was once offered.
3. Punitive damages — These are rarely awarded in personal injury recoveries, and are meant to punish the drunk driver and discourage others from making the same mistakes. We are aggressive in our pursuit of punitive damages in drunk driving accident claims. Not only does that maximize your compensation, but it also helps secure a fair settlement from the insurance company as their policyholders do not pay for punitive damages in their policies Pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers may be awarded punitive damagers in personal injury claims for especially appalling conduct. It is clear to us that anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence is demonstrating a blatant lack of respect for your safety.

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

• 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

Hyde Park, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

We cannot stand bullies, including selfish drivers think they can do whatever they want and resistant insurance companies whose prioritize more money than morals. For that reason, each of our Hyde Park-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has dedicated their education and abilities to fighting on behalf of the injured and vulnerable. We are not on TV or billboards. When we are not investigating and litigating cases, our drunk driving accident lawyers are consistently honing our abilities to get great recoveries for our clients in Hyde Park and throughout Illinois. We know your actions did not cause this trying time; someone else’s irresponsible behavior did. For the highest standard of legal advocacy, call the Hyde Park, 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