Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Kingdom City, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Kingdom City, MO. We all have a duty to other people to observe the rules of the road and prioritize each other's safety. When another driver gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making an extremely selfish and irresponsible choice. If you or a family member was harmed as a result of that decision, you have a right to seek justice in the form of financial compensation. Car accidents and their injuries are always unanticipated, and the financial consequences from medical bills and lost wages are instant and harsh. Halvorsen Klote's Kingdom City, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have committed their careers to giving the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high standard of legal advocacy that large insurance companies 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 | Kingdom City, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Although drunk driving fatalities have declined 45 percent since 1982, there are still far too many people on the Kingdom City, MO roads who put others at risk by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and injure you, the Kingdom City, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will fight for you to make sure they are held accountable and you collect the best possible financial recovery you need to heal.
According to reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die each day in drunk driving wrecks, which adds up to one person 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 acknowledged driving after drinking too much within the last 30 days. The annual cost of drunk driving wrecks nationwide totals 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 found that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal crashes in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 drivers who perished and were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been hurt by a drunk driver in Kingdom City, 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? | Kingdom City, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is against the law for someone to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of a motor vehicle:
- With a blood alcohol concentration of over .08
- While impaired by alcohol
- While impaired by alcoholand/or illegal substances to an extent that renders the person incapable of driving safely
The two states differ somewhat in terms of penalties:
Missouri
- First offense: Up to 6 months in jail, fines no greater than $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and potentially having the ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle.
- 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 in your car 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 in your car for at least 6 months.
Illinois
- First offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fines not exceeding $2,500 and a license revocation of 1 year.
- Second offense: A range of 5 to 364 days in prison, fines up to $2,500 and a license revocation of 5 years.
- Third offense: A range of 10 days to 7 years in prison, fines up to $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.
Though it may be encouraging that there are harsh punishments for people who drive while intoxicated, criminal penalties don't help you get compensation for your injuries. Sometimes, drunk drivers can avoid a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lower charge. The Kingdom City, 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 informational links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Kingdom City, 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 Liable for My Injuries? | Kingdom City, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is obviously at fault for your damages under the negligence per se doctrine, there may be other people who are responsible. Missouri and Illinois both have what we call dram shop laws, through which your drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold a bar, or other licensed alcohol vendor responsible. Again, the laws vary between the two states:
Missouri
Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must prove two things in order to secure a victory in a dram shop case:
- If the patron was "visibly intoxicated," meaning they showed:
- Considerably uncoordinated physical behavior
- Extreme physical dysfunction
- If the restaurant or bartender or server was aware of the fact that 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 prove fault. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers must demonstrate the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Stumbling
- Slurring when they talk
- Spilling their drink
- Knocking other people over
- Considerably impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is unusual in that the person who injured you did not need to be "visibly intoxicated" in order for a vendor to be responsible. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, allows someone injured by a drunk driver to make a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship was established, meaning you can show that the bought alcohol at that specific bar.
- You can demonstrate that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant was a factor the drunk driver's drunkenness.
- You can prove that the driver's drunkenness was the proximate cause of your injuries.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller has to set liability caps for Dram Shop cases. As of January 20, 2022 those maximums are:
- $77,787.30 for each person who suffered damages
- $95,073.37 per person when an injury or death caused either loss of support or loss of society.
What Compensation Can I Collect? | Kingdom City, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The recovery you receive will be based on the seriousness of your injuries and the knowledge of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to deliver you great compensation for:
Economic damages, including:
- Lost wages for time you could not work due to your injuries
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries cause a disability that doesn't allow you to perform the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical costs, for instance
- Emergency room visits
- Follow up doctors appointments
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as crutches or needed improvements to your home
- Future approximated medical costs, such as further physical therapy or medication, 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, for instance:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Kingdom City, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, tenacity, and legal talent needed to get you the great compensation that you are entitled to.
Other cases we take in Kingdom City, 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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Kingdom City, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because another person made a reckless decision, and you do not need to navigate this difficult time by yourself. The Kingdom City, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are compassionate, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers responsible in Kingdom City, MO for their irresponsible behavior. 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 Kingdom City, 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.
