Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers St. Charles, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in St. Charles, MO. We all owe it to other people to observe the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another driver drives drunk, they're making a ridiculously self-centered and irresponsible choice. If you or a loved one was injured as a result of that decision, you are entitled to seek justice in the form of financial compensation. Auto accidents and the injuries that come with them are always unforeseen, and the financial repercussions from medical bills and lost wages are instantaneous and harsh. Halvorsen Klote's St. Charles, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have dedicated their lives to giving the injured and vulnerable in Missouri and Southern Illinois the same high quality legal advocacy that large corporations have. If you were injured because someone made the terrible decision to drink and drive, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | St. Charles, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Though drunk driving fatalities have diminished 45 percent since 1982, there are still way too many people on the St. Charles, MO roads who put others at risk by getting behind the wheel drunk. When they do and hurt you, the St. Charles, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will stand by your side and ensure they are held responsible and you collect the full financial recovery you need to heal.
According to reporting from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people are killed each day in drunk driving collisions, which adds up to one person every 52 minutes, and over 10,000 people annually. According to data 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 month. The annual cost of drunk driving collisions in the United States is over $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium reports that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 car accident injuries and 287 deaths, 8 percent and 28 percent of the state's total traffic-related injuries and fatalities, respectively.
The Illinois 2020 Crash Facts found that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal accidents in the state involved alcohol. Of 448 drivers who perished and were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been injured by a drunk driver in St. Charles, 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? | St. Charles, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is criminal for someone to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of a motor vehicle:
- With a BAC of at least .08
- While under the influence of alcohol
- While under the influence of alcoholand/or illegal substances to an extent that renders the person unable to drive safely
The two states differ somewhat in terms of penalties:
Missouri
- First offense: Up to half a year in jail, fines no greater than $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 the ignition interlock device 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 in your car for a minimum of 6 months.
Illinois
- First offense: Up to 1 year in jail, fines no greater than $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's a good thing that there are strict penalties for drunk drivers, it doesn't help you get compensation for your damages. Sometimes, drunk drivers can evade a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lower charge. The St. Charles, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will still be able to hold them to blame 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 St. Charles, 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? | St. Charles, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is demonstrably to blame for your damages according to the negligence per se doctrine, there might be other people who are to blame. Missouri and Illinois each have what we call dram shop laws, through which your drunk driving accident lawyers can assist you in holding a restaurant, or other licensed alcohol vendor accountable. Again, the laws differ between the two states:
Missouri
According 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 drunk driver was "visibly intoxicated," which means they exhibited:
- Substantially uncoordinated physical behavior
- Significant physical dysfunction
- If the restaurant or their employee knew or "should have known" that the patron was under the age of 21
Revised Statute §537.053 also stipulates that a BAC of more than .08% by itself is not prima facie, or legally sufficient to demonstrate liability. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers will have to show the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Stumbling
- Slurring when they talk
- Dropping their drink
- Knocking other people over
- Significantly impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is atypical in that the person who injured you did not need to be "visibly intoxicated" for a restaurant to be liable. 235 ILCS 5/6-21, the Illinois Liquor Control Act, permits an injured person to bring a claim against a licensed liquor vendor if:
- A vendor-patron relationship existed, meaning you can demonstrate that the vendor sold the drunk driver alcohol.
- You can show that the alcohol sold by the bar or restaurant contributed to the drunk driver's inebriation.
- You can demonstrate that the driver's intoxication was the proximate cause of your damages.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is obligated to set liability limits for Dram Shop cases. As of January 20, 2022 those caps are:
- $77,787.30 for each individual who suffered 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 Recover? | St. Charles, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The financial recovery you collect will depend 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 complete compensation for:
Economic damages, for example:
- Lost wages for time spent off work recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in an impairment that doesn't allow you to carry out the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical costs, for example
- Emergency room bills
- Follow up doctors visits
- Surgeries
- Physical rehabilitation
- Prescriptions
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or required improvements to your vehicle
- Future estimated medical costs, 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 instance damage to your car
Noneconomic damages, for instance:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The St. Charles, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, persistence, and legal skills needed to deliver you the best possible financial recovery that you are owed.
Other cases we take in St. Charles, 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
St. Charles, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Halvorsen Klote
You should not have to pay because another person made a careless decision, and you do not have to navigate this trying time alone. The St. Charles, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are understanding, skilled, and experienced in holding drunk drivers liable in St. Charles, MO for their careless actions. We keep you informed throughout the entire legal process, and give you every piece of information you need to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the St. Charles, 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.
