Impaired Drivers and Responsibility

Our personal injury lawyers handle many accidents caused by impaired driver. Many impairments result from intoxicating substances recently taken or still lingering in the driver’s body. According to Illinois Secretary of State statistics, in 2020

254 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which was approximately 21% of the 1,195 total crash fatalities
20,131 DUI arrests were recorded by the Secretary of State’s office
90% of all drivers arrested for DUI, who were eligible, lost their driving privilege
244 drivers under age 21 lost their driving privileges due to Zero Tolerance law
25% of those arrested for DUI were women, who represented 50% of all license
Males ages 21-24 had the highest DUI arrest rate (about 7 per 1,000 licensed
86% of all drivers arrested for DUI are first offenders.

Driving under the influence is defined as “operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, other drugs, including cannabis (marijuana) prescribed for medical purposes, or intoxicating compounds and methamphetamine. In Illinois, drivers are legally considered to be under the influence if they:

have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or more;
have a tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) concentration (THC) of either 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily substance;
have used any other controlled substance; or
are impaired by medication.

Driving impaired shows disregard for the law but also turns innocent people into victims. In 2020, 254 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes and countless others suffered injuries, some of the injuries with catastrophic consequences. Injuries can include broken bones, head and neck injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, lacerations, and death. In severe cases, impaired driving can lead to permanent disabilities, such as brain damage or paralysis. Impaired driving accidents can also result in fatalities, leaving families devastated. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers have been involved in many cases with serious injuries where an impaired driver is the culprit. The minimal liability insurance limit in Illinois of $25,000 and this amount is inadequate to cover serious injuries. Because the limits are so low, the most injured victims end up without enough compensation for the harps inflicted by intoxicated drivers. Illinois requires a minimum amount of liability insurance, but this minimum coverage is woefully inadequate to cover the damages caused by a DUI accident and recovery often requires litigation. If you have been injured in an accident caused by an impaired driver, it is important to seek the help of a personal injury attorney who can help you recover compensation for your injuries.