If you have recently been involved in a drunk driving accident, you may be wondering if you can be held liable for the damages. Our DUI lawyer Braidwood Illinois is here to help you get through the legal process. At The MacNeil Firm, we have the experience and passion to help you and ensure your rights are protected. Call (708) 218-0947 or (708) 218-0947 today for a free consultation.
Liability is a legal term that refers to being responsible for something. In drunk driving accidents, liability refers to how much each party involved in an accident should pay if they’re found guilty of causing it. In many cases, liability can be shared between two or more people. For example, if you’re driving drunk and hit another car from behind at an intersection, then your insurance company will likely cover both injuries sustained by the other driver (and any passengers) as well as damages caused by your vehicle hitting theirs, but only up to their policy limit.
If this amount does not cover all costs associated with medical bills and property damage repairs needed after an accident involving alcohol or drugs, then each driver’s insurer may reimburse them based on their percentage share of responsibility for causing said collision.
Can I Be Liable for a DUI Accident?
According to Illinois law, you can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if your blood alcohol content (BAC) meets or exceeds: .04% for commercial driver’s license holders, .08% for drivers 21 and over, and .00% for drivers under 21.
You can be liable for a DUI accident. In an accident involving a drunk driver, two significant elements of fault must be proven. They are that the driver breached that duty of care (driving drunk can be considered a violation of duty) and that injury was caused to someone else or their property.
Driving while intoxicated is a form of negligence, and a negligent driver may be found liable for injuries or damages caused by a car accident. This means he or she will be obligated to pay for expenses such as the costs of medical treatment and damage to other vehicles. In some cases, the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the driver may be partially at fault for the accident. This is a result of the Illinois Dram Shop Act. If you can prove that a bar or restaurant overserved you to the point of intoxication, the establishment may share some of the blame.
For minors who were driving under the influence and caused an accident, the source of the alcohol may be held responsible. It is against the law for parents or legal guardians to supply alcohol or allow minors to drink on their private property. If death or personal injury is caused by a minor driver who consumed alcohol, the adult who supplied the drinks may face criminal penalties, and they may also be required to pay compensation to the victims.
Anyone who has been arrested and charged with this offense should contact an experienced DUI lawyer Braidwood Illinois. While there are many good DUI and criminal defense lawyers, the MacNeil firm is distinguished by our personal service. We make every effort to exceed our client’s expectations during this stressful time after an arrest.
Should I Contact a Lawyer if I Was Involved in a DUI Accident?
If someone else has been injured in your DUI accident, then you should call 911 immediately. The sooner medical attention is provided for those involved in your collision, the better their chances of recovery will be. Then, you should talk to the police. The police will investigate and determine who was at fault for the accident. After the police have done the necessary reports and after you have received medical treatment for any injuries, you should call a lawyer.
Being arrested for driving under the influence is a serious offense that can have devastating effects on every aspect of your life. Our DUI lawyer Braidwood Illinois will work to make sure you don’t incur hefty fines. We will try to prevent possible jail time and loss of driving privileges. It is important to us to protect you and your future, so that you can continue to go to work, get groceries, participate in other aspects of your daily routine, and move forward with your life.
Attorneys have experience negotiating with prosecutors and presenting cases in front of judges. Some may want to try and defend themselves, but it is best to have an attorney on your side that can effectively navigate the legal system and get your charges reduced or even dismissed.
The Importance of Illinois Liability Insurance Coverage
You should also be familiar with the importance of Illinois liability insurance coverage. Liability insurance is a type of auto insurance that protects you from financial losses resulting from injuries or property damage caused by your vehicle. The amount of coverage you need varies depending on your circumstances, but in general it’s best to have enough to cover medical expenses for anyone who gets hurt as a result of an accident involving your car (including yourself) and damages to other people’s cars, houses and other property as well as their physical pain and suffering if they’re injured in an accident caused by yours.
If you don’t have enough liability coverage on any vehicle registered under your name, then in addition to paying any damages directly out-of-pocket, which could be quite expensive, you may also face penalties from the state government such as jail time.
Our DUI lawyer Braidwood Illinois will help you understand who is liable in your particular situation
Liability is a complicated topic, and it is important to work with a DUI lawyer Braidwood Illinois who has experience in this area. Liability can be based on negligence, strict liability or intentional wrongdoing. In some cases, there may be no liability at all because of the circumstances of a particular incident or event.
Working with an experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and options. If you have been involved in a DUI accident, it is critical that you contact The MacNeil Firm immediately. We are dedicated to offering passionate representation to our clients.
