Chicago DUI Victim Attorneys

Driving under the influence of alcohol is the leading cause of death on American roads. Last year, nearly one-third of all traffic accident fatalities in Illinois involved alcohol-impaired drivers. The year before that, more than 27,000 drivers were arrested for DUI in Illinois. These statistics are far from comforting.

In urban and rural counties alike, tens of thousands of Illinois drivers are on the road at any given time. Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol who choose to operate a vehicle put everyone, including themselves, at risk.

The consequences of a DUI accident can be devastating to victims and their families. Those seeking damages for their injuries need competent Chicago DUI victim attorneys on their side.

Powell & Pisman, PLLC is skilled in dealing with all aspects of the law on behalf of DUI accident victims. We will help you build your case to get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Chicago DUI victim attorneys.

DUI Laws in Illinois

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating compounds. More specifically, a person may not drive or be in physical control of any vehicle if their BAC (blood alcohol content) is over the legal limit of 0.08%.

They also may not drive or be in physical control of a vehicle if under the influence of any drug or substance which renders them incapable of operating a vehicle safely.

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Criminal Penalties

Misdemeanor: First time offenders will have their license revoked for a period of one year (two years if under the age of 21). Second time offenders will have their license revoked for a period of five years.
Felony: Third time offenders will have their license revoked for a period of ten years. Fourth time offenders will have their license revoked for life.
Aggravated DUI: Any DUI resulting in serious injury, permanent disability, or disfigurement of another person is also classed as an aggravated DUI, which is also a felony. The minimum prison term for aggravated DUI is one year while the maximum is twelve years.
Reckless Homicide: Any person operating a vehicle while intoxicated which results in someone’s death can be convicted of reckless homicide. This carries a minimum six year sentence if one death occurred, and up to a maximum of 28 years if two or more people were killed.

Offenders with a BAC of more than 0.16% or who were transporting a person under the age of 16 at the time of the violation are subject to additional prison time, community service, and fines where applicable.

The Chicago DUI victim attorneys at Powell & Pisman, PLLC know that first time and repeat DUI offenders are sometimes let off with just a slap on the wrist by the criminal justice system. When we take on your case, we’ll do everything in our power to hold perpetrators of DUI accidents more accountable for their actions.

Non-Alcohol DUI

DUI is not restricted only to alcohol. It is illegal to operate a vehicle while under the influence of the following controlled substances:

Marijuana
Heroin
Cocaine
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Salvia
Morphine
Psilocybin (Mushrooms)
Phencyclidine (PCP)

A complete list of controlled substances can be found in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

Types of DUI Accidents

Alcohol or drug-related accidents can occur at any time — day or night, weekdays or weekends. Even as the most careful defensive driver, pedestrian or cyclist, there are no guarantees of safety when it comes to the reckless negligence of an impaired driver. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk or drugged driver, you have options. Contact our Chicago DUI victim attorneys today.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured because of a DUI accident in Illinois through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The Chicago DUI victim attorneys at Powell & Pisman, PLLC are committed to holding those who drive under the influence responsible for their negligent and destructive actions.

Over the past 17 years, Paul and Steve have recovered total settlements approaching $250 million. More than 70 of those cases involved amounts exceeding $1 million.

Many of these court victories were on behalf of DUI victims and their families. If you’ve been injured in a DUI accident, let the caring professionals at Powell & Pisman, PLLC handle the legal battle while you focus on recovery. We will be fighting for you every step of the way. Call us at 312-701-3333, chat with one of our representatives online, or submit a free case evaluation 24/7.