Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Lansing, IL

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Lansing, 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 Lansing, IL drunk driving accident lawyers immediately at (312) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free case review. We serve the injured and vulnerable in Lansing and throughout Illinois by defending their rights.

You can do everything you are supposed to to keep other drivers, passengers and pedestrians safe, but drunk drivers can still cause incredible devastation. Whether you were driving home from dinner or lazily driving around on a Saturday, your life was unexpectedly capsized when you did nothing wrong. The Lansing, 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 keep coming in, you may not be able to work because of your injuries 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 compassions, knowledge and aggressive 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 gotten more than $175 million in verdicts and settlements that the vulnerable in Lansing and throughout Illinois and Missouri were owed. 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 selfish drunk driver, discover how much your damages may be worth by filling out our free personal injury calculator.

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

Law enforcement will likely seek a guilty verdict in criminal court. However, a personal injury lawyer is still necessary to get you the monetary reimbursement you are owed. Talented, veteran and tenacious drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get the best possible financial recovery by:

• Investigating your claim thoroughly, including acquiring key evidence of culpability and your injuries
• Ensuring you get the full medical treatment you need to heal
• Consulting with economic and medical experts to know exactly how much your damages are worth
• Combating the lies insurance companies use to avoid compensating you
• Proving negligence on the part of the inebriated driver
• Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company is not offering the complete compensation you deserve
• Taking your case to court if the insurance adjuster will not be fair in mediation
• Fighting on your behalf until you are made whole again

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 Lansing, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for My Claim?

Every auto wreck is unique, and you can only truly know when to hire a personal injury lawyer by seeking a consultation with 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, it probably will not be too difficult to get fair compensation. However, many other circumstances require an attorney for the best results:

• The other driver will not admit fault. Drunk drivers who cause accidents will go in front of a judge in criminal court, and may be motivated not to cooperate in order to not be sentenced in criminal court. 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 realize their responsibility when one of their policyholders injures you in a drunk driving accident, 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 persuade you that your injuries are the result of other trauma or that a lawyer will only take money from you. None of that is true, and a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer will be able to combat those deceitful tactics and get you the compensation you deserve.
• There are multiple parties at fault. 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 everyone whose negligence contributed to your injuries. This is especially beneficial when the policy limits are not sufficient to pay for the full scope of your injuries.
• Your injuries will incur future medical expenses. The more severe your injuries the more medical treatment you will need, which makes valuing your damages more complex, and motivates the insurance adjuster to try to devalue your damages as much as possible. Tenacious 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 experienced with Illinois laws who will be direct with you about whether it is worth it or not for you to hire an attorney for your claim.

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

Understanding just how bad the problem of drinking and driving can be quite sobering. Every day 28 people die in accidents caused by drunk drivers, adding up to roughly one death every 52 minutes. While drunk driving accidents and deaths have consistently declined since 1982, drunk drivers still account for 29 percent of total traffic fatalities as of 2018. While organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving and harsh punishments for drunk driving have definitely done a lot to make our communities safer, some careless Lansing, IL individuals still decide to jeopardize others’ safety while not understanding or not caring about the potential consequences of their actions. When that happens and you or a loved one are injured, you deserve to be fairly reimbursed with a complete recovery and the careless driver needs to be held responsible for the harm they have caused. The Lansing, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law will make sure both of those things come true.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts found that almost 20 percent 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 | Lansing, 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 impair 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 at the same time, exaggerated confidence and inadequate judgment. At .05 percent – reached after about three drinks – a driver suffers from reduced coordination, inability to track moving objects, difficulty maneuvering 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 have a back up plan if you are not in the best condition to drive. Unfortunately, sometimes you can follow all the rules ourselves and still be left reeling from the horrible and unfair consequences of a dangerous Lansing, IL motorist making a selfish decision, driving drunk and harming you or someone you care about. Just knowing the harsh penalties that come with a DWI conviction does not make you whole again. Trust in the knowledgeable and talented Lansing, 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 start on the road to feeling that true justice was achieved.

Drunk Driving Laws in Lansing and Illinois

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

• It is a third or subsequent violation
• An accident occurred 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 it is a more serious crime are:

• Class 2 Felony for a third and fourth violation
• Class 1 Felony for a fifth DUI
• Class X Felony for sixth and subsequent DUIs

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

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

1. Duty of Care — That the driver was required to act in a certain, safe way.
2. Breach of Duty — That the defendant failed or was negligent in that duty.
3. Cause in Fact — That the accident resulted in your injuries.
4. Proximate Cause — That the accident would not have happened but for the defendant’s failure to use reasonable care.
5. Damages — That the accident led to tangible 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 economic damages.

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 are legally compelled to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with anyone else on the road. Meaning the first element is a given. Secondly, the legal doctrine of negligence per se stipulates that anyone who breaks the law automatically did not act in a reasonable manner to avoid injuring you. Therefore, in drunk driving cases the first two elements are granted automatically as long as you have evidence that the driver was driving drunk. All your drunk driving accident lawyers will need to demonstrate is that the driver caused the accident and that that is how you sustained your injuries.

Negligence per se does not mean you will automatically be awarded the financial recovery you deserve; the insurance company will still be motivated to pay you as little as possible. That is why it is crucial to have dedicated and accomplished Lansing, IL drunk driving accident lawyers to stand up to bullies and fight until you get the compensation you are owed.

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

A driver is not the only one who may be held accountable in your case. Other third parties include:

A Licensed Alcohol Vendor or Social Host

Many states have what is known as a dram shop rule, under which you may be able sue a licensed alcohol vendor after a drunk driving accident if you were harmed. 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 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 show:

• That the establishment sold the driver alcohol, which you can demonstrate through recordings, receipts or eyewitness testimony
• That the patron they sold to was responsible for 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 furnishes liquor to a guest in a private residence — if the person who caused your accident was not of legal age to drink and became intoxicated at the party.

Each year the Illinois Comptroller places dram shop liability limits on how much a bar, restaurant or social host is required to pay out. As of Jan. 20, 2022, the maximum is $77,787.30 for each person incurring damages, or $95,073.37 if the accident caused 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 theory of negligent entrustment, a person may be liable if they 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 case in Lansing, 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 too drunk to drive.

The Driver’s Employer

If you were injured by a commercial 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 a sufficient background check
• Ignoring previous drunk driving related charges in the background check
• Ignoring previous instances of drunk driving
• Not adhering to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing rules

While drunk driving accident claims can seem pretty cut-and-dry, it is imperative to hire an experienced Lansing, IL drunk driving accident lawyer so they can conduct an exhaustive investigation into your accident. 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 Lansing, IL Drunk Driving Accident Injuries?

Civil claims in the United States are based on the principle of being made whole. “Being made whole” means that when another party is responsible 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, being made whole means recovering compensation money you lost from work while recovering, chiropractic appointments and the physical strain that comes with rehabilitating from a neck injury for a few months. In the most destructive cases, for example if you lose a loved one, no amount of money can truly compensate you, but the settlement or verdict should be high enough to encapsulate the terrible loss you have sustained.

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 an impartial dollar figure. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any emergency room visits, operations, prescription or over-the-counter meds, physical rehabilitation appointments and in-home nursing. 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 — You will receive the full amount of the wages you lost from not being physically able to work. If your injury caused a disability that no longer permits 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 hire a nanny to be able to take care of your kids, you deserve to be reimbursed for that too.

   If we have to take into consideration 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 defines 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 difficulty turning your head to having PTSD anymore.
   • Disability for any permanent physical or cognitive difficulties the irresponsible driver caused.
   • Disfigurement if the accident result in permanent scarring or loss of limb.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries prevent you and your spouse from the companionship and intimate relationships you once shared.
   • Loss of society if the injuries your loved ones can no longer share the same counsel and camaraderie that was once offered.
3. Punitive damages — These are rarely awarded in personal injury compensation, and are meant to punish the drunk driver and discourage others from making the same mistakes. 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 because there is no coverage for punitive damages Under 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers may be awarded punitive damagers in personal injury claims for especially dangerous conduct. It is clear to us that anyone who drives drunk is demonstrating a blatant lack of respect for your safety.

In addition, we have extensive experience winning the following cases for our Lansing, 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

Lansing, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law

We cannot stand bullies, including reckless drivers do not respect other people’s safety and resistant insurance companies who care more about their profits than doing the right thing. For that reason, each of our Lansing-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has committed their careers to defending the rights of the injured and vulnerable. You will not see us on TV commercials or billboards. When we are not working relentlessly on one of our client’s claims, our drunk driving accident lawyers are constantly honing our abilities to deliver the best results for our clients in Lansing and throughout Illinois. We know you deserve it because we know you did nothing to put yourself in this situation; someone else’s irresponsible actions did. For expert, compassionate and relentless representation, call the Lansing, 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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