Steps to Take After a Car Crash
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Find Out If You Have A CaseHit by a Drunk Driver in Missouri or Illinois?
Find Out if You Have a Case
Drunk Driving Car Crash Lawyer
A drunk driver doesn’t check schedules or traffic lights, they just barrel through, leaving chaos in their wake. Whether it happened on a busy Missouri highway or a quiet Illinois street, being caught in a DUI crash can turn your day upside down in seconds. That’s where Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers comes in. We’ll navigate the legal mess, gather evidence, and hold the negligent driver accountable, so you can focus on recovering and getting your life back on track. And remember, no fees unless we win. We take the headache out of the legal hangover.
Award-Winning Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Missouri and Illinois
Tyson Mutrux has recovered millions for personal injury victims across Columbia, St. Louis, and throughout Missouri and Illinois. With an office right here in Columbia, he handles car crashes, truck accidents, slip and falls, wrongful death, and more for Boone County residents and surrounding communities. Licensed in Missouri, Illinois, and U.S. Federal Courts, he has been named Best Injury Attorney in Columbia (2025) – Inside Columbia Magazine, Recognized under Top 10 Car Accident Lawyers in Columbia (2024) – Trust Analytica, Best Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia (2023) – Expertise.com and holds a Superb 10/10 Avvo rating. Before founding Mutrux Firm, Tyson worked for State Farm Insurance as a claims representative, giving him firsthand knowledge of how insurance companies minimize claims and how to fight back.
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Seek medical help
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Capture evidence
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File a police report
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Talk to witnesses
Get medical help
Capture evidence
File a police report
Talk to witnesses
Drunk Drivers Who Cause Crashes Must Be Held Fully Accountable.
Drunk drivers present one of the most preventable yet devastating threats on Missouri and Illinois roads. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking, the people injured in the resulting crash are left with medical bills, lost income, and long recoveries they did nothing to cause.
Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers pursues the full range of compensation available to drunk driving crash victims in both states, and the criminal case against the driver does not limit what can be recovered in a civil claim.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash in Missouri or Illinois?
Medical Bills
Emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, imaging, medication, and rehabilitation are all recoverable, along with the cost of future care your doctors expect you to need.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and the loss of activities you once enjoyed are compensable losses, even though no receipt exists for them.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Income missed during recovery is recoverable, and so is the reduction in what you can earn going forward if your injuries limit the work you are able to do.
Property Damage
Repair or replacement of your vehicle is covered, along with personal property damaged in the crash such as phones, car seats, and equipment.
Punitive Damages
Drunk driving is one of the clearest grounds for punitive damages in both states, because it shows conscious disregard for the safety of others rather than ordinary carelessness.
Wrongful Death Damages
Families who lose a loved one may recover funeral costs, lost financial support, and lost companionship under Missouri Revised Statute 537.080 or the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180/1).
What State Laws Prohibit Drunk Driving in Missouri and Illinois?
Both Missouri and Illinois prohibit operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Both states use blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as the primary measure of impairment.
In Missouri: The legal BAC limit is 0.08 percent under Missouri Revised Statute 577.010. Drivers with a BAC at or above this level face criminal DUI charges. Missouri also has enhanced penalties for drivers with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher, and a zero tolerance policy for drivers under 21.
In Illinois: The legal BAC limit is also 0.08 percent under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. Illinois additionally has a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21 and enhanced penalties for drivers with a BAC of 0.16 percent or higher. Illinois also recognizes driving under the influence of cannabis and prescription drugs as DUI offenses even when alcohol is not involved.
From a civil liability standpoint, a driver does not need to be convicted of DUI for you to win your personal injury claim. The criminal and civil cases are completely separate. A driver who was impaired at the time of the crash can be held fully liable in civil court even if criminal charges are reduced, dismissed, or never filed.
Can You Sue for Punitive Damages After a Drunk Driving Crash?
Yes and this is one of the most powerful legal tools available to drunk driving victims in both Missouri and Illinois.
Unlike standard compensatory damages designed to cover your actual losses, punitive damages are specifically intended to punish the defendant for especially reckless conduct and deter others from doing the same. Drunk driving is one of the clearest examples of the kind of reckless disregard for human life that courts in both states have recognized as grounds for punitive damages.
In Missouri, punitive damages are available in DUI crash cases where the defendant’s conduct demonstrated conscious disregard for the safety of others. In Illinois, the 2023 expansion of punitive damages eligibility in wrongful death cases also applies to drunk driving fatalities.
Punitive damages are not guaranteed in every case, but when they are awarded, they can significantly increase the total compensation recovered. Mutrux Firm evaluates every drunk driving case for punitive damages eligibility from day one.
Have you been injured because of a car crash, truck crash, motorcycle crash or by other negligent acts of another? Our Missouri and Illinois Injury Lawyers can help you!
(888) 550-4026
Drunk Driving Car Crash Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
There are a few common questions on Drunk Driving Car Crash Law. Let’s review them below so you can stay informed.
How does Missouri law define and prohibit drunk driving?
Missouri law prohibits operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs under Missouri Revised Statute 577.010. The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent. Drivers with a BAC at or above this level face criminal DUI charges. Missouri also has enhanced penalties for drivers with a BAC of 0.15 percent or higher and a zero tolerance policy for drivers under 21. From a civil liability standpoint, a driver does not need to be convicted of DUI for you to win your personal injury claim. Contact Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers at (888) 550-4026 for a free case review today.
How can a personal injury lawyer help after a drunk driving accident in Missouri or Illinois?
A personal injury lawyer at Mutrux Firm investigates the accident, gathers evidence including blood test results, police body camera footage, and witness statements, identifies all liable parties, and builds a strong case for maximum compensation. We handle all negotiations with insurance companies and represent you in court if necessary. We also evaluate every drunk driving case for punitive damages eligibility from day one, which can significantly increase your total recovery. No fees unless we win.
What types of compensation are available after a drunk driving accident in Missouri or Illinois?
Victims of drunk driving crashes in Missouri and Illinois may recover compensation for medical bills including past and future treatment costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, property damage, and in cases involving a fatality, wrongful death damages covering funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. In both states, punitive damages may also be available when the drunk driver's conduct demonstrated conscious disregard for the safety of others.
How are punitive damages different from other compensation in DUI cases?
Punitive damages are intended to punish the drunk driver for especially reckless conduct and deter others from similar behavior, rather than compensate the victim for specific losses. Missouri law allows punitive damages in DUI crash cases where the defendant demonstrated conscious disregard for the safety of others. Illinois expanded punitive damages eligibility in 2023 to include most wrongful death cases, which includes fatalities caused by drunk drivers. Punitive damages are not guaranteed in every case but when awarded they can significantly increase total compensation. Mutrux Firm evaluates every drunk driving case for punitive damages eligibility from day one.
What should I do immediately after being hit by a drunk driver in Missouri or Illinois?
Call 911 immediately and seek medical attention even for minor injuries. Request that the responding officer conduct a sobriety test on the other driver and obtain a copy of the police report. Document the scene with photos of all vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses. Do not make statements about fault to anyone at the scene. Contact Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers at (888) 550-4026 before responding to any insurance company to protect your right to full compensation including punitive damages.
How long do I have to file a claim after a drunk driving accident in Missouri or Illinois?
In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the drunk driving accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Illinois, the deadline is two years. In both states, wrongful death claims have their own specific deadlines. Acting quickly is critical because key evidence including blood test results, dashcam footage, and witness memories can disappear fast. Contact Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers as soon as possible after a drunk driving crash to protect your rights.
What if I miss work due to injuries from a drunk driving accident?
You may be entitled to compensation for all wages lost during your recovery and, if your injuries permanently affect your ability to work at the same capacity, for future diminished earning capacity as well. Mutrux Firm works with your employer and financial professionals to document every dollar of income lost due to your injuries from the drunk driving crash. We pursue the full amount you are owed so your recovery does not come at the cost of your financial security.
How does Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers approach drunk driving accident cases?
Mutrux Firm moves immediately after you contact us to preserve critical evidence including blood test results, police body camera footage, dashcam video, and witness statements. We investigate both the criminal and civil aspects of your case, evaluate punitive damages eligibility, identify all liable parties including the drunk driver and potentially the establishment that served them alcohol, and fight for maximum compensation across Missouri and Illinois. No fees unless we win. Call (888) 550-4026 for a free case review today.
Does Illinois have stricter DUI laws than Missouri?
Both Missouri and Illinois share the same 0.08 percent BAC legal limit. However, Illinois has additional provisions that affect civil claims. Illinois recognizes driving under the influence of cannabis and prescription drugs as DUI offenses even when alcohol is not involved. Illinois also has a zero tolerance law for drivers under 21 and enhanced penalties for drivers with a BAC of 0.16 percent or higher. Illinois's 2023 expansion of punitive damages eligibility also strengthened civil remedies available to drunk driving victims in wrongful death cases. Mutrux Firm is licensed in Illinois and handles drunk driving accident claims statewide.
Can I sue a bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the drunk driver who hit me in Illinois?
Yes. Under the Illinois Dramshop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21), bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol sellers can be held liable for injuries caused by a visibly intoxicated person they served. This allows victims to pursue compensation from the establishment in addition to the drunk driver. Missouri does not have a comparable Dramshop Act for third-party injuries, though Missouri does allow claims against alcohol servers in certain limited circumstances. Mutrux Firm evaluates Dramshop liability in every Illinois drunk driving case.
Can I still pursue a civil claim if the drunk driver was not charged or convicted?
Yes. Your civil personal injury claim and the driver's criminal DUI case are completely separate legal proceedings in both Missouri and Illinois. A driver does not need to be arrested, charged, or convicted of DUI for you to win your civil case. The standard of proof in a civil case is significantly lower than in a criminal case. Evidence of impairment including field sobriety test results, witness accounts of erratic driving, and the driver's behavior at the scene can all establish liability in your civil claim regardless of the criminal outcome. Mutrux Firm has successfully pursued civil cases against drunk drivers even when criminal charges were reduced or dismissed.
What is the Dramshop Act and how does it affect my drunk driving claim in Illinois?
The Illinois Dramshop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) holds licensed alcohol sellers including bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and event venues liable for injuries caused by a visibly intoxicated person they served. If the drunk driver who hit you was served alcohol at a licensed establishment before the crash, that establishment may share liability for your injuries. Dramshop claims in Illinois have their own specific requirements and deadlines separate from the standard personal injury statute of limitations. Mutrux Firm investigates Dramshop liability in every Illinois drunk driving case and pursues every available source of compensation for our clients.