How Our Springfield Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Help
Case Illustration of a Drunk Driving Accident
Drunk driving causes many accidents that lead to serious injuries and death. While those who drink never intend to cause an accident, accidents occur quite frequently. Drunk driving accident victims need serious assistance—and they need it quickly. Consider the following case illustration of a drunk driving accident:
Zoe, a paralegal at a local law firm, meets friends at a local tavern after a long, stressful work week. Zoe has several drinks, enjoying her friends and feeling her stress melt away. When it is time to leave, several friends offer to drive Zoe home. Believing she is not “drunk” and unwilling to have to pick up her car in the morning, Zoe elects to drive herself home. Her home is not far, and it is very late, so she thinks there won’t be much traffic.
On the way home, Zoe accidentally knocks her sunglasses off the seat. She bends down to pick them up, and when she looks back at the road, she is in the wrong lane with another car headed toward her. Although Zoe jerks the wheel, her response time is dulled by the alcohol. The two cars collide, and Sandra, who is driving the other car, is seriously injured.
Sandra is rushed to the hospital where she is diagnosed with a brain injury, multiple broken bones, and damage to her liver and spleen. Zoe has minor injuries and is arrested for DUI and booked at the local jail. Sandra will spend the next weeks, months, and years recovering from her injuries and trying to reclaim her life. Zoe will probably be prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol.
If you, like Sandra, have suffered serious injury due to a drunk driver in Central Illinois, you need competent, experienced legal assistance. Holding the drunk driver responsible for your injuries is crucial to getting the help you need to recover. The injury lawyers at the Noll Law Office will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Illinois Drunk Driving Accident Statistics
According to alcolockusa.com, 330 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2017. This number constitutes about 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the state. There were 27,046 people arrested for DUI in Illinois in 2017 with about 75 percent of those males, and 57 percent under the age of 35. Most DUI offenders are arrested on weekends, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. The average BAC for DUI offenders is twice the legal limit—0.16.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Drunk Driving Accidents?
A driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time can be affected by alcohol consumption. Some of the most common types of accidents caused by drunk drivers include:
- Head-on collisions, particularly when the driver passes out or falls asleep at the wheel, veering into oncoming traffic
- Alcohol can reduce a driver’s vision, ability to judge distance, and reaction time, which can often cause rear-end collisions.
- Impaired drivers may not see a pedestrian, particularly at night. When a pedestrian is hit, he or she may suffer catastrophic injuries or death.
- Wrong-way accidents can occur when an impaired driver is unable to comprehend traffic signs.
What Are the Injuries Most Commonly Seen in Drunk Driving Accident Victims?
A drunk driving accident—like any vehicle collision—can injure any part of your body. The following areas may be particularly vulnerable:
- A head-on collision often leaves the victim with spinal cord injuries. Discs can be ruptured, causing extreme pain and nerve damage. Partial or complete paralysis is at the other end of severe spinal cord injuries.
- Broken bones, shattered knees, and torn ligaments can result in long-term complications, including chronic pain and mobility issues.
- The neck is a very vulnerable area of the body during a drunk driving accident. Whiplash can result from a rear-end accident or the impact of the crash can damage the larynx or Eating, breathing, and moving issues—sometimes permanent—can result.
- A high-speed crash can result in injuries to the ribs and sternum. A broken rib can be life-threatening if a vital organ is punctured by the broken bone.
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries are common injuries associated with car accidents. When the head strikes a hard object, or snaps violently back and forth, a traumatic brain injury can occur. While a concussion usually resolves after a few weeks, a traumatic brain injury can lead to lifelong cognitive disabilities.
What Should You Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver?
If you are able, you should contact the police and call 911. If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you should obtain medical attention for your injuries. Then, it’s important to speak to a knowledgeable attorney who is experienced in helping drunk driving accident victims. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office in Springfield, Illinois will know what to do to protect your future and help you rebuild after this devastating event.
What is the Drunk Driving Accident Injury Claim Process?
If the impaired driver has insurance, you will file a claim for damages. In most cases, your attorney will handle this claim, negotiating a fair settlement. Your attorney will help you submit a comprehensive claim that covers your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring and more. If the claim is denied, or “low-balled,” the next step is to file suit. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office are experienced, local attorneys who are able to litigate the case on your behalf.
Do I Have a Drunk Driving Accident Injury Claim?
Most likely, yes. The Noll Law Office will help you determine whether you have an injury claim. As a drunk driving accident victim, you may be able to file a claim against the driver and/or his or her insurer. If they were uninsured or did not have insurance to cover your injuries the Noll Law Office may be able to file an uninsured or underinsured claim through your own insurance policy. The attorneys at the Noll Law Office work to solve your problems while keeping you up to date so you understand what is happening. They have consistently achieved positive outcomes for their clients following accidents caused by the negligence of others.
What Is My Car Accident Injury Worth Following a Drunk Driving Accident?
The extent of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident will determine the damages you are entitled to receive. Medical expenses (current and future), lost wages (current and future), and pain and suffering make up a large portion of the compensation you can expect.
How Can the Noll Law Office Help Drunk Driving Accident Victims?
Drunk driving accident victims are in a very vulnerable place, requiring immediate legal assistance. The attorneys at the Noll Law Office understand these are extremely trying times. You will work directly with an experienced, local attorney throughout the claim process who will be available when you need them. It is always free to speak to them about your accident and they do not charge you unless they are successful. Contact Noll Law Office today!