Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Sycamore, IL

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Sycamore, IL. If a selfish drunk driver hurt you or someone you care about, call the Sycamore, 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 Sycamore and throughout Illinois by defending their rights.

You can follow all the rules of the road, but irresponsible drivers can still cause unfathomable devastation. Whether you were driving home from dinner or lazily driving around on the weekend, all of a sudden your entire life was completely disrupted when you did nothing wrong. The Sycamore, IL drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law have dedicated their careers to helping people in similar circumstances get peace of mind and maximum compensation when they may be feeling they have nowhere to turn. We know the medical bills are accumulating, you may not be able to work because of your injuries and everything seems different than it was in the recent past. This burden is not yours to bear alone. With the compassions, expertise and aggressive 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 more than $175 million in verdicts and settlements for our Sycamore, IL clients. Our initial consultation and investigation is free, and you do not owe us a thing until we win your case.

If you were hurt by an irresponsible drunk driver, find out how much your damages may be worth by utilizing our free personal injury calculator.

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

The criminal justice system will likely seek a guilty verdict in criminal court. Still, you will still need a personal injury lawyer to stand up to the drunk driver in civil court and get you the monetary reimbursement you are owed. Talented, seasoned and relentless drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get the best possible financial recovery by:

• Investigating your claim fully, including obtaining police reports, eyewitness testimony and medical records
• Ensuring you get the full medical treatment you need to heal
• Working alongside economic and medical experts to precisely value your damages
• Combating the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying you
• Proving negligence on the part of the drunk driver
• Negotiating a fair settlement with the insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit when the insurance company is not being fair
• Taking your case to court if the insurance adjuster will not be fair 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 Sycamore, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers for My Claim?

Every injury case is different, and you can only truly know when to hire a personal injury lawyer by seeking the advise of one. If the driver accepts culpability and your injuries are minor and do not require much medical treatment, 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:

• There is a dispute about liability. Drunk drivers who cause injuries will go in front of a judge in criminal court, and may be motivated not to cooperate in order to not face fines, a suspended license and possibly jail time. 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 obtain key evidence in order to prove that the defendant were drunk and injured you.
• The insurance adjuster refuses to offer a full settlement. While you would like to think insurance companies would realize their responsibility when one of their policyholders injures you in a drunk driving accident, that is not always the case. Even if the driver admits liability, the insurance company might try to persuade you that your injuries were not actually caused by the accident or you only have a limited amount of time to accept their low offer. Those are all lies, and a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer will fight back and let the insurance adjuster know we mean business.
• 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 all liable parties. Finding other liable parties is vital when the policy limits are not sufficient to pay for the full scope of your injuries.
• Your injuries need extensive medical treatment. The more significant your injuries the higher your medical bills will be, which makes calculating the full value of your damages more challenging, and will cause the insurance company to fight back against giving you a fair settlement. Tenacious and knowledgeable 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, we answer all of your questions for free. Reach out to us now at (312) 500-HURT to talk for a candid conversation with a drunk driving accident lawyer familiar with Illinois laws who will be honest with you about whether the insurance company is offering a fair settlement.

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

Understanding just how bad the problem of drinking and driving can be pretty sobering. Every day there are about 28 fatal drunk driving accidents, adding up to roughly one fatality in just under an hour. While drunk driving accidents and deaths have consistently been on the decline in the last four decades, drunk drivers still account for almost a third of total traffic fatalities as of 2018. While safe driving campaigns and harsh punishments for drunk driving have definitely done a lot to make our roads safer, some reckless Sycamore, IL residents still make the irresponsible decision to disregard others’ well-being 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 justly reimbursed with a maximum recovery and the reckless driver needs to pay for breaking the rules. The Sycamore, 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 found that almost one-fifth of the 1,088 fatal crashes in the state involved alcohol. Alcohol was found in the symptoms of almost 40 percent of 448 deceased drivers who were tested.

How Alcohol Affects Driving | Sycamore, 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 sufficient to substantially impair someone’s abilities behind the wheel. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration the body undergoes a decline in visual functions, inability to multi-task, an altered mood and loss of judgment. At .05 percent – reached after roughly three alcohol beverages – 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 let someone else take the wheel if you have had too much to drink. Regrettably, sometimes you can follow all the rules ourselves and still be left reeling from the horrible and unfair consequences of a thoughtless Sycamore, IL driver not caring about the rules, driving drunk and harming you or someone you care about. 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 knowledgeable and aggressive Sycamore, IL drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to to secure the financial settlement you and your family need and are owed. Call Burger Law today at (312) 500-HURT to discuss your options and begin on the road to recovery.

Drunk Driving Laws in Sycamore 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 it becomes “aggravated driving under the influence” and a Class 4 Felony if:

• The driver had more than two previous DUI offenses
• An accident occurred that lead to great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement to another
• The driver caused an accident in a school zone that lead to personal injury

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

How Do You Prove a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Sycamore, 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 driver did not use reasonable care.
3. Cause in Fact — That your injuries are a direct result of the accident.
4. Proximate Cause — That the accident would not have happened but for the defendant’s negligence.
5. Damages — That the negligence was the reason you sustained a loss, such as economic damages like damage to your car as well as pain and suffering. It is important to mention that in personal injury claims you cannot secure a financial recovery for noneconomic damages if you have not sustained economic damages.

There are two factors that set drunk driving accidents apart from most other personal injury claims. Firstly, 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1 dictates that people who get behind the wheel of a vehicle are required to to “exercise due care to avoid colliding” with anyone else on the road. Meaning the first element is a given. Secondly, the legal theory of negligence per se means that anyone who breaks the law is negligent as a matter of law. Therefore, in drunk driving cases the first two elements are granted automatically as long as you have evidence that the driver was intoxicated. All your drunk driving accident lawyers will need to show is that the driver caused the accident and injured you.

While it may seem like that makes a drunk driving case a slam-dunk, the insurance company will still be motivated to pay you as little as possible. That is why it is imperative to have tenacious and experienced Sycamore, IL drunk driving accident lawyers to stand up to bullies and get the financial recovery you are owed.

Are Any Third Parties Liable for My Drunk Driving Accident Injuries in Sycamore, 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 anyone else is at fault:

A Bar, Restaurant or Social Host

Dram shop rules allow you to sue a licensed alcohol vendor after a drunk driving accident if you sustained injuries. Illinois’ dram shop laws are specified in 235 ILCS 5/6-15 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act. Illinois’ dram shop law more liberal 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 at fault. You just have to prove:

• That a vendor-patron relationship existed, which you can demonstrate through surveillance video, receipts or eyewitness or employee testimony
• That the patron they sold to caused your injuries
• 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 person who caused your accident was under the age of 21 and became intoxicated at the private residence.

Annually, the Illinois Comptroller stipulates dram shop liability limits on how much a bar, restaurant or social host is required to pay out. As of Jan. 20, 2022, those limits are $77,787.30 for each person incurring damages, 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 was driving someone else’s car, the owner may be responsible for a portion of your damages. According to the philosophy of negligent entrustment, someone may owe you damages if they permit someone else to engage in an activity which is under the control of the actor if it would not be safe to do so. In a drunk driving accident claim in Sycamore, 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 had had to much too drink.

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 also owe you damages. Reasons they are liable could include:

• Failure to perform an adequate background check
• Ignoring alcohol-related offenses in the background check
• Ignoring previous accusations of drunk driving
• Not following the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s drug testing rules

Experienced Sycamore, 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 immediately to determine as many liable parties as possible.

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

Tort claims in the United States are based on the principle of being made whole. The idea behind the doctrine is that when someone is to blame for your injuries, 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 rear-end accident, that might mean paying money you lost from work while recovering, physical therapy appointments and the physical strain that comes with rehabilitating from a whiplash 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 be expected to make you whole, but the financial recovery should be great enough to provide a least some sense of comfort.

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

1. Economic damages — This the totaling of all the bills and lost income related to your injury. It is a firm dollar figure. Examples include:
   • Medical expenses — That includes any urgent care, operations, prescription or over-the-counter meds, physical rehabilitation appointments and assistive devices such as braces. You will also receive compensation for any treatment, joint replacements or replacement assistive devices you may need 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 disability that no longer permits you to perform the tasks required of your job, 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 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 expenses 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 be anything anything from difficulty carrying groceries in to having PTSD anymore.
   • Disability for any life-long physical or cognitive difficulties the selfish driver caused.
   • Disfigurement if the accident result in permanent scarring.
   • Loss of consortium if you or a loved one’s injuries prevent you and your spouse from the love and intimate relationships you grew accustomed to.
   • Loss of society if the injuries impede you from giving or your loved ones from receiving the same guidance and camaraderie that was once offered.
3. Punitive damages — These are not common in personal injury compensation, and are intended to punish the defendant and discourage others from making the same mistakes. When we sue drunk drivers, we always pursue punitive damages. Not only does that maximize your financial recovery, 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 egregious conduct. At Burger Law, we have learned that anyone who sits in the drivers seat while drunk knows exactly how reckless they are being.

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

Sycamore, 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 who care more about their profits than doing the right thing. For that reason, each of our Sycamore-based drunk driving accident lawyers in Illinois has pledged their lives to standing up for 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 constantly honing our abilities to secure the best results for our clients in Sycamore and throughout Illinois. We know you deserve it because we know you did nothing to put yourself in this situation; someone else’s horrible behavior did. For expert, empathetic and relentless representation, call the Sycamore, 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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