Have you recently been involved in a collision caused by another driver who operated their vehicle while intoxicated? This means you’re the victim of a drunk driving accident, and you have rights.
Understanding your legal options starts with calling our drunk driving accident lawyers in Warrensburg. With 45 years of combined experience, Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for people just like you.
With the help of our car accident lawyers in Warrensburg, you can start to make sense of the aftermath of the crash and decide how you want to proceed with your case. We’re here to advocate for you and defend your rights. Your Injury. Our Fight.
Why Drunk Driving Accidents Are Uniquely Dangerous
Missouri is home to a high number of alcohol-related crashes every year. Unfortunately, impaired driving creates hazards that put everyone on the road at risk of a collision, including:
- Delayed reaction times: Drivers under the influence often cannot respond quickly to sudden changes in traffic.
- Reduced coordination: Steering, braking, and changing lanes are behaviors that become unpredictable when alcohol is involved.
- Poor judgment: Impaired drivers are more likely to speed above posted limits, run red lights, and make unsafe turns.
- Increased risk at night: Darkness amplifies these preexisting dangers, especially because impaired drivers might misjudge distances or fail to notice pedestrians.
These factors all make drunk driving collisions particularly dangerous and unpredictable. For victims of these crashes, call a Warrensburg personal injury lawyer as soon as you have a chance. Your attorney will provide you with invaluable guidance regarding your case.
Common Injuries from Alcohol-Related Crashes
Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer injuries that require immediate attention and long-term care, such as:
- Whiplash and neck trauma: Sudden stops or rear-end collisions frequently result in soft tissue injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries: Herniated discs, nerve damage, or fractures may have lasting impacts on mobility.
- Head trauma: Concussions, lacerations, or traumatic brain injuries can stem from instances where victims make impact with the dashboard, a steering wheel, or other hard surfaces.
- Broken bones: Arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones are often fractured as a result of high-impact collisions.
- Internal injuries: Damage to organs, internal bleeding, or intense bruising might require victims to undergo emergency surgery.
It’s beneficial for you to have your medical history as well-documented as possible. The more details you provide, the more information your Warrensburg drunk driving accident attorneys will have to work with when advocating for your right to pursue compensation.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
Determining Liability in Missouri
Missouri follows a modified comparative fault system, as outlined in RSMo § 537.067. This means that victims can recover damages even if they share partial responsibility. That said, compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
In drunk driving accidents, liability can extend to:
- The at–fault driver: Reckless or impaired driving creates direct responsibility on part of the person behind the wheel.
- Commercial vehicles: Employers might be liable if a company vehicle was involved in the collision and the driver was intoxicated while on the clock.
- Vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers: In some cases, product defects or improper maintenance could be partly responsible for the accident.
The process of establishing liability accurately is a must when making sure that victims receive the compensation they need for recovery. The sooner you reach out to Warrensburg drunk driving accident attorneys, the sooner they can start working on your case.
Insurance Considerations Warrensburg Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Think About When Handling Your Case
Drunk driving accidents often involve multiple insurance policies, including:
- Personal auto insurance: This covers property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages if another driver is at fault.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage: This protects victims when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance of their own.
- Commercial insurance: If a company vehicle is involved, the employer’s liability policy might go into effect, though it depends on the specifics of the circumstances.
- Health insurance: This covers medical treatment, but it does not replace lost wages or account for property damage.
Understanding which coverage applies and when can prevent gaps in recovery. Filing claims correctly and in a timely manner will increase the likelihood that your compensation is not only comprehensive but also fair.
Reach Out to Foster Wallace Today to Speak With Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Warrensburg
Getting hurt in a crash caused by a drunk driver is an experience that can flip your whole world upside down before you even have a chance to process what’s happening. You’re now having to figure out matters you didn’t think you’d have to face, all because of someone else’s actions.
It’s a lot to handle at once, and it makes total sense if you’re feeling lost in the process. At Foster Wallace, we’re here to make your newfound circumstances far less overwhelming. We’ll handle the legal side of things so that you can focus on recovering from such a traumatic day.
From explaining what to document and how liability works to what your options are and how to move forward, we’ll walk you through everything. You don’t have to know all the answers.
That’s what we’re here for, so why not call now? We’re here for you.
