Despite strict DWI laws, impaired drivers continue to cause preventable, devastating crashes on Missouri roads. Victims of drunk-driving collisions may be able to pursue not only the at-fault driver but, in some cases, the establishment that over-served them under Missouri's dram shop law.
Drunk Driving Accident Cases in Missouri
Drunk and impaired drivers injure and kill Missourians on highways and city streets every year. Victims of these entirely preventable crashes often face catastrophic injuries and deserve full accountability from the impaired driver — and sometimes from those who over-served them.
How Missouri Law Applies to Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Beyond a civil injury claim under Missouri's pure comparative fault system, Missouri's dram shop law can hold establishments liable for serving a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who then causes harm. A drunk driver's criminal case is separate from your civil claim for compensation. The five-year statute of limitations generally applies.
Injuries and Damages We Help Recover
Crashes caused by impaired drivers tend to be high-speed and severe, producing traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, multiple fractures, internal injuries, and wrongful death. Punitive damages may be available where the driver's conduct was especially reckless.
What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Missouri
Get medical care and ensure police document the impairment. Preserve evidence and avoid the at-fault insurer's quick settlement offers. An attorney can pursue both the driver and, where applicable, a liable establishment under the dram shop law.
Missouri Deadlines Matter
Missouri's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally five years from the date of injury (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120). Wrongful death claims must generally be filed within three years (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.100), and medical malpractice claims generally within two years (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.105). Missing a filing deadline can permanently bar your claim — talk to a drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accident Claims in Missouri
Most Missouri personal injury claims must be filed within five years of the injury, though some claim types (such as wrongful death or medical malpractice) have shorter deadlines. Acting early protects your evidence and your rights.
Personal injury attorneys in our network work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing up front, and the attorney is paid only if you recover compensation. Your initial case review is always free.
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, so you can recover compensation even if you share some responsibility. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault, which makes strong evidence important.
Value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and the lasting impact on your life. There's no fixed formula. A free case review can help you understand what your specific claim may be worth.