Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Shrewsbury, MO

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

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Shrewsbury, MO. We all have a duty to each other to heed the rules of the road and value each other's safety. When another driver gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making a terribly selfish and reckless choice. If you or a loved one was injured as a result of that decision, you have a right to pursue justice in the form of financial compensation. Motor vehicle crashes and the injuries that accompany them are always unexpected, and the financial reverberations from medical expenses and lost wages are immediate and harsh. Halvorsen Klote's Shrewsbury, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have devoted their careers to giving the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high quality legal representation that large corporations have. If you were injured because someone made the selfish decision to drink and drive, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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Drunk Driving Statistics | Shrewsbury, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

While drunk driving fatalities have declined 45 percent since 1982, there are still far too many people on the Shrewsbury, MO roads who endanger others by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and end up injuring you, the Shrewsbury, 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 full compensation you need to be made whole again.

As stated by reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed each day in drunk driving crashes, which amounts to one person 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 confessed driving after having too much to drink in the last 30 days. The annual cost of drunk driving collisions 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 collision injuries and 287 fatalities, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic injuries and deaths, respectively.

The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts reports that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal accidents 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 injured because somebody else drove drunk in Shrewsbury, 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? | Shrewsbury, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

In both Missouri and Illinois, it is against the law for somebody to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:

• With a BAC of at least .08
• While impaired by alcohol
• While impaired by alcohol, intoxicating compounds, drugs, or a combination thereof to the point that a person is rendered incapable of driving safely

The two states differ a bit 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 the chance of having the ignition interlock device placed on your vehicle.
• 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 a minimum of 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 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 not exceeding $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 stiff consequences for people who drive drunk, criminal penalties don't help you collect compensation for your injuries. Sometimes, drunk drivers can evade a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lesser charge. The Shrewsbury, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them accountable 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 Shrewsbury, 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 at Fault for My Injuries? | Shrewsbury, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

While a drunk driver is unmistakably responsible for your damages pursuant to the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other parties who are at fault. Missouri and Illinois each 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 liable. Again, the statutes differ between the two states:

Missouri

Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must demonstrate two things in order to win a dram shop case:

1. If the drunk driver was "visibly intoxicated," which means they exhibited:
• Considerably uncoordinated physical action
• Extreme physical dysfunction
2. If the bar or their employee knew 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% by itself is not prima facie, or legally sufficient to prove fault. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers need to prove the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:

• Falling down
• Slurred speech
• Tipping over 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 at fault. 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 existed, meaning you can show that the bought alcohol at that specific restaurant.
• You can prove that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant contributed to the drunk driver's drunkenness.
• You can demonstrate that the driver's inebriation was the proximate cause of your damages.

Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is required to set liability maximums for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those maximums are:

• $77,787.30 for each person incurring 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 Recover? | Shrewsbury, 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 a complete financial recovery for:

Economic damages, for instance:

• Lost wages for time you could not work as a result of your injuries
• Lost earning capacity if your injuries lead to an impairment that prohibits you from performing the tasks of your job anymore
• Medical expenses, for instance
  • Emergency room bills
  • Subsequent doctors visits
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Medication
  • In-home medical care
  • Assistive devices such as crutches or needed improvements to your vehicle
  • Future estimated medical costs, such as further physical therapy or medication, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
  • Transportation costs to and from medical treatment
  • Property damage, such as damage to your car

Noneconomic damages, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Inconvenience
• Physical impairment
• Disfigurement
• Loss of capacity to enjoy life
• Loss of consortium

The Shrewsbury, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, tenacity, and legal knowledge required to win you the great financial recovery that you are owed.

Other personal injury cases we take in Shrewsbury, 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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Shrewsbury, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote

You should not have to pay because another person made a reckless decision, and you do not have to navigate this difficult time by yourself. The Shrewsbury, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are understanding, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers liable in Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.

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