Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Maryland Heights, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Maryland Heights, MO. We all have a duty to each other to act in accordance with 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 someone you love was injured as a result of that decision, you deserve to pursue justice through a financial recovery. Auto accidents and the injuries that accompany them are always unanticipated, and the financial repercussions from medical expenses and lost wages are immediate and harsh. Halvorsen Klote's Maryland Heights, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have dedicated their careers to offering the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high quality legal representation that large insurance companies 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.
Drunk Driving Statistics | Maryland Heights, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While drunk driving deaths have decreased by almost half since 1982, there are still way too many people on the Maryland Heights, MO roads who endanger others by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and injure you, the Maryland Heights, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and ensure they are held responsible and you receive the best possible financial recovery you need to heal.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die each day in drunk driving collisions, which amounts to one person every 52 minutes, and over 10,000 people annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in both Illinois and Missouri, 2.2 percent of drivers confessed driving after drinking too much within the previous month. The yearly cost of drunk driving crashes nationwide adds up to more than $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium reports that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving was a factor in 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 found that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal collisions in the state could be contributed to alcohol. Of 448 deceased drivers who were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been hurt by a drunk driver in Maryland Heights, 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? | Maryland Heights, 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 over .08
- While impaired by alcohol
- While impaired by alcoholand/or illegal substances 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 6 months in jail, fines up to $1,000, a license revocation of 30 days and potentially having the ignition interlock device placed in your car.
- Second offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fine of up to $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 up to $10,000, a license revocation of 10 years and the the ignition interlock device placed in your car 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 up to $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.
Although it may be encouraging that there are harsh penalties for drunk drivers, it doesn't help you recover compensation for your damages. Once in a while, drunk drivers can get out of a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a less serious charge. The Maryland Heights, 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 financial recovery for your injuries.
The following are some helpful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Maryland Heights, 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? | Maryland Heights, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is clearly to blame for your injuries under the negligence per se doctrine, there may be other people who are to blame. Missouri and Illinois each have what are referred to dram shop laws, whereby your drunk driving accident lawyers can assist you in holding a bar, or other licensed alcohol vendor liable. Again, the laws differ between the two states:
Missouri
According to Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must prove two things in order to be successful a dram shop case:
- If the customer was "visibly intoxicated," which means they exhibited:
- Substantially uncoordinated physical behavior
- Considerable physical dysfunction
- If the bar 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 above .08% by itself is not prima facie, or legally sufficient to demonstrate fault. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers need to demonstrate the bar or restaurant and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Falling over
- Slurring when they talk
- Spilling their drink
- Knocking objects over
- Extremely impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is relatively liberal in that the person who caused you injury did not need to be "visibly intoxicated" for a vendor to be to blame. 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 show that the vendor sold the drunk driver alcohol.
- You can demonstrate that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant 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 is obliged to set liability caps for Dram Shop cases. As of January 20, 2022 those caps are:
- $77,787.30 for each person who sustained 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? | Maryland Heights, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The compensation you receive will be based on the gravity of your injuries and the talent of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to deliver you the best possible financial recovery for:
Economic damages, including:
- Lost wages for time spent off work recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries lead to an impairment that doesn't allow you to carry out the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical bills, for instance
- Emergency room visits
- Follow up doctors appointments
- Surgeries
- Physical rehabilitation
- 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 medication, 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, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Maryland Heights, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, persistence, and legal skills required to deliver you the great compensation that you are entitled to.
Other personal injury cases we take in Maryland Heights, 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
Maryland Heights, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because someone else made a selfish decision, and you do not need to navigate this difficult time by yourself. The Maryland Heights, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are compassionate, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers liable in Maryland Heights, MO for their careless actions. We keep you informed throughout the whole legal process, and give you every piece of information you need to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the Maryland Heights, 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.
