Injured In An Accident Rights

If you are injured in an accident in the greater Chicago area, you are not without recourse. DUI in Illinois is considered a violent crime, and if you have been a victim of a DUI crime, you have the same rights as anyone involved in any other type of violent crime. According to the 2014 Illinois DUI Factbook, a victim of a DUI has the right to (including, but not limited to):

• Communicate with the prosecution;
• Have the case proceed in a timely manner following the arrest of the alleged DUI driver;
• Make a statement at sentencing in court;
• Be notified of any and all legal proceedings;
• Restitution (payments made to the victim or victim’s family following a violent crime).

Secretary of State Jesse White also notes that DUI-related crash victims have the right to “be treated with fairness and respected for their dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.”

This could mean the avoidance of news outlets or media attention, if the family so desires. Many DUI crashes are well-publicized news stories, though the victim or family of the victim may want to stay out of the limelight following the incident. If you feel that you are being disrespected or your privacy is being invaded following a DUI incident, the most important thing you can do is contact an Illinois accident attorney.

There were 37,126 DUI arrests in 2012, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Nearly all (93 percent) lost their driving privileges following arrest. Despite the bad odds for drivers who choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, 35 percent of all 2012 crash fatalities in Illinois were those involved in a DUI crash.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident or affected by a DUI crash in Illinois, contact Salvi & Maher, LLP today.