At the Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis drunk driving accident attorney knows how quickly an intoxicated driver can change our clients’ lives. Every year, there are thousands of drunk driving crashes in Missouri that injure hundreds of people — not including the negligent driver who got behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
Last year alone, 26.7% of all traffic accident fatalities in Missouri were alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.
With summer in full swing, holidays bring drunk driving arrests, crashes, injuries, and fatalities to their highest numbers across the nation, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If you are hit by a drunk driver, either while on foot, on your bicycle, a motorcycle, or inside another vehicle, proving the vehicle operator was intoxicated can help build your personal injury case for success.
Call the Police Directly After Your Accident Occurs
If you are physically able, call the police immediately after your crash occurs. Once law enforcement responds to the scene of the crash, they can administer a breathalyzer or transport the driver to the hospital to draw blood and learn what is in his or her system.
If the driver is found to be intoxicated or under the influence of illegal drugs, he or she will be arrested and charged with all applicable crimes associated with the collision.
How Does a Drunk Driver’s Criminal Case Impact My Personal Injury Case?
Your personal injury case is a civil matter, whereas a drunk driving arrest and its consequences will unfold in a criminal court.
If the driver who hit you is convicted of a DUI, the facts of the case will be public record, which means they can be used as evidence during financial compensation negotiations with the insurance company.
Can I File a Wrongful Death Claim If My Loved One Was Killed By a Drunk Driver in Missouri?
When someone is killed in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, their eligible surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party’s insurance company to pursue the financial recovery they are entitled to.
While each family’s recoverable damages are unique, the compensation options may include funeral and burial expenses, lost income and benefits the deceased would have contributed to the household, and the loss of care and consortium once provided by the family’s lost loved one.
At the Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis wrongful death lawyer will review the circumstances of your case during a free consultation, so you can pursue justice.
Call Our Missouri Drunk Driving Accident and Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have hurt or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident in Missouri, contact our experienced personal injury attorney in St. Louis today to review your case by calling (314) 370-8173 or contacting us online to schedule a free consultation.
