St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Hit by a drunk driver in St. Louis, MO?

A car accident is already such an infuriating experience. It’s only made worse when it’s the fault of an irresponsible drunk driver. The need for justice is heavy, especially when you’ve sustained significant injuries as a result of their negligent criminal behavior.

While drunk drivers are prosecuted in criminal court, you still need the legal help of a St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer in order to take civil action. Whether you want to bring a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit, an experienced car accident attorney is essential in any car accident case.

As a drunk driving accident victim, you have enough on your plate. Let Jett Legal help ease the burden, starting with a free case evaluation.

Drunk Driving Laws in Missouri

Each year, 25% to 30% of fatal Missouri crashes involve drunk drivers. Therefore, the chances that you may end up in a drunk driving accident aren’t necessarily small.

Since there’s so much risk in driving under the influence, driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08% is prohibited and punishable by law in the Show-Me State. An intoxicated driver may be charged with a felony under Missouri law if they cause an accident resulting in injury or death or if they abandon the scene of the crash.

Possible Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

When someone is driving while intoxicated, their reflexes are slower and their response time in urgent traffic situations is longer. As a result, drunk driving crashes can cause devastating injuries since the driver is often going faster and driving more recklessly than in a typical car accident case.

Impaired driving accidents often result in injuries that include:

• Lacerations and burns
• Soft tissue damage
• Organ damage
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Wrongful death

If you or a loved one have sustained serious or catastrophic injuries as a result of intoxicated drivers, drunk driving accident lawyers can help you seek fair compensation for all your damages.

What Damages Can Be Recovered After St. Louis Drunk Driving Accidents?

In any car accident, there are typically two different types of damages that can be recovered: Economic and non-economic damages. In cases where the at-fault driver was intoxicated, the injured person may also be able to seek punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Also called “compensatory damages,” economic damages are those that cause the injury victims direct financial loss. They can include:

• Medical expenses
• Vehicle repairs
• Lost wages

Economic damages are verifiable and easily calculated using car repair estimates, medical records, and wage statements.

Non-economic Damages

Not all loss experienced after an accident can be easily measured, and that’s where non-economic damages come into play.

Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Disability or disfigurement
• Reduced earning capabilities
• Loss of enjoyment in life
• Loss of companionship in cases of wrongful death

These are the losses that, while they’re more difficult to put a price tag on, are often even more devastating than direct financial costs experienced by the injury victim.

Punitive Damages

When an at-fault party has acted in a particularly reckless or deliberate fashion and has caused injury or other damages, Missouri courts may award punitive damages.

The purpose of punitive damages in cases of drunk driving accidents is to punish the culprit and make an example of them, hopefully leading to other individuals being deterred from behaving in a similar way.

Intoxicated driving is known to be dangerous and reckless behavior, so it’s possible that punitive damages may be piled on top of any economic and non-economic damages in a drunk driving case.

An Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help

Drunk driving injuries are often significant and more frequently lead to fatalities. Those who survive will see that the expense of treating serious injuries might be very high.

A person with a permanent disability can face continued medical bills or long-term care for the rest of their lives. Because of this, the costs associated with a DUI accident might reach thousands of dollars.

A St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer can assist you in getting fair compensation if a drunk driver has harmed you. Our St. Louis drunk driving accident attorneys are available right now. Call our office to schedule a free consultation.