Intoxicated or impaired driving often leads to dangerous situations out on local Chicago streets. While in some cases other drivers are able to get out of the way of impaired drivers, in other situations, the victims of impaired drivers cannot do anything to prevent bad accidents. A recent incident in Maywood highlights how serious impaired driving accidents can be for their victims.
Three people were injured after an impaired driver hit a Pace bus and then traveled into a crosswalk. Though one of the victims escaped the accident with less significant injuries, two of the pedestrian victims were taken to the hospital with more serious injuries.
The 24-year-old driver has been charged with aggravated DUI and allegedly had three different drugs in his system at the time of the crash. He also had a prior warrant issued against him for possessing a controlled substance. While the criminal court sorts out those charges, his victims may contemplate civil actions for the recovery of their damages.
Civil and criminal courts differ as to who may file charges and what claims are available. Individuals who suffer personal injuries at the hands of others may have legal rights to pursue particular personal injury claims such as negligence. Personal injury attorneys can advise such victims of their rights and the possible claims that are available, given their situations.
As the victims of this accident work to recover at Loyola University Medical Center, the impaired driver will face charges in criminal court. Depending upon other factors unique to this story, his victims may choose to also subject him to civil claims in an attempt to recover their accident-related damages.
Source: CBS 2 Chicago, “Man Charged With DUI In Pace Bus Crash That Injured 3 Pedestrians,” Feb. 16, 2014
