Peoria Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer | DUI Crash Claims in Illinois

A drunk driving crash is not “just an accident.” It is a preventable decision that turns normal traffic into a life-changing event. Alcohol and drugs reduce reaction time, attention, coordination, and judgment. The crashes that follow are often high-speed, wrong-way, lane-departure, or intersection impacts that cause severe injuries.

This page explains how Illinois DUI crash injury claims work, what evidence matters, how injuries are proven in medical records, and how insurance companies try to discount serious harm. If your crash happened in Peoria or central Illinois, Parker & Parker Attorneys at Law can help. Our office at 300 NE Perry Ave in Peoria, IL has represented drunk driving crash victims throughout central Illinois for years.

What Is Considered a DUI in Illinois?

Illinois law makes it illegal to drive while “under the influence.” That does not just mean having “too many drinks.” It can involve alcohol, cannabis, other drugs, and even certain prescription medications.

Under Illinois law, a driver can be considered under the influence if they:

• Have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher
• Have a THC (cannabis) level above set limits in blood or other bodily substances
• Have used other controlled substances
• Are impaired by legal or illegal medication

You do not have to prove a specific BAC number in your injury case. What matters is whether the driver was impaired and that their impairment helped cause the crash.

How alcohol and drugs affect driving

Alcohol and other drugs do more than “relax” a person. They slow brain function and dull the senses. Drivers who are impaired often:

• Misjudge distance and speed
• Drift out of lanes or cross the center line
• Run stop signs and red lights
• Take far too long to react to danger

In serious cases, the “seconds before impact” matter. Crash evidence can include vehicle damage patterns, scene photos, witness accounts, and sometimes vehicle electronic data (often called “black box” or EDR data) that helps show speed, braking, and steering.

Why DUI Crash Claims Are Different

In a standard crash, the main dispute is usually who made the driving mistake. In a DUI crash, there is often an extra layer: an impaired driver chose to drive when they were not safe to be behind the wheel. That affects the evidence, the tone of the case, and sometimes the types of damages that are pursued.

Criminal case vs. civil case

Many families think, “The police arrested the driver, so my case is handled.” The criminal DUI case is about punishment: license consequences, fines, jail, probation, and conditions ordered by the court. Your injury claim is different. Your civil case is about you: medical care, lost income, pain, disability, and how life changed.

The two cases can overlap in evidence. A DUI arrest report, body camera video, chemical test results, and a guilty plea can be powerful facts in a civil case. But a civil case still requires work: proving the crash caused your injury, proving what your treatment will cost, and proving the real day-to-day impact.

DUI evidence can strengthen the claim, but it does not replace medical proof

Insurance companies can admit the driver was intoxicated and still argue your injury is “minor,” “resolved,” or “mostly pre-existing.” Strong cases connect three things: (1) the unsafe conduct, (2) the crash forces, and (3) objective medical proof that matches the injury story.

Why insurers treat DUI claims differently

In many DUI crashes, fault is harder to defend. So insurers often pivot to a second strategy: they “concede liability” but fight the value. That fight shows up in the medical timeline, the way symptoms are documented, and the way future care is described.

If you are dealing with a serious car crash injury generally, our main local page is here:
Peoria Car Accident Lawyer.

How Drunk Driving Crashes Happen in the Real World

Drunk driving crashes often follow repeat patterns. Recognizing the pattern helps you understand why these collisions can be so violent.

Intersection failures

Impaired drivers misjudge red lights, stop signs, and oncoming traffic. They also drift through intersections with delayed braking. Side-impact (T-bone) collisions are dangerous because the side of a vehicle has less space to absorb energy, so occupants can take a direct blow.

Lane departures and head-on impacts

Alcohol and drugs reduce lane control. Many DUI crashes involve crossing the center line, wide turns, or wrong-way driving. Head-on crashes combine speeds and can create devastating forces, especially to the head, chest, hips, and legs.

High-speed rear-end crashes

Reaction time matters most when traffic changes quickly. Impaired drivers often follow too close and brake too late, leading to severe rear-end impacts that can injure the neck, spine, and brain even when the vehicles “don’t look that bad” to a casual observer.

No-braking collisions

One tell-tale sign of impairment is a crash with little or no pre-impact braking. When a driver does not react, occupant forces are usually higher. These cases often benefit from vehicle data and careful scene documentation.

Evidence That Proves Impairment and Fault

In a DUI crash claim, you do not always need a perfect BAC number to prove impairment. Civil claims focus on whether impairment was present and whether it contributed to the crash. Evidence often comes from multiple sources that fit together like a timeline.

Key DUI evidence sources

• Police report and crash diagram (statements, roadway layout, point of impact, contributing causes)
• DUI arrest report (odor of alcohol, slurred speech, balance issues, admissions, open containers)
• Breath or blood tests when available
• Field sobriety testing documentation
• Body cam and dash cam video
• 911 calls and dispatch audio
• Witness statements (swerving, speeding, running lights, near misses)

Video and digital evidence can disappear quickly

In serious auto cases, one of the most important early steps is preserving video: business surveillance, doorbell cameras, traffic cameras, and sometimes footage captured by passing drivers. Many systems overwrite within days. If you think video exists, acting quickly can be the difference between a clear story and a disputed one.

Vehicle data (EDR) and phone data

Many vehicles record pre-crash data such as speed, braking, throttle position, and seatbelt use. This can show whether the impaired driver tried to avoid the crash, whether they were speeding, and whether they never touched the brake. In certain cases, cell phone evidence can also matter because it can show a second dangerous behavior (distraction) that contributed to the collision.

What if the driver refuses testing?

Some DUI cases involve refusal or unavailable test results. Civil cases can still rely on observations, driving behavior, witness accounts, and video. The question becomes: does the story make sense, and does the evidence show impairment and unsafe driving?

Crash Forces and Injury Mechanics

Serious injury claims are not won by labels alone (“whiplash,” “herniated disc,” “concussion”). Strong cases connect the mechanics of the crash to the body.

Why DUI crashes often cause worse injuries

Impaired driving increases risk factors that increase injury severity: higher speeds, delayed braking, wrong-way impacts, and sudden lane departures. When a crash is more violent, the body experiences rapid acceleration and deceleration. Even with seatbelts, internal structures can be injured.

Common injury pathways

Brain injuries can occur when the head strikes an object (steering wheel, headrest, window) or when the brain moves inside the skull during sudden deceleration. A person may have no visible head wound and still suffer a concussion or more serious injury.

Spine injuries can occur when the neck or back is forced beyond normal range, compressing discs and irritating nerves. A crash can also aggravate a silent condition and turn it into a symptomatic problem that requires treatment.

Thoracic and abdominal injuries can occur from seatbelt forces, airbags, or blunt impact, causing bruising, organ injury, or rib fractures. These injuries often show up quickly and can require emergency imaging.

Lower-extremity injuries often occur in head-on or offset impacts where the front structure intrudes. Knees, hips, ankles, and feet can be injured by intrusion and bracing forces.

If you want an injury-by-injury overview for car crashes, see:

Car Accident Injuries (Guide)
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Common Injuries and Delayed Symptoms After a DUI Crash

DUI crash injuries can be obvious immediately, but many important symptoms are delayed. That delay is one reason insurers pressure people to “settle fast.”

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion symptoms

Concussion symptoms can include headache, dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity, brain fog, irritability, sleep disruption, and memory issues. Some people notice symptoms hours later, after adrenaline drops. Others notice problems days later when they try to return to work, school, or driving.

Neck and back injuries

Neck and back symptoms often tighten over 24–72 hours. Common complaints include stiffness, reduced range of motion, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Disc injuries and nerve irritation can require imaging, physical therapy, injections, or surgery in severe cases.

Soft-tissue injuries that still matter

“Soft tissue” is sometimes used by insurers to minimize harm. But ligaments, muscles, and tendons are what allow you to work, lift, drive, sleep, and live normally. When the injury prevents normal function for months, the case value can be substantial, and it must be documented clearly through consistent medical notes and functional complaints.

Emotional and psychological trauma

Many people experience fear of driving, panic at intersections, nightmares, or heightened anxiety after a DUI crash. This is especially common when the collision was violent, involved children, or involved a wrong-way or head-on scenario. Emotional symptoms are real. The best way to keep them from being dismissed is to discuss them with a medical provider so they show up in the record.

Burns, scarring, disfigurement, and amputation

High-speed DUI collisions can cause vehicle fires, contact with hot engine components, or crush injuries severe enough to require surgical amputation. Burns and scarring often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term wound care. Disfigurement claims carry both physical and emotional weight because the visible changes affect self-image, social interactions, and employment opportunities for years.

Wrongful death

When a drunk driving crash takes a life, surviving family members may be able to seek compensation under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. These claims can cover funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the grief and loss of companionship suffered by a spouse, children, or other dependents. Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, and Dram Shop deadlines may be even shorter.

Red-Flag Symptoms: When to Seek Urgent Care

Some symptoms after a crash should be treated as urgent. This is not legal advice and not medical advice, but these are common “do not wait” warning signs people are told to take seriously.

• Severe headache that is new or worsening, especially with vomiting, confusion, or trouble staying awake
• Weakness, numbness, or new tingling in an arm or leg
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or significant abdominal pain
• Neck pain with fever, severe stiffness, or neurologic changes
• Vision changes, slurred speech, balance problems, or new seizures
• Uncontrolled bleeding, severe swelling, or obvious deformity after impact

Even when symptoms are not “red flags,” early evaluation can matter. Delayed care can also create insurance arguments that the injury happened later or is not serious.

Diagnosis and Testing After a DUI Crash

Many people leave the scene thinking they are “okay,” then learn later that the injury is more complicated. Diagnosis is often a process, not a single appointment. Insurance companies watch this process closely, which is why clear documentation matters.

Common early evaluation steps

• Emergency department evaluation or urgent care assessment
• Primary care follow-up for persistent pain, headaches, dizziness, or sleep disruption
• Orthopedic or neurology referral when symptoms point to a more serious issue

Imaging and tests that may appear in records

Not everyone needs imaging. But when symptoms warrant it, tests may include:

• X-rays (fractures, alignment issues)
• CT scans (head injuries, internal injuries, fractures)
• MRI (disc injuries, nerve impingement, ligament injury, brain findings in some cases)
• EMG/nerve conduction studies (nerve irritation or radiculopathy questions)
• Neurocognitive testing (when concussion symptoms persist)

Why the “first record” matters so much

Insurers often treat the first medical record as the baseline. If key symptoms are missing from the first visit, an adjuster may later argue you “added” them. This is one reason it matters to speak up about pain, dizziness, numbness, weakness, confusion, sleep issues, and functional limits as they happen.

If you have already been evaluated and realize something was left out, you can still report it at the next appointment. The goal is a clear timeline that matches what you experienced.

Treatment, Recovery, and Why Follow-Up Matters

Treatment after a DUI crash depends on the injury. Some people need rest and short-term care. Others need months of therapy, injections, or surgery. What insurers tend to challenge is not that you received care, but whether the care was “necessary,” whether you “complied,” and whether you truly improved or plateaued.

Common treatment paths

• Medication, rest, and activity modification
• Physical therapy and home exercise programs
• Chiropractic or manual therapy in some cases
• Specialist care (orthopedics, neurology, pain management)
• Injections (when conservative care does not resolve symptoms)
• Surgery (in severe cases with structural injury)

Why consistent follow-up helps both health and documentation

From a health standpoint, follow-up allows providers to track change over time, adjust treatment, and catch complications. From a claim standpoint, it helps create a readable record: symptoms reported, exams performed, objective findings, treatment attempted, response to treatment, and prognosis.

What to do if you cannot afford treatment

This is common. People miss therapy or appointments because of cost, transportation, or time off work. If that happens, tell your provider. If the record shows the reason for the gap, it is harder for an insurer to claim you “must have been fine.”

Medical Proof That Holds Up to Insurance Scrutiny

Insurance companies do not evaluate injury claims the way patients experience injuries. Adjusters often use checklists, valuation software, and “medical specials” math. The best way to protect your claim is to build a clean medical story that matches your real life.

What insurers look for in the medical timeline

In insurer evaluation systems, the early timeline often drives value. Adjusters look for prompt care, consistent follow-up, objective findings, and no long gaps that create a “maybe it wasn’t that serious” argument.

That does not mean you must run to a specialist for every ache. It means you should take symptoms seriously, report them accurately, and follow reasonable treatment recommendations.

Objective findings vs. “subjective complaints”

Insurers often try to label pain as “subjective.” What strengthens a claim is objective support: documented spasm, reduced range of motion, positive orthopedic tests, imaging that matches symptoms, nerve studies when appropriate, and treating-provider notes that describe functional limits.

Functional impact is part of damages

A case is not only about diagnoses. It is about what you cannot do now: lifting a child, standing at work, driving long distances, sleeping, exercising, doing housework, or focusing for a full day. When those limits are documented consistently in medical notes and day-to-day accounts, the claim becomes harder to discount.

Common pitfalls that reduce settlement value

• Treatment gaps: long gaps can be framed as “you must have been fine.”
• Prior condition defense: “this was already there,” even when you were symptom-free before.
• Low-impact arguments: focusing on property damage instead of biomechanics and medical proof.
• Overbroad authorizations: getting unrelated records to cherry-pick for impeachment.

What to Document Right Now

Good documentation is not about “building a case.” It is about preserving the truth while it is still fresh and while evidence still exists. Here are practical items that often matter later.

Crash and scene documentation

• Photos of vehicle positions (if safe), skid marks, debris, road conditions, and damage from multiple angles
• Close-up photos of airbags, seatbelts, and interior contact points (dashboard, steering wheel, door trim)
• Names and contact information for witnesses
• The crash report number and investigating agency

Injury and recovery documentation

• Photos of visible injuries over time (bruising can deepen days later)
• A short daily log: pain level, sleep, work impact, activities you cannot do, and new symptoms
• All discharge instructions and follow-up plans
• Receipts for medications, medical supplies, and out-of-pocket expenses

Work and income documentation

• Missed-work notes and restriction notes
• Pay stubs or wage history (before and after the crash)
• Records of missed overtime, missed shifts, or reduced duties

Do not let key evidence get repaired away

If the vehicle is being repaired or totaled, it can erase important information. In serious injury cases, photos and documentation before repair can make a meaningful difference, especially when “low damage” arguments appear later.

Where the Proof Shows Up in Records

In DUI injury claims, the defense often says some version of: “We agree our driver was drunk, but we do not agree the injuries are this bad.” The way you counter that is with records that are hard to argue with.

In the police and DUI file

• Crash report narrative and diagram (how the collision happened)
• Officer observations (speech, balance, admissions, open containers)
• Field sobriety test notes
• Chemical test results when available
• Body cam, dash cam, and 911 materials when available

In emergency and early medical records

• Chief complaints and symptom list (headache, dizziness, neck pain, numbness, confusion)
• Physical exam findings (tenderness, spasm, range of motion limits, neurologic deficits)
• Imaging results and radiology reports
• Discharge plan and follow-up instructions

In physical therapy and follow-up notes

• Baseline function vs. current function
• Objective measurements (range of motion, strength testing, gait findings)
• Progress notes showing improvement, plateau, or worsening
• Provider notes linking activity limits to the injury

In specialist notes

• Orthopedic tests and clinical findings
• Neurology findings for concussion and neurologic symptoms
• Recommendations for injections, surgery, or long-term care when appropriate
• Prognosis and work restrictions

Damages: What Compensation Can Cover After a DUI Crash

No lawyer can promise a result. But in Illinois, injured people can typically seek compensation for economic losses (money out the door) and non-economic losses (how life feels and functions). In serious cases, damages work often becomes a “future planning” exercise, not just reimbursement.

Economic damages

Economic damages can include emergency care, hospital bills, surgery, rehab, medications, physical therapy, follow-up visits, and future medical needs. They can also include lost income, reduced earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs related to disability.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages often include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of a normal life. In plain English: the law recognizes that living with pain, limits, and trauma is a real harm even when it does not come with a receipt.

Future damages are often where insurers fight hardest

In major injury cases, insurers often accept the past bills but fight the future: “You’ll be fine,” “You don’t need surgery,” or “That’s too speculative.” Strong future-damages cases are built with treating-provider opinions, clear diagnostics, and a consistent history that shows why ongoing care is reasonable.

Punitive damages in DUI cases

Some DUI cases raise the question of punitive damages. These are intended to punish and deter extreme misconduct, not to compensate for medical bills. They are not automatic. Whether they are realistic depends on the facts, the evidence, and the legal standards applied by the court.

In practice, even when punitive damages are discussed, the foundation of the case is still compensatory proof: medical records, income loss, and documented functional impact.

The Insurance Playbook in DUI Injury Claims

Insurance companies handle DUI claims with a split mindset. On the one hand, intoxication is hard to defend, so insurers may concede fault. On the other hand, insurers often try to control payout by attacking injury severity, treatment choices, and future care.

How adjusters commonly value claims

Insurer evaluation systems often start with the known numbers: medical bills, wage loss, and the type of treatment. Then they apply internal rules about injury type, duration, and documented impairment. That is why clean records matter. If the treatment record looks inconsistent or incomplete, the valuation often drops.

Why early recorded statements can backfire

Adjusters sometimes call within days and ask for a recorded statement. People often minimize symptoms early because they are still in shock or assume they will “bounce back.” Later, when symptoms worsen, the insurer points to the recording: “You said you were fine.” This is a common trap.

Why fast offers are risky in DUI crashes

Quick offers often come before the injury story is fully known: before imaging, before specialist follow-up, before scar maturation, and before you know whether the pain will resolve or become chronic. Once you sign a release, it is usually final. Many people regret settling before the medical picture is clear.

The “gap and prior condition” playbook

If care is delayed, insurers may argue the injury happened later. If you had any prior neck, back, or headache history, insurers may argue the crash did not cause the problem. The strongest response is a clear before-and-after story supported by records: you were functioning, then the crash happened, then symptoms appeared and treatment followed.

“Low damage” and “minor impact” arguments

Insurers sometimes focus on property damage to minimize injury. But injury risk depends on many factors: speed change, angle, seat position, posture at impact, and whether a person had time to brace. A clean medical record and, when needed, crash analysis can keep the focus on the forces and the injuries, not just the bumper.

When the Drunk Driver Has Low Limits (UM/UIM Coverage)

Many DUI drivers carry minimum insurance or no insurance. In those cases, your own policy may become the main source of recovery through uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.

How UM/UIM works in plain English

If the at-fault driver has no coverage, UM may step in. If the at-fault driver’s coverage is not enough to cover the harm, UIM may help fill the gap up to your policy limits. These claims can become adversarial. Your insurer may request records, statements, and proof of damages much like an opposing insurer would.

For a focused local explanation of UM/UIM, see:

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist Claims in Illinois
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Policy limits, umbrellas, and “hidden coverage”

Coverage can be more complex than it looks. There may be an umbrella policy, employer coverage if the driver was working, or additional insured parties depending on who owned the vehicle and how it was used. Identifying all policies early can change the practical value of a serious case.

Dram Shop Claims: When Alcohol Service Matters

Some DUI crashes start in a bar, restaurant, or event where alcohol was served. Illinois Dram Shop law can allow injured people to pursue an alcohol seller in certain situations when intoxication contributed to the injury.

Dram Shop cases are not automatic. They have special procedural rules and specific limits, and the proof often depends on fast investigation: receipts, witnesses, social media posts, surveillance video, and a tight timeline of service and impairment.

If you want a plain-language overview, here is our related resource:

Describing Illinois’ Dram Shop Law
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What a DUI Injury Case Typically Looks Like (Timeline)

Every case is different, but serious DUI claims often follow a recognizable progression. Understanding the timeline helps you avoid mistakes insurers routinely exploit.

1) The first 24–72 hours: safety, documentation, and early records

Medical care comes first. From a claim standpoint, early records matter because they capture symptoms before the defense has time to build alternative explanations. If you can safely do so, save photos, tow bills, prescription receipts, and any paperwork you receive at the hospital or urgent care.

If police suspect impairment, ask how to get the crash report number and the investigating agency. Those documents often become the spine of the liability story.

2) The first few weeks: treatment plan and evidence preservation

This is the phase where delayed symptoms appear and treatment decisions are made: physical therapy, imaging, specialist referral, or follow-up testing. It is also the phase where important evidence can vanish. Businesses overwrite camera footage. Vehicles get repaired or totaled. A well-timed preservation request can keep the best evidence available.

3) The paperwork phase: claims, coverage, and medical authorizations

Insurance companies often ask for broad medical authorizations and extensive history. Some requests are reasonable; some are designed to fish for unrelated issues. A careful approach limits the claim to what is relevant while still proving the injury thoroughly.

At the same time, the case often requires a coverage map: the at-fault driver’s limits, whether an umbrella policy exists, whether an employer is involved, and whether UM/UIM coverage should be opened under your own policy.

4) When the medical picture becomes clearer

Many claims cannot be valued fairly until your doctors can give a more reliable prognosis. Are you improving? Plateaued? Facing injections or surgery? Returning to work fully or with restrictions? The clearer the prognosis, the harder it is for insurers to discount the future with speculation.

For timing expectations in car crash claims, see:

Illinois Insurance Settlement Timeline: How Long Does It Take?
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5) Resolution: settlement, mediation, or litigation

Some DUI cases resolve through negotiation once the evidence and medical proof are strong. Others require a lawsuit to obtain missing evidence, depose witnesses, and push back against low valuations. Litigation does not always mean trial, but it creates deadlines and tools that can change leverage in a serious case.

Comparative Fault and Common Defenses in DUI Crashes

Even when a driver is intoxicated, insurers may still look for ways to reduce payout by shifting blame or shrinking damages. These arguments are not always persuasive, but it helps to know what to expect.

“You could have avoided it” arguments

Insurers sometimes argue that the sober driver “should have seen it coming,” especially in intersection crashes. In reality, many DUI crashes involve sudden, unpredictable maneuvers: a driver running a red light, drifting over the center line, or turning left into oncoming traffic. Evidence matters: scene photos, witness statements, signal timing when available, and sometimes vehicle data showing the short reaction window.

Seatbelt and mitigation issues

Sometimes the defense argues that injuries would have been less severe with different safety choices. The facts matter. In many crashes, people are belted and still seriously injured. Good medical proof and crash analysis can keep the focus where it belongs: on the impaired driving and the forces created.

Social media, surveillance, and “activity” attacks

In serious injury claims, insurers may monitor public posts and look for moments that appear inconsistent with reported pain (even when they are not). The safest approach is to avoid posting about the crash, your injuries, and your physical activities while the claim is pending.

For an Illinois overview of comparative fault, see:

Illinois Comparative Fault in Car Accidents
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What You Can Do Now to Protect a DUI Injury Claim

• Get evaluated and follow up. If symptoms change, tell your provider so the record reflects the real timeline.
• Write down a short daily log. Pain level, sleep, missed work, activities you cannot do, and new symptoms.
• Save paperwork. Discharge instructions, prescriptions, therapy notes, mileage, and receipts.
• Do not rush a release. Early offers often come before the injury story is complete.
• Preserve evidence. Photos, video, witness contacts, and any information about where the driver was drinking.

If you want help with next steps from a local team, start here:

Peoria Personal Injury Lawyer
.

Related Car Accident Pages

• Car Accidents (Peoria)
• What to Do After a Car Accident in Illinois
• How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
• Intersection T-Bone Crashes
• Rear-End Car Accident Injuries

Featured Guides & Related DUI Crash Resources

Want deeper breakdowns? These resources cover DUI crash next steps and Dram Shop basics. The last card goes directly to our contact page.

• Illinois Car Accident Statute of Limitations: Deadlines You Cannot Miss
• Distracted Driving Car Accidents in Illinois
• Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Illinois?
• Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident: Delayed Symptoms

FAQs: DUI Accident Claims in Illinois

Do I have a case if the drunk driver was never convicted of DUI?

Yes. A criminal DUI case and a civil injury case are separate. In a civil case, the proof standard is different, and impairment can be shown through police observations, witness accounts, video, and other evidence even if criminal charges change.

What if I was a passenger in the drunk driver’s car?

Passengers can bring claims. The defense may argue comparative fault depending on what a passenger knew and when, but accepting a ride does not automatically erase a passenger’s rights. The facts matter.

What if my symptoms started days later?

Delayed symptoms are common after crashes. The key is prompt evaluation once symptoms appear and consistent follow-up so the medical timeline is clear.

What if the drunk driver has little or no insurance?

You may have options beyond the at-fault driver’s policy, including uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage and, depending on the facts, Dram Shop or employer-related claims.

How much does it cost to hire a Peoria DUI crash attorney?

Parker & Parker handles DUI crash injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no attorney fees upfront and no fees at all unless we recover compensation for you. There is no charge for the initial consultation, and we advance all case costs during the process. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing. This approach lets injured people get experienced legal help without worrying about hourly bills while they are trying to recover.

How long do I have to file a DUI crash lawsuit in Illinois?

Many Illinois injury cases have a general two-year filing deadline, but some situations have different rules. It is best to speak with a lawyer early so deadlines and evidence are protected.