Urbana Hit by Drunk Driver Lawyer
Accidents where other people are hit by a drunk driver often result in severe and deadly injuries. Nobody should ever have to worry that they will be injured in a collision caused by an intoxicated driver, but these types of accidents are very common. When a drunk driver causes injuries, it is critical to speak with an attorney about holding that motorist accountable. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit and seek compensation for losses. Contact our experienced Urbana hit by drunk driver lawyer today.
Get the Facts About Drunk Driver Accidents in Urbana, Illinois
The Illinois Department of Transportation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide statistics about drunk driving collisions in Illinois and across the country. Consider the following facts and figures to understand how serious and common these crashes can be:
- Approximately 47 percent of all fatal traffic crashes in Illinois involve alcohol;
- An average of 29 people are killed every day in crashes across the country involving a drunk driver;
- About 17 percent of all traffic deaths involving children aged 14 and younger involved an alcohol-impaired driver;
- About 2.2 percent of Illinois drivers admit to driving after having too much to drink within the last 30 days, which is higher than the national average of 1.7 percent; and
- Drunk driving crashes account for more than $44 billion in losses every year.
How to Prove Fault in a Drunk Driving Accident in Urbana
After you are hit by a drunk driver in Illinois, you will need to gather evidence against the motorist in order to file a personal injury lawsuit. In addition to evidence from the scene such as photographs and witness statements, it will be important to obtain information from the drunk driver’s arrest, including criminal records and the breathalyzer test or chemical test results.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver in Urbana?
Under Illinois law, a person who is injured in any kind of accident usually has two years from the date of the accident to file a civil lawsuit against the liable party. When a person suffers injuries after being hit by a drunk driver in Urbana, Illinois, it will be important to speak with a drunk driving accident lawyer in Urbana to determine the statute of limitations for your case. Most likely, you will need to file your claim within two years from the date of the drunk driving crash.
Many drunk driving collisions are fatal. If you lost a loved one in a collision involving an intoxicated driver, you should know that the statute of limitations for a lawsuit is also two years. However, the clock will begin to tick on the date of the death as opposed to the date of the accident. Sometimes these dates are the same, but in some cases, a drunk driver accident ends up being fatal several days or weeks after the crash.
Contact Patel Law, PC
Drunk driving accidents can be devastating, and it is important to hold drunk drivers accountable for the serious injuries they have caused. If you were injured after being hit by a drunk driver or if you lost a loved one in a drunk driving crash, you should seek advice about moving forward with a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Urbana hit by drunk driver lawyer for more information.
