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Cicero Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident near Cicero, Illinois, you already know how fast life can change. One moment you are driving home on Cermak Road or crossing through the intersection at 16th Street and Laramie Avenue, and the next you are dealing with injuries, hospital bills, and a totaled car. Drunk driving crashes are not accidents in the true sense of the word. They are preventable tragedies caused by someone who made a reckless choice. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we fight for people who have been hurt by that kind of negligence, and we want to help you understand your rights under Illinois law.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Cicero and the Surrounding Area
Illinois DUI Law and What It Means for Your Injury Claim
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Drunk Driving Crash
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights for Cicero Accident Victims
FAQs About Cicero Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Drunk Driving Accidents in Cicero and the Surrounding Area

Cicero sits just west of Chicago along the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), and its streets see heavy traffic every day. Cermak Road, 26th Street, and Cicero Avenue are all busy corridors where impaired drivers create serious dangers for everyone else on the road. The town borders Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, and drivers moving between the two areas after a night out can pose serious risks to other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.

In 2023, 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving traffic crashes, accounting for nearly one third of all traffic crash fatalities nationwide. That is a staggering number, and it does not include the hundreds of thousands of people who survived crashes but were left with serious injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 47% of Illinois motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol. That means nearly half of all fatal crashes in our state involve a driver who should not have been behind the wheel.

Cicero is part of Cook County, and cases arising from crashes here are typically handled at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago or at the Richard J. Daley Center courthouse complex. Knowing where your case will be filed matters, and having a local Chicago abogado de lesiones personales familiar with Cook County courts can make a real difference in how your case moves forward.

When you are hurt in a crash like this, you deserve answers and real legal support. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been helping injured people in the Cicero and Chicago area hold negligent drivers accountable, and we are ready to help you do the same.

Illinois DUI Law and What It Means for Your Injury Claim

Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. If a chemical test shows a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher, the State does not need to prove actual impairment. But as a personal injury victim, you do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to pursue your civil claim. The two legal processes run separately.

Under Illinois law, a first DUI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor. A first DUI conviction in Illinois can result in up to one year in jail, fines up to $2,500, and a one-year license suspension. For repeat offenders, the consequences are far more severe. A third DUI offense is a Class 2 felony, which has a potential penalty of 3 to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. When a drunk driver causes great bodily harm or death, the charge becomes an aggravated DUI felony under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d).

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash that causes personal injury or death must immediately stop at the scene. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a Class 4 felony, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash is a Class 1 felony. If a drunk driver hit you and fled, that criminal behavior can be used as evidence of fault in your civil case.

The criminal case against the drunk driver can actually help your civil claim. A criminal conviction creates a strong record of negligence. Our drunk driving attorney team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg knows how to use every piece of available evidence, including police reports, breathalyzer results, and witness statements, to build the strongest possible case for you.

Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Drunk Driving Crash

The drunk driver is the most obvious party responsible for your injuries. But in Illinois, other parties may also be liable, and identifying all of them is critical to getting full compensation. This is especially important when the at-fault driver has limited insurance or no insurance at all.

Illinois has a Dram Shop Act, codified at 235 ILCS 5/6-21. Under this law, any person injured by an intoxicated person has a right of action against any licensed seller of alcohol who caused that intoxication by selling or giving the person alcohol. This means a bar, restaurant, or liquor store in or around Cicero could be liable if they served an already-intoxicated person who then caused your crash. Think about the many bars and restaurants along Cermak Road or near the Hawthorne Race Course area. If one of those establishments kept serving someone who was visibly drunk, they may share responsibility for what happened to you.

Under 235 ILCS 5/6-21, dram shop actions must be filed within one year of when the cause of action accrues. This is a shorter deadline than the standard personal injury statute of limitations, so acting quickly is essential. Our drunk driving attorneys can evaluate whether a bar or other licensed seller contributed to your crash.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater is also jointly and severally liable for all other damages. This means that if multiple parties share fault, you have a stronger chance of recovering full compensation even if one defendant has limited resources.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?

Illinois law allows drunk driving accident victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover the financial losses you can document. Non-economic damages cover the human cost of what you have been through. In some cases, punitive damages may also be available when the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or willful.

Economic damages typically include medical bills, future medical care costs, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage. If you suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or broken bones in your crash, your medical costs could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We work with medical experts and economists to calculate the full value of your losses, not just what you have spent so far.

Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement. These are real losses, and Illinois law recognizes them. If a loved one was killed in a drunk driving crash, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows surviving family members to pursue compensation for grief, loss of companionship, and financial support.

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, personal injury actions in Illinois must generally be filed within two years of when the cause of action accrues. Do not wait. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and deadlines are firm. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible so we can preserve your right to recover. Our experienced drunk driving lawyer team is ready to review your case right away.

How Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Fights for Cicero Accident Victims

At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we have spent decades representing people who were hurt through no fault of their own. We know that a drunk driving crash does not just hurt your body. It disrupts your whole life. You may be missing work, struggling to pay bills, and dealing with pain every single day while the person who caused it all faces a criminal process that moves on its own timeline. We are here to make sure your civil case moves forward at the same time, and that you are not left waiting for justice.

Our approach starts with a thorough investigation. We gather the police report, any dashcam or surveillance footage, witness statements, and the driver’s blood alcohol test results. We look at whether any bars or restaurants in the Cicero area served the driver before the crash. We review your medical records and work with your doctors to understand the full scope of your injuries. We do not cut corners, because your case deserves our full attention.

We also understand the local geography. Whether your crash happened on I-290 near the Austin Boulevard exit, on 48th Avenue near the Cicero Metra station, or on a side street in a residential neighborhood, we know these roads. We know the courts where your case will be heard, and we know how to present your story in a way that gets results.

There are also situations where a drunk driver is operating a vehicle for work purposes, or where a passenger is injured while riding with an impaired driver. These cases involve additional legal questions, including whether an employer may share liability. Our drunk driving lawyers handle all types of impaired driving cases and can help you sort through the details of your specific situation.

We handle drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win. You have nothing to lose by calling us, and potentially a great deal to gain. Reach out to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Cicero, Chicago, and the surrounding Cook County communities, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.

Drunk driving accidents also happen on recreational waterways and in other settings beyond the road. Alcohol-impaired driving remains a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes in the United States, especially during the holiday season. No matter how or where you were hurt by an impaired driver, our drunk driving lawyers can help you understand your options and fight for the compensation you deserve.

FAQs About Cicero Drunk Driving Accident Claims

How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Illinois?

For most personal injury claims, Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/13-202 gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. However, if you also plan to pursue a dram shop claim against a bar or restaurant that served the driver, the deadline under 235 ILCS 5/6-21 is only one year. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your right to recover. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your crash so we can protect your claim before any deadlines pass.

Can I sue the bar or restaurant that served the drunk driver?

Yes, in many cases you can. Illinois’s Dram Shop Act at 235 ILCS 5/6-21 allows injury victims to bring a claim against any licensed seller of alcohol who caused the intoxication of the person who hurt you. If a bar, restaurant, or liquor store near Cicero served someone who was already visibly intoxicated, or continued serving them until they became impaired, that establishment may share legal responsibility for your injuries. These cases require quick action because of the one-year filing deadline.

Do I need a criminal conviction to win my civil case against the drunk driver?

No. Your civil personal injury case is separate from any criminal DUI case against the driver. You do not need to wait for a criminal conviction to move forward. In a civil case, you only need to prove that the driver was negligent by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that their impairment caused your injuries. A criminal conviction can strengthen your civil case, but it is not required. Our attorneys can build a strong civil case using police reports, BAC test results, witness testimony, and other evidence.

What if the drunk driver had no insurance or very little coverage?

This is a common and serious concern. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. You may also be able to pursue a dram shop claim against the establishment that served the driver. Under Illinois’s joint and several liability rules at 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, if multiple defendants share fault, each one who is 25% or more at fault can be held jointly and severally liable for all damages, including your medical expenses. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg will identify every available source of compensation for you.

What should I do right after a drunk driving accident in Cicero?

First, call 911 immediately. Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/11-401 requires that drivers involved in injury crashes remain at the scene and report the crash. Make sure a police report is filed, because it will document the incident and may note signs of impairment. Seek medical care right away, even if you feel okay, because some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and any visible injuries if you are able. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Then call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation before you speak with any insurance company.

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