St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Attorney I Gray, Ritter & Graham

St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving accidents bring devastating consequences, especially when they shatter the lives of victims and their families. A St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer with Gray Ritter Graham can help you, offering the legal support you need to secure compensation and bring accountability to those responsible.

Why Drunk Driving Accident Cases Demand an Attorney's Guidance

In St. Louis, drunk driving crashes often occur in neighborhoods like Ballpark Village, Lafayette Square, and the Central West End. With busy nightlife spots, these areas see elevated risks of accidents caused by impaired drivers.

But wherever the accident that hurt you happened, one of our skilled St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyers can help you find the justice you deserve.

Drunk driving accident cases can be more complex than other car accident claims. In addition to proving liability, your personal injury attorney will hold the responsible driver accountable, which often includes uncovering critical evidence of the driver's blood alcohol content, their behavior at the scene, and their history of any similar incidents.

Hiring a lawyer to take on this work allows you to focus on recovery while they handle the heavy lifting of your case.

A St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer also brings a deep understanding of local laws and Missouri-specific statutes that apply to impaired driving.

Drunk driving accident cases differ from other accident claims since they involve a clear violation of legal duty by the driver who chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

In these cases, an attorney can work to highlight this negligence, helping build a compelling case that maximizes your compensation.

Areas in St. Louis Where Drunk Driving Accidents Occur

St. Louis is no stranger to the devastating toll that drunk driving can take on its communities. According to Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety data, drunk driving contributes to nearly 20 percent of all traffic deaths in the state, many of which occur in high-traffic neighborhoods and areas known for nightlife.

These are some of the hotspots for drunk driving accidents in St. Louis:

Downtown St. Louis: With its bustling nightlife, Busch Stadium, and high traffic volume, downtown is a hotspot for impaired driving accidents. Victims in these areas often face severe injuries, extensive vehicle damage, and emotional trauma that requires long-term recovery.

Soulard: Known for its bars, farmers’ market, and entertainment venues, Soulard sees many DUI-related incidents, especially during events and late at night.

Central West End: A favorite for dining and nightlife, the Central West End has its share of drunk driving incidents. Whether you're a resident or visitor in this neighborhood, drunk driving accidents here leave lasting impacts, with victims often facing costly medical bills, lost income, and the challenge of recovery.

Types of Damages You May Pursue in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim

The financial toll of a drunk driving accident can be staggering. Your St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer will help identify and pursue several types of damages to ensure you're compensated for all the losses you've suffered.

These damages fall into two main categories: economic and non-economic. Here's a brief look at each.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are direct financial losses caused by the accident. They're measurable and often backed up by receipts, bills, and other documentation.

They include:

Medical expenses: Hospital bills, surgery costs, rehabilitation, prescription medication, and any other medical expenses you've incurred or expect to incur due to the accident.

Lost income: If the accident has caused you to miss work, you can seek compensation for the income you would have earned. This can also cover lost earning capacity if the accident impacts your ability to work in the future.

Property damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are less tangible but no less important.

They compensate you for the pain, suffering, and emotional impact of the accident, including:

Pain and suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by injuries can dramatically affect your quality of life. Compensation for pain and suffering seeks to address these losses.

Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, and emotional trauma can result from an accident and its aftermath.

Loss of enjoyment of life: If injuries have limited your ability to enjoy hobbies, exercise, or daily activities, you can seek damages for this reduction in quality of life.

Why You Should Turn to a Gray Ritter Graham St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

At Gray Ritter Graham, we're not just another law firm handling drunk driving accident cases.

We prioritize thorough preparation in every case, understanding that each client's experience is unique. This personalized approach builds a strong case that gives our clients the best chance of achieving their desired results.

We believe in a comprehensive approach to every case, which means gathering and reviewing all the evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements.

We prepare each case as though it's going to trial, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and no opportunity to secure justice is missed. This dedication sets us apart and has earned us a reputation for achieving significant settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Gray Ritter Graham's office is at 701 Market Street, Suite. 800, in Downtown St. Louis, about three blocks north of Busch Stadium. We would love to meet you and discuss your legal options. Call (314) 241-5620 or use our online form to schedule a free case review.

Proving Liability in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Proving liability in a drunk driving accident case involves more than simply pointing out the driver was impaired.

Your St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer will need to gather evidence that paints a clear picture of the events leading up to the accident, showing the extent of the other driver's negligence.

Gathering Evidence

Your drunk driving accident attorney will start by reviewing the accident report, which often includes the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) and details about their behavior at the scene. Other forms of evidence, like dashcam footage, surveillance videos, and witness statements, can further solidify your case.

Contacting Eyewitnesses

Witnesses play an important role in drunk driving cases. They may have observed erratic behavior, slurred speech, or the smell of alcohol on the driver, all of which help reinforce the negligence claim.

A St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer will know how to question witnesses effectively to support your case.

Expert Testimonies

When needed, attorneys may call on medical professionals, accident reconstruction experts, or toxicologists to provide testimonies that strengthen the case. These professionals can offer insights into how intoxication may have impacted the driver's actions and led to the crash.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Drunk Driving Accident

Being involved in a drunk driving accident is overwhelming, and the aftermath can bring just as much confusion and stress.

You might feel unsure of what steps to take or what mistakes to avoid. In fact, certain missteps can negatively impact your ability to secure fair compensation.

Steering clear of these common errors gives you a better chance at a successful claim and fair recovery.

Quick Settlements

After an accident, insurance companies often try to offer a quick settlement. The idea of receiving immediate financial support can be tempting, especially if you're facing mounting medical bills or have lost income due to injuries.

However, these early offers are rarely fair because they don't cover all the costs of the crash. Insurance companies offer unfair settlements to sway accident victims who need fast relief.

You can expect an insurance company adjuster to contact you. They might already have tried to get in touch. Please don't communicate with them unless you have a St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer. If you don't have legal help, you can say something that damages your case.

Accepting a quick settlement means you're likely forfeiting the opportunity for a more substantial amount later. Once you agree to a settlement, you typically can't go back to claim additional damages for long-term medical costs, lost earning potential, or the emotional impact of the accident.

A St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer can help you understand the full value of your case and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. With a personal injury attorney, you're far less likely to settle for less than you deserve.

Not Seeking Medical Attention Promptly

Failing to seek immediate medical care is a common mistake many accident victims make. Even if you think you're fine after the accident, get checked out by a healthcare professional.

Symptoms of internal bleeding, whiplash, and other injuries are often not immediately apparent. Delaying medical attention can lead to complications and prolonged pain, but it also impacts your case.

Insurance companies often look for any reason to argue you're not as badly hurt as you say or the accident had nothing to do with your injuries. They'll say your injury isn't related to the wreck since you waited to see a doctor. They might even claim you're not hurt at all.

You create a clear medical record that ties your injuries directly to the accident by visiting a doctor immediately. This record is invaluable for proving your claim and supporting your need for compensation.

Posting on Social Media

In today's digital age, sharing life updates on social media feels like second nature. But after a drunk driving accident, avoid posting anything related to the accident, your injuries, or even unrelated activities.

Insurance companies often monitor social media accounts to find reasons to minimize or deny claims. A seemingly innocent post of you out with friends or resuming daily activities can be misinterpreted to suggest that you're not as injured as you claim.

Even general statements about the accident or your recovery can work against you. Insurance adjusters may scrutinize every detail, searching for inconsistencies they can use to question the validity of your claim.

For instance, if you mention feeling better or make light of your injuries, they can use your words to argue that your injuries aren't severe. Staying offline, especially when it comes to accident-related details, can prevent these misunderstandings and protect your claim.

Waiting Too Long to Hire an Attorney

After an accident, many people wait too long before consulting a lawyer. They might assume the process is straightforward or that their insurance company will handle everything fairly. However, time is limited in drunk driving accident cases, and delaying the decision to hire an attorney can harm your case.

The sooner you bring in a St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer, the better your chances of building a strong case. Evidence, such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, or physical evidence from the scene, is often time-sensitive. Witnesses' memories fade as time passes, and critical evidence may be lost or destroyed.

Hiring an attorney promptly increases your chances of securing the necessary evidence to support your claim. An attorney can handle every aspect of the process, from negotiating with insurers to building a compelling case for trial if necessary.

Years of Seeking Justice in St. Louis

Drunk driving accidents are preventable, yet they continue to devastate lives in St. Louis and beyond. By pursuing a claim against a negligent driver, you're not only seeking compensation for yourself but also holding reckless drivers accountable.

Every case sends a message that St. Louis won’t tolerate drunk driving.

If you're ready to take the next step, reach out to a St. Louis drunk driving accident lawyer at Gray Ritter Graham, who will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. Facing the legal aftermath of a drunk driving accident is challenging, but with the right support, you can secure the compensation you deserve and move forward with confidence.

Gray Ritter Graham stands ready to guide you through this process, prepared to build a powerful case and fight for justice on your behalf. Our St. Louis personal injury attorneys have decades of experience, and we're ready to put that knowledge to work for your benefit.

Please get in touch with us by calling (314) 241-5620 or contacting us online for a free case evaluation.