Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer – Get Fair Compensation After a DUI Crash

Being hit by a drunk driver can turn your life upside down. You’re dealing with injuries, medical bills, time off work, and the stress of recovery—all because someone made a reckless choice to drive under the influence.

If you or someone you love was injured in a drunk driving accident in Chicago, you have the right to seek compensation. A Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable and recover the money you need to move forward.

Our team understands Illinois DUI laws and has helped countless victims of drunk driving crashes get the justice they deserve. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Contact us today for a free case review

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Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer: Fighting for Victims of DUI Crashes

Drunk driving accidents are different from typical car crashes. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, they’re not just careless—they’re breaking the law. This makes your injury claim stronger and can increase the compensation you’re entitled to receive.

In Illinois, drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher are legally impaired. When a drunk driver causes an accident, they can face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit from the victims they hurt.

Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers focus on the civil side—fighting to get you compensated for your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We handle all aspects of your claim while you focus on healing.

Why Drunk Driving Cases Are Different

Drunk driving cases often involve:

• Stronger evidence of negligence: A DUI arrest or conviction can prove the driver was at fault
• Higher compensation: Courts and juries may award more money when alcohol was involved
• Additional defendants: You may be able to sue bars or restaurants that over-served the driver
• Criminal case records: Police reports, BAC tests, and toxicology results strengthen your claim

We know how to use these factors to build the strongest possible case for you.

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What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Chicago

The moments and days after a drunk driving crash are critical. The steps you take now can make or break your injury claim.

At the Scene

If you’re able, take these steps right after the accident:

1. Call 911 immediately: Report the accident and request police and medical help
2. Get medical attention: Even if you feel okay, see a doctor—some injuries don’t show symptoms right away
3. Document everything: Take photos of the vehicles, the scene, your injuries, and any visible signs the driver was impaired (open containers, etc.)
4. Get witness information: Collect names and contact details from anyone who saw the crash
5. Don’t admit fault: Avoid saying “I’m sorry” or discussing who caused the accident
6. Request a police report: Make sure officers document the scene and test the other driver for alcohol

In the Days After

• Keep all medical records: Save bills, treatment notes, and prescriptions
• Track your expenses: Document lost wages, transportation to appointments, and other costs
• Limit what you say: Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies without talking to a lawyer first
• Contact a Chicago drunk driving accident attorney: The sooner you have legal help, the better

Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, hoping you’ll accept a low settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. Don’t agree to anything until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.

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How a DUI Conviction Helps Your Injury Claim

When the drunk driver who hit you is arrested and convicted of DUI, it significantly strengthens your civil injury case.

Negligence Per Se

In Illinois, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is automatically considered negligent. This legal concept is called “negligence per se”—meaning the driver broke the law, and that violation directly caused your injuries.

With negligence per se, you don’t have to prove the driver was careless. The DUI conviction does most of the work for you.

Evidence from the Criminal Case

Your attorney can use evidence from the drunk driver’s criminal case to support your injury claim:

• Police reports documenting the arrest
• BAC test results from breathalyzer or blood tests
• Field sobriety test results
• The driver’s own statements to police
• Criminal court records and conviction details

Even Without a Conviction

You can still win your civil case even if the drunk driver wasn’t convicted or charged criminally. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof—we only need to show it’s more likely than not that the driver was impaired and caused the accident.

We can use police reports, witness testimony, accident reconstruction, and other evidence to prove the driver was drunk, even without a criminal conviction.

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Types of Compensation in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Chicago can recover several types of damages. The goal is to make you “whole” again—compensating you for every way the crash has affected your life.

Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs

This includes:

• Emergency room visits
• Hospital stays
• Surgery and procedures
• Doctor appointments
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Medical equipment (wheelchairs, crutches, etc.)
• Future medical care you’ll need because of your injuries

We work with medical experts to calculate not just your current bills, but the cost of care you’ll need in the months and years ahead.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

If your injuries forced you to miss work, you can recover:

• Wages you’ve already lost
• Benefits you missed out on (health insurance, retirement contributions, etc.)
• Lost earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
• Reduced earning potential if your injuries limit your career options

Whether you missed a few days or can never work again, we’ll fight to recover every dollar you’ve lost.

Pain and Suffering, Emotional Distress

Physical injuries are only part of the picture. Drunk driving accidents can cause:

• Chronic pain
• Emotional trauma and anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and scarring

These non-economic damages are harder to calculate, but they’re just as real. Illinois law allows victims to seek compensation for these intangible losses.

Wrongful Death Claims for Families

If your loved one was killed by a drunk driver, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims can recover:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills from their final injury
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Your family’s pain and suffering

No amount of money can bring back someone you love, but a wrongful death claim can provide financial security and hold the drunk driver accountable.

Get a free consultation to learn what your case may be worth

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Proving the Drunk Driver Was At Fault

To win your drunk driving accident claim, we need to prove the other driver was impaired and caused the crash.

Using BAC and Police Reports as Evidence

The police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case. It typically includes:

• The officer’s observations of the drunk driver (bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, smell of alcohol)
• Results of field sobriety tests
• BAC test results from a breathalyzer or blood test
• The officer’s opinion on who caused the accident
• Any DUI arrests or citations

A BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal in Illinois. If the police documented this level of intoxication, it’s powerful proof that the driver was negligent.

Accident Reconstruction and Witness Statements

We also use additional evidence to show exactly how the accident happened:

• Witness statements: People who saw the crash or observed the driver before it happened
• Accident reconstruction experts: Specialists who analyze the scene, vehicle damage, and physics to recreate the collision
• Surveillance footage: Video from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, or dashcams
• Vehicle black box data: Modern cars record speed, braking, and other data before a crash
• Medical expert testimony: Doctors who explain your injuries and how they resulted from the accident

Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers know how to gather and present this evidence effectively, whether we’re negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

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Dram Shop Liability: Holding Bars and Restaurants Accountable

Sometimes, the drunk driver isn’t the only one responsible for your injuries. Under Illinois’ Dram Shop Act, you may also be able to sue the bar, restaurant, or other establishment that served alcohol to the intoxicated driver.

When Dram Shop Claims Apply

You can hold a business liable if:

• They served alcohol to someone who was already visibly intoxicated
• They served alcohol to someone under age 21
• The intoxicated person then caused your injuries

For example, if a bartender kept serving drinks to someone who was clearly drunk, and that person later drove and hit you, you could sue both the driver and the bar.

Why Dram Shop Claims Matter

Drunk drivers often don’t have enough insurance to fully compensate victims. By bringing a dram shop claim, you can access the business’s insurance policy, which typically offers higher coverage limits.

This can mean the difference between partial compensation and full recovery of your damages.

What We Need to Prove

Dram shop cases require showing:

• The establishment sold or served alcohol to the driver
• The person was visibly intoxicated at the time, or was under 21
• The intoxication contributed to the accident that injured you

We investigate by reviewing receipts, credit card statements, witness accounts from other patrons, and surveillance footage from the establishment.

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What If the Drunk Driver Has No Insurance?

It’s frustrating, but many drunk drivers don’t have car insurance—or they only carry the minimum required coverage, which often isn’t enough to cover serious injuries.

Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Fortunately, your own auto insurance policy may cover you. If you have uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer to recover compensation.

This coverage is designed for exactly this situation—when the at-fault driver can’t pay for the harm they caused.

How UM/UIM Claims Work

• Your insurance company steps into the shoes of the drunk driver
• You can recover the same types of damages you would from the at-fault driver
• Your premiums typically don’t increase for making a UM/UIM claim

Important: Insurance companies—even your own—often try to minimize payouts. Having a lawyer ensures your insurer treats you fairly.

Other Options

If you don’t have UM/UIM coverage, we explore other avenues:

• Dram shop claims against bars or restaurants
• Claims against other potentially liable parties (vehicle owners, employers if the driver was working, etc.)
• Pursuing the drunk driver’s personal assets

We’ll identify every possible source of compensation available in your case.

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Why You Need a Chicago Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

You might wonder whether you really need a lawyer for your drunk driving accident claim. After all, the other driver was clearly at fault, right?

Here’s the reality: insurance companies don’t care about what’s fair. Their goal is to pay as little as possible. Without an experienced attorney, you’re at a serious disadvantage.

Experience with Illinois DUI and Personal Injury Law

Drunk driving cases involve complex legal issues:

• Illinois DUI statutes and how they apply to civil claims
• Negligence per se and burden of proof requirements
• Illinois comparative negligence rules (what if you were partially at fault?)
• The two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims
• Dram shop liability under the Illinois Dramshop Act

Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers handle these cases every day. We know the laws, the local courts, and how to build winning cases.

Dealing with Insurance Companies After a DUI Crash

Insurance adjusters use specific tactics to reduce what they pay:

• Quick settlement offers: They offer fast money before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Twisting your words: They ask leading questions hoping you’ll say something that hurts your case
• Delaying tactics: They drag out the process hoping you’ll get desperate and accept less
• Downplaying injuries: They claim your injuries aren’t as bad as you say or weren’t caused by the accident

We handle all communications with insurance companies. We know their playbook and won’t let them take advantage of you.

Maximizing Your Compensation

Studies consistently show that accident victims who hire lawyers recover significantly more compensation than those who go it alone—even after legal fees are deducted.

Why? Because we know:

• The true value of your claim (including future costs you might not have considered)
• How to document and prove your damages
• When to negotiate and when to file a lawsuit
• How to present your case persuasively

We’re committed to getting you every dollar you deserve.

Schedule your free consultation with a Chicago drunk driving accident lawyer

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How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Injury Claim?

In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.

Why the Deadline Matters

If you miss this two-year window, you lose your right to sue. The court will dismiss your case, and you won’t be able to recover compensation—no matter how strong your claim is.

Exceptions and Special Rules

Some situations have different deadlines:

• Wrongful death claims: Two years from the date of death (which may be later than the accident date)
• Government vehicles: Shorter notice requirements if a government employee caused the accident
• Minors: The two-year clock doesn’t start until the injured person turns 18

Don’t Wait

Even though you have two years, you shouldn’t wait to contact a lawyer. Here’s why:

• Evidence disappears (surveillance footage is deleted, witnesses forget details)
• Injuries may worsen without proper documentation
• Insurance companies become more aggressive with lowball offers
• Your lawyer needs time to investigate and build a strong case

The sooner you reach out, the stronger your case will be.

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Free Case Review: Talk to a Chicago DUI Injury Lawyer

If a drunk driver injured you or someone you love, you don’t have to face this alone. Our Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.

What You’ll Get:

✓ Free consultation: We’ll review your case at no cost and no obligation
✓ Clear answers: We’ll explain your legal options in plain English
✓ No upfront fees: You pay nothing unless we win your case
✓ Experienced representation: We handle everything so you can focus on recovery
✓ Aggressive advocacy: We fight hard against insurance companies and at-fault drivers

Our Contingency Fee Promise

You don’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all case costs (expert witnesses, court fees, investigation expenses), and we only get paid when you do.

There’s no financial risk to getting the legal help you need.

Contact Us Today

Don’t let the drunk driver who hurt you get away with it. Call us now for your free case review.

Call 866-4-LAW-411 or fill out our online form

We’re available 24/7 to take your call because we know accidents don’t happen on a schedule.

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