Springfield Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuits in Springfield, MO

If you or a loved one was injured in a drunk driving accident, speak with a Springfield drunk driving accident attorney from Aaron Sachs & Associates, P.C. as soon as possible. The drunk driver probably knows that they are to blame for the crash, so they are likely already scrambling to find a way to defend themselves. The insurance company representing them will be doing the same. Do not give them an early lead by waiting too long to get legal help.

Ready to begin? Contact our firm today.

Click on any topic below to jump to that section on the page:

• Overview of Drunk Driving Accidents
• Your Options After a Drunk Driving Accident
• What If You Were a Passenger in the Accident?
• Missouri Dram Shop Law
• Schedule a Free Consultation

Overview of Drunk Driving Accidents

More than 10,000 Americans are killed by drunk drivers in car accidents every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This data shows that one-third of all car accident fatalities involve at least one driver who was driving under the influence (DUI). It also suggests that most drivers do not understand what even a single drink of alcohol can do to their bodies and worsen their driving abilities.

Drinking can affect a driver in many ways, such as:

• Slowed reaction time
• Blurred vision
• Impaired decision making
• Poor concentration
• Drowsiness
• Inability to concentrate

Your Options After a Drunk Driving Accident in MO

Even a minor injury can have a major impact on your life. If you are forced to take time off work to recover or to schedule doctor's appointments, your regular income could be disrupted or even your employment could be jeopardized. Perhaps the injury has impacted your ability to get through your regular daily life or made it difficult for you to keep up with your responsibilities.

We may be able to help you seek compensation for your damages through a claim or lawsuit. Your options to file a claim depend on your liability, though. In Missouri, the more liable you are found for your own injuries, the less compensation you can demand from the drunk driver who hit you. Proving that you were not liable for the accident is essential, and it can be done through the proper use of evidence.

We can help you prove liability by using:

• Police reports from the crash scene
• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test results
• Eyewitness testimonies
• Drunk driver’s criminal history including DUIs
• Dashcam footage
• Medical records that explain your injuries

What If You Were a Passenger in the Accident?

Typically, passengers cannot be held liable for the actions and mistakes of their drivers because the final decision to drink and drive still rests on the driver alone. If a drunk driver hit you while a sober passenger was in their car, then you likely could not bring any legal action against that passenger. On the other hand, if you were hurt as a passenger in a drunk driver’s car, then you could probably still file an injury claim against your driver. Your liability might increase, though, if the driver can prove that you knew they were drunk and still willingly entered their vehicle.

Missouri Dram Shop Law

Alcohol vendors in Missouri can be held liable for drunk driving accidents in certain circumstances, which could increase the number of potential defendants in your drunk driving claim.

Missouri’s dram shop laws state that an alcohol vendor can be liable if it served alcohol to someone who was:

• Visibly intoxicated.
• Under the age of 21 and the vendor knew or should have known they were underage.

If an underage or visibly intoxicated person is served alcohol at a bar or restaurant, and then that person causes a drunk driving accident later, the bar or restaurant can be partially liable. Missouri’s dram shop laws do not extend to commercial properties or retailers that sell alcohol to be consumed off the property, though. For example, you can’t file a dram shop claim against a convenience store that sold alcohol to a minor because the minor could have consumed that alcohol elsewhere.

Request a Free Consultation with Trusted Legal Professionals

Our Springfield, MO drunk driving accident attorneys want to hear from you if you were hurt by a drunk driver. Allowing us to start your case sooner than later can help us build it better because the evidence will be fresher in everyone’s minds. No need to hesitate, we offer free legal consultations and contingency fees that don’t require you to pay our attorney fees unless we win your case with a positive settlement or award!

Our team is here to help. Call our team at (888) 287-1046