Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Crestwood, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Crestwood, MO. We all have a obligation to other people to obey the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another driver gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making a terribly self-centered and reckless decision. If you or a family member was harmed as a consequence that decision, you have a right to seek justice in the form of a financial recovery. Auto crashes and their injuries are always unforeseen, and the financial reverberations from medical costs and lost wages are instant and severe. Halvorsen Klote's Crestwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have dedicated 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 another person made the terrible decision to drink and drive, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | Crestwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Although drunk driving fatalities have declined 45 percent since 1982, there are still far too many people on the Crestwood, MO roads who put others in danger by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and end up injuring you, the Crestwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will fight on your behalf to make sure they are held accountable and you receive the best possible financial recovery you need to be made whole again.
According to reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed each day in drunk driving collisions, which adds up to one fatality every 52 minutes, and more than 10,000 people annually. 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 drinking too much in the last month. The yearly cost associated with drunk driving accidents in the United States totals more than $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium states that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 car wreck injuries and 287 deaths, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic injuries and fatalities, respectively.
The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts found that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal accidents in the state could be contributed to alcohol. Of 448 drivers who died and were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been harmed by a drunk driver in Crestwood, 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? | Crestwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is unlawful for somebody to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:
- With a BAC of over .08
- While under the influence of 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 somewhat in terms of penalties:
Missouri
- First offense: Up to half a year in jail, fines not exceeding $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and the chance of having an ignition-blocking breathalyzer 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 an ignition-blocking breathalyzer placed on your vehicle for at least 6 months.
- Third offense: Up to 4 years in jail, fine no greater than $10,000, a license revocation of 10 years 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 not exceeding $25,000 and a license revocation for a decade.
Even though it's a good thing that there are harsh consequences for people who drive drunk, it doesn't help you recover compensation for your damages. Sometimes, drunk drivers can get out of a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lesser charge. The Crestwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them accountable in your civil case and get you great compensation for your injuries.
The following are some useful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Crestwood, 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 to Blame for My Injuries? | Crestwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is decidedly liable for your damages according to the negligence per se doctrine, there could be other people who are responsible. Missouri and Illinois both have what we call dram shop laws, wherein your drunk driving accident lawyers can assist you in holding a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor responsible. Again, the laws are a bit different in each state:
Missouri
Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must demonstrate two things in order to win a dram shop case:
- If the drunk driver was "visibly intoxicated," which means they exhibited:
- Substantially uncoordinated physical action
- Considerable physical dysfunction
- 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 BAC of over .08% by itself is not prima facie, or lawfully sufficient to demonstrate fault. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers must show the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Falling
- Slurring when they talk
- Spilling their drink
- Knocking other people over
- Significantly impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is uncommon in that the person who caused you harm did not need to be "visibly intoxicated" in order for a bar to be to blame. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, allows an injured person to bring a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship was established, meaning you can prove that the bought alcohol at that specific bar.
- You can prove that the alcohol sold by the vendor contributed to the drunk driver's intoxication.
- You can prove that the driver's inebriation was the proximate cause of your injuries.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is obligated to set liability limits for Dram Shop cases. 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 led to either loss of support or loss of society.
What Compensation Can I Recover? | Crestwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The financial recovery you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the talent of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to secure you a great financial recovery for:
Economic damages, including:
- Lost wages for time you could not work due to your injuries
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries cause an impairment that doesn't allow you to carry out the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical costs, for instance
- Emergency room visits
- Follow up doctors appointments
- Surgeries
- Physical rehabilitation
- Prescriptions
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as crutches or necessary upgrades to your vehicle
- Future estimated medical bills, such as further physical therapy or prescriptions, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
- Transportation costs related to your medical care
- Property damage, such as damage to your car
Noneconomic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Crestwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, perseverance, and legal talent needed to win you the great compensation that you are entitled to.
Other cases we take in Crestwood, 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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Crestwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because somebody else made a selfish decision, and you do not need to navigate this trying time alone. The Crestwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are empathetic, skilled, and experienced in holding drunk drivers liable in Crestwood, MO for their selfish behavior. We keep you informed throughout the entire legal process, and give you every piece of information you require to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the Crestwood, 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.
