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Mt. Prospect Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
A drunk driving crash can turn an ordinary day into a nightmare in seconds. Whether you were driving along Northwest Highway, stopped at a light near Randhurst Village, or heading home on I-90 after a long day, a drunk driver can hit you without warning. If that happened to you or someone you love in Mt. Prospect, you have legal rights, and Briskman Briskman & Greenberg is ready to help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
Table of Contents
- The Drunk Driving Problem in Mt. Prospect and the Chicago Area
- Illinois Laws That Protect Drunk Driving Accident Victims
- Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash in Mt. Prospect?
- What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
- Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Choice for Your Case
- FAQs About Mt. Prospect Drunk Driving Accidents
The Drunk Driving Problem in Mt. Prospect and the Chicago Area
Mt. Prospect is a village in Cook County, Illinois, about 20 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and approximately 4 miles north of O’Hare International Airport. Main roads intersecting Mt. Prospect include IL Route 83, Northwest Highway (Route 14), and Route 12. These busy corridors connect thousands of commuters, families, and visitors every single day. Sadly, they also see their share of serious crashes caused by impaired drivers.
The numbers behind drunk driving are alarming. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 47% of Illinois motor vehicle fatalities involve alcohol. Nationally, the picture is just as troubling. According to the NHTSA, drunk driving was responsible for 12,429 deaths in 2023. Think about that. Thousands of families lost someone because a driver made a reckless choice. The average drunk driver has gotten behind the wheel after drinking 80 times before being arrested. That means the driver who hit you may have done this dozens of times before.
In a community like Mt. Prospect, where families walk to Melas Park, shop at Randhurst Village, and commute on the Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line, the risk of encountering an impaired driver is real. Route 83, Elmhurst Road, and Rand Road all see heavy traffic, especially on weekends and holidays. When a drunk driver causes a crash on these roads, victims deserve strong legal representation. That is exactly what Briskman Briskman & Greenberg provides to injured people throughout the Chicago area.
Illinois Laws That Protect Drunk Driving Accident Victims
Illinois law gives you powerful tools to hold a drunk driver accountable. Under Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-401), any driver involved in a crash that causes personal injury must stop immediately and remain at the scene. If a driver flees, that is a Class 4 felony. If the crash results in a death and the driver fails to report it, the charge rises to a Class 1 felony. Leaving the scene also triggers mandatory driver’s license revocation by the Secretary of State. These are serious criminal consequences, and they matter in your civil case too.
Illinois also follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of fault. So if a jury finds you were 10% at fault and a drunk driver was 90% at fault, you still recover 90% of your total damages. Do not let an insurance company convince you that you have no case just because the accident was partly complicated.
Illinois also has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. That means you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file your lawsuit. Missing that deadline can cost you your entire case. The sooner you speak with our Chicago personal injury lawyer team, the better your chances of preserving critical evidence, witness statements, and police reports.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drunk Driving Crash in Mt. Prospect?
Most people assume the drunk driver is the only person responsible after a crash. Illinois law actually allows you to pursue more than one party. Under Illinois’ Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21), a bar, restaurant, or liquor store that sold alcohol to a person who then caused injury while intoxicated can also be held liable. This matters because individual drunk drivers sometimes carry limited insurance or no assets. A commercial establishment, on the other hand, may carry significant liability coverage.
Think about a scenario where someone spent hours at a bar near Randhurst Village or along Golf Road, then got behind the wheel and hit your car on Route 83. That bar may have kept serving that person even after visible signs of intoxication. Under the Dram Shop Act, you may have a valid claim against that establishment. Our experienced drunk driving attorneys can investigate whether a third party shares responsibility for your injuries.
Illinois also applies joint and several liability rules under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117. Under this law, all defendants found liable are jointly and severally responsible for your past and future medical expenses. If one defendant holds 25% or more of the total fault, that defendant is also jointly and severally liable for all other damages. This means you have a better chance of actually collecting full compensation, even if one defendant has limited resources. Additionally, if the drunk driver was driving a company vehicle or was on the job at the time of the crash, the employer may also be liable.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Drunk driving crashes often cause severe injuries. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal injuries are common. The financial toll can be devastating. Medical bills pile up fast, especially when emergency surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy are involved. Lost wages add to the burden. And the emotional suffering, the anxiety, the nightmares, the inability to enjoy life the way you used to, all of that has real value under Illinois law.
In a drunk driving case, you may be entitled to recover economic damages such as medical expenses (past and future), lost income and reduced earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket costs. You may also recover non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of a normal life. In some cases, Illinois courts may also award punitive damages against a drunk driver. Punitive damages are meant to punish especially reckless conduct and to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.
Our drunk driving lawyer team works hard to document every category of loss you have suffered. We gather medical records, expert testimony, accident reconstruction reports, and police reports to build the strongest possible case. We also know how insurance companies operate, and we do not let them minimize your claim. Whether your crash happened on Euclid Avenue, near the Mt. Prospect Metra station, or on I-90 near O’Hare, we are ready to fight for you.
Why Briskman Briskman & Greenberg Is the Right Choice for Your Case
Drunk driving accident cases are not simple. They often involve criminal proceedings running alongside your civil case. Evidence from the DUI arrest, such as breathalyzer results, field sobriety test records, and police reports, can be powerful in your personal injury lawsuit. Knowing how to use that evidence effectively takes real skill and experience. It also takes an understanding of Cook County courts, including the Daley Center in downtown Chicago and the Rolling Meadows Courthouse, which handles cases from the northwest suburbs including Mt. Prospect.
Briskman Briskman & Greenberg has represented injured people throughout the Chicago area for decades. Our drunk driving attorney team knows the local roads, the local courts, and the local insurance defense tactics. We handle cases involving all types of impaired driving, not just alcohol. Prescription drugs, cannabis, and other substances can impair a driver just as much as alcohol. Our drunk driving lawyers also handle cases where other dangerous behaviors caused your crash.
We also handle cases involving recreational vehicles and other settings where impaired driving causes harm. Our drunk driving lawyers understand how these cases work across different types of vehicles and environments. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. There is no financial risk to calling us. If you were hurt by a drunk driver near Mt. Prospect or anywhere in the Chicago area, reach out to Briskman Briskman & Greenberg today for a free consultation.
FAQs About Mt. Prospect Drunk Driving Accidents
How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Illinois?
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover any compensation. There are limited exceptions, but you should not count on them. Contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg as soon as possible after your accident so your legal team can begin building your case right away.
Can I sue a bar or restaurant if a drunk driver hit me near Mt. Prospect?
Yes, in many cases you can. Illinois’ Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) allows an injured person to bring a claim against a licensed alcohol seller who caused someone’s intoxication, and that intoxicated person then caused injury. If a bar, restaurant, or liquor store over-served the driver who hit you, that establishment may share liability. Keep in mind that Dram Shop claims have a one-year statute of limitations, which is shorter than the standard two-year personal injury deadline, so acting quickly is critical.
What if I was partly at fault for the drunk driving crash?
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116. You can still recover damages as long as your share of fault is 50% or less. Your total damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 15% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $85,000. Do not assume you have no case just because the accident was complicated. Call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg and let us evaluate your situation.
What should I do immediately after being hit by a drunk driver in Mt. Prospect?
First, call 911 and get medical help for anyone who is injured. Stay at the scene and cooperate with police. Ask the responding officer to document any signs of impairment they observe in the other driver. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, and any visible injuries if you are able to do so safely. Get contact information from witnesses. Then, seek medical attention even if you feel fine, since some injuries do not show symptoms right away. After that, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg before speaking to any insurance company.
Does it matter if the drunk driver was not convicted of DUI in my civil case?
No, a criminal conviction is not required for you to win your civil personal injury case. The two cases use different legal standards. In criminal court, the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In your civil case, you only need to show that the drunk driver was more likely than not negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. Evidence like breathalyzer results, police reports, and witness accounts can all support your civil claim even if the criminal case is reduced or dismissed.
More Resources About Vehicle Injuries
- Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Mt. Prospect
- Mt. Prospect Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Car Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Truck Accident Attorney
- Mt. Prospect Uber Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Lyft Accident Lawyer
- Mt. Prospect Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer
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