Despite the constant warnings that people receive about drinking and driving, many individuals still choose to get behind the wheel of their vehicle while legally intoxicated. Drivers of passenger vehicles are legally intoxicated if breath or chemical testing reveals their blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, at 0.08 percent or more.
The BAC cutoffs for commercial vehicle operators and drivers who are twenty-one years old are significantly lower. For example, a legally intoxicated commercial driver’s BAC meets or exceeds 0.04 percent. Similarly, a zero-tolerance policy applies to drivers under 21 years old.
Drunk driving is serious because it slows a driver's reflexes and reaction time, often preventing them from stopping their vehicle in time to avoid a crash. Additionally, drunk drivers may experience blurred vision, nausea, and dizziness, which may prevent them from noticing another vehicle or pedestrian nearby.
In Illinois, you can hold bars, restaurants, and other establishments responsible if they serve an already visibly intoxicated patron more alcohol, and the patron causes an accident in which other individuals sustain injuries.
If you recently suffered injuries in a drunk driving collision, you may recover monetary damages for all of your accident-related losses. In addition to seeking proper medical treatment after your accident, contact a skilled car accident attorney in Chicago, IL who can discuss your accident circumstances and explore your various legal options.
For example, your attorney can determine if you may file a claim or lawsuit against a commercial establishment, in addition to the drunk driver, to recover more monetary compensation for your accident-related losses.
After filing a claim or lawsuit in your case, your attorney can handle all settlement negotiations with insurance company representatives and pursue a favorable settlement offer from them. Furthermore, if the insurance company does not compensate you fairly for your injuries, you can file a lawsuit and litigate your case in the state court system.
Your attorney can represent you at every stage of the legal proceedings, including in court, to maximize the monetary award you receive for your injuries and other damages.