What if I'm Hit By a Drunk Driver?
Drunk drivers causing accidents can face both criminal and civil charges for their actions. In Missouri, anyone harmed in an auto collision caused by the negligence of another can sue to recover for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. If a drunk driving accident results in a fatality, the family or estate of the deceased victim may pursue a wrongful death claim against the drunk driver. The St. Louis metropolitan area has recently seen a spike in drunk driving auto collisions.
Under Missouri law, drivers owe the highest duty of care to other motorists. This means that if you are driving on a publicly maintained road, you must drive very carefully the same way a prudent person would in the same or similar circumstances. A drunk driving accident is not only against the law, a very careful driver would never drink and drive. Drinking and driving clearly violates this standard of driving. If a driver violates this duty of care and causes damages, a negligence lawsuit may be filed to put the injury victim back in the place they would have been prior to the drunk driving collision.
In some cases, an additional party may be added to the lawsuit. In many states, businesses that provide alcohol to an intoxicated person who subsequently causes a drunk driving accident are subject to liability under Dram Shop liability. The business must knowingly provide alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person to be held accountable for their actions.
Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents are becoming more common in Missouri. In many drunk driving collisions immediate steps must be taken adequately to preserve evidence. If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, protect yourself by consulting with an experienced Missouri accident lawyer as soon as possible.
