Drunk Driving Accident Victim Lawyer In Barrington, IL

Injured by a Drunk Driver? Our Palatine Attorneys Can Help

In a drunk driving accident, the criminal proceedings and civil actions are separate. You are not automatically entitled to compensation just because a person is convicted of DUI. Conversely, you can sue that driver even if criminal charges do not stick. Either way, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner to see that civil justice is served.

Lucas Law will aggressively pursue your injury compensation or wrongful death compensation if someone in your family was hit by a drunk driver. We handle personal injury accidents in Cook, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties of Illinois. Call our Barrington law office today at 847-381-8700.

Establishing Liability For A Preventable Tragedy

The overriding issue in a drunk driver accident — or any accident claim — is whether the other motorist was negligent. One beer or one glass of wine can impair a person's judgment and reaction times, and that could be the difference between a serious collision and simply crossing paths.

Illinois law provides for the possibility of punitive damages in drunk driving cases. This creates additional incentive for the insurance company to settle the case sooner and at a higher amount than a typical car accident. Our attorneys will leverage this fact, but it is still necessary to prove liability. We conduct a thorough investigation, using professional investigators as necessary, to establish that the driver was too impaired to control a motor vehicle and that the impairment was the cause of the crash.

Illinois law also recognizes liability of commercial establishments that sell and serve alcohol. We will explore a potential lawsuit under the Illinois Dram Shop Act against the bar, restaurant or liquor store. These are difficult cases, and there is a one-year statute of limitations. Usually we have to show, through witness accounts and other evidence, that the business provided alcohol to a person who was visibly intoxicated or under the legal drinking age.

Vigorous Representation For Serious Accidents

The delayed reactions and impaired judgment of a drunken driver often lead to more severe injuries, as when the person runs a stoplight, rear-ends another vehicle at high speed or crosses into an oncoming lane of traffic.

Our team is dedicated to maximum recovery of damages for the aftermath of an accident caused by a drunk driver, including hospital bills and future medical care, lost income, disability or disfigurement, and pain and suffering. We will not hesitate to invest in experts or go to trial to hold the parties accountable and press for full value for your claims.

Call us at 847-381-8700 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.