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Plainfield Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love was hurt by a drunk driver near Plainfield, Illinois, you deserve honest answers and real legal help. The roads around Plainfield, including Route 59, Interstate 55, and U.S. Route 30, carry heavy traffic every day. When an impaired driver gets behind the wheel on these roads, innocent people pay the price. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, we know how devastating these crashes can be, and we are here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

The Drunk Driving Problem in Illinois and the Plainfield Area
Illinois Laws That Protect Drunk Driving Accident Victims
Dram Shop Liability: Can You Sue the Bar That Served the Driver?
What Damages Can You Recover After a Plainfield Drunk Driving Accident?
Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Choice for Your Case
FAQs About Plainfield Drunk Driving Accidents

The Drunk Driving Problem in Illinois and the Plainfield Area

Drunk driving is not just a statistic. It is a choice that destroys lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 47% of Illinois motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol. That number is staggering, and it means nearly half of all traffic deaths in our state could have been prevented. According to NHTSA data, drunk driving was responsible for 12,429 deaths across the country in 2023. Think about that for a moment. That is thousands of families shattered by someone else’s reckless decision.

The Plainfield area sits at the crossroads of several busy corridors. Route 59 runs directly through town and sees constant traffic from commuters, shoppers, and families heading to places like the Settlers’ Park or the Plainfield Historic District. Interstate 55 is just minutes away, and it connects the southwest suburbs to downtown Chicago. Drivers involved in fatal crashes at night are 2.8 times more likely to be alcohol-impaired than those involved in daytime crashes. Bars and restaurants along these corridors mean impaired drivers can end up on local roads at any hour.

Illinois law under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. Penalties for DUI in Illinois vary depending on the circumstances of the arrest and conviction, including the driver’s age, BAC level, whether a child under age 16 was in the vehicle, and whether the driver has previous DUI convictions. If you were hurt by a driver who broke this law, you have every right to pursue compensation. Our team of drunk driving attorneys is ready to review your case today.

Illinois Laws That Protect Drunk Driving Accident Victims

Illinois has strong laws in place to protect people injured by drunk drivers. Understanding these laws can help you see why your case may be stronger than you think. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in personal injury or death must immediately stop at the scene. Any driver who flees the scene of an injury crash commits a Class 4 felony. If they also fail to report the crash to police within 30 minutes, they face a Class 2 felony. These are serious criminal consequences that also support your civil claim.

Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This law says you can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your damages are reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. So, even if a defense attorney argues you contributed to the crash in some small way, you may still recover a meaningful amount. The key is having an experienced legal team that can counter those arguments effectively.

Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117, all defendants found liable in a personal injury case are jointly and severally liable for past and future medical expenses. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater of the total fault is jointly and severally liable for all other damages too. This matters because it means you may be able to recover your full losses even if one party has limited resources. Our drunk driving lawyers understand how to identify every liable party in your case.

Dram Shop Liability: Can You Sue the Bar That Served the Driver?

Many people do not realize that Illinois law allows injury victims to sue the bar, restaurant, or liquor store that served the drunk driver. This is called Dram Shop liability, and it is found in the Illinois Liquor Control Act at 235 ILCS 5/6-21. Under this law, every person injured by an intoxicated person has a right of action against any licensed seller of alcohol who caused that person’s intoxication by selling or giving them alcohol. That means if a bar in the Joliet or Bolingbrook area kept serving a visibly drunk patron who then got behind the wheel and hit you, that bar may share legal responsibility for your injuries.

The law also extends liability to property owners. Any person who owns or leases a building and knowingly permits alcohol to be sold there, causing someone’s intoxication, can also be held liable. The Dram Shop Act has a strict one-year statute of limitations. That means you must file your claim within one year of the date the cause of action arose. Missing that deadline could cost you your right to recover. Do not wait. If you believe a bar or restaurant played a role in your crash, contact our drunk driving attorneys lo antes posible.

Dram Shop claims are separate from your claim against the drunk driver. You can pursue both at the same time. Under the Dram Shop Act, liability limits are adjusted annually by the Illinois Comptroller and made available on the Comptroller’s official website by January 31 of each year. The limits that apply are those in effect at the time a final judgment or settlement is reached. Nothing in the law prevents you from making separate claims that together exceed any single limit, as long as you have suffered more than one type of compensable damage.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Plainfield Drunk Driving Accident?

The financial and emotional toll of a drunk driving crash can be overwhelming. Medical bills pile up fast. You may miss weeks or months of work. You may deal with chronic pain, emotional trauma, or permanent disability. Illinois law allows injury victims to seek compensation for all of these losses. The types of damages available in a personal injury claim include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage.

In cases involving death, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act under 740 ILCS 180/1 allows surviving family members to pursue a claim. Under this law, whenever a death is caused by a wrongful act or neglect, the person or company that would have been liable if death had not occurred remains liable for damages. The law now includes the possibility of punitive damages in appropriate cases, as amended by the Illinois General Assembly. Punitive damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar conduct. In a drunk driving case, punitive damages can be a real option.

If you lost a loved one on a road near Plainfield, Joliet, or Romeoville due to a drunk driver, you may have a wrongful death claim in addition to a Dram Shop claim. These cases require careful investigation and timely action. Our drunk driving lawyers work to identify all sources of recovery and build the strongest possible case for you and your family. As a Chicago abogado de lesiones personales firm with decades of experience, Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is committed to getting results for injured clients throughout the greater Chicago area, including Plainfield and Will County.

Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Choice for Your Case

When you are dealing with injuries, medical appointments, insurance adjusters, and financial stress all at once, you need a legal team that takes the burden off your shoulders. Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has been representing injury victims throughout the Chicago area for years. We handle cases from Plainfield and Will County all the way through Cook County and beyond. Whether your accident happened near the Plainfield Village Hall, on Route 126, or on the ramps of I-55 near Bolingbrook, we are familiar with the local roads, courts, and legal process.

We handle drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. We invest our time and resources into your case because we believe in what we do. Our team will gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any available video footage. We work with accident reconstruction professionals and medical experts when needed to build a compelling case on your behalf.

Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or shift blame onto the victim. Do not let them take advantage of you during one of the hardest moments of your life. Our drunk driving lawyer team knows the tactics insurers use and how to counter them. We negotiate aggressively and, when necessary, we take cases to trial. You deserve an attorney who will fight for every dollar you are owed. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation. We are ready to listen and ready to help.

FAQs About Plainfield Drunk Driving Accidents

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

In most personal injury cases in Illinois, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, if you plan to pursue a Dram Shop claim against a bar or restaurant under 235 ILCS 5/6-21, that deadline is only one year. Missing either deadline can permanently bar your right to recover. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your accident so we can protect your rights and make sure all deadlines are met.

What if the drunk driver did not have insurance or had very little coverage?

This is a common concern, but it does not necessarily mean you are out of options. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. You may also have a Dram Shop claim against the bar or establishment that served the driver. In some cases, other parties, such as a vehicle owner or employer, may share liability. Our team will investigate every possible avenue of recovery so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s reckless behavior.

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

Yes, you may still be able to recover damages. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. As long as your share of fault is 50% or less, you can still recover compensation. Your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce their payout, so having strong legal representation matters.

What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident near Plainfield?

Call 911 right away and get medical help even if you feel okay. Injuries from car crashes often do not show symptoms immediately. Get a copy of the police report and take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and your injuries if you can. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Then call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation. The steps you take right after a crash can have a big impact on your case.

What is the difference between a criminal DUI case and my personal injury claim?

These are two completely separate legal proceedings. The criminal DUI case is brought by the state against the drunk driver. Your personal injury claim is a civil case that you bring to seek financial compensation for your losses. A criminal conviction can help support your civil case, but you do not need a criminal conviction to win your personal injury claim. The standard of proof in a civil case is lower than in a criminal case. You need to show that it is more likely than not that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Our team handles the civil side of your case from start to finish.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

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Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyers (BBG) is a legal team you want on your side.

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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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