Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers St. Peters, MO
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Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in St. Peters, MO. We all have a responsibility to other people to obey the rules of the road and keep each other safe. When another driver gets behind the wheel when they're drunk, they're making an extremely self-centered and thoughtless decision. If you or someone you love was hurt due to that decision, you deserve to pursue justice in the form of financial compensation. Motor vehicle accidents and the subsequent injuries are always unanticipated, and the financial repercussions from medical expenses and lost wages are instant and profound. Halvorsen Klote's St. Peters, MO drunk driving accident lawyers have devoted their careers to offering 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 somebody made the awful decision to drive drunk, call HK Law today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online.
Drunk Driving Statistics | St. Peters, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
Although drunk driving fatalities have decreased by almost half since 1982, there are still far too many people on the St. Peters, MO roads who endanger others by drinking and driving. When they do and hurt you, the St. Peters, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote will fight for you to ensure they are held responsible and you collect the great financial recovery you need to heal.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die every day in drunk driving accidents, which amounts to one fatality every 52 minutes, and more than 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 admitted to driving after having too much to drink within the previous month. The yearly cost associated with drunk driving collisions in the United States totals over $44 billion.
The Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium found that in 2021 alcohol and drug impaired driving contributed to 4,027 car crash 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 reports that almost 20 percent of the 1,088 fatal wrecks in the state could be contributed to alcohol. Of 448 drivers who died and were tested for alcohol, 37.1 percent tested positive.
If you've been hurt because someone else drove drunk in St. Peters, 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. Peters, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
In both Missouri and Illinois, it is against the law for a person to drive or be in ”actual physical control” of an automobile:
- With a BAC of over .08
- While impaired by alcohol
- While impaired by alcoholand/or illegal substances to an extent that makes the person incapable of driving safely
The two states differ a little in terms of consequences:
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 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 on your vehicle for at least 6 months.
- Third offense: Up to 4 years in jail, fine not exceeding $10,000, a license revocation of 10 years and the an ignition-blocking breathalyzer placed on your vehicle 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 no greater than $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 for a decade.
Even though it may be encouraging that there are stiff penalties for people who drive while intoxicated, it doesn't help you get compensation for your injuries. Sometimes, drunk drivers can evade a criminal conviction or plead guilty to a lower charge. The St. Peters, 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 compensation for your damages.
Below are some useful links and FAQs from your HK Law Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers in St. Peters, 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? | St. Peters, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While a drunk driver is clearly responsible for your damages under the negligence per se doctrine, there could be other people who are responsible. Missouri and Illinois each have what are referred to dram shop laws, through which your drunk driving accident lawyers can help you hold a bar, or other licensed alcohol vendor responsible. Again, the laws are a little different in each state:
Missouri
Following Missouri Revised Statute §537.053, your drunk driving accident lawyers must show two things in order to win a dram shop case:
- If the drunk driver was "visibly intoxicated," which means they showed:
- Significantly 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 states that a blood alcohol content of more than .08% by itself is not prima facie, or lawfully sufficient to demonstrate liability. You and your drunk driving accident lawyers will have to prove the establishment and their employees saw physical impairment, such as:
- Falling
- Slurring when they talk
- Tipping over their drink
- Knocking objects over
- Substantially impaired motor movements
Illinois
Illinois's Dram Shop Law is relatively liberal in that the person who injured you did not need to be "visibly intoxicated" for a restaurant to be to blame. 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 prove that the vendor sold the drunk driver alcohol.
- You can show that the alcohol sold by the bar caused the drunk driver's intoxication.
- You can prove that the driver's drunkenness was the proximate cause of your damages.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller is obligated to set liability maximums for Dram Shop claims. As of January 20, 2022 those caps are:
- $77,787.30 for each person incurring 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? | St. Peters, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
The recovery you collect will count on the significance of your injuries and the skill of your drunk driving accident lawyers. When you hire Halvorsen Klote, we'll fight to deliver you a complete financial recovery for:
Economic damages, including:
- Lost wages for time spent off work recovering
- Lost earning potential if your injuries result in a disability that disallows you from performing the tasks of your job anymore
- Medical expenses, including
- Emergency room bills
- Subsequent doctors visits
- Surgeries
- Physical rehabilitation
- Prescriptions
- In-home medical care
- Assistive devices such as crutches or necessary upgrades to your vehicle
- Future approximated medical costs, such as further physical therapy or prescriptions, or replacement costs for assistive devices or joint replacements
- Transportation costs to and from medical care
- Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle
Noneconomic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Loss of consortium
The St. Peters, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote have the experience, persistence, and legal talent needed to secure you the great compensation that you are owed.
Other personal injury cases we take in St. Peters, 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. Peters, 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 go through this confusing process by yourself. The St. Peters, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Halvorsen Klote are empathetic, talented, and experienced in holding drunk drivers liable in St. Peters, MO for their irresponsible behavior. We keep you informed throughout the entire legal process, and give you every piece of information you require to make the best decision for you and your family. Call the St. Peters, 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.
