Watch Out for More Drunk Drivers around the Thanksgiving Holiday

Monday, November 25, 2019

Watch Out for More Drunk Drivers around the Thanksgiving Holiday

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Drunk driving is a serious problem year-round, but the number of accidents caused by drunk drivers often increases around the holidays, especially around Thanksgiving and Christmas. When families and friends gather together and consume alcohol, they sometimes feel that they will be okay driving on the road. However, even a small amount of alcohol in a person’s system can have a serious impact on his or her perception and ability to drive. When an individual who has consumed alcohol gets behind the wheel of a car or truck, the results can sometimes be deadly. 

When you are traveling on the road during the holiday season, it is extremely important that you be vigilant and alert for drivers who appear to be intoxicated. In some instances, however, no matter how careful you are, accidents caused by drunk drivers can still occur. 

If you or a person you love suffering injuries in an accident that was caused by a drunk driver, you have legal options available. A Chicago car accident lawyer at Malman Law can take a look at those options with you and can help you decide on the best one for your case. Let us help you pursue compensation for the personal injuries and damages you suffered in your accident. Give us a call today at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you throughout your personal injury car accident case. 

Drunk Driving is Negligent Driving

To be criminally charged with a DUI, a driver must ordinarily have “actual physical control over a motor vehicle” and must have a blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) of at least 0.08 percent. Lower thresholds apply to minors and to individuals who hold commercial driver’s licenses.

In addition to possible criminal penalties associated with a DUI, a drunk driver who causes a motor vehicle collision could also face civil liability if the accident resulted in personal injuries to others.

Burden of Proof

In many DUI cases, liability – or fault – is established when a drunk driver violates the state DUI statute. However, the accident victim is still responsible for demonstrating that he or she suffered injuries that are directly and proximately related to the collision. 

The accident victim could then pursue damages for the injuries he or she suffered in the collision. Those damages could include compensation for related medical expenses and lost earnings, pain, suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of use of a body part.

Speak to a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you have been injured in a crash that was caused by a drunk driver, call the knowledgeable attorneys at Malman Law as soon as you can. Our legal team can immediately get to work investigating your accident and pursuing the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Chicago car accident attorney, call us at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online to learn more.