Alcohol-related car crashes are not accidents. Victims of drunk drivers who were killed or injured by drunk drivers are entitled to compensation. And drunk driving accidents are always preventable. At blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) as low as .02%, there is a decline in visual functions (i.e. rapid tracking) and a decline in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time (i.e. divided attention). As concentration levels move from 0.5 to 0.8, there are significant reductions in coordination, visual tracking, concentration, estimating speeds, and impaired perception. While people may not be aware of these specifics, the general effect of alcohol on drivers is widely known. Unfortunately, studies demonstrate that drinking and driving continues to be a leading cause of auto accidents.
- National Statistics on Drunk Driving: In 2011, 226 children were killed in drunk driving crashes. Every day in the United States, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving. On average, one out of three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash during their lifetime. In 2012, 10,322 people died in driving crashes – one over 51 minutes. Every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
- Missouri Statistics on Drunk Driving: In 2012 in Missouri, 280 people were killed from drunk driving crashes, which represents 34% of all traffic deaths in the state. In the same year, there were 3,268 alcohol-related crash injuries and there were 5,256 alcohol-related crashes. In 2012, in Missouri, there were 9,870 DUI arrests.
- Kansas Statistics on Drunk Driving: In 2012 in Kansas, 98 people were killed from drunk driving crashes, which represents 24% of all traffic deaths in the state. In the same year, there were 1,622 alcohol-related crash injuries and there were 2,603 alcohol-related crashes.
Drunk Driver Accident Settlments
In some alcohol-related accidents, the intoxicated driver isn't the only one at fault. Missouri's Dram Shop Law, RSMo. §537.053 reads: “The sale of alcoholic beverage may be the proximate cause of personal injuries or death.” The sale of the alcohol must be by the drink and by a restaurant and/or bar or similar business and the law only extends to bars or restaurants that serve alcohol by the drink. Social hosts or stores that sell packaged liquor are excluded. The law was created to reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents by making the businesses who over serve intoxicated patrons accountable. There are a couple of ways a bar and/or restaurant can be held responsible for the injury or death of a person in a drunk driving accident in Missouri: (1) the seller served alcohol to a person under the age of twenty-one who later caused an accident and injured their self or someone else, or (2) the seller knowingly served liquor to a “visibly intoxicated person” who then caused an accident and injured someone else. Proving the bar's and/or restaurant's liability in these cases can be difficult, however, because the legal standard to be met is that the seller/server knowingly served alcoholic beverages to a “visibly intoxicated person.” Accordingly, a proper investigation should be conducted as soon as possible, and critical information should be gathered before the evidence is lost and while witnesses can still be located.
At Bautista LeRoy LLC, we know how a drunk driving accident can affect you, your family, and your loved ones. When you hire our firm, we will advance all costs associated with representing the client. If we do not win your case, the firm takes on the losses of the litigation costs. In fact, we only get compensated when we win the case. Simple as that. Give us a call at or contact us online.
Summary
Drunk driving is a preventable accident, but because of someone else's recklessness, it became catastrophic. When a person takes as low as 0.02% level of blood alcohol content (BAC), it is possible that it can affect how well that person can drive. This is the reason why preventable road accidents can still cause devastation. Although people are aware of these dangers, if they are careless enough to take even a small portion of alcohol, this can still lead to impairment of vision, focus, and reaction time while driving.
Due to the impact caused by drunk driving, it has now become a center of concern for national statistics. In the United States, it is recorded that 28 people die every day because of drunk driving. Even worse, almost every 90 seconds, someone is injured. In addition, the problem of driving is severe in Missouri and Kansas. The fact is that every year, 280 people die in this state because of accidents that happen when someone drives after drinking. A lot of people get hurt in these accidents, 5,256 more people to be exact.
In Missouri, both individuals and businesses abide by the Dram Shop Law. Under this law, bars and restaurants can be held liable once they get caught serving too much alcohol. Most especially if they are proven guilty of serving alcohol to minors and intoxicated individuals. Such situations, however, are often complicated and need thorough investigation.
Bautista LeRoy LLC is a law firm that provides legal services in several states across the United States, particularly in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas. The firm wants to help people involved in driving accidents in many ways. In particular, the firm will first provide clients with a free discussion of their legal alternatives to determine what they can achieve. Also, clients do not have to pay any up-front legal fees because the business operates on a contingency fee basis. Payment will only be issued if the firm wins its case. This is how Bautista LeRoy LLC helps people to pursue justice.
What should I do following a drunk driving accident?
Getting medical help should be your priority because your safety is the most important thing. The next thing is to call the police, and, if you can, document the scene. You should try to gather critical evidence, such as witness information, photos or videos. Then, you can seek legal advice by contacting a drunk driving accident attorney.
Can I file a claim if I suffered an injury from a drunk driver?
Yes. Alcohol can impair your vision, focus, and reaction, which could result in injuries. Because of this, a person who got involved in a drunk driving accident is entitled to compensation, allowing that person to file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver.
What kind of compensation can the victims of drunk driving incidents receive?
Victims may be able to recover compensation for medical bills. They may also recover lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Victims may also be compensated for property damage. Other financial losses due to the accident are also included. The accident victims may recover compensation for all these.
Can a restaurant or a bar be held responsible when someone gets into a driving incident after drinking at the restaurant or the bar?
Yes, under certain circumstances. Missouri's Dram Shop Law holds bars and restaurants responsible if they provide alcohol to minors. Also, if they offer alcohol to someone who is obviously intoxicated, and that person is later involved in an accident, bars or restaurants may also be held liable.
Why should a drunk driving accident be investigated right away?
A drunk driving accident should be investigated immediately. In doing this, crucial evidence, including security footage, pictures, receipts, and witness accounts, can be kept from being overlooked. This also builds a case and guarantees justice.
How does drinking affect a person's ability to drive a car?
Drinking a small amount of alcohol can affect how well a person can drive a car. Alcohol makes it hard for a person to drive a car, like coordinate their movements, react quickly, make good decisions and pay attention to the road, which can cause a drunk driving accident. Drinking alcohol can really affect a person's ability to drive a car safely.
How much does it cost to hire Bautista LeRoy LLC in drunk driving accidents?
At Bautista LeRoy LLC, you do not have to pay any money up front to hire a driving accident lawyer. The firm will cover all costs of the drunk driving accident case and will only get paid if the firm wins the case for you.
What can a drunk driving accident lawyer do to help me with my driving accident case?
Attorneys handling a drunk driving accident case can deeply look into the client's case and collect evidence to figure out who should be responsible for the accident. They are also the ones to communicate with the client's insurance company and negotiate to get the right amount of compensation for you.
