Hit By a Drunk Driver in St. Louis
If you are involved in an auto accident, you should note the other driver’s appearance if you can.
Drunk driving is the cause of numerous car and truck accidents on Missouri highways. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are injured, and tens of thousands are killed in alcohol-related accidents nationwide.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
25 Years Only Car Accidents
Thousands Of Cases
Millions Recovered
Not only do you need to ensure you are not on the road driving drunk, but you also need to be aware of your surroundings while driving to ensure that you are not the victim of a drunk driving accident caused by a DUI driver in another vehicle.
Car accidents caused by drivers making poor decisions endanger the lives of everyone, who is unfortunate enough to share the roads with them. While there is no sure way to protect yourself against a drunk driver, you can take practical measures like wearing your seatbelt and being aware of your surroundings while on the road.
The Dangers of Drinking and Driving: We Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable
According to the CDC, from 2003 to 2012, a total of 3,314 people were killed in Missouri because of a drunk driver. Approximately 40% of all driving fatalities are caused by drunk driving. These accidents could have been avoided. If you or a family member were unfortunate enough to be involved in a drunk driving accident, please retain an experienced lawyer immediately. The sooner an experienced drunk driving accident attorney gets involved, the better.
An experienced car accident attorney can work with a toxicology expert to gather evidence from police reports, the scene of the accident, and from witnesses. At The Hoffmann Law Firm L.L.C., in St. Louis, our car and truck accident attorney, Chris Hoffmann, can assist you in obtaining the compensation you need for present and future needs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we only handle auto accident claims and are very good at our job. Drunk driving, whether it results in a car accident or a truck accident, is a tragedy that should have been avoided. Let us help you obtain the maximum compensation for your claim. While no amount of money will make things right, we can at least help you avoid further complications from your drunk driving accident.
Injuries Sustained in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents are truly devastating. You can sustain serious injuries that affect you in the long term. Your injuries may require ongoing medical treatment, cause you to miss work, and can even be permanently disabling. But the truth of the matter is that any injury – even minor injuries – and any property damage due to drunk driving accidents are unacceptable.
Common injuries sustained in drunk driving accidents include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Broken Bones & Crush Injuries
Because drunk driving is against the law, it is necessary that the police are called to the scene. If drunk driving is suspected, police will administer a roadside sobriety test to determine whether the at-fault driver is inebriated.
The Penalties for Drunk Driving
Missouri law makes driving a car with a BAC of .08% or higher illegal. The penalties for this action depend on the severity of the offense, though in most cases, it involves a ticket the offender has to pay and other administrative punishments like license suspension.
The more serious the repercussions of your actions are, the harsher the punishment. And, when the DUI also involves a child present in the vehicle, you can also be charged with child endangerment.
In Missouri, a drunk driver can be charged with this offense either in the first or second degree:
First degree: a person commits the crime of endangering the child if they knowingly act in a manner that puts the child at risk.
Second degree: applicable if the person violates state traffic laws with a child passenger under 17.
Endangering a child in the first degree is considered a Class C Felony, and the second degree is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. The courts will decide which of the two to charge the driver with based on the circumstance of the DUI, particularly in how much danger the child was. For instance, if they caused an accident where the child got hurt and was also driving under the influence, then the charge will be child endangerment in the first degree. If the child dies, it is a class A felony.
Fines or time served are not the only problems they can face in these situations. Driving under the influence potentially puts the child at great risk of getting injured or, even worse, killed. Missouri law states that parents or guardians are completely responsible for the child’s well-being, and any actions that threaten it are severely punished by law.
Moreover, there can also be an additional problem involving custody. If the drunk driver’s crime is severe, the courts may rule that you are unfit to take care of the child and either temporarily or permanently remove them as guardians. The child will then be placed under the care of a family member or, if that is not an option, under the care of the state or foster family.
Proving Alcohol Intoxication
If a drunk driver has hit you, you cannot recover compensation unless it is proven that the other driver was, in fact, intoxicated. One of the most obvious signs that a person is intoxicated is by how they look and act. If you are involved in an auto accident, you should take note of the other driver’s appearance if you are able.
The police report is likely the most important document in a DUI or DWI conviction. It generally contains enough information to justify the driver’s arrest and conviction. However, the testimony from eyewitnesses is still important. Additional evidence may be needed to prove that the driver was actually impaired at the time of the accident.
At times, the at-fault driver is not charged with driving under the influence or driving when intoxicated. In these situations, any evidence, such as observations of witnesses who saw stumbling, smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath or witnessed erratic driving, can be helpful.
Statement by At-Fault Driver
Statements made by the suspected at-fault driver should be written down or recorded. For example, a statement such as “I just had three cans of beer” can be used as evidence.
Field Sobriety Test
A field sobriety test is used to determine any impairment of normal faculties. The driver is usually asked to perform basic tests to establish their impairment level. The results of field sobriety tests are documented and recorded. The test can be used to establish that the driver was drunk at the time of the crash.
Blood or Breath Test
In most cases, a reporting officer will conduct the driver’s breath test. The test is the strongest evidence against a drunk driver and can prove that the driver had a higher BAC than permissible levels.
Police Reports
A police report documents an accident, the involved parties, and the police officer’s findings. It is also an indicator of what the police officer will testify to at the trial. A thorough police report is extremely important because the responding police officer can be a key witness in civil and criminal cases.
Eye Witness Statements
An eyewitness statement can help preserve what was witnessed at the time of the crash. A statement should be taken immediately after the accident, and any eyewitnesses should be asked to sign it. An eyewitness could be anyone who has firsthand knowledge of the accident, such as passengers, bystanders, or someone who witnessed the driver consuming alcohol.
Visual Recordings
Any recordings on someone’s cell phone or a police car’s video recording device can be used as evidence.
Steps You Can Take If You Plan on Drinking
If you plan on going out and drinking, you must understand how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Understanding these tips ahead of time could save lives.
Decide on a Designated Driver
If your group plans to drive to wherever you’ll be drinking, you should decide on somebody to be the designated driver (DD). If you don’t have a plan, the odds are that everyone may end up drinking, and you’ll be left in a dangerous situation. One crucial point is that you must ensure your driver does not succumb to drinking at some point in your outing. To do this, make your DD somebody who is very responsible, and if you see them drinking, speak up about it.
Take a Taxi or Ridesharing Service
One thing that can relieve the stress of having a DD is taking a taxi or ridesharing service. The cost is well worth your peace of mind, and you won’t have to worry about parking.
Give Your Keys to a Friend
If you drive somewhere with the intention of not drinking but then decide you want to, you might end up driving drunk later that night. To avoid this, you can give your keys to a trusted friend before you ever start drinking and tell them to keep your keys until tomorrow.
Keep Your Phone Charged
If you are too drunk to drive, you will likely want to call a friend, taxi, or rideshare service. Unfortunately, you cannot do this if you don’t have a functional phone. Ensure this doesn’t happen by fully charging your phone before you leave and not overusing it during your outing.
Have a Zero Tolerance Policy
Sometimes, people will think they can drive after just a few drinks. They believe their BAC is under the legal limit and will be safe. Then, they are surprised to get into an accident or receive a DUI. To avoid this, have a zero-tolerance policy. Don’t get behind the wheel even if you have only one or two drinks.
Speak With a St. Louis Drunk Driving Lawyer
It is best to consult with an experienced St. Louis drunk-driving lawyer. You will most likely have questions influenced by the specific circumstances of the accident you were involved in, and these should be directed to an experienced attorney. For example:
- What if the drunk driver was driving without a license?
- What if they are an uninsured driver?
- What happens if the at-fault driver goes to jail? Can you still collect the compensation for injuries and other damages related to the accident to which you are entitled?
The expenses that result from these accidents can add up quickly, and if you cannot work for a period of time while you are recovering, you and your family could depend on these monetary damages to get by financially. An experienced auto accident attorney can protect your legal rights and fight to get you the full compensation you are entitled to.
Free Consultation with a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer
Don’t talk to an insurance claims adjuster before speaking with The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. We can help you avoid making statements that may affect the outcome of your case. The consultation is free; you don’t pay unless we get you money!