Even though it's dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol, drunk driving is still prevalent. You will come across new reports every week about drunk driving accidents that either led to fatal injuries or caused an untimely death. St. Louis is not free from such mishaps, as the city streets are prone to car crashes of all kinds.
In November 2023, KSDK.com published the account of a Florissant man who was accused of drunk driving, which took the life of a seven-year-old boy. Based on the lawsuit that has been filed at the St. Louis Circuit Court, Carri, Jared, and Zachary Allan were on their way home after a family trip to Myrtle Beach.
They went westbound on Interstate 70, close to the David Hoekel Parkway, when a driver crashed into the rear driver's side door. The crash killed the 7-year-old boy, while his parents sustained permanent and severe injuries from the accident.
Even if you adhere to all the traffic rules, you can still encounter such accidents in St Louis. In this article, we will discuss other aspects related to drunk driving crashes that you should know.
People who are involved in drunk driving accidents can suffer from life-changing injuries. It can often affect their overall lifestyle and even lead to wage loss for a while because they wouldn’t be able to go to work. Some of the common injuries include:
Such injuries take a long time to recover. Additionally, the victims need to pay costly medical bills as well. When you file a lawsuit and work with an ace St. Louis car accident attorney, chances are you can recover the punitive damages from the at-fault party to a vast extent.
Your lawyer will look into the vehicle damage and let you know the approximate cost needed to repair it. If the repair cost exceeds the car value, then the vehicle gets counted as a complete loss.
People rarely buy DUI insurance. Hence, in most cases, it is the standard liability insurance that will cover any drunk driving accident. Individuals who suffer from various injuries like whiplash or ligament tears in such accidents can get compensated by filing a claim against the insurance company of the negligent driver.
The insurer will be accountable for the insurance policy limits. Hence, it can pose an issue for a person who has a huge number of damages and is currently managing an insurance policy that won’t pay beyond $75,000. In such situations, people can file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault or negligent driver and recover the extra compensation.
However, a few Missouri drivers who have underinsured or uninsured driver insurance can file a legal claim with their insurance company to get compensated. The amount is the difference between the insurance policy limits of the negligent driver and the damages that took place.
Today, it is necessary for insurance companies to cover the damages caused by drunk driving, as it leads to compensable losses.
Receiving compensation for a drunk driving case is difficult. It is mostly because the insurance agent of the at-fault party will try to manipulate you into believing everything is your fault and will ensure you get a reduced payout.
Victims should reach out to an expert lawyer, share their story, and allow them to decide if they are eligible to file a lawsuit.
TorHoerman Law states that expert lawyers know the disadvantages of such accidents. They know how to approach the court or the negligent driver’s insurance company. Hence, they will use every piece of evidence that you submit and prepare a strong case. Furthermore, the lawyers can answer every question about your case, which will help you receive compensation fast.
In conclusion, the streets of St. Louis are notorious for car accidents, which cause bruises, cuts, severe injuries such as whiplash, and even death. It is important for every pedestrian and car owner to follow traffic rules and ensure that they don’t drive after consuming alcohol. It impairs judgment, which is what leads to a crash and injuries. If affected by drunk driving, victims must recover the damages by filing a lawsuit and following what their lawyers say.