MAKING YOU WHOLE AGAIN AFTER A DRUNK DRIVER’S TERRIBLE DECISION LEFT YOU TO PICK UP THE PIECES
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Odessa, MO
Burger Law’s drunk accident driving lawyers have seen firsthand the damage that a drunk driving accident can have on the injured and their Odessa, MO families. If you or someone you care about has been injured because another person made the selfish decision to drive while under the influence, the drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law are here to fight on your behalf and get you the maximum compensation you are owed. Call us today at (314) 500-HURTfill out our online form for a complimentary case review and to be made whole again.
We know you are uncertain and, depending on the nature of the crash, may be looking at years of medical bills or even are dealing with the wrongful death of a loved one. We have dedicated out lives to helping families recover as best as possible. The Odessa, MO drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger law sue drunk drivers because we want to see drunk drivers punished so they will not make the same mistake again. When you hire Burger Law, we begin fighting for justice immediately and do not stop until you get it. We oversee all the technical parts of your case and you do not pay until you get the financial recovery you are owed. We have more than 70 years of combined experienced fighting back against bullies like people who do not want to take responsibility for their actions, and we are not afraid to take a case in front of a judge and jury if the insurance company refuses to be fair. Make sure you call us at (314) 500-HURT before accepting any settlement offer.
While it is shocking somebody could be so reckless as to drive under the influence of alcohol, it equally hard to believe that often resistant insurance companies try to pin the blame on you or use trick to avoid paying you. While law enforcement in Odessa, MO will likely charge a reckless driver who has caused a drunk driving accident, it is crucial to seek the representation of tenacious drunk driving accident lawyers to get the best possible results civil claim. In a tort claim, anybody who disobeys the rules without a good reason is automatically negligent under the law. That means you deserve a financial recovery regardless of other circumstances.
If you were harmed by a careless drunk driver, discover how much your claim may be worth by utilizing our free personal injury calculator.
How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Happen in Missouri and the U.S.?
Drunk driving statistics can be incredibly sobering. Every day 28 people die in accidents caused by drunk drivers, which is approximately one fatality every 52 minutes. While drunk driving accidents and deaths have steadily been on the decline since 1982, drunk drivers still account for 29 percent of total traffic fatalities as of 2018. While safe driving campaigns and strict punishments for drunk driving have certainly helped, some careless Odessa, MO individuals still choose to disregard others’ well-being because of a misplaced self-centeredness. If you are injured as a result, you are owed a full financial recovery and the careless driver needs to pay for breaking the rules. The Odessa, MO drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law will make sure both of those things come true.
Drunk Driving Laws in Missouri and Odessa
According to Missouri Revised Statute §577.010, driving while intoxicated is classified as a felony when it leads to injury to someone else. Drunk driving carries severe penalties, including:
The first time someone is caught, it results in up to half a year in jail and a $500 fee, as well as a 30-day license suspension and a restricted driving for 60 days.
After a second offense within five years, a drunk driver can face up to a year in prison, a $1,000 fee and a license revocation for one year.
Persistent offenders are drivers with a third, fourth and fifth DWIs. Their licenses are revoked and the penalties are multiple years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
Drunk driving convictions are harsher when they result in injury to someone else:
A class E felony if anyone is injured, which results in a maximum of four years in a local jail and a fee of up to $10,000.
A class D felony if the accident causes catastrophic injury, which which is a minimum two and maximum seven years in prison and a a maximum fine of $10,000.
A class C felony if the drunk driving accident results in either a death or an injury to a first responder, which carries a fine of up to $10,000 and a minimum of three and maximum of 10 years in prison.
A class B felony in the crash causes the death of a first responder, which carries a minimum of five and maximum of 15 years in prison.
A class A felony if someone is caught driving drunk if they were previously found guilty of a class B felony.
How Alcohol Affects Driving | Odessa, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
While the legal limit for alcohol consumption before driving is .08 percent blood alcohol concentration, a level of only .02 percent is sufficient to greatly hinder someone’s abilities behind the wheel. At .02 percent blood alcohol concentration you experience a decline in visual functions, inability to do two things at once, a change in mood and inadequate judgment. At .05 percent – reached after roughly three drinks – a driver experiences lowered coordination, reduced ability to track movement, difficulty using the steering wheel and a slower response to emergency situations. It is vital to exercise great caution and always have someone else drive if you have had too much to drink. Regrettably, sometimes you can do everything possible to stay safe and still experience the terrible consequences of a dangerous Odessa, MO driver disregarding your safety, driving drunk and injuring you or someone you love. Just knowing that the negligent driver will likely face criminal charges, steep fees, restrictions on their license and possibly jail time is not enough. Trust in the savvy and skilled Odessa, MO drunk driving accident lawyers of Burger law to to secure the financial settlement you and your family need and are owed. Call Burger Law today at (314) 500-HURT to discuss your options and begin on the road to healing.
Odessa, MO Drunk Driving Accidents: Frequently Asked Questions
Most of our Odessa, MO clients have never had to hire a drunk driving accidents lawyer before, and it makes sense that they may have a lot of questions regarding what pursuing a claim looks like. Some of the most common questions we receive are:
Who can I sue for my drunk driving accident?According to the legal doctrine of negligence per se, anyone who breaks a law and injures you is accountable for those injuries as a matter of law. That means that if someone drives drunk and you wind up injured, they are liable. But, depending on the specifics of your accident you may also be able to make a claim against a restaurant or bar who sold them alcohol.Many states have what is called a dram shop law, under which you may be able sue a Odessa, MO licensed alcohol vendor for your drunk driving accident injuries if they knowingly overserved the patron who caused your injuries or served alcohol to someone they knew or should have known was not legally old enough to drink. In Missouri, that law is explained in Missouri Revised Statute §537.053. The vendor must be a place where a purchased alcoholic beverage is meant to be drunk on the premises, so you cannot hold a liquor store accountable for your injuries.
Can I make a claim if the drunk driver was found not guilty in criminal court?Yes, you can and should make a claim against the driver regardless of the outcome of their criminal case. Experienced criminal defense lawyers can get their help their clients escape responsibility through many different means, often due to issues with a breathalyzer test. But the driver being found guilty in criminal court, while beneficial to your case, does not directly impact your civil case. The criminal and civil court processes vary in numerous ways:
The prosection in a criminal case must present evidence that the defendant is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” but civil cases are dependent on a preponderance of the evidence, which is is much easier for a plaintiff to achieve. That means you and your drunk driving accident lawyers merely have to show that the driver driving drunk was most likely the cause of your injuries.
In a criminal case the state brings charges so the drunk driver faces consequences for their actions and to motivate people to drive safely. In a civil case, you are seeking an amount of money equal to how the injuries have affected you.
While criminal courts may sometimes require a drunk driver to pay you some money after a guilty verdict, it will not be the same amount that you can get by filing a civil claim with the help of a skilled drunk driving accident lawyer.
Can I get punitive damages in drunk driving accident claim?When we sue drunk drivers, we always pursue punitive damages. Not only does that help secure you the money you deserve, but it also makes the insurance company nervous because punitive damages are not covered under insurance policies. under Missouri Revised Statute §510.261, you and your drunk driving accident lawyers can seek punitive damages in personal injury cases if you can demonstrate “by clear and convincing evidence” that the intoxicated driver behaved with “deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of other.” It is clear to us that anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence is demonstrating a brazen disregard your safety.
What can I do if I was hit by a drunk driver and they left the scene of the accident?Unfortunately, hit and run accidents are are not rare in drunk driving cases because selfishly do not want to be held accountable for their actions. In that event, do not follow the other driver. They may try to speed up and avoid you, which only creates more danger for others on the road.Instead, take as many pictures as possible, if you are able. If they drive away too fast, write down everything you can about the vehicle and as much of the license plate number as possible. Then, notify the police and wait for them to arrive at the scene. With your description they may be able to check if a similar car was pulled over for drunk driving that same night. If both police and your attorney cannot find the liable driver, your drunk driving accident lawyer can still help you get a great financial recovery by filing an uninsured motorist claim with your own policy.
What damages can I get for my drunk driving accident injuries?When you file a personal injury claim with Burger Law’s drunk driving accident lawyers, we will work hard to get you a financial recovery for the entirety of your damages. Not just for a couple chiropractic appointments, but for everything. That includes:
The entirety of your medical expenses — That includes any treatment the day of the accident, surgeries, medications, chiropractic appointments and in-home nursing. You will also be reimbursed for any treatment, joint replacements or replacement assistive devices you may need in the future.
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity — You will receive the full amount of the wages you lost from not being able to work while you recovered. If your injury caused a long-term or permanent injury that no longer allows you to earn a living as you once did, you will also be compensated for the money you would have made in the future, but for the injuries.
The mental, physical and emotional consequences your injury has caused — Colloquially and legally known as pain and suffering, this compensates you for your ability to enjoy life as you once did, the physical difficulties you feel, depression or anxiety the injury has caused you and any possible scarring. For example, if you can no longer get in and out of the car without neck pain, you need to be reimbursed for that.
How can a Odessa, MO drunk driving accident lawyer help?Skilled, seasoned and relentless drunk driving accident lawyers can ensure you get maximum compensation by:
Investigating your claim comprehensively, including acquiring police reports, eyewitness testimony and medical records
Connecting you with trusted doctors so you can recover completely
Reaching out to our economic and medical experts to precisely value your damages
Taking your case in front of a judge and jury if we cannot secure a fair settlement in mediation
Standing by your side until you are made whole again
If you have any other questions about your claim, call a Burger Law drunk driving accident lawyer in Odessa, MO now at (314) 500-HURT. We are happy to answer as many questions about your claim as we can.
In addition, we have extensive experience winning the following cases for our Odessa, MO clients:
Odessa, MO Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers | Burger Law
You did everything you are supposed to to stay safe, but now you have to pick up the pieces because of someone else’s dangerous behavior.Burger Law will fight by your side to get you the full recovery you deserve. Somebody else’s selfish decisions should not mean you have to deal with medical bills, lost wages and incalculable mental anguish without being compensated. Trust in the knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law to secure the maximum compensation you are owed. Call us today at (314) 500-HURTcontact us online for a complimentary case evaluation and to begin on your path to recovery.
Client Reviews
What our clients are saying about us
Anonymous
This law firm is absolutely amazing. They took on my case, when nobody else would! They fought hard for me when it seemed there was no hope. They kept me informed and always asked for my input before making decisions on my case. Gary puts himself into every case unlike most law firm owners. Gary and his team really care about every one of their clients, and fights hard to get you a fair settlement. They actually won my case out of court, and then reduced my fees to make sure I could get my car fixed and be able to get back to some normality. I would recommend Burger Law over and above any other firm! If you go somewhere else you aren’t getting the best!
Genevieve and Laura have assisted me in my personal injury claim and have made the process so much less stressful. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, and attentive. Laura is always on top of everything and very sweet. I had no idea how to navigate this process and they have made me feel at ease and like they truly cared about the outcome.
Cara Barton
It has been a long 4 years, but it is finally over! Burger law did a great job handling my case. Grant Doty answered all my questions, promptly returned my phone calls, frequently kept me updated and insured me that he was fighting for me. Jennifer Zini also did a wonderful job, great customer service. It was pleasure getting to know the Burger Law team!
S. Alred
After a driver unexpectedly pulled out right in front of my motorcycle & I suffered injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance company offered me a $10,000 settlement. I hired Burger Law & they won a $109,000 settlement. I was very happy with the outcome. They were easy to work with & fully explained each step of the process & kept me informed along the way.
At Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer, we are a team of personal injury attorneys who have earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our civil litigation and trial work in Missouri and Illinois. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award, a Martindale-Hubbell AV rating, Super Lawyers selection as one of the top attorneys in the field of personal injury and board certifications in Civil Litigation.
Personal injury lawyers who demand justice in Southern Illinois. The role of a personal injury lawyer in Southern Illinois should be more than just getting you a great settlement…