What Are the Long-Term Effects of Drunk Driving Crashes?

 Posted on January 21, 2025 in Car Accidents

You may remember news stories reporting a November 30th drunk driving accident on I-55 in Channahon that injured several people. A driver from Morris had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.348 percent when she apparently caused a chain-reaction crash. Her BAC was over four times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. This case is in the news again because prosecutors are requesting that she not be released from custody before her trial.

Drunk driving accidents can have far-reaching consequences with lingering effects, and the sad truth is that they are preventable. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident or a loved one died as a result of one, consult an experienced Orland Park, IL personal injury lawyer to explore your legal options for pursuing compensation.

What Injuries Are Common in Drunk Driving Accidents?

Several people were injured in the November 30th car crash mentioned above. One driver’s hand was fractured, and another driver suffered from a fractured leg and foot as well as both shoulders being torn. A pregnant passenger’s fingers and arm were broken and her eye socket and nose were damaged in such a way that surgery was required. A young child was bruised and continues to wake up screaming several times every night. Other physical injuries that frequently result from drunk driving crashes include:

• Brain and spinal cord injuries

• Internal bleeding

• Organ damage

• Facial injuries and disfigurement

Physical injuries are not the only wounds victims can suffer. The toddler who keeps waking throughout the night likely has PTSD, repeatedly reliving the terror, and he might suffer from lack of sleep.

What Long-Term Effects Can Drunk Driving Collisions Cause?

Some victims fully heal over time, but some suffer from long-term physical, emotional, or mental damage. Physical injuries can lead to permanent disabilities, possibly leaving the victim unable to earn an income while facing astronomical expenses associated with the disability.

Drunk driving accident victims can lose their enjoyment of life, be permanently disfigured, and experience other forms of pain and suffering. When these crashes claim lives, surviving family members face various losses along with a sense of outrage that a negligent driver caused the death. Whether you are an injured victim or are looking for compensation through a wrongful death action, working with a skilled lawyer dramatically increases your chance of a maximum payout.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer for a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

Most people believe that insurance companies will offer a fair amount on their claims. Sadly, insurers typically try to pay only the bare minimum that does not reflect a victim’s long-term expenses and intangible losses.

You may need lifelong medical care and home renovations due to your new disability, and you might be unable to work and provide for your family. Along with the financial toll, your quality of life can be significantly diminished. You likely qualify for various categories of compensation, but unless you know how to calculate your damages, you likely will not receive as much as you are entitled to. Not only does your lawyer know how to evaluate your damages accurately, but we also know how to fight the insurance companies to see you collect a favorable amount.

Call a Skilled Orland Park, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

The decision to drive while intoxicated can have an extensive ripple effect when an accident results. Issa Law, LLC can help you hold that driver responsible for the long-term consequences he or she caused. Call us at 708-966-2408 or contact us online to arrange your free case review with our dedicated Orland Park, IL personal injury attorney.