Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Oakville, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Oakville, MO. We all have a responsibility to each other to heed the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another person gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making an incredibly self-centered and careless choice. If you or a family member was hurt as a consequence that decision, you deserve to seek justice in the form of financial compensation. Motor vehicle crashes and the subsequent injuries are always unanticipated, and the financial effects from medical expenses and lost wages are immediate and profound. Halvorsen Klote's Oakville, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have pledged their careers to giving the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high quality legal advocacy that large insurance companies have. If you were injured because another person made the horrible decision to drive drunk, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | Oakville, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While drunk driving fatalities have diminished by almost half since 1982, there are still far too many people on the Oakville, MO roads who endanger others by drinking and driving. When they do and hurt you, the Oakville, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and make certain they are held responsible and you are awarded the best possible compensation you need to heal.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die every 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 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 was a factor in 4,027 auto collision injuries and 287 fatalities, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic-related injuries and fatalities, respectively.
The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts states that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal collisions in the state could be contributed to 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 Oakville, 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? | Oakville, 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 a motor vehicle:
- With a BAC of over .08
- While under the influence of alcohol
- While under the influence of 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 not exceeding $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 not exceeding $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 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 not exceeding $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 up to $25,000 and a license revocation of 10 years.
Even though it may be encouraging that there are strict punishments for people who drive while intoxicated, it doesn't help you get compensation for your damages. Sometimes, drunk drivers can avoid a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a less serious charge. The Oakville, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them liable in your civil case and get you maximum compensation for your injuries.
Below are some helpful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in Oakville, 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? | Oakville, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is obviously to blame for your damages according to the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other parties who are at fault. Missouri and Illinois both have what we call dram shop laws, whereby your drunk driving accident lawyers can assist you in holding a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor responsible. Again, the statutes are somewhat different in each state:
Missouri
Pursuant to 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 patron was "visibly intoxicated," meaning they exhibited:
- Significantly 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 stipulates that a blood alcohol content of over .08% by itself is not prima facie, or lawfully sufficient to demonstrate 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
- Slurred speech
- Tipping over their drink
- Knocking objects over
- Considerably impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is relatively liberal in that the person who caused you injury did not have to be "visibly intoxicated" in order for a vendor to be at fault. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, permits someone injured by a drunk driver to bring a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship was established, meaning you can demonstrate that the bought alcohol at that specific restaurant.
- You can show that the alcohol sold by the bar was a factor the drunk driver's drunkenness.
- You can show that the driver's drunkenness was the proximate cause of your injuries.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is required to set liability limits for Dram Shop claims. 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 Receive? | Oakville, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The compensation you collect will count on the seriousness of your injuries and the talent of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to get you full compensation for:
Economic damages, for instance:
- Lost wages for time spent off work recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries lead to an impairment that doesn't allow you to perform the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical bills, such as
- Emergency room visits
- Subsequent doctors visits
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Prescriptions
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as crutches or necessary upgrades 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 appointments
- Property damage, for example damage to your vehicle
Noneconomic damages, for instance:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The Oakville, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, tenacity, and legal knowledge necessary to get you the great financial recovery that you deserve.
Other personal injury cases we take in Oakville, 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
Oakville, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because somebody else made an irresponsible decision, and you do not need to navigate this trying time by yourself. The Oakville, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are understanding, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers responsible in Oakville, MO for their careless actions. 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 Oakville, 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.
