Being injured in a car crash is traumatic enough, but it can be even more emotionally complicated when the driver who caused the accident was a friend. In Missouri, passengers are frequently injured in DUI-related crashes, often with severe consequences.
If you were hurt as a passenger, you may wonder: Can I sue the person behind the wheel—even if they’re someone I know? The short answer is yes. Under Missouri law, passengers have the right to seek compensation when they are injured due to someone else’s negligence, including a friend who was driving under the influence.
At Gogel Law Firm, our St. Louis personal injury attorney understands the sensitive nature of these situations and provides clear, compassionate legal guidance to help you recover.
Understanding Passenger Rights in Missouri DUI Crashes
Missouri personal injury law is clear: anyone injured by another person’s negligence has the right to seek compensation for their losses. That includes passengers hurt by intoxicated drivers, even if the passenger voluntarily entered the vehicle.
Key elements of a DUI-related injury claim may include:
- The driver was operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The impaired driving directly caused the crash.
- You suffered injuries and related losses, including medical bills and lost income.
Importantly, you do not forfeit your right to compensation because the driver was a friend or someone you trusted.
Can I Sue Someone I Know?
This is the most common hesitation we hear from passengers who were injured in DUI crashes. While suing a friend may feel awkward or uncomfortable, it’s important to understand that in most cases, you are filing a claim against their insurance, not personally draining their bank account.
Auto insurance policies are designed to cover injury claims arising from negligence, including those caused by drunk driving. Holding a driver accountable ensures that your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses are fully addressed, without compromising your financial future.
What If I Knew the Driver Was Drunk?
This question often arises in DUI passenger injury cases. Missouri law follows a comparative fault system, meaning your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault—for example, if you knowingly got into a car with an intoxicated driver.
However, this does not automatically bar you from recovering damages. Even if assigned a portion of the blame, you may still be eligible to recover a percentage of your losses. These cases can be complex, so having experienced DUI legal representation is essential.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
As an injured passenger, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Emergency medical care and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages or diminished earning ability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement.
Every case is different, and our legal team will carefully evaluate the full impact of your injuries to pursue the maximum available compensation.
Let Gogel Law Firm Help You Move Forward
At Gogel Law Firm, we represent injured passengers throughout St. Louis and the surrounding communities. We understand the legal and emotional challenges that arise when a friend’s poor decision results in serious harm. We aim to help you secure the recovery you deserve while handling your case with the discretion and empathy it requires.
Contact us today at (314) 775-3864 or online for a free consultation to discuss your options and find out how we can help. You don’t have to go through this alone.
