Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Columbia, MO

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Call 817-51-HKLAW for a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Columbia, MO. We all owe it to each other to respect the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another driver gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making an incredibly selfish and reckless decision. If you or a family member was hurt due to that decision, you have a right to pursue justice in the form of financial compensation. Motor vehicle crashes and their injuries are always unforeseen, and the financial consequences from medical costs and lost wages are instant and severe. Halvorsen Klote's Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have dedicated their careers to giving the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high standard of legal representation that large corporations have. If you were injured because someone made the horrible decision to drink and drive, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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Drunk Driving Statistics | Columbia, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Although drunk driving fatalities have diminished 45 percent since 1982, there are still much too many people on the Columbia, MO roads who endanger others by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and harm you, the Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will fight on your behalf to ensure they are held accountable and you get the maximum financial recovery you need to heal.

As stated by data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die every day in drunk driving accidents, which amounts to one fatality every 52 minutes, and over 10,000 people a year. According to data from 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 in the previous month. The yearly cost associated with drunk driving collisions in the United States is more than $44 billion.

The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium found that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving was a factor in 4,027 auto crash injuries and 287 fatalities, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic-related injuries and deaths, respectively.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts states that 19.7 percent of the 1,088 fatal collisions in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 drivers who perished and were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.

If you've been harmed because another person drove drunk in Columbia, 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? | Columbia, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

In both Missouri and Illinois, it is against the law for somebody to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:

• With a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08
• While impaired by alcohol
• While impaired by alcohol, intoxicating compounds, drugs, or a combination thereof to the point that a person is rendered unable to drive safely

The two states differ a little in terms of consequences:

Missouri

• First offense: Up to half a year in jail, fines no greater than $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and the chance of having the ignition interlock device placed in your car.
• Second offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fine no greater than $2,000, a license revocation of 1 year and the ignition interlock device placed in your car for at least 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 on your vehicle 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 not exceeding $2,500 and a license revocation of 5 years.
• Third offense: A range of 10 days to 7 years in prison, fines no greater than $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.

Although it's a good thing that there are strict penalties for people who drive while intoxicated, it doesn't help you recover compensation for your injuries. Occasionally, drunk drivers can evade a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lower charge. The Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them accountable in your civil case and get you the best possible compensation for your damages.

Below are some informational links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Columbia, 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 at Fault for My Injuries? | Columbia, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

While a drunk driver is decidedly responsible for your injuries under the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other parties who are responsible. Missouri and Illinois both have what we call dram shop laws, through which your drunk driving accident lawyers can assist you in holding a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor accountable. Again, the statutes are somewhat different in each state:

Missouri

Following Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must show two things in order to secure a victory in a dram shop case:

1. If the patron was "visibly intoxicated," which means they exhibited:
• Significantly uncoordinated physical action
• Significant physical dysfunction
2. If the restaurant or their employee was aware of the fact that or "should have known" that the patron was under the age of 21

Revised Statute §537.053 also stipulates that a blood alcohol content of over .08% alone is not prima facie, or lawfully sufficient to demonstrate liability. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers need to demonstrate the bar or restaurant and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:

• Falling down
• Slurring when they talk
• Spilling their drink
• Knocking objects over
• Significantly impaired motor movements

Illinois

Illinois's Dram Shop Law is atypical in that the person who caused you harm did not have to be "visibly intoxicated" for a vendor to be at fault. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, permits an injured person to make a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:

• A vendor-patron relationship was established, meaning you can demonstrate that the vendor sold the drunk driver alcohol.
• You can show that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant contributed to the drunk driver's inebriation.
• You can demonstrate that the driver's intoxication was the proximate cause of your damages.

Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller has to set liability maximums for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those caps are:

• $77,787.30 for each individual who sustained damages
• $95,073.37 per individual when an injury or death caused either loss of support or loss of society.

What Compensation Can I Recover? | Columbia, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

The compensation you collect will count on the significance of your injuries and the knowledge of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to win you full compensation for:

Economic damages, for example:

• Lost wages for time you could not work as a result of your injuries
• Lost earning capacity if your injuries lead to an impairment that prohibits you from performing the tasks of your job anymore
• Medical bills, for example
  • Emergency room bills
  • Follow up doctors visits
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Medication
  • In-home medical care
  • Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or required improvements to your vehicle
  • Future approximated medical expenses, such as further physical therapy or medication, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
  • Transportation costs related to your medical treatment
  • Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle

Noneconomic damages, for example:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Inconvenience
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Loss of capacity to enjoy life
• Loss of consortium

The Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, tenacity, and legal skills necessary to win you the best possible compensation that you are entitled to.

Other cases we take in Columbia, 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

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Columbia, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote

You should not have to pay because another person made a selfish decision, and you do not need to go through this painful process alone. The Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are understanding, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers responsible in Columbia, MO for their reckless actions. We keep you informed throughout the duration of your case, and give you every piece of information you require to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the Columbia, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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