St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in St. Louis, Missouri

If you or a loved one has been hurt due to the selfishness and recklessness of a driver who made the decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle drunk, call Burger Law immediately at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online for a free consultation and to start on the road to recovery.

Why Burger Law is The Best Option for Your Drunk Driving Accident Case

• We have more than 100 years of combined litigation experience in St. Louis.
• We’ve recovered over $200 Million for our clients winning complex personal injury cases, including drunk driving accidents in St. Louis, MO.
• Our legal team will review your case at NO CHARGE.
• NO FEE unless we’ve achieved success for you.
• Our team has earned many distinctions and peer-reviewed awards for our work in civil litigation and trial work in Missouri. A few of the honors we have earned include the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award.
• Once you hire Burger Law, we take care of everything – obtaining medical records, contacting doctors, tracking down evidence, negotiating with the insurance company, everything. We focus on your case, while you focus on your recovery.
• Our firm is one of the most- and best-reviewed law firms in St. Louis, with a 4.9 Positive rating on Google and over 600 (and counting) five-star reviews, in addition to over 100 video reviews on our website and YouTube channel. We measure our success by the satisfaction of our clients.

Here is a drunk driving accident cases we won for one of our clients in St. Louis:

We Sue Drunk Drivers

Nearly a third of all traffic fatalities in the United States are caused by drunk driving. In every state, it is illegal to drive drunk, yet, on average, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person is killed in a drunk driving accident every 45 minutes. Locally, the numbers are just as staggering – in Missouri, 26.7 percent of the driving deaths in 2019 were alcohol-related, while in Greater St. Louis, it is 28.4 percent. This needs to stop.

We have seen firsthand the countless St. Louis, Missouri residents who sustained severe injuries due to drunk driving accidents, even some who have unfortunately lost their lives. Drunk drivers face charges for their decision to drive under the influence and may end up paying fines, losing their license, going to jail and having to attend an alcohol treatment program. Individuals who make the decision to drink and drive must be held responsible for their negligent actions and for the damages they have caused. Many are repeat offenders. The St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law sue drunk drivers to make sure you and your family collect recovery, but also so that drunk drivers face the maximum punishment and think twice about doing that again.

If you are dealing with injuries sustained in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, find out how much your claim may be worth by using our personal injury calculator. Call Burger Law as soon as possible at (314) 500-HURT or fill out our online contact form to schedule a no-obligation case review.

What Are the Drunk Driving Laws in St. Louis?

According to Missouri Revised Statute §577.010, driving while intoxicated is a felony when it causes injury to another person. Drunk driving carries harsh penalties and punishments, including:

• For a first offender, up to six months in jail and a $500 fine, as well as having their license suspended for 30 days and a 60-day period of restricted driving.
• After a second offense within five years, a drunk driver can face up to a year in jail, a $1,000 fine and having their license revoked for one year.
• Persistent, aggravated and chronic offenders are people with a third, fourth and fifth DWI. Their licenses are revoked and they face years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.

If the drunk driver causes an accident that injures another person, they will face felony charges that vary based on the details of the crash:

• A class E felony if anyone is injured, which results in up to four years in a local jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.
• A class D felony if the crash causes “serious” bodily injury, which carries two to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $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 three to ten years in prison.
• A class B felony in the injury causes the death of a first responder, which carries five to 15 years in prison.
• A class A felony if someone is caught driving drunk after already having been convicted of a class B felony.

“I’ve dedicated my entire life to helping our clients receive full compensation for their injuries.”

Schedule a free case evaluation here.

Gary Burger

Litigation attorney

How Does Alcohol Affect a Driver and Increase the Likelihood of a St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident?

It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content over .08 percent or under the influence of a controlled substance in St. Louis.

• 02% BAC, about 2 drinks
• .05% BAC, about 3 drinks
• .08% BAC, about 4 drink
• .10% BAC, about 5 drinks
• .15% BAC, about 7 drinks

Driving While Under The Influence

It should be obvious to anyone licensed to operate a motor vehicle that driving while under the influence of mind-altering substances such as alcohol and other drugs is a poor decision that can end very badly. Different substances have different effects on the mind and body, but driving while intoxicated generally impacts a driver’s abilities, including:

• • coordination
  • reaction time
  • concentration
  • cognition
  • vision
  • tracking (the coordinated activity required to stay in his lane, avoid obstructions, and maintain a regular speed

Take a look at some of the following FAQs to learn more about drunk driving accidents:

• • What Should I Do If I Am Hit by a Drunk Driver?
  • Can I File a Lawsuit After a Drunk Driver Was Found Not Guilty?
  • Can I Sue a Bar After a Drunk Driving Accident?
  • Punitive Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident

How Much is My Drunk Driving Accident Claim Worth?

After a drunk driving accident, one of the most pressing questions on your mind may be, “How much is my claim worth?” Understanding the potential value of your claim can help you make informed decisions about seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.

Because each drunk driving crash and resulting injuries are unique, there is no “average” amount of compensation you might expect. Instead, have our St. Louis drunk driving accident attorneys review your individual circumstances to conduct calculations. 

Your Injuries

The severity of injuries is a crucial factor in determining the worth of your claim. The more severe your injuries, the higher the potential value of your claim. Injuries that require extensive medical treatment result in long-term or permanent disabilities or cause significant pain and suffering, which can lead to larger compensation awards. It’s important to document your injuries thoroughly and provide medical records to support your claim.

Wrongful Death for Fatal Crashes

In cases involving wrongful death, the value of the claim may also depend on various factors such as the age and earning capacity of the deceased, the extent of their financial support to dependents, and the emotional impact on surviving family members. While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss of a loved one, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help provide financial stability during a difficult time.

Possible Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are another potential aspect of your claim’s worth. In cases involving particularly serious drunk driving accidents, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party for their reckless behavior. These damages are intended to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. The amount of punitive damages awarded can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of the case, but they can significantly increase the overall value of your claim if you go to civil court.

Remember, the worth of your claim is not solely determined by the severity of your injuries or the potential for punitive damages. Other factors, such as lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and emotional distress, should also be taken into consideration. Consult our St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer at Burger Law today.

Contact a St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer at Burger Law Today

The St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyers at Burger Law are passionate about getting our clients throughout Missouri maximum compensation for their injuries and damages. We understand how severe injuries can impact your physical, mental and financial health, and we are ready to help you fully recover.

Call our drunk driving lawyer team in St. Louis right now for a free, no-obligation case review at (314) 500-HURT or contact us online.

Other car accident cases we take on in St. Louis and throughout Missouri include:

• Pedestrian Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Hit and Run
• Distracted Driving
• Texting and Driving
• Speeding Accidents
• Fatal Car Crash
• Head-On Collisions
• Rear-Ended
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents
• Intersection Accidents
• Road Construction Accidents
• Carpool Accidents
• Backup Accident
• Whiplash Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Brain Injuries
• Underinsured Motorist Claims
• Uninsured Motorist Claims
• Phantom Motorist Claims

Gary Burger

Founder | Injury Attorney
Gary Burger has dedicated his career to standing up against bullies. The founder and principal attorney of Burger Law | St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer has helped hundreds of Missouri and Illinois individuals and families recover th …
Years of experience: 30 years
Location: St. Louis, MO

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Client Reviews

What our clients are saying about us

Juanita Matthews

Year of 2023

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!

Shaunda S.

7 months ago

I am very happy with the staff at Burger Law. I mostly worked with Michael Sheldon, and he did an amazing job. I trusted him completely with my case, and he did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend this team if your ever in need of good attorneys.

Emelia M.

3 months ago

Burger Law Firm is fantastic. Laura and Genevieve were so amazing and helpful throughout the entire process. They helped me with my personal injury case every step of the way and succeeded at getting me the results I desired.

Helen L.

a year ago

We had a great experience with Burger Law for representing us after a serious car accident. Truly impressed by how professional and supportive the entire team is. And, many thanks to Genavieve and Laura – you are amazing!

Judy M.

a year ago

They did an amazing job on my case! Communication with them was great!!! Kept me informed and in the loop with everything that was going on!!! Will definitely be the 1st ones I’ll call if ever I’m in another accident!!! Thank you very much!!!

Chelsea C.

5 months ago

Let me tell you something about Burger Law.. they are so attentive and kind. Jennifer is my savior!! I love the whole team!!! They are truly a miracle team!! I appreciate their business and would recommend it to others.

David D.

2 months ago

Absolutely the best law firm in the St. Louis area. No matter the size of your case you are treated as if you are the only client on the roster. Will explain anything thoroughly and they work around your availability. Very impressed and appreciative of the service.

Lisa B.

11 months ago

Gary and Casey took great care of me for 2.5 years as my lawsuit was finally settled. I feel he helped me achieve justice for me and my 4 children after their father died from medical malpractice and neglect. Thanks to Gary, my kids now have a great start to their college and adult lives. Thank you Gary and Casey, for fighting for us so hard at our most trying and difficult time in our lives thus far. Love and God bless from my family to yours!

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