St. Charles Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Were you hurt in a collision caused by a drunk driver in St. Charles? Did an intoxicated driver take your loved one’s life? If so, the attorneys at the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, want to hear from you right away.
When someone else’s poor decisions cause you serious harm, you deserve financial compensation and justice – especially when someone got behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. Talk to a St. Charles drunk driving accident lawyer today. At the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, we will fight to get you and your family the maximum compensation and justice you deserve.
Demanding Justice for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
When you or a loved one have been the victim of a drunk driving accident in Missouri, you can seek justice for your injuries and losses in two ways: through the criminal justice system and/or through the civil lawsuit system.
Civil Lawsuits
If a motorist driving under the influence of alcohol gets into an accident, his or her intoxication may be used as evidence that he or she was negligent and his or her negligence caused the accident. Other motorists and passengers who were injured in the accident may then be entitled to file a civil lawsuit to recover monetary compensation for their injuries and damages.
Drunk drivers can be held civilly liable for crashes they cause even if they are never charged with driving under the influence, have their charges dropped, or are acquitted in the criminal system. The criminal and civil matters are separate.
What Can You Be Compensated for in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit?
If you have a legal claim against a drunk driver who caused your motor vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for damages you incurred in the accident, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or income
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost quality of life
- Pain and suffering
In addition to compensation for personal injuries, you may also be entitled to compensation for property damage from the accident, such as damage to your vehicle or damage to other property inside your vehicle.
How Can a St. Charles Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Help?
When you have a drunk driving accident claim, you may not know how to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. A St. Charles drunk driving accident lawyer can help you secure that financial recovery after being the victim of a drunk driving accident. The lawyer will:
- Investigate your accident and uncover evidence needed to prove your claim for compensation.
- Help you document your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Aggressively negotiate with the insurance companies and defense lawyers to secure a full and fair settlement for you.
- Prepare your case for trial, if a settlement isn’t possible, and vigorously advocate for your right to compensation.
- Personal injury: Five years from the date of your accident for claims arising from personal injury.
- Property damage: Five years from the date of your accident for a property damage claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim after a Drunk Driving Accident?
After you’ve been in a drunk driving accident, you have a limited period of time in which to file a lawsuit for your injuries and damages. This period, called the statute of limitations, varies, depending on whether you have a personal injury claim or one for property damage:
Note: if you file a lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired in your case, the court can permanently dismiss your lawsuit. That means you will lose your right to seek compensation following the accident.
Understanding Missouri Drunk Driving Laws
Under Missouri law, you are considered to be driving under the influence of alcohol if you are operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher. You may also be considered to be driving under the influence, even if you have a lower BAC, when your ability to operate your vehicle has been impaired.
You may also be arrested for DUI if police find you with an open, partially-empty container of alcohol in the passenger compartment of your vehicle and you exhibit signs of being under the influence of alcohol.
Drunk Driving Statistics in Missouri
According to recent statistics from the Missouri State Highway Patrol:
- The state had 2,613 motor vehicle crashes that were alcohol-related.
- Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents resulted in 189 fatalities.
- Alcohol-related accidents resulted in 3,480 injuries.
Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in St. Charles Now
If you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident with a drunk driver, contact the Law Office of Andrew S. Martin, LLC, today. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the details of your accident. You’ll learn more about your legal rights and options for obtaining the financial recovery and justice you deserve.