Red and blue lights flashed in your rearview mirror moments before the drunk driver’s vehicle slammed into yours. You had noticed the car weaving between lanes, driving erratically, and wondered if you should call 911.
Before you could pull over to make that call, the impaired driver struck your vehicle with enough force to deploy your airbags and leave you with injuries that would require months of treatment. You need a car accident lawyer in Naperville to help you recover the money you’ve lost and to seek justice.
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we understand that proving drunk driving and recovering fair compensation are two different challenges. Choose Charlie when you need a drunk driving accident lawyer in Naperville who knows how to investigate these cases thoroughly and build claims that insurance companies take seriously.
What Happens After a Drunk Driver Hits You
Your car accident case in Naperville begins the moment the collision occurs. Many victims don’t realize they’re already making decisions that affect their claims. Statements to insurance adjusters, gaps in medical treatment, and delayed legal consultation all impact your ability to recover full compensation.
The drunk driver faces criminal charges in one courtroom while your civil claim proceeds separately. Criminal courts punish the driver for breaking DUI laws. Civil courts compensate you for losses caused by their negligent driving. Evidence from the criminal case strengthens your civil claim, but a criminal conviction doesn’t automatically guarantee fair compensation.
To do that, you need to have a personal injury lawyer in Naperville to help you with your case. We know how the insurers will act to reduce how much they have to pay you. When you’ve suffered injustice, you need someone on your side who can argue in your favor.
Investigating Beyond the Police Report
Police reports document critical information—the drunk driver’s arrest, field sobriety test results, blood alcohol concentration, and witness observations. These reports establish intoxication, which means you have a case, but that’s just one part of the case.
Your attorney needs to gather additional evidence that connects the driver’s impairment to specific actions that caused the collision. For example, bar and restaurant records show where the drunk driver consumed alcohol before driving.
Critical evidence in drunk driving investigations includes:
- Toxicology reports showing exact blood alcohol levels at the time of the collision.
- Witness statements from passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.
- Expert accident reconstruction analysis proving impairment caused specific errors.
- Social media posts or text messages documenting drinking before driving.
With over $100 million recovered for injured clients, Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., knows which evidence matters most and how to gather it before it disappears.
Common Defenses Used in Drunk Driving Cases
Insurance companies defend drunk driving claims aggressively despite obvious fault to reduce the amount of money they have to pay. Comparative negligence becomes their strongest defense.
Illinois law reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies inflate your fault by claiming you were speeding, distracted, or failed to take evasive action. They argue you saw the drunk driver approaching and could have prevented the collision.
They dispute injury severity and causation. Pre-existing conditions become their explanation for your pain. Gaps in medical treatment suggest injuries weren’t serious. We go to bat for our clients by anticipating these defenses and building cases that withstand scrutiny.
Compensation You Can Recover in Naperville Drunk Driving Cases
Your personal injury claim in Naperville can recover multiple types of damages. A Naperville drunk driving accident lawyer can help you get evidence to prove your damages. Economic damages include all financial losses with clear documentation:
- Medical expenses covering emergency treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future care
- Lost wages for missed work and reduced earning capacity from permanent limitations
- Property damage for vehicle repairs, replacement costs, and rental expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs for medications, medical equipment, and transportation to appointments
Non-economic damages account for losses without receipts. Pain and suffering damages compensate for the physical discomfort you experience daily. Emotional distress covers anxiety, depression, and trauma from the accident. Loss of enjoyment of life addresses activities you can no longer pursue because of your injuries.
Punitive damages punish particularly reckless drunk driving. Illinois courts award these damages when the drunk driver’s conduct was especially egregious—extremely high BAC levels, prior DUI convictions, or driving with a suspended license. While not available in every case, punitive damages significantly increase total compensation.
How Our Firm Handles Drunk Driving Cases
Our 75 years of combined legal experience mean we understand drunk driving cases from investigation through settlement or trial. We start immediately, gathering evidence while witness memories are fresh and physical proof hasn’t disappeared.
You’ll work directly with attorneys who respond quickly and keep you informed about case developments. We’re not a high-volume firm where clients become case numbers. We connect injured clients with medical providers who accept liens, removing financial barriers to necessary treatment. Your physical recovery matters as much as your legal claim.
Our track record of recovering over $100 million for injured clients throughout 20+ years shows we deliver results when victims need them most. Insurance companies respect attorneys who are ready to take cases to trial when settlement offers fall short.
Contact a Naperville Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Drunk drivers cause catastrophic injuries that affect victims for years or permanently. You shouldn’t accept inadequate compensation just because insurance adjusters pressure you to settle quickly. The legal team at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. knows how to prove drunk driving cases thoroughly and recover full compensation for all your losses.
Get experienced legal representation that fights for your rights. We offer free consultations to discuss your accident, review available evidence, and explain your legal options. Contact us today for dedicated representation from a drunk driving accident lawyer in Naperville who puts your recovery first.
