Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Kirkwood, MO

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

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Kirkwood, MO. We all have a responsibility to other people to heed the rules of the road and value each other's safety. When somebody drives drunk, they're making an extremely self-centered and reckless choice. If you or a loved one was injured because of that decision, you are entitled to seek justice through financial compensation. Auto crashes and the injuries that come with them are always unforeseen, and the financial repercussions from medical costs and lost wages are immediate and profound. Halvorsen Klote's Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have pledged their lives to offering 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 dreadful decision to drive drunk, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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Drunk Driving Statistics | Kirkwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Though drunk driving fatalities have decreased by almost half since 1982, there are still much too many people on the Kirkwood, MO roads who endanger others by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and hurt you, the Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and make certain they are held accountable and you get the maximum compensation you need to be made whole again.

According to reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die each day in drunk driving wrecks, which adds up to one death every 52 minutes, and more than 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 within the last 30 days. The yearly cost associated with drunk driving accidents in the United States totals more than $44 billion.

The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium reports that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 car wreck injuries and 287 fatalities, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total motor vehicle accident injuries and deaths, respectively.

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

If you've been injured because someone else drove drunk in Kirkwood, 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? | Kirkwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

In both Missouri and Illinois, it is criminal for a person to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:

• With a blood alcohol concentration of more than .08
• While under the influence of alcohol
• While under the influence of alcohol, intoxicating compounds, drugs, or a combination thereof to an extent that makes the person unable to drive safely

The two states differ somewhat 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 possibility of 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 a minimum of 6 months.
• Third offense: Up to 4 years in jail, fine no greater than $10,000, a license revocation for a decade and the the ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle for a minimum of 6 months.

Illinois

• First offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fines up to $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 no greater than $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.

Though it's a good thing that there are harsh consequences for drunk drivers, criminal penalties don't help you collect compensation for your injuries. Occasionally, drunk drivers can avoid a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a less serious charge. The Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them to blame 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 Kirkwood, 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? | Kirkwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

While a drunk driver is clearly at fault for your damages pursuant to the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other people who are responsible. Missouri and Illinois both have what we call dram shop laws, wherein your drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor responsible. Again, the laws are a little different in each state:

Missouri

Following 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:

1. If the patron was "visibly intoxicated," meaning they exhibited:
• Considerably uncoordinated physical behavior
• Considerable physical dysfunction
2. If the bar or their employee was aware or should have been aware of the fact that the patron was under the age of 21

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

• Stumbling
• Slurred speech
• Dropping their drink
• Knocking other people over
• Significantly 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" for a restaurant to be accountable. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, allows someone hurt by a drunk driver to make a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:

• A vendor-patron relationship existed, meaning you can prove that the bought alcohol at that specific restaurant.
• You can prove that the alcohol sold by the vendor contributed to 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 limits for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those caps are:

• $77,787.30 for each individual incurring damages
• $95,073.37 per person when an injury or death resulted in either loss of support or loss of society.

What Compensation Can I Receive? | Kirkwood, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

The financial recovery you receive will be based on the gravity of your injuries and the skill of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to get you a full financial recovery for:

Economic damages, for instance:

• Lost wages for time you could not work as a result of your injuries
• Lost earning potential if your injuries cause a disability that prohibits you from carrying out the tasks of your job anymore
• Medical bills, for instance
  • Emergency room visits
  • Follow up doctors visits
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Medication
  • 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 medication, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
  • Transportation costs related to your medical treatment
  • Property damage, for instance 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 Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, perseverance, and legal talent necessary to win you the great financial recovery that you deserve.

Other personal injury cases we take in Kirkwood, 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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Kirkwood, 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 difficult time by yourself. The Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are kind, skilled, and accomplished in holding drunk drivers liable in Kirkwood, MO for their irresponsible 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 Kirkwood, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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