Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Fayette, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Fayette, MO. We all owe it to other people to act in accordance with the rules of the road and take into consideration each other's safety. When another driver drives drunk, they're making an incredibly selfish and thoughtless choice. If you or someone you love was hurt as a consequence that decision, you have a right to pursue justice through a financial recovery. Car wrecks and the injuries that accompany them are always unanticipated, and the financial consequences from medical bills and lost wages are immediate and severe. Halvorsen Klote's Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have pledged their careers to offering the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high standard of legal advocacy that large corporations have. If you were injured because someone made the selfish decision to drive drunk, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | Fayette, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Although drunk driving fatalities have declined by almost half since 1982, there are still way too many people on the Fayette, MO roads who endanger others by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and injure you, the Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and make certain they are held responsible and you receive the maximum compensation you need to heal.
As stated by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed each day in drunk driving crashes, which amounts to one fatality every 52 minutes, and over 10,000 people annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in both Illinois and Missouri, 2.2 percent of drivers admitted to driving after having too much to drink within the previous 30 days. The yearly cost of drunk driving collisions in the United States adds up to more than $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium reports that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 car accident injuries and 287 deaths, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic injuries and deaths, respectively.
The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts states that 19.7 percent of the 1,088 fatal crashes in the state could be contributed to alcohol. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been harmed by a drunk driver in Fayette, MO, call HK Law's drunk driving accident lawyers today at 817-51-HKLAW.
What Are the Drunk Driving Laws and Penalties in My State? | Fayette, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is against the law for a person to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:
- With a BAC of more than .08
- While impaired by alcohol
- While impaired by alcoholand/or illegal substances to an extent that makes the person incapable of driving safely
The two states differ a bit in terms of penalties:
Missouri
- First offense: Up to half a year in jail, fines no greater than $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and potentially having an ignition-blocking breathalyzer placed on your vehicle.
- Second offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fine of up to $2,000, a license revocation of 1 year and an ignition-blocking breathalyzer placed on your vehicle for a minimum of 6 months.
- Third offense: Up to 4 years in jail, fine up to $10,000, a license revocation for a decade and the the ignition interlock device placed in your car for at least 6 months.
Illinois
- First offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fines no greater than $2,500 and a license revocation of 1 year.
- Second offense: A range of 5 to 364 days in prison, fines no greater than $2,500 and a license revocation of 5 years.
- Third offense: A range of 10 days to 7 years in prison, fines not exceeding $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.
Though it may be encouraging that there are stiff penalties for drunk drivers, criminal penalties don't help you collect compensation for your injuries. Occasionally, drunk drivers can get out of a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lower charge. The Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them to blame in your civil case and get you maximum compensation for your damages.
The following are some useful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Fayette, MO:
- Ultimate Guide to Missouri Drunk Driving Accident Laws
- Who Is Liable in a Drunk Driving Accident?
- Can I Sue if My Loved One Was Killed by a Drunk Driver?
- Damages for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
- Can I Sue if I Was Hit by a Drunk Driver?
- What Do I Do if I'm Injured by a Drunk Driver?
Who is Responsible for My Injuries? | Fayette, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is unmistakably liable for your damages pursuant to the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other parties who are liable. Missouri and Illinois each have what we call dram shop laws, whereby your drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor accountable. Again, the statutes vary between the two states:
Missouri
According to Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must prove two things in order to win a dram shop case:
- If the customer was "visibly intoxicated," which means they displayed:
- Considerably uncoordinated physical behavior
- Considerable physical dysfunction
- If the restaurant or bartender or server knew or "should have known" that the patron was under the age of 21
Revised Statute §537.053 also states that a blood alcohol content of more than .08% alone is not prima facie, or lawfully sufficient to show liability. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers will have to show the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Staggering
- Slurred speech
- Dropping their drink
- Knocking objects over
- Considerably impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is uncommon in that the person who injured you did not have to be "visibly intoxicated" in order for a vendor to be at fault. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, allows someone injured by a drunk driver to file a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship existed, meaning you can show that the bought alcohol at that specific restaurant.
- You can prove that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant caused the drunk driver's drunkenness.
- You can show that the driver's inebriation was the proximate cause of your injuries.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller has to set liability caps for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those maximums are:
- $77,787.30 for each person who sustained damages
- $95,073.37 per individual when an injury or death resulted in either loss of support or loss of society.
What Compensation Can I Receive? | Fayette, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The compensation you collect will depend on the significance of your injuries and the talent of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to win you maximum compensation for:
Economic damages, for instance:
- Lost wages for time you could not work because of your injuries
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in a disability that doesn't allow you to perform the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical bills, for instance
- Emergency room bills
- Follow up doctors visits
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Prescriptions
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or required upgrades to your vehicle
- Future estimated medical costs, such as further physical therapy or prescriptions, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
- Transportation costs to and from medical treatment
- Property damage, such as damage to your car
Noneconomic damages, for instance:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, perseverance, and legal talent needed to get you the great financial recovery that you are entitled to.
Other cases we take in Fayette, MO are:
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Call HK Law Today
Fayette, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because another driver made a careless decision, and you do not need to go through this difficult process alone. The Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are understanding, skilled, and experienced in holding drunk drivers accountable in Fayette, MO for their careless actions. We keep you informed throughout the whole legal process, and give you every piece of information you require to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the Fayette, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
Samantha Orlowski
Attorney at Law
Samantha Orlowski is a practicing attorney Halvorsen Klote.
Samantha joined Halvorsen Klote in 2018 as a law clerk and has since become a practicing attorney. Sam's number one priority is to provide individualized experiences for each client to achieve the best results.
