Every car crash has the potential to be devastating. When a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you may be dealing with a lot of overwhelming emotions. Fortunately, you may be entitled to compensation from that motorist for their reckless actions.
A hardworking car collision attorney could help you understand your options after a drunk driving car accident in Aurora. The Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. have over 40 years of experience handling personal injury claims, and we could provide you with vital information to help make the best decisions for you and your family.
Drunk Driving Laws
Illinois has a presumptive illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.08. Anyone with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is considered intoxicated under the law. However, many people do not realize that alcohol begins to impair your judgment and ability to drive before you reach 0.08 BAC. The likelihood of a fatal wreck increases as soon as someone begins drinking. It is roughly double at a BAC of 0.06 and more than ten times as high by the time you get to a 0.08 BAC.
State law recognizes that alcohol can impair drivers before they reach a 0.08 BAC. It even has provisions for criminal convictions for people with lower BACs if there is other evidence that the driver was impaired.
While an Aurora attorney could examine BAC levels in a drunk driving car collision case, you may still have a claim if the driver had a level under 0.08. Police reports, witness statements, accident photos, videos, and other evidence could help build a case against the responsible party.
Driving Under the Influence of Other Substances
Drunk driving is not the only type of chemical impairment that can impact drivers. Any drug can influence a driver’s ability to operate a motor vehicle properly.
When people think of driving under the influence, they often think of illegal drugs. While these can dramatically alter a driver’s ability, they are not the only substances affecting drivers. Cannabis, prescription medicine, and over-the-counter medication can impact a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.
When police suspect that intoxication contributed to a crash, they may order blood tests. However, a driver can refuse a blood test despite implied consent laws. Doing so will result in the suspension of their license. This can be a tactic to try to avoid civil and criminal liability. In those instances, an Aurora lawyer could reconstruct the events before a drunk-driving car wreck to prove fault.
Injuries in Drunk Driving Collisions
One of the most frustrating things about drunk driving accidents is that the wrongdoers often avoid injuries. Alcohol and other intoxicating substances often relax the muscles, which means people are less likely to suffer harm in a crash.
However, the other party involved in a drunk driving wreck could end up suffering severe injuries, including the following:
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
In the case of a fatal collision, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf with the help of a compassionate attorney.
Learn More About Aurora Drunk Driving Accidents Today
Although Illinois sets BAC limits for drunk driving and some limits for other types of substances, those levels are only presumptive. When you are hurt in this type of crash, you deserve to recover for your losses.
Schedule a consultation with a diligent personal injury attorney today to learn how Illinois law protects parties injured by an intoxicated driver. Our legal team could provide you with the information you need about obtaining compensation for a drunk driving car accident in Aurora.