A drunk driver caused your crash in Independence, Missouri. Now you’re dealing with injuries that never should have happened, medical bills that keep coming, and an insurance company that’s still looking for ways to pay you less.
When someone chooses to drive drunk on Independence Avenue, Highway 24, or anywhere else in our community, they put innocent lives at risk.
Drunk driving crashes are different from other accidents. While the prosecutor handles criminal charges against the driver, those proceedings won’t pay your medical bills or replace your lost wages.
Our experienced Independence drunk driver accident lawyers understand both the criminal and civil sides of these cases and can help to get you full compensation despite the insurance company’s tactics.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, our drunk driver accident attorneys in Independence, Missouri have handled drunk driver accident cases for over 35 years. We know that even when fault seems obvious, insurance companies will still try to minimize your claim or shift blame.
Our mission is simple: hold drunk drivers fully accountable and get you every dollar you deserve.
Why Choose Our Independence Drunk Driver Accident Lawyers
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we focus exclusively on Missouri auto accident cases. We have helped many clients obtain compensation for their auto accident injuries. Our family-run firm treats every client like family, providing personal attention you won’t get from larger firms.
We know how drunk driving crashes affect your entire life. You’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, and financial stress while the drunk driver’s insurance company tries to minimize what they owe you. We level the playing field and fight for maximum compensation.
Our approach includes:
- Immediate investigation: We secure evidence before it disappears
- Expert resources: We work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
- Trial experience: We’re prepared to take your case to court if needed
- No upfront costs: You pay nothing unless we win
How Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Independence, Missouri Help You
When you hire us, we handle every aspect of your case so you can focus on getting better. We take the stress off your shoulders and ensure you receive fair compensation.
We start by investigating exactly what happened. This means examining the crash scene, reviewing police reports, and gathering witness statements. We also secure critical evidence like bodycam footage, breathalyzer results, and field sobriety test records.
If a bar or restaurant overserved the drunk driver, we move quickly to preserve that evidence too. Credit card receipts, surveillance video, and witness testimony can disappear if we don’t act fast.
We handle all communication with insurance companies. Because drunk driving claims often involve higher damages, insurers fight harder to reduce payouts. We know their tactics, and we step in to protect your interests throughout the process.
What to Do After a Crash With a Drunk Driver
The moments after a drunk driving crash are chaotic and frightening. The steps you take can protect both your health and your legal rights.
Call 911 immediately, even if injuries seem minor. Police need to document the driver’s impairment through field sobriety tests and chemical testing. Emergency medical personnel can identify injuries that might not show symptoms right away.
If you’re able, document everything you can safely observe. Use your phone to record the driver’s behavior, slurred speech, or unsteady movements. Take photos of vehicle damage, the crash scene, and any visible injuries.
Next, get contact information from witnesses who saw the crash or the driver’s behavior before it happened. Don’t give any statements to the other driver’s insurance company without talking to us first.
Contact our Independence car accident attorneys as soon as possible. We’re available 24/7 to begin protecting your rights and preserving evidence while it’s still available.
Who Pays for Your Drunk Driving Accident Injuries?
Missouri follows an at-fault insurance system, meaning the drunk driver is financially responsible for your damages. However, multiple sources may provide compensation depending on your specific situation.
The drunk driver’s liability insurance is the primary source of payment. Missouri requires minimum coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. These amounts often aren’t enough to cover serious injuries from drunk driving crashes.
Your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage can fill the gaps. This coverage is required in Missouri and protects you when dealing with an uninsured driver or one with insufficient coverage limits.
Missouri’s dram shop law allows claims against bars, restaurants, or stores that sold alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person. A person is “visibly intoxicated” when their impairment is obvious to a reasonable person.
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver in Missouri?
You can sue a drunk driver to recover compensation. This civil case is completely separate from any criminal DUI charges the driver faces.
The criminal case punishes the driver for breaking the law. Your civil case seeks to make you financially whole by recovering compensation for your injuries and losses.
You can win your civil case even if the driver isn’t convicted of DUI in criminal court. Civil cases have a lower burden of proof, we only need to show it’s more likely than not that the driver’s impairment caused your injuries.
Compensation Available in Drunk Driving Cases
Missouri law allows you to recover compensation for all losses caused by the drunk driver. We fight to ensure your settlement covers everything you’ve endured and will face in the future.
Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims for recovering damages. This includes emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and medical equipment. We also calculate future medical costs for ongoing treatment or long-term care needs.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity represent another major category of damages. You can recover income lost while unable to work, plus future earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your earning potential.
On the other hand, pain and suffering damages compensate you for physical pain, emotional trauma, and loss of life enjoyment. These non-economic damages often represent the largest portion of drunk driving accident settlements.
Punitive damages may be available in drunk driving cases. These damages punish the driver for their reckless conduct and deter others from making similar choices. Missouri courts award punitive damages in cases involving extreme negligence or intentional misconduct.
Shared Fault in Missouri Drunk Driving Cases
Even if you believe you were partly at fault, Missouri law still allows you to recover compensation. Under Missouri pure comparative fault rule your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you are never barred from recovery, even if your share of fault is high.
In most drunk driving crashes, intoxicated drivers carry the overwhelming majority of responsibility. Even if you made a driving error, the drunk driver’s choice to drive while intoxicated usually represents the primary cause of the crash.
Evidence That Proves Driver Impairment
Building a strong drunk driving accident claim requires solid evidence proving the other driver was intoxicated and that their impairment caused your injuries.
Police reports contain crucial information about the driver’s condition at the scene. Officers document observations like bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, unsteady balance, and the smell of alcohol. The report also includes results from field sobriety tests and chemical testing.
Video evidence can be extremely powerful in these cases. Dashboard cameras, traffic cameras, and cell phone videos may capture the driver’s erratic behavior before or after the crash. Witness statements describing the driver’s condition or behavior also strengthen your case.
If the driver was drinking at a bar or restaurant, we secure receipts showing alcohol purchases and gather testimony from servers or other patrons. This evidence is crucial for both your main claim and any potential dram shop claim against the establishment.
Medical records from your treatment document the extent of your injuries and connect them to the crash. We also work with accident reconstruction experts who can analyze crash patterns typical of impaired driving.
Time Limits for Filing Your Claim
Missouri gives you five years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under RSMo Section 516.120. While this seems like plenty of time, you shouldn’t wait to take action.
Critical evidence disappears quickly in drunk driving cases. Surveillance footage gets erased, witness memories fade, and bar records may be destroyed. The sooner we begin investigating, the stronger your case becomes.
Insurance companies also use delays against you. They may argue that your injuries weren’t serious if you waited months to seek legal help. Acting quickly protects your rights and strengthens your claim.
Independence and Jackson County Resources
Resource | Contact | Purpose |
Independence Police Department | (816) 325-7300 | Obtain accident reports |
Jackson County Circuit Court | (816) 881-3000 | Check criminal case status |
Centerpoint Medical Center | (816) 698-7000 | Emergency medical treatment |
MADD Missouri | (800) 548-6233 | Victim support services |
Free Consultation With Our Independence DUI Injury Lawyers
During your free consultation, we take the time to listen to your story and explain your legal options. We’ll review the evidence, assess the strength of your case, and outline potential compensation you may recover.
There’s no pressure and no obligation. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing upfront. Our fee only comes from your settlement or court award if we successfully recover compensation for you.
We’re available 24/7 because drunk driving crashes don’t happen on a schedule. When you need help, we’re here to provide it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Independence Drunk Driving Accidents
Does a DUI Conviction Guarantee I’ll Win My Civil Case?
A DUI conviction provides strong evidence of negligence, but you can still win compensation even if criminal charges are dropped or reduced since civil cases have a lower burden of proof.
Can I Sue the Bar That Overserved the Drunk Driver?
Missouri’s dram shop law allows claims against establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons, but you must prove the server knew or should have known the person was impaired.
What if the Drunk Driver Had No Insurance?
Your Uninsured Motorist coverage, which is required in Missouri, can provide compensation when the at-fault driver has no insurance or flees the scene.
Should I Wait for the Criminal Case to End?
No, your civil claim can proceed independently of criminal proceedings and often resolves much faster than criminal cases.
Can Passengers Sue the Drunk Driver They Were Riding With?
Yes, passengers can file injury claims against drunk drivers regardless of their relationship, as insurance policies cover passenger injuries.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire Your Firm?
We handle all drunk driving cases on contingency, meaning no upfront costs and you only pay attorney fees if we successfully recover compensation.
How Long Do These Cases Usually Take?
The time it takes to resolve a drunk driving accident claim varies; cases with severe injuries or multiple defendants often take longer to fully resolve.
