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Mt. Vernon Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

A drunk driving crash can happen in seconds, but the injuries it leaves behind can last a lifetime. Whether the collision happened on Interstate 57 near Mt. Vernon, along Broadway Street heading into downtown, or at one of the busy intersections near the Veterans Memorial Civic Center, victims are often left facing mounting medical bills, lost income, and real pain, all because someone chose to get behind the wheel while impaired. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we represent injured people across Illinois, and we understand what it takes to hold drunk drivers accountable under state law.

How Common Are Drunk Driving Crashes in Illinois?
Illinois Law on Drunk Driving: What You Need to Know
Can You Sue a Bar or Restaurant That Served the Drunk Driver?
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash?
Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Mt. Vernon Drunk Driving Case
FAQs About Mt. Vernon Drunk Driving Accident Claims

How Common Are Drunk Driving Crashes in Illinois?

Drunk driving is not a rare or fringe problem in Illinois. It is a persistent, documented danger on roads across the state, including in Jefferson County and the Mt. Vernon area. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Impaired Driving program focuses on reducing crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities caused by impaired drivers, and notes that approximately 30 percent of annual fatalities in Illinois involve impaired drivers. That number is not a background statistic. It represents real families who did not make it home.

According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 68 percent of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in 2024 involved crashes where at least one driver had a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher, well above the legal limit. The legal limit in Illinois is .08 g/dL, yet many impaired drivers on the road are operating at twice that level or more.

In the Chicago metro region, the numbers are equally serious. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, Chicago alone reported 738 crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in one recent year, resulting in eleven fatalities and hundreds of injuries. Roads connecting the city to downstate communities like Mt. Vernon, including I-57 and I-64, see consistent traffic from both urban and rural drivers, and impaired driving is a danger along the entire corridor.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a crash caused by a drunk driver near Mt. Vernon or anywhere in Illinois, a Chicago abogado de lesiones personales at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg can review your situation and help you understand your rights. Call us at (312) 222-0010.

Illinois Law on Drunk Driving: What You Need to Know

Illinois law makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher. This standard comes directly from 625 ILCS 5/11-501, the Illinois Vehicle Code’s core DUI provision. The law also prohibits driving while impaired by drugs, intoxicating compounds, or any combination of substances, even if the driver’s BAC falls below .08.

A first-offense DUI in Illinois is a Class A misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500 and a mandatory one-year license revocation under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. Aggravating factors, such as a BAC at or above .16%, a passenger under age 16, or a prior conviction, trigger enhanced mandatory minimums that courts cannot waive. The penalties escalate sharply from there. A third DUI conviction is an aggravated DUI offense and a Class 2 felony. A DUI resulting in great bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement to another person is a Class 4 felony, and if a defendant is sentenced to imprisonment, it must be for at least 1 year but not more than 12 years.

Criminal penalties are separate from your civil rights as an injured victim. Even if the drunk driver is convicted, you still need to pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These are two different legal processes, and one does not automatically resolve the other. The drunk driving lawyer team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles the civil side, fighting to get injured victims the financial recovery they deserve.

Illinois law also requires drivers involved in crashes causing injury or death to stop and remain at the scene. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver who leaves the scene of a crash involving personal injury is guilty of a Class 4 felony. If that driver was also impaired, you may be dealing with a hit-and-run drunk driving case, which carries additional legal weight.

Can You Sue a Bar or Restaurant That Served the Drunk Driver?

Many victims of drunk driving crashes do not realize that Illinois law may allow them to bring a claim not only against the drunk driver, but also against the establishment that served them alcohol. This is known as a dram shop claim, and it is governed by the Illinois Liquor Control Act, 235 ILCS 5/6-21. Under this law, any person injured by an intoxicated individual has a right of action against the licensed seller who caused that intoxication by selling or giving alcoholic liquor to the person.

This matters because the drunk driver who hit you may not carry enough insurance to cover your losses. A bar in Mt. Vernon, a restaurant near the Jefferson County courthouse on Courthouse Square, or even a private party host in some circumstances could share legal responsibility for what happened to you. Illinois law also extends liability to property owners who knowingly permit the sale of alcohol on their premises when that alcohol causes someone’s intoxication.

There is one important deadline to keep in mind. Under 235 ILCS 5/6-21, a dram shop action must be filed within one year of when the cause of action accrued. That is a much shorter window than the general two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Illinois. Missing that deadline can permanently bar your claim. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.

The Illinois Liquor Control Act also allows family members to bring claims for loss of means of support or loss of society when a loved one is killed or seriously injured by an intoxicated person. “Loss of society” under the Act includes love, affection, care, attention, companionship, comfort, guidance, and protection. These are real losses, and Illinois law recognizes them as compensable.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash?

Victims of drunk driving crashes in Illinois can pursue compensation for a wide range of losses. The damages available in a civil case go well beyond what criminal courts can order. When the at-fault driver was intoxicated, Illinois courts can also award punitive damages in some cases, which are designed to punish especially reckless conduct and deter others from doing the same.

Compensatory damages typically include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. If you were traveling on Route 15 heading into Mt. Vernon or on I-57 near the Rend Lake area when the crash happened, the location does not limit your right to seek full compensation. What matters is proving that the drunk driver’s negligence caused your injuries.

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you are less than 51 percent at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but it is not eliminated. This rule matters in cases where the defense tries to shift blame onto the victim.

Nuestra drunk driving attorneys work to document every element of your damages, from emergency room bills to long-term therapy costs to the income you lost while recovering. We build cases with the evidence needed to support full and fair compensation. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg at (312) 222-0010 to talk about what your case may be worth.

Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for Your Mt. Vernon Drunk Driving Case

Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has represented injured people across Illinois for decades. Our firm handles drunk driving accident cases with the seriousness they deserve. We gather police reports, BAC test results, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert opinions to build a strong civil case on your behalf. We know how to work with insurance adjusters, and we know when to take a case to trial.

Drunk driving cases often involve multiple parties, including the driver, their insurer, and potentially a bar or restaurant under Illinois dram shop law. Our attorneys are familiar with all of these angles. We also handle related cases, including crashes involving distracted drivers, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian injuries, so our team understands the full picture of serious road accidents in Illinois.

If the drunk driver who hit you was also involved in a hit-and-run, there may be uninsured motorist coverage available through your own policy. Illinois law requires insurers to offer this coverage, and it can be a critical source of compensation when the at-fault driver flees or lacks adequate insurance.

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. That means you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. You may still be responsible for certain case costs and expenses, and we will explain the details clearly before you commit to anything. There are no hidden surprises. To speak with one of our drunk driving lawyers about your Mt. Vernon case, call (312) 222-0010 today. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is located at 205 W Randolph St., Suite 925, Chicago, IL 60606, and we serve clients throughout Illinois, including Jefferson County and the Mt. Vernon area.

FAQs About Mt. Vernon Drunk Driving Accident Claims

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

For most personal injury claims in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. However, if you plan to bring a dram shop claim against a bar or restaurant under the Illinois Liquor Control Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21), that deadline is only one year. Missing either deadline can bar your claim entirely, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.

What if the drunk driver was never charged or convicted?

A criminal conviction is not required for you to win a civil personal injury case. The standard of proof in civil court is “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that the driver was negligent. Evidence such as a police report, field sobriety test results, BAC readings, witness accounts, and surveillance footage can support your civil claim even if the driver was not criminally prosecuted or was acquitted.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, in most situations. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as you are found to be less than 51 percent at fault for the accident, you can recover damages. Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you are found 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $80,000. An attorney can help you push back against attempts to inflate your share of blame.

What if the drunk driver does not have enough insurance to cover my losses?

This is a common problem in drunk driving cases. You may have several options. First, if a bar or restaurant served the driver alcohol before the crash, a dram shop claim under the Illinois Liquor Control Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) could provide an additional source of recovery. Second, your own auto insurance policy may include uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which can fill the gap. An attorney can help you identify all available sources of compensation and pursue them effectively.

Do I need a lawyer, or can I handle a drunk driving injury claim on my own?

You have the right to handle your own claim, but drunk driving cases often involve multiple parties, complex insurance issues, and strict legal deadlines. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams working to minimize what they pay out. An attorney levels the playing field, handles negotiations, gathers evidence, and knows how to value your claim accurately. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for certain costs and expenses, which we will explain upfront. Call us at (312) 222-0010 to get started.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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I cannot say enough good things about the attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers.

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