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Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Yorkville

Civil Claims for Crash Victims in Kendall County & Northern Illinois

A drunk driving crash is preventable. When an impaired driver chooses to get behind the wheel and injures someone, Illinois law gives victims a path to accountability beyond the criminal courts. At Turner Law Group, our drunk driving accident attorneys in Yorkville represent injured victims and surviving family members, pursuing the compensation they’re entitled to seek through the civil courts. Our office is in Yorkville, inside Kendall County, close to the clients and communities we serve.

The civil claim is separate from any criminal DUI case. Even if the driver is never convicted, you can still pursue damages for your injuries, lost income, and other losses. Insurance companies representing the at-fault driver work to minimize what they pay. Having an attorney on your side can help level that playing field from the start.

If you or a family member was injured in a drunk driving crash, call (800) 653-0198 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation with our Yorkville attorneys.

Common Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents

Impaired drivers have reduced reaction time and poor vehicle control, which means drunk driving collisions tend to happen at higher speeds and with greater force than other crash types. The injuries that result are often severe.

Drunk driving accidents frequently cause serious injuries, including:

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): High-impact collisions can lead to cognitive impairments and long-term emotional challenges.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe trauma may result in paralysis or permanent disability.
  • Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of a drunk driving collision can require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Burns: Victims may suffer burns from the collision itself or from a vehicle fire.
  • Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, or PTSD may accompany physical injuries and are compensable damages in a civil claim.

Determining Liability in a Drunk Driving Crash

Under Illinois law, the drunk driver isn’t always the only party who can be held responsible. Identifying every liable party is one of the most important steps in seeking full recovery, particularly when the driver’s insurance limits are low or the insurer disputes coverage.

Potentially liable parties can include:

  • Alcohol-Serving Establishments: The Illinois Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) allows injured victims to hold bars, restaurants, and other licensed establishments liable when their sale or provision of alcohol contributes to a person’s intoxication and that person then causes a crash. Unlike many other states, Illinois doesn’t require proof that the patron was visibly intoxicated at the time of service. Dram Shop claims carry a one-year filing deadline, shorter than the standard two-year personal injury limit, making early legal involvement important.
  • Social Hosts: Hosts of private gatherings may be liable under Illinois law if they provided alcohol to a minor who then caused a crash.
  • Employers: If the drunk driver was performing work duties at the time of the crash, the employer may also share liability.

Recoverable Damages in a Yorkville Drunk Driving Accident Claim

Illinois law allows drunk driving victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. The value of any specific claim depends on injury severity, length of treatment, impact on work and daily life, and available insurance coverage.

Recoverable damages can include:

  • Economic Damages: Medical expenses, future medical costs, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage
  • Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive Damages: Courts may award punitive damages in drunk driving cases to punish the driver’s willful misconduct. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages aren’t covered by the driver’s auto insurance policy and are the driver’s personal responsibility. Whether punitive damages apply depends on the facts of each case.
  • Wrongful Death Damages: When a drunk driving crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death damages.

Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. A victim found to be 50% or less at fault can still recover damages, though the award is reduced in proportion to their share of fault.

How Our Attorneys Help Drunk Driving Accident Victims

Acting promptly protects both your claim and the evidence that supports it. The personal injury statute of limitations in Illinois gives you two years from the date of the crash to file. If an alcohol-serving establishment shares liability, the Dram Shop Act’s one-year deadline applies to that portion of the claim. Police reports, toxicology records, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can degrade or disappear quickly, so the earlier we get involved, the better-positioned your case may be.

When you work with our team, we:

  • Investigate the circumstances of the crash and gather evidence to support your claim
  • Identify all liable parties, including the driver, alcohol-serving establishments, and employers
  • Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to pursue compensation
  • Represent you in Kendall County civil court when a fair settlement can’t be reached

Call (800) 653-0198 or fill out our online form to get started on your case today.

Serving Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Yorkville & Kendall County

Yorkville is the county seat of Kendall County, and high-traffic corridors including IL Route 47 and US Route 34 carry significant vehicle volume through the area. Impaired drivers on these roads pose serious risks to other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Crashes can involve county roads, state routes, and intersections throughout Kendall County, all within our firm’s service area.

Attorneys Rick Turner and Margie Komes Putzler represent clients across Kendall County, Kane County, and DeKalb County. If you’re dealing with mounting medical bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the legal process after a crash caused by an impaired driver, you don’t have to navigate that alone. Turner Law Group is here.

Why Yorkville Drunk Driving Victims Choose Turner Law Group

Results in this case type matter. Turner Law Group recovered $1.3 million in an auto accident case in which a DUI defendant struck a vehicle carrying a mother, daughter, and grandmother. The daughter and grandmother sustained fatal injuries. The mother sustained facial, ankle, wrist, and closed-head injuries. Our firm also has a documented history of auto accident recoveries including results of $1.125 million, $625,000, and $450,000, among others on our results page. Past results don’t guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, but they reflect the preparation and advocacy we bring to every claim.

Attorneys Rick Turner and Margie Komes Putzler personally handle each client’s case. You won’t be passed to junior staff. Our approach focuses on identifying every liable party, building a thorough evidentiary record, and negotiating against insurance companies to pursue the maximum available compensation for economic and non-economic losses alike.

If you’re looking for a drunk driving accident lawyer in Yorkville who will give your case the attention it deserves, we’re ready to talk. Call (800) 653-0198 or contact us online to schedule a case evaluation with Turner Law Group today.

Real People, Real Results

Over Millions Recovered for Those Injured
  • $1.1 Million Auto Accident
  • $1.125 Million Auto Accident
  • $647,500 Auto Accident
  • $450,000 Auto Accident
  • $1.3 Million Auto Accident
  • $625,000 Auto Accident

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FAQs

Common Answers To Your Questions
  • What qualifies as a personal injury?

    A personal injury generally refers to any bodily injury sustained in an accident, from minor bruises to severe brain trauma. The most common personal injury claims arise from harm sustained from traffic wrecks, slip and fall accidents, defective products, dangerous property conditions, and medical malpractice.

  • What is the personal injury statute of limitations in Illinois?

    Under state law, the statute of limitations (or deadline) for most personal injury claims in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident. However, for claims against governmental agencies, there are special limitation periods that may be as short as a year. You should always consult with an attorney on what particular limitations period might apply to your claim. You should seek legal help immediately, as a delay may be fatal to your claim. Unless you have a special exception, your claim will be thrown out if you attempt to file after the limitations period has passed.


    Because every personal injury claim is different, it is difficult to determine an average settlement. A victim who lost a limb will likely need to receive more in medical expenses than someone who broke an arm, for instance. Although personal injury claims tend to average anywhere between $3000 to $75,000—an extremely broad range—there may be significant economic and noneconomic factors in your individual case that may indicate that your particular claim would be valued at a significantly higher figure at trial in front of a jury. An attorney can help you estimate your unique losses based on the facts of your case. The knowledge of an attorney experienced in jury verdict value is extremely important. You should be entitled to make up for your specific losses at the very least.
     

  • What evidence is needed for a personal injury claim?

    Necessary evidence can vary case by case depending on the specifics of your situation. However, one of the most helpful pieces of evidence is your medical records. If you can prove that you sought medical attention for a serious injury after an accident, you are more likely to receive compensation to cover the expenses associated with said injury. Other helpful evidence includes any photographs of the accident scene, accident reports, witness statements, insurance forms, receipts, and any other physical evidence related to the injury.

  • What is the average settlement for a personal injury?

    Because every personal injury claim is different, it is difficult to determine an average settlement. A victim who lost a limb will likely need to receive more in medical expenses than someone who broke an arm, for instance. This means that personal injury claims tend to average anywhere between $3000 to $75,000—an extremely broad range. An attorney can help you estimate your unique losses based on the facts of your case. You should be entitled to make up for your specific losses at the very least.