Poplar Grove Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorneys
You never expect to sustain injuries in a drunk driving car accident, but it happens more often than you probably think. When you are one of the unlucky victims of such an accident, the costs can be devastating. Sometimes, injuries can make you feel isolated, but you are not alone. A Poplar Grove drunk driving car accident lawyer at Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley can help.
Alcohol can lead to car accidents in numerous ways. An impaired driver’s mind is not the same as a sober person’s. The good news is that you may be entitled to compensation to recover your losses. The legal process can be overwhelming, especially when you are trying to heal, but working with an experienced attorney can lift a significant weight off your shoulders.
If you feel hopeless, do not worry. There are laws in place to protect people in your situation. In the United States, around 34 people are killed in drunk driving car accidents every day, or one person every 42 minutes. Insurance company policies exist to cover injuries, and you also have the option of filing a lawsuit. Whatever you choose to do, we can assist.
How Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley Can Help
At Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley, we are a top-rated law firm focused on injury claims, including drunk-driving car accident cases. With more than 50 years of experience fighting for the residents of McHenry County, Illinois, you can rest easy knowing that you are in excellent hands when you hire a drunk driving car accident lawyer at our firm.
What Is a Drunk Driving Car Accident?
A drunk driving car accident is a collision where a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is at or above the legal limit. These accidents often lead to more severe injuries or fatalities compared to other crashes. Drunk driving accounts for 30% of all traffic-related deaths nationwide, and in Illinois, this number is even higher, with 47% of motor vehicle fatalities involving alcohol.
Drunk Driving Car Accident Causes
Drunk driving causes car accidents primarily by impairing a driver’s coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Alcohol can lead to various dangerous behaviors, and impairments can lead to a range of crash types. Most drunk driving car accidents are due to:
- Impaired physical and motor skills. Alcohol affects hand-eye coordination and can make it difficult for drivers to stay in their lane, make proper turns, and control their vehicle.
- Reduced judgment and perception. Alcohol also severely compromises a driver’s ability to accurately judge distances, speed, and other drivers’ movements, leading to mistakes such as overcorrecting or failing to see other vehicles.
- Slowed reaction time. Alcohol slows reflexes, making it harder for drivers to react quickly to hazards, sudden stops, or changing traffic conditions.
- Drowsiness. Alcohol has sedative effects that can make drivers drowsy and more likely to fall asleep at the wheel, leading to crashes or drifting across lanes.
- Vision impairment. Alcohol can harm a driver’s vision, making it harder to see other cars, pedestrians, and important road signs, especially at night.
Common drunk driving accidents include head-on, rear-end, pedestrian, and T-bone collisions. The costs of these accidents can be significant. That is why it is so important to discuss your case with an attorney to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
Damages to Recover in a Drunk Driving Car Accident
Recovered damages in a drunk driving car accident case can include economic losses such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Economic damages can also cover vehicle repair or placement and long-term care if injuries are permanent. The court may also award punitive damages if there is gross negligence. Our Poplar Grove drunk driving car accident lawyer can help you evaluate factors affecting the settlement amount, including:
- Severity of injuries
- Duration of recovery
- Impact on daily life
- Driver’s intoxication level and history
By carefully reviewing your case, we can identify the total costs of your damages. At this time, you need to prioritize healing. Let us take care of the legal stuff.
Why Should I Hire a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley lawyer can save you valuable time and money. In Poplar Grove, Illinois, car accident cases are handled by the Boone County 19th Judicial Circuit Court, which can involve extensive paperwork and requirements. When you work with a Poplar Grove drunk driving car accident attorney, they can assist you through every step of the legal process.
Personal Injury Matter Types We Handle
Our firm provides expert legal representation for the following specific accident and injury matters:
- Poplar Grove Car Accident Injury Lawyer – Comprehensive representation for motor vehicle collision victims, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries
- Poplar Grove Truck Accident Lawyer – Aggressive advocacy against trucking companies and commercial drivers whose negligence caused catastrophic injuries on Northern Illinois highways
- Poplar Grove Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – Skilled representation for motorcyclists who have suffered serious injuries due to other drivers’ negligence, speeding, or failure to see motorcycles on the road
- Poplar Grove Rideshare Accident Lawyer – Expert handling of complex Uber and Lyft accident cases involving multiple insurance policies, whether you were a passenger, driver, or struck by a rideshare vehicle
- Poplar Grove Pedestrian Accident Lawyer – Dedicated representation for pedestrians struck by negligent drivers, securing compensation for severe injuries and long-term medical needs
- Boone County Truck Accident Lawyer – Strategic litigation against trucking companies throughout Boone County for accidents involving commercial vehicles and semi-trucks
FAQs About Poplar Grove, IL Drunk Driving Car Accident Law
Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Drunk Driving Car Accident Case?
When you are the victim of a drunk driving car accident, it is almost always worth getting a lawyer because they can help you navigate complex legal processes to secure fair compensation. A lawyer can also preserve evidence and challenge the other party’s insurance company. Having an attorney can not only protect your rights but also improve your chances of a favorable outcome.
How Much Does a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Illinois?
Illinois drunk driving car accident attorney fees can vary, but most typically charge a contingency fee, which means you pay nothing upfront, and the lawyer receives a percentage of your settlement. Average car accident injury settlements can vary by severity and the presence of permanent injuries. As a result, there is a wide range in lawyer fees.
Can I Sue a Drunk Driver Who Totaled My Car?
According to Illinois drunk driving car accident laws, you can sue a drunk driver who totaled your car, even if you have already filed an insurance claim. A civil lawsuit can help you seek compensation for property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This is especially true if the drunk driver’s insurance is insufficient. A drunk driving car accident attorney can help you gather evidence.
How Hard Is It to Win a Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawsuit?
The probability of winning a drunk driving accident lawsuit varies because it can depend on numerous factors, such as available evidence and the strength of the opposing side’s argument. Compared to other car accident cases, drunk driving cases can be more straightforward because the at-fault driver’s negligence may be more obvious to jurors.
Schedule a Free Consultation Today
No one wants to be a drunk driving car accident statistic, but when it happens to you, having a Poplar Grove drunk driving car accident lawyer by your side can make a difficult situation much easier. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz & Greeley, we know how important your life is, and we put your well-being first. Call us to schedule your free consultation today.
Serving Poplar Grove and Northern Illinois
When accidents shatter your life in Poplar Grove or throughout Northern Illinois, you need attorneys who aren’t just skilled legal advocates but also neighbors who genuinely understand this community. At Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley, our strong family ties to Marengo and the greater McHenry County area run deep, making us that much more passionate about serving the people who live and work here. With over 50 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases, we bring both sophisticated legal expertise and a genuine commitment to giving back to the Northern Illinois communities we call home.
Based in Marengo with roots throughout McHenry County and serving Poplar Grove and surrounding areas, our firm combines decades of personal injury experience with the personalized attention you simply won’t find at large, impersonal law firms. Our attorneys are heavily involved in local bar associations and actively volunteer with community organizations, from supporting our troops through local Cub Scout initiatives to numerous other charitable efforts. This deep community involvement means we understand the local roads where your accident occurred—from high-speed collisions on US-20 and Route 173 to crashes on smaller county roads—and we’re personally invested in helping our neighbors recover.
Whether you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident on Route 173, struck while riding your motorcycle through Boone County, hit as a pedestrian in downtown Poplar Grove, involved in a complex rideshare accident, or suffered injuries in a truck collision on US-20, partnering with Poplar Grove accident attorneys who take the time to truly understand your individual situation and provide genuinely personalized legal counsel—rather than treating you as just another case number—can be the difference between struggling through recovery alone and having dedicated advocates who fight to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
