Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving remains one of the most dangerous and preventable causes of traffic accidents in Chicago. Every year, impaired driving leads to countless injuries, emotional trauma, and wrongful deaths across Illinois.

When someone chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol, they put everyone on the road at serious risk, including other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The consequences can be devastating, and not just physically, but also financially and emotionally for the victims and their families.

Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers understands the trauma that follows a serious drunk driving crash. Our experienced team has helped many clients pursue justice and compensation after being injured by an impaired driver.

Whether you’ve suffered from property damage, medical bills, lost wages, or lasting pain, we are here to help you hold the responsible party accountable. We are committed to building a strong case so you can focus on your recovery.

How Serious Is Drunk Driving in Chicago?

Drunk driving continues to be a major concern in Chicago and across the state of Illinois, as it puts the lives of innocent people at risk every day. According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation, alcohol-impaired driving plays a significant role in traffic-related injuries and fatalities throughout the state.

When a person drives under the influence, their judgment, reaction time, and ability to control the vehicle are seriously impaired, increasing the chances of causing a devastating crash.

In a busy city like Chicago, where traffic congestion is common and road conditions vary throughout the year, driving under the influence becomes even more dangerous. Impaired driving doesn’t just violate the law, but it also endangers everyone on the road, including other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists, often leading to tragic and preventable consequences.

Drunk Driving in Chicago: Statistics & Trends

• Alcohol-Involved Crashes: Between November 2018 and December 2019, there were 962 motor vehicle crashes in Chicago where police indicated alcohol involvement.
• Rideshare Impact: A study found that higher rideshare trip density was associated with a 23% decrease in the odds of a crash being alcohol-related, suggesting that ridesharing services may help reduce drunk driving incidents.
• Adult Binge Drinking: In 2017, approximately 24.8% of Chicago adults reported binge drinking, with higher rates among males (30.3%) and non-Hispanic whites (28.9%).
• Frequent Binge Drinking: About 4% of Chicago adults reported frequent binge drinking (defined as binge drinking five or more times in a month), with higher prevalence among males and those aged 21–29.
• Youth Alcohol Use: In 2017, 57.3% of Chicago high school students reported ever drinking alcohol, and 9.1% reported recent binge drinking.

These statistics highlight the ongoing challenges of alcohol-impaired driving in Chicago and the potential benefits of interventions like rideshare services in mitigating such incidents.​

Illinois DUI Laws

Illinois has strict DUI laws designed to protect the public from the dangers of alcohol-impaired driving. A driver can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher, or if there is any measurable impairment due to alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both. For commercial drivers, the legal limit is even lower at 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, Illinois follows a zero-tolerance policy.

In addition to criminal charges, drivers arrested for DUI face immediate administrative penalties. These can include license suspension, fines, and mandatory alcohol education classes, even before a conviction in court. A conviction brings harsher consequences, such as longer license suspensions, higher fines, and possible jail time, especially for repeat offenders or if the crash caused serious injuries or property damage.

Illinois law also holds DUI offenders civilly liable. That means drunk driving accident attorneys can pursue compensation on behalf of victims. When a drunk driver’s insurance company is involved, claims may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Knowing these laws is key if you’ve been hit by an impaired driver.

Common Injuries in Chicago Drunk Driving Accidents

Types of Injuries Victims Often Suffer

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head injuries that can result in memory loss, confusion, long-term disability, or even death. TBIs often require ongoing care and therapy.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to partial or complete paralysis. These injuries may drastically change a victim’s life and ability to work or function independently.
• Broken Bones: Fractures are common in high-impact crashes. Victims may need surgeries, physical therapy, and weeks or months of recovery time.
• Internal Bleeding: Damage to internal organs can be life-threatening. These injuries are not always visible right away and require immediate medical attention.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Strains, sprains, and torn ligaments can cause long-term pain and limited mobility. These are often overlooked but may affect daily activities for years.
• Burns and Scarring: In severe crashes, fires or explosions can lead to painful burns that cause permanent scarring or require reconstructive surgery.
• Psychological Trauma: Many victims suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a crash involving an impaired driver.

Long-Term Impact

Getting hurt in a drunk driving crash can change your whole life. Some people can’t go back to work. Others can’t move the way they used to. You might feel pain every day. You may need help walking, standing, or doing simple things at home.

Some people need to visit doctors for months or years. Others need surgery or special tools to get around. You might also feel sad, scared, or angry. These feelings can last a long time and make life harder. If someone passed away in the crash, their family may feel heartbreak that never fully goes away.

Drunk driving can hurt your body and your mind. That’s why it’s important to get help and speak with someone who understands what you’re going through.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Drunk Driving Crash?

When there’s a crash caused by someone who was drinking alcohol, it might not just be the drunk driver who is responsible. Sometimes, other people or businesses also share the blame.

Some of the common people or places who may have to help pay for the injuries, damage, or losses are:

The Drunk Driver

The person who was driving after drinking alcohol is usually the first one blamed. Driving drunk is dangerous. It slows your reaction time, makes it hard to focus, and causes poor decisions. If a drunk driver crashes into someone, hurts people, or damages a car or property, they are responsible.

The drunk driver will usually have to pay for injuries, car damage, and sometimes lost wages or pain caused to the victims. If the police confirm the driver was over the legal alcohol limit, this helps prove it was their fault.

Bar, Club, or Restaurant (Dram Shop Claims)

In some cases, the place where the driver got the alcohol might also be partly at fault. If a bar, club, or restaurant kept giving alcohol to someone who was already clearly drunk, they could also be blamed. This is called a Dram Shop claim. These businesses have rules to follow.

If they ignore those rules and serve too much alcohol, they might have to help pay for the accident. For example, if a bartender saw the customer was stumbling or slurring and kept serving them, the bar may be held responsible. These claims can be made if the bar’s actions helped cause the crash.

FAQs

Contact Our Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you were hurt in a drunk driving crash in Chicago, you don’t have to deal with it alone. The pain, the bills, and the stress can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. Our team at Conboy Law Injury & Medical Malpractice Lawyers is here to help you understand your rights and your next steps.

We’ve helped many accident victims get the legal representation they need and the compensation they deserve. Whether you have big medical bills, missed work, or just need answers, we’re ready to fight for you. We can also explain your legal options and tell you if others (like a bar or restaurant) may also be held responsible.

We offer a free consultation, so it costs nothing to talk to us. Call us today. Let’s see how we can help you move forward and get the maximum compensation you’re owed.