If an impaired driver hit you or a loved one, you may feel overwhelmed by medical bills, missed work, and insurance questions. You know the other driver is at fault, but the path to getting the compensation and justice you deserve may be unclear.
When you need a trusted guide, our drunk driving accident lawyers in Mount Prospect can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation after a DUI crash. We handle injury claims, wrongful death cases, and dram shop claims.
Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C, has recovered over $100 million in awards and settlements for people injured through no fault of their own. Call for your free consultation and learn how our car accident lawyers in Mount Prospect can help with your case.
Your Rights After a DUI-Related Wreck
You have the right to pursue damages from the impaired driver and any other responsible parties, regardless of the outcome of a criminal DUI case. A civil claim uses a lower burden of proof, so you can recover even if the prosecution does not secure a conviction.
To recover damages, you must connect the other driver’s impairment and conduct to your injuries. That often involves evidence such as police reports, BAC results, and dash or bodycam footage that links the collision to your harm.
Insurance carriers may downplay impairment or argue that you share blame. Our personal injury lawyers in Mount Prospect will counter with evidence that shows negligence or negligence per se when statutory violations are present.
Investigating Your Accident and Managing Your Claim
We prepare every case as if it could go to trial. That approach signals to insurers that low offers will not resolve serious DUI crash claims. Some of the evidence we begin collecting immediately can include
- Police crash reports and DUI testing data
- Bar or restaurant receipts and surveillance video
- Witness statements and 911 recordings
- Vehicle event data recorder (EDR) downloads
- Accident reconstruction analyses and scene photos
- Medical records and opinions on injury causation
Our team handles the paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations with the insurer. We also understand the practical challenges after a violent collision. We can help you document expenses and avoid common claim mistakes that can reduce the value of your case.
Compensation You Can Pursue for a DUI Crash
A fair settlement or verdict should reflect both economic and non-economic losses tied to the crash. Drunk driving collisions often cause severe injuries and long work absences, which can significantly raise damages. Depending on the facts, your recovery may include:
- Medical expenses, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of normal life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Property damage and loss of use
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family
If needed, we work with medical and financial experts to present a clear picture of your losses. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Mount Prospect will pursue maximum compensation from all available sources.
How Fault and Criminal Proceedings Interact With Your Civil Claim
A criminal DUI case and a civil injury case are separate. A conviction can bolster your civil claim, but you do not need a conviction to win compensation. Civil liability is based on a preponderance of the evidence, while criminal courts require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Restitution ordered in a criminal case is different from civil damages. Compensation may cover some out-of-pocket losses, but it rarely addresses the full scope of medical care, lost earnings, or non-economic harm.
Research shows that affluent drivers are more likely to drunk drive. A civil claim is the path to seek the full measure of your damages.
Dram Shop Laws in Illinois
If a bar or restaurant contributed to the impairment, Illinois’ Dram Shop Act may allow a separate civil claim with statutory limits that adjust annually.
These claims do not require proof that the establishment was negligent; rather, you must show that the sale of alcohol contributed to the intoxication and that intoxication caused your injuries.
Our Mount Prospect drunk driving accident lawyers will evaluate whether dram shop liability, negligent entrustment, or other theories apply to expand available insurance coverage.
Deadlines and Procedural Rules That Affect Your Case
Illinois generally gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and one year for a wrongful death claim under certain circumstances, though time limits can vary. Claims involving government entities may have shorter notice and filing deadlines.
Do not wait to start. Early action allows requests to preserve surveillance footage, obtain BAC and testing records, and interview witnesses while memories are fresh. Prompt medical documentation also helps connect your injuries to the crash.
Contact Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Mount Prospect
Illinois law prohibits driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, and lower limits apply to certain drivers. Even without a per se BAC violation, visible impairment and poor driving conduct can support liability.
You should not have to shoulder the burden of a drunk driving crash alone. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in Mount Pleasant can build a case that aims to reflect the true impact of your injuries, including medical needs today and in the future, wage loss, and the human toll.
Therman Law Offices has been serving injured accident victims since 2002. We can explain your options, outline next steps, and start preserving time-sensitive evidence right away. Call for a free consultation and let us pursue the recovery you need while you focus on healing.
