Articles Posted in DUI

It is a crime in the state of Illinois to drive a car while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, yet every day, some motorists knowingly ignore this law and take to the road while they are impaired. Chicago drivers will be presumed to be under the influence of alcohol when they have a BAC of .08 or greater, but the law does not make that the only time that a driver can be guilty of drunk driving. In fact, any amount of alcohol in a driver’s system can lead to a charge of driving under the influence if the alcohol present affects a motorist’s ability to operate a car. Further, certain types of drivers, like those under the age of 21 and those who drive school buses, are not allowed to have any alcohol in their systems while they drive.

The reason driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal is because of the drastic consequences that may result. Drunk driving accidents injure thousands in Illinois every year and cause millions of dollars’ worth of damages in the form of personal injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. While victims cannot erase the harm done to them once a collision occurs, they may be entitled to seek relief for their losses through the use of a civil claim. Speaking to a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your options, including your ability to obtain compensation, if an accident has left you injured or has harmed your loved one.

Just prior to midnight on Saturday, police in Palatine discovered a driver unconscious in his vehicle near the 700 block of Independence Drive. Officers were in the area after they received calls that a car collided with two parked vehicles in the area and then came to a stop. Officials were able to determine that the unconscious driver was the same one suspected of colliding with the parked cars and that he appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and charged in the incident, but police quickly learned that this was not the first time that the driver had been involved in a drunk driving offense.

Previously, the suspect was arrested and charged following a 2003 accident that left a 17-year-old girl dead. The 2003 incident took place in Kane County and involved the current suspect crossing a center line and causing a head-on crash that killed the other driver. After charges were filed, the suspect was convicted and sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison. Prior to 2003, the suspect was charged twice with offenses related to driving under the influence, once in 1997 and once in 2001.
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Illinois laws against drinking and driving are clear and strict: if you operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater, you will be presumed to be under the influence and you may face traffic and/or criminal penalties. Punishments for drunk driving accidents often include fines, fees, community service, loss of a driver’s license, house arrest, probation, or even incarceration. In some cases, the punishments faced become more serious when an accident occurs and one or more individuals involved are injured or killed.

But the laws against drunk driving in Chicago and across the state are broader than what is described above. In addition to motorists with a BAC of .08, anyone can be guilty of operating under the influence if they have consumed a drug or alcohol that inhibits or decreases their ability to drive. This can include smaller amounts of alcohol, prescription drugs, street drugs, or even over-the-counter medications. Additional, drivers who are under the legal age to consume alcohol of 21 years in Illinois are not allowed to have any alcohol in their systems.

The laws are designed to keep the roads safe for everyone who uses them by discouraging drivers from drinking before taking the wheel. Despite the strict laws and serious possible punishments, though, thousands of drivers continue to take to Chicago roads every year, causing accidents and leaving injured victims in their wake. These victims may not be able to undue the harm done to them but they may be entitled to seek financial payment for their damages if a drunk driver caused their injuries, including payment for any medical bills incurred and pain and suffering endured. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand your rights if you have been involved in a Chicago car accident.

Police in Chicago have reported that two individuals were riding in a vehicle on the city’s South Side on Saturday when a crash occurred, and they suspect that alcohol may have been a factor. The 37-year-old driver was traveling in the 8200 block of South Chicago Avenue around 1:00 p.m. when the motorist lost control of the vehicle, struck a light pole, and then collided with a parked car. The driver sustained serious injuries in the accident and was transported to an area hospital where the nature of the injuries have not been revealed, but police have indicated that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol prior to the impact.

In addition to the driver, a 44-year-old male front seat passenger was involved in the crash. The incident reportedly amputated one of the man’s arms but emergency crews were able to tend to the victim and transport him to a hospital. Doctors attempted to save the man’s life but he died in the early evening hours of the injuries sustained in the collision.
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According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (“MADD”), the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before being arrested for an initial charge of driving under the influence, driving while impaired, or other alcohol-related charge. Every day in America, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving accidents, a statistic that is all the more tragic when you realize that drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable and, unlike some weather-related crashes, need never happen.

Too often, it is innocent victims who are forced to suffer at the hands of a drunk driver because the drunk driver places not only his or her safety at risk, but the safety of all those on the road when driving impaired. In Chicago, drunk driving is a crime and can lead to significant punishments including fines and fees, loss of a driver’s license, and incarceration. In the event that a drunk driver causes a collision, the punishments are often more severe.

But the legal implications do not end with criminal charges. Victims of a drunk driving collision may be entitled to seek financial compensation for their damages, including their medical expenses, if they have suffered in an accident. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in the Chicago area may help you put your accident into picture and explain your legal rights.

Actress Amanda Bynes has been no stranger to the legal systems of the United States in recent years. Known primarily for her work as a child actor and for roles as a young adult, the 28-year-old actress reportedly was arrested for driving under the influence early Sunday morning and now faces at least one misdemeanor count.

Authorities have not revealed which substance Bynes was allegedly under the influence of at the time but have confirmed that chemical tests support the accusation.

A police officer in Sherman Oaks reportedly noticed Bynes operating her vehicle westbound on Riverside Drive around 3:00 a.m. Bynes approached a red light in the area and allegedly brought her vehicle to a stop in the middle of the intersection instead of prior to where the intersection began, tipping off the officer that something may be amiss with the driver. Bynes was stopped where the responding officer suspected intoxication and put Bynes through multiple field sobriety tests, which allegedly she failed. At that time, Bynes was arrested and booked into a local jail. She was released later that day after posting a $15,000 bail.
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It seems like celebrities catch a break now and again when it comes to the law, regardless of where in the country they are located. But when it comes to drunk drivers and drunk driving accidents, anyone, regardless of who they are or how famous they may be, can become a victim in just a matter of moments.

Though it is illegal in all 50 states, some drivers continue to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence or while impaired by alcohol or drugs. When doing so, the drunk driver risks not only a traffic citation or criminal charge but also the driver’s own personal safety and the safety of all other motorists in the area. Even bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are not safe from the threat of drunk driving.

In Chicago, the laws are designed to protect those who are innocent victims of accidents while holding at-fault drivers liable for their actions. To ensure this happens, victims of Chicago drunk driving accidents may be able to bring a civil claim for their losses against a responsible driver, the owner of a vehicle, or any other party who caused their damages. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer may help you understand whether you have a valid claim for your losses, and if so, against whom you may be able to seek relief.

Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez and actress friend Leah Remini learned over the weekend that drunk drivers can affect anyone’s lives. The women, along with two children, were riding in Lopez’s SUV when they were rear-ended while stopped at a red light. The incident reportedly occurred in Malibu on the famous Pacific Coast Highway and did not result in any significant injuries. According to officials, the women exited the SUV to inspect the damage and speak with the other driver involved. The second motorist, described as a male operating a pick-up truck, initially stopped following the crash but then allegedly fled the scene of the accident without speaking to police.

Authorities were informed of the incident and responded to the scene. When they learned that the suspected at-fault driver fled, they initiated a search that uncovered the man a short distance from the scene. The male driver was stopped and arrested on the suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and on charges stemming from leaving the scene of an accident. It is not clear what maximum punishments may face that driver or whether he has any significant driving history related to this crash.

Following the incident, Jennifer Lopez took to social media to confirm the drunk driving crash and to let fans know that no one in her vehicle was injured in the incident.
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Drivers in Chicago and across the nation are required to operate their vehicles in a safe manner at all times because the actions of any one driver can directly affect the health of others. When one motorist chooses to act in a negligent manner, whether by speeding, ignoring a stop sign or red light, or driving while impaired, all other drivers in the area face an increased risk of being involved in a collision and may sustain injuries if a crash results.

While the laws make driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs a crime, potential criminal charges may not be the only responsibility facing an impaired motorist. In Chicago, the laws of the state enable the victims of these crashes to seek financial compensation for their damages. While no amount of money can ever reverse the effects of a crash once one has occurred, financial relief may enable innocent victims to obtain the medical treatment they need and deserve, the rehabilitative care that will return them to their pre-injury state, and provide for any wages that were missed from work while a victim recuperates. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in an accident, including one where a drunk or impaired driver was to blame.

It was Labor Day of 2012 when an alleged impaired driver, high from huffing chemical fumes, caused a serious crash in Highland Park that left a 5-year-old girl dead. Facing charges since that point, the driver’s fate was decided yesterday when she received a five year sentence, the same length of the life of the young victim in this case.

Following a not guilty plea, a trial occurred in May where the defendant was found guilty after evidence indicated that she was huffing chemicals from a keyboard cleaner. The driver then lost consciousness and drove across multiple lanes of traffic before driving onto a sidewalk where numerous pedestrians were gathered. One group of walkers consisted of a mother and her three young children who were struck by the vehicle, some several times. While the mother and two children survived, a 5-year-old girl lost her life due to the injuries she sustained in the crash.

Speaking in court, the mother of the victim asked for the maximum possible sentence of 14 years while prosecutors argued for an 8-year term. Attorneys for the defendant, now a 20-year-old woman, cited instances from the woman’s past that they claimed should be considered in a reduced sentence, arguing for no jail time in this instance. Following the imposed five year sentence, the defendant will undergo two years of supervised release.
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Regardless of which state you are in, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can result in serious charges. Drunk driving or impaired driving also leads to a number of other potential consequences including a substantially increased risk for a collision or accident. Unlike some types of car crashes, like those caused by poor weather conditions, drunk driving accidents are preventable and need never occur.

Too often, the victims of drunk driving collisions are those who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Drivers of other cars as well as passengers in their vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even passengers in the same vehicle as a drunk driver may sustain serious injuries or even lose their lives when a crash occurs. These victims may be forced to endure the complications and pain that come with injuries but they also may be able to seek financial compensation for their losses through the use of a civil claim for damages. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer or an attorney who represents accident victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash or if your loved one was injured or killed.

The laws apply to all motorists on the roads, regardless of who they are or what they do for a living. Josh Gordon, a wide receiver in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, was charged with driving while impaired back in July of this year. During a court appearance yesterday, Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 12 months of probation in addition to a fine and assessed court costs. Sources within the NFL believe that Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge in an effort to limit any potential punishment he may receive by the NFL, including a potential mandatory two game suspension which would become effective if league owners and the players’ association ratify a new drug policy.

Gordon is best known for his time with the Cleveland Browns, the organization that drafted Gordon in the second round of the 2012 supplemental NFL draft. Prior to his professional career, Gordon played college football at Baylor. Gordon previously has been reprimanded by the NFL for other off-the-field instances of misconduct including marijuana use, for which he is currently banned for an entire NFL season. That season-long ban is expected to be reduced if the new drug policy is passed.
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You may not realize it, but drunk drivers are all over the roads in Chicago and across the rest of the state. Their numbers are staggering and the damage they cause devastating. Yet when the dust settles, it is often the innocent victims of these accidents that remain to pick up the pieces, whether the damages are medical expenses, lost wages, or even pain and suffering.

The victims of drunk driving accidents in Chicago may be able to seek relief for their losses through the use of a civil claim, a type of action that belongs to a victim and can be brought against an at-fault driver. This holds true when a responsible driver is drunk or under the influence of drugs at the time a crash occurs and can be possible whether or not that driver was ticketed in the accident. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been hurt or if your loved one has lost his or her life in a traffic collision.

An accident yesterday on I-294 left a trooper in critical condition and seven other people injured, according to police. Officials have reported that a 59-year-old woman approached a trooper who was out of his vehicle conducting a traffic stop in the area of Berkeley when the woman reportedly swerved off the road and onto the shoulder, striking the trooper. The full nature of the trooper’s injuries are not clear but it has been reported that he sustained several fractures, including a broken shoulder blade, vertebrae, knee, and ribs. He is still receiving medical treatment at this time.

But the trooper was not the only casualty. According to witnesses, the female driver was operating erratically prior to the initial impact, and following that crash, she struck a divider and continued for approximately two miles before colliding with an SUV with seven people inside, leading to a rollover crash. All seven people inside sustained injuries and were transported to area hospitals where the extent and the nature of their injuries are unknown.

Yet the most shocking part of this collision is what officials have now stated about the driver’s history. The suspected at-fault driver reportedly pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence just last week in an Illinois court. The charge stemmed from an incident early in 2014 and it appears that the driver did not have a valid license as a result, though it is not clear when her license was revoked or whether she never had a valid license. A record search has revealed that the suspect had a DUI conviction in 2008 as well.
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Drunk driving and driving while impaired by drugs are a serious problem in Chicago. The actions of drivers who operate a vehicle impaired threaten their own safety but also the safety of others on the road, whether that is other drivers, passengers, or even pedestrians. Drunk driving accidents cause thousands of injuries in Chicago every year and leave a serious financial toll in their wake.

The victims of these accidents may sustain injuries that require medical or surgical care. They may need rehabilitative treatment to return to their pre-accident state or they may need occupational therapy to regain the ability to perform normal, daily tasks. When a car accident leads to personal injuries in Illinois, the victims of those accidents may be entitled to seek payment for their damages through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim is separate and distinct from any traffic or criminal charges brought by the State following an incident and the right to bring a civil claim belongs to the victim who was harmed or that victim’s surviving family members. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you have been injured in a crash.

In March of 2014, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated when blood tests revealed prescription drugs in his system. Irsay pleaded guilty yesterday to a misdemeanor count of driving while intoxicated as part of a plea deal and in exchange for the dropping of several other charges stemming from the March incident.

Irsay was born and raised in Illinois before moving to Texas to play college football at Southern Methodist University. Following college, Irsay joined the staff of the NFL team, the Indianapolis Colts, shortly after the Colts moved from Baltimore. At the time, the Colts were owned by his father, and upon his death, Irsay took control, becoming the youngest NFL owner in the league at that time at 37.

Irsay has allegedly struggled with drugs at various times during his life and reportedly checked into rehab following his March arrest. As part of his plea deal this week, Irsay received one year probation and his actions were reviewed by the NFL, which suspended Irsay for six games this season and fined him $500,000. The cash fine was the highest possible by the NFL without the approval of the other team owners.
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The average drunk driving suspect in Illinois is male, 34 years old, and has a blood alcohol content of twice the legal limit, according to the Illinois Secretary of State. The fortunate incidents of drunk driving end before tragedy can occur with police or other officials apprehending suspects before a crash takes place. Yet too often, drunk driving accidents occur in Chicago, across Illinois, and across the nation. In 2010 alone, 10,228 people lost their lives to drunk driving accidents in America, including 211 children.

The victims of these accidents are often left with serious injuries, and in the worst cases, a victim may lose his or her life. Though nothing can erase these crashes from happening, the victims may be entitled to seek relief through the use of a civil claim for damages. In Illinois, the right to bring a claim for injuries belongs exclusively to the victim and it is not affected by the issuance or failure of issuance of a traffic citation or other ticket. If injuries occur, a financial recovery may be possible. Speaking with a Chicago personal injury lawyer may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a collision with a drunk driver.

Officials have reported that a collision on the Eisenhower Expressway on Sunday morning may have been the result of impairment. According to police, two vehicles were involved in a collision near 1st Avenue shortly after 1:00 a.m. Witnesses to the collision reported that a suspected drunk driver involved exited his vehicle, entered the other vehicle involved in the crash, and tried to flee the scene in the second vehicle, a BMW. At some point, the suspected drunk driver abandoned the BMW and began to run on foot.

Police responding to the crash were told that the man, a 25-year-old individual, had a gun and was running. Officers chased the man and one shot was fired by an officer though no one reportedly was hit. After a distance, police stopped the suspect and arrested him. He was transported to Loyola University Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

The suspect was arrested and is now facing charges of driving under the influence and attempted car jacking, among other offenses. He is reportedly due in court today. It is not clear whether anyone else involved in the collision sustained injuries or needed medical treatment following the crash.
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Drunk driving accidents often claim the lives of innocent victims or leave those victims with serious, potentially life long injuries. Though a driver who is apprehended operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is likely to face criminal charges, the victims hurt by a collision will not receive compensation by the use of any criminal charges, even if the suspected drunk driver is found guilty.

But that does not mean that victims are without the ability to seek relief. The laws in Chicago and across Illinois allow those hurt by the actions of others, including those who are injured in a drunk driving crash, with the right to bring a civil claim for damages. With this claim, a victim can seek proper compensation for damages including medical and surgical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who represents car accident victims may help you understand your legal options if you have been involved in a crash or if your loved one lost his or her life.

Police in Naperville responded to a reported one car accident early Saturday morning near the Naperville Park District quarry. At this time, it appears that a 21-year-old man was behind the wheel with two male passengers in his car as he drove near Aurora Avenue and Eagle Street. The man allegedly lost control of the car and left the road’s surface, striking several buildings before the vehicle came to rest in water at the quarry. The driver was conscious after the final impact and was able to escape the vehicle to safety on the shore.

The two passengers in the car were not as lucky. They were unable to free themselves and had to be rescued by divers who responded to the scene. All three men were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The driver was released a short time later but both passengers were pronounced dead from their injuries.

Though still early in their investigation, police believe that the driver was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash. He has been arrested and is facing multiple charges including two counts of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death.
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