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Accidents Involving Intoxicated Drivers
Any motor vehicle accident can cause death, dismemberment, disfigurement, severe injury or life-long disability, and these consequences are always tragic. But when an accident is the result of the recklessness of a substance-impaired driver, it is all the more tragic. This is why DUI laws have gotten substantially tougher in Illinois and across the country in recent years.
A whopping 43 percent of traffic-related fatalities in Illinois involve an intoxicated driver. The estimated cost of the average alcohol-related fatality in Illinois is $3.9 million:
- $1.3 million in monetary costs
- $2.6 million in quality-of-life losses
The average estimated cost per injured survivor of an alcohol-related crash is $111,000:
- $55,000 in monetary costs
- $56,000 in quality-of-life losses
If you've been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, you may have more legal options than you would if your accident was not alcohol-related. For example, you may be able to obtain punitive damages from the drunk driver in addition to compensatory damages. Also, if the alcohol was served by a bar, the bar owner may also be legally responsible for your injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one.
We at Drake & Collopy understand the importance of promptly gathering evidence as to the intoxication of another driver as well as whether the intoxication was due to being over-served at a bar or tavern. Unlike some other injury attorneys, we will personally attend criminal court hearings if there is a DUI case, because the information gathered in a criminal case can be crucial to the success of a civil case against the responsible driver.
Victims of accidents with a drunk driver should move expeditiously to explore their options with experienced, competent and compassionate attorneys. If you wait until the extent of your injuries is fully known, evidence may be lost, and potentially supportive witnesses may not be available. For example, imagine the difficulty of locating fellow bar patrons several months after the accident who were present when the impaired person was over-served. Virtually no one remembers where they were on a particular night months earlier.
If you or a family member has been the victim of a drunk driver in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, rest assured that Drake & Collopy, P.C. has the experience and knowledge in motor vehicle accident litigation to give your claim the best chance for success. Contact us online or call us at 312.345.0220, or toll free at 1.888.372.5355, for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
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