Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Marlborough, MO
Call 817-51-HKLAW for a Free Consultation and Case Evaluation.
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Marlborough, MO. We all have a obligation to each other to observe the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another person gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making a terribly selfish and reckless decision. If you or someone you love was harmed as a result of that decision, you are entitled to pursue 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 instantaneous and harsh. Halvorsen Klote's Marlborough, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have pledged their lives to offering the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high quality legal advocacy that large corporations have. If you were injured because another person made the dreadful decision to drive drunk, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | Marlborough, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Though drunk driving deaths have diminished by almost half since 1982, there are still much too many people on the Marlborough, MO roads who endanger others by drinking and driving. When they do and harm you, the Marlborough, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and ensure they are held responsible and you get the best possible financial recovery you need to heal.
As stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed every day in drunk driving wrecks, which adds up to one death every 52 minutes, and more than 10,000 people a year. According to reporting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in both Illinois and Missouri, 2.2 percent of drivers acknowledged driving after having too much to drink in the last 30 days. The annual cost of drunk driving accidents in the United States is over $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium found that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 motor vehicle wreck 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 reports that almost one-fifth of the 1,088 fatal wrecks in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been injured because somebody else drove drunk in Marlborough, 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? | Marlborough, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is criminal for somebody to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of a motor vehicle:
- With a blood alcohol concentration of at least .08
- While impaired by alcohol
- While under the influence of alcoholand/or illegal substances 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 6 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and the chance of having an ignition-blocking breathalyzer placed on your vehicle.
- Second offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fine not exceeding $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 not exceeding $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 up to $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 of 10 years.
Although it's a good thing that there are strict consequences for people who drive while intoxicated, criminal penalties don't help you collect compensation for your injuries. Occasionally, drunk drivers can evade a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lesser charge. The Marlborough, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them responsible in your civil case and get you a complete financial recovery for your damages.
The following are some helpful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Marlborough, 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? | Marlborough, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is clearly liable for your damages under the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other parties who are at fault. Missouri and Illinois both have what are referred to dram shop laws, whereby your drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold a bar, or other licensed alcohol vendor accountable. Again, the rules 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 secure a victory in a dram shop case:
- If the customer was "visibly intoxicated," which means they showed:
- Extreme uncoordinated physical behavior
- Substantial physical dysfunction
- If the bar or bartender or server was aware or should have been aware of the fact that the patron was under the age of 21
Revised Statute §537.053 also stipulates that a blood alcohol content of over .08% by itself is not prima facie, or legally sufficient to support fault. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers will have to show the bar or restaurant and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Falling over
- Slurring when they talk
- Tipping over their drink
- Knocking other people over
- Significantly impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is unusual in that the person who caused you injury 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 harmed by a drunk driver to make a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship existed, meaning you can show that the vendor sold the drunk driver alcohol.
- You can demonstrate that the alcohol sold by the vendor caused the drunk driver's inebriation.
- You can demonstrate that the driver's inebriation was the proximate cause of your damages.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is obliged to set liability caps for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those maximums are:
- $77,787.30 for each individual who suffered 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 Collect? | Marlborough, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The financial recovery you receive will count on the gravity of your injuries and the knowledge of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to get you the best possible compensation for:
Economic damages, including:
- Lost wages for time spent off work recovering
- 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 visits
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Medication
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as crutches or required improvements 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 appointments
- Property damage, for example damage to your car
Noneconomic damages, for example:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Marlborough, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, perseverance, and legal talent necessary to secure you the best possible financial recovery that you deserve.
Other cases we take in Marlborough, 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
Marlborough, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because someone else made a careless decision, and you do not need to navigate this trying time by yourself. The Marlborough, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are kind, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers accountable in Marlborough, MO for their careless behavior. We keep you informed throughout the duration of your case, and give you every piece of information you need to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the Marlborough, 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.
