St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Drunk driving crashes are preventable, and their victims deserve full accountability. Craig J. Concannon pursues every source of compensation, from the driver to, in some cases, the bar that served them.
Full Accountability
Preventable crashes, catastrophic harm
Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgment, so drunk driving crashes are often high-speed, head-on or wrong-way collisions that cause catastrophic injuries. Many happen at night and on weekends, on highways and in entertainment districts.
A criminal DWI case and your injury claim are separate. The criminal case punishes the driver; your civil claim seeks compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.
Craig J. Concannon looks beyond the driver to every available source of recovery, and uses evidence from the police investigation to build your claim.
Using police evidence
The report, sobriety tests and blood alcohol results.
Every responsible party
The driver, insurers and sometimes the bar or restaurant.
Punitive damages
Where the evidence shows flagrant disregard for others' safety.
Your UM/UIM coverage
When the drunk driver is uninsured or underinsured.
Accident Scenarios
Common types of drunk driving crashes
Impaired drivers often cause the most violent crashes.
Head-on collisions
A drunk driver drifts across the center line.
Wrong-way crashes
An impaired driver enters the highway going the wrong direction.
Rear-end crashes
An impaired driver fails to stop and slams into your vehicle.
Pedestrian & cyclist strikes
Impaired drivers who never see people on foot or on bikes.
Serious Injuries
Common drunk driving crash injuries
High speeds and no braking mean serious injuries are common.
Broken bones & spinal injuries
Fractures and spinal damage from violent impacts.
Every Responsible Party
Who can be held responsible?
Depending on the facts, compensation may come from:
- The drunk driver and their auto liability insurance.
- A bar or restaurant that served a visibly intoxicated person (dram shop).
- Your own UM/UIM coverage if the driver's insurance isn't enough.
- The vehicle owner in some cases, if they let an impaired person drive.
Missouri dram shop & punitive damages
- Missouri's dram shop law (RSMo § 537.053) allows a claim against a business licensed to serve alcohol by the drink if it knowingly served a visibly intoxicated person.
- A claim may also be possible if it served someone it knew or should have known was under 21.
- Dram shop claims must be proven by clear and convincing evidence.
- Punitive damages may be available if the evidence shows a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others (RSMo § 510.261).
After the Crash
What to do after a drunk driving crash
Get medical care
Get treated right away.
Make sure police respond
The officer's report and tests are key evidence.
Note where they drank
Receipts, comments or witnesses about where the driver had been.
Call Craig early
Bar receipts and video must be preserved quickly.
Hit by a drunk driver? Talk to Craig today.
Free, confidential consultation. No attorney fee unless you recover.
Questions