St. Charles Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer
Drunk drivers present an obvious and potentially fatal threat to everyone around them. Alcohol can significantly reduce a driver’s motor skills and reaction time, in addition to impacting their decision-making ability. When a drunken driver collides with another vehicle, they could be held responsible for any injuries they cause by a seasoned personal injury attorney.
If you have suffered an injury due to a drunk driver, you have the right to file a lawsuit and pursue your damages. To get the legal counsel you need, contact a St. Charles drunk driving car accident lawyer. An experienced car accident attorney could take the time to learn more about your accident and help you build a case to hold the at-fault party liable for compensation.
Which State Laws Prohibit Drunk Driving?
As is the case with every state, Missouri prohibits operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The criminal DUI statute uses a metric known as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to determine if a driver is drunk or not. A driver’s BAC is the percentage of alcohol in their bloodstream. In other words, the higher the BAC, the more intoxicated a driver likely is.
In Missouri, the legal limit is a BAC of less than .08 percent. If a driver is pulled over on suspicion of drunken driving, they will likely face charges if their BAC result is .08 percent or higher.
Types of Recoupable Compensation in a DUI Accident in St. Charles
A victim of a drunken driver could face significant injuries. The cost of treating those injuries may be extreme, but thankfully with the help of an attorney, an injured person in St. Charles is entitled to seek their damages from the drunk driver that caused their injuries. Typical damages in a drunk driving crash include:
Medical Bills
A plaintiff may seek to cover any expenses related to their medical treatment caused by a drunken-driving crash. This includes past bills as well as future medical costs.
Pain and Suffering
Damages are also available for a plaintiff’s physical pain. While it can be challenging to put a value on these damages, a St. Charles attorney with experienced handling drunk driving collision lawsuits might be able to help.
Lost Wages
A severe injury frequently means time away from work. When a plaintiff needs those missed paychecks to survive, they have the right to seek compensation for lost wages. Additionally, a plaintiff may also seek to recover future lost wages due to diminished earning capacity.
Can Punitive Damages Be Awarded in DUI Crash Cases?
In addition to the damages available in any injury lawsuit, a DUI crash lawsuit may seek recovery of punitive damages. Unlike standard damages designed to compensate an injury victim for their injuries, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter others from taking similar actions.
Punitive damages are not available in every lawsuit. However, Missouri law carves out an exception for anyone injured by a drunk driver. While punitive damages are allowed, they are never guaranteed.
Contact a St. Charles Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney
There is no excuse for driving under the influence. The risks are known and the cautionary tales are endless. If you have suffered injuries from a DUI crash, you deserve strong legal representation that will help you pursue your damages. To learn more, contact a St. Charles drunk driving car accident lawyer right away.