St. Louis Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney

Beer and car keys representing a St. Louis drunk driving accident.

If you have suffered injuries in a car accident in St. Louis due to a drunk driver, life can seem chaotic. It can feel almost impossible to deal with medical bills and missed work at the same time as trying to file a personal injury claim for compensation. You shouldn’t have to do it all yourself. And you don’t.

Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC is proud to serve injured people and families in cases involving drunk driving crashes. We never represent at-fault drivers or the insurance companies. Let us help you pursue the compensation and the justice you deserve.

How Common Are Drunk Driving Accidents in St. Louis?

Despite consistent messaging in recent decades about the importance of being sober behind the wheel, Missouri still sees far too many traffic deaths and accidents due to drivers who are alcohol impaired. In 2024, 263 people lost their lives due to drunk drivers in Missouri, representing 27 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If a drunk driver hit you in St. Louis, you are not alone. St. Louis County has a particular problem with drunk driving crashes. In 2022-2024, St. Louis County led every county in the state in fatal crashes due to alcohol and drugs, according to the most recent information from the Missouri State Highway Patrol. St. Louis County came second in the state for total alcohol- and drug-related crashes.

Can I Sue the Bar That Served the Drunk Driver in St. Louis?

Under Missouri’s dram shop law (RSMo § 537.053), you may be able to hold a bar, restaurant, or club responsible for injury-related losses due to a drunk driving accident. An establishment can be legally liable if it served alcohol to someone under 21 when it knew or should have known their age, or knowingly served a visibly intoxicated adult. “Visibly intoxicated” does not simply refer to a blood alcohol number but to obvious physical signs.

The state’s dram shop liability law makes it clear that the claimant must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence of wrongdoing on the establishment’s part. However, holding a drinking establishment accountable can give you an additional avenue of compensation if the at-fault driver’s insurance is inadequate to cover your losses.

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How Long Do I Have to File a Drunk Driving Claim in St. Louis?

In general, you have a maximum of five years to file legal action for your drunk-driving-related accident injuries (RSMo § 516.120). The statute of limitations deadline applies to both your claim against the at-fault driver and any claim against a bar or other establishment under the dram shop law.

While it may seem like a generous amount of time, waiting too long can make it much harder to secure vital evidence such as surveillance videos and electronic data. You should enlist the services of our experienced St. Louis drunk driving accident attorneys as soon as possible.

Can I Get Punitive Damages from a Drunk Driver in Missouri?

Under Missouri law (RSMo § 510.261), you may be eligible for punitive damages if the defendant acted with flagrant disregard for the safety of others. In many cases, drunk driving meets the statutory requirement due to the widespread understanding of the dangers of being intoxicated behind the wheel.

It is worth noting that you cannot include a claim for punitive damages in the first filing. Instead, you will need to file a separate motion later in the case. Our attorneys can give you an informed assessment of whether you might qualify for a punitive damages award, and we can handle the procedural details for you.

What Evidence Could Prove a Drunk Driving Case?

Securing a successful result in a drunk driving case requires a solid foundation of convincing evidence of both the at-fault party’s wrongdoing and the scale of the losses you have suffered. Some of the key things our attorneys may use to argue your claim include:

Police reports and DWI charges – A criminal charge under Missouri’s DWI law (RSMo § 577.010) does not decide your civil case. Still, the responding officer’s report and any blood alcohol results could be powerful evidence.
Surveillance and dashcam footage – Nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and dashcams may have captured the moments before impact, including indications that the other driver was intoxicated.
Bar or restaurant receipts and staff statements – These can show how much alcohol the driver was served and when, which can be critical in a dram shop claim.
Eyewitness statements – People who saw the driver stumbling, slurring their speech, or driving erratically beforehand can support your case.

What Happens If the Drunk Driver Died in the Crash?

Some drunk driving accidents end with the at-fault party’s death. While tragic, it can also leave the surviving victim with a feeling that their wrongdoer has escaped justice and accountability. However, the impaired driver’s death does not prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve.

Your car accident claim could still move forward against the deceased driver’s estate and their auto insurance policy. The main difference is that the process is conducted in probate court rather than directly against the person.

What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Crash?

Being found partially liable for a car accident in Missouri does not prevent you from recovering compensation. Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning that a driver who was partly at fault is still eligible to file a claim and recover compensation. However, their award will be reduced by the share of fault assigned to them. For example, if you are deemed to be 25 percent at fault, an $80,000 award will be reduced to $60,000.

Insurance companies will do everything they can to reduce what they pay out, even if it means attempting to attribute an unfair percentage of fault to you. The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC know how to push back against these tactics to pursue maximum compensation for alcohol-impaired driving accident victims.

How Can a St. Louis Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Help Me?

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we stand ready to secure the evidence you need to prove your case, accurately calculate your current and future losses, and fight for everything you deserve. With us, you’ll have direct access to your St. Louis DWI accident attorney and a team with a proven track record in drunk driving and dram shop cases.

This testimonial from a former client illustrates what it is like to work with us in a personal injury case:

“They did a great job of reassuring us after our accident. We were losing income and felt lost and all the team members did a fantastic job of getting us just compensation. Shout out to Holy!! She was sooo helpful! We would definitely use them again. Hopefully we won’t need to.. but I highly recommend!” – Jenna R.

(314) 367-2661