State law has little to no tolerance for drunk drivers. It is a crime to drive anywhere in the state with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 grams or more for adult drivers, any amount for minors, and 0.04 for commercial drivers. First offenders can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a year in jail, fines up to $2,500, probation, substance abuse counseling, and community service.
With the prevalence of drunk driving awareness campaigns and these harsh penalties, you might assume motorists would think before getting behind the wheel with a few drinks under their belts. But they don’t. Drunk driving car accidents in Des Plaines continue to cause billions of dollars in damage. When you or someone you love is hurt by a drunk driver, call a compassionate accident attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC for support.
The Dangers of Drunk Driving
While many drugs are stimulants, alcohol is a relaxant, and a BAC of as little as 0.02 grams, about one drink, can slow a driver’s ability to react to vision prompts. For example, when a driver spots a car changing lanes, a calculation must be made to determine when to slow down to avoid a collision. Drivers with a BAC of 0.08 or more experience pronounced deteriorating judgment, reasoning, memory, and coordination. The impaired function means errors are much more likely.
People harmed in drunk driving car accidents may be entitled to compensation from the negligent motorist. Generally, to prove negligence, an injured person must show a driver caused the accident because they behaved below the safety standards that a reasonable person would uphold. In drunk driving cases, plaintiffs might be able to rely on the doctrine of negligence per se. If the drunk driver violates an Illinois law, in this case, Illinois Compiled Statutes 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the courts presume the driver breached the duty owed to others on the road. In this scenario, a plaintiff only has to prove that the defendant’s action caused their injuries. A Des Plaines attorney could provide vital assistance proving negligence and damages after a drunk driving vehicle crash.
Possible Types of Compensation in Drunk Driving Cases
If a jury believes our attorneys proved a drunk driver who injured you was negligent, you can recover a damages award based on your monetary and subjective losses. These awards may include compensation for:
- Reasonable present and future costs for medical and rehabilitative care, including procedures and prescriptions
- Assistive equipment such as wheelchairs
- Lost wages while recovering from your injuries
- The costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle
- Psychological trauma
- Lost quality of life
In cases involving drunk drivers, courts may also award punitive damages to dissuade other motorists from making the same reckless choices that endanger innocent lives. Our legal team works to maximize the compensation available to drunk driving car accident survivors in Des Plaines.
A Des Plaines Attorney Could Help After a Drunk Driving Car Crash
Drunk drivers cause catastrophic accidents and, in many cases, fatal harm to other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Our attorneys understand the physical, financial, and emotional pain you and your family may be enduring after a drunk driving car accident in Des Plaines. We could get to work on your behalf to hold a drunk driver accountable.
An attorney at The Kryder Law Group, LLC could negotiate with the drunk driver’s insurer after gathering and studying evidence to bolster your case. If a settlement offer is unacceptable, we could fight for you in court to get you a fair monetary award from the jury. Call our firm today to learn more.
(312) 223-1700