Personal injury cases resulting from DUI accidents involve unique challenges that distinguish them from other traffic-related cases.
Proving the impairment of the driver at the time of the accident is critical, requiring evidence such as blood alcohol content (BAC) tests, reports from police officers, or witness testimony.
These cases often involve complex legal proceedings that may intertwine criminal DUI charges with civil claims for damages.
The determination of liability in DUI cases can be contentious, as defendants may argue against the level of intoxication or fault.
The emotional impact of DUI accidents can influence jury perceptions, potentially affecting the outcomes of both criminal and civil components of the case.
The Unique Legal Consequences of a DUI Crash Case
DUI accident cases present a myriad of legal complexities.
First, there’s the matter of determining the extent of a driver’s intoxication.
Intoxication levels vary, and state DUI laws can differ significantly, impacting liability and legal proceedings.
Degrees of fault can also make a DUI accident case complicated.
As in any other Illinois city, Edwardsville awards compensation based on the comparative negligence principle.
Under this principle, courts will determine apt settlement amounts based on the extent to which a driver is at fault.
For example, imagine that you were driving in Edwardsville, and a driver rear-ended your vehicle.
During the investigation, the police found that the intoxicated driver’s BAC (blood alcohol concentration) was .09%, which is higher than the legal state threshold of .08%.
The investigation also found that you abruptly stopped.
As a result, the courts found you 10% liable for your accident.
This means that the compensation you can recover is 90%, at most.
These factors add layers of complexity beyond typical car accident claims.
The Need for Specialized Legal Representation
The nuances of a DUI case require specialized knowledge of traffic laws in Illinois.
This is where an experienced DUI car accident lawyer comes in.
As experts in car accidents and personal injury law, our Edwardsville DUI Accident Lawyers understand the unique challenges of drunk driving accident cases.