Kansas City Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

A night out in Kansas City should be a time for enjoyment, whether you’re taking in the vibrant energy of the Power & Light District or catching up with friends in Westport. But in a single, devastating moment, a drunk driver’s reckless choice to get behind the wheel can change everything.

A drunk driving accident can leave you with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and overwhelming emotional trauma. You are not just a statistic; you are a person whose life has been unfairly turned upside-down, and you deserve accountability.

When you are facing the difficult road to recovery, you should not have to carry the legal burden alone. The dedicated team at DM Injury Law is here to stand by your side. A compassionate and determined Kansas City drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm can help you fight for the justice and financial stability you need to move forward. Contact us today at (816) 888-7500 or through our online form for a free consultation.

We operate on a contingency-fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.

CivKey Takeaways About DWI Accident Claims in Kansas City

• An individual injured by a drunk driver can pursue a civil personal injury claim for financial compensation, which is entirely separate from the criminal case against the driver.
• In some cases, a Missouri bar or restaurant that overserved the driver can be held liable. However, this rule does not hold true for Kansas.
• Insurance companies often attempt to settle claims quickly for less than their true value, making it important to understand the full extent of one’s damages before accepting an offer.
• Victims can seek compensation for a wide range of losses, including medical treatment, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.
• Missouri and Kansas have different deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for filing a drunk driving accident lawsuit.

Why Choose DM Injury Law’s Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Kansas City

After a traumatic crash, choosing the right legal team is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need a firm with the resources to challenge powerful insurance companies and the commitment to give your case the personal attention it deserves. At DM Injury Law, we have built our firm to provide exactly that level of support to our clients across the Midwest.

We understand that a personal injury case is more than just a file—it’s about your health, your family, and your future. Our large team, with approximately 70 attorneys and 250 support staff members, allows us to dedicate focused professionals to every aspect of your claim. Here is what sets DM Injury Law apart:

• A Team Approach: We assign multiple skilled professionals to your case, providing comprehensive support from intake to resolution. You benefit from the collective knowledge of our entire firm.
• Significant Resources: We have the financial strength and technological resources to build a compelling case, hiring accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and other professionals when necessary to prove your claim.
• Contingency Fee Basis: You will never have to worry about upfront costs or hourly fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
• A Proven Record: We have a history of standing up for the injured and helping them secure the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Our attorneys are recognized for their dedication to client advocacy.

We are committed to leveling the playing field. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to protect their profits; you deserve a powerful team fighting just as hard for you.

Our Case Results

We hold drunk drivers responsible for their gross and negligent actions. Here are a few cases involving drunk driving accidents that DM Injury Law has handled:

• $1,250,000: Our client’s son was killed when a drunk driver hit him while driving on the wrong side of the road.
• $1,100,000: Our client’s sister was killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light and hit her.

Criminal DWI Charges vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you were hit by a drunk driver, you may hear about the criminal charges they are facing. It is important to understand that this is a completely separate process from your own legal claim for compensation. The legal system has two distinct ways of addressing a drunk driving accident: a criminal case and a civil case.

• The Criminal Case: This case is brought by the government (the state of Missouri or Kansas) against the drunk driver. The prosecutor’s goal is to punish the driver for breaking the law. If convicted, the driver faces penalties like fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education programs. The standard of proof is very high: “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
• The Civil Case (Your Personal Injury Lawsuit): This case is brought by you, the injured person (the plaintiff), against the drunk driver (the defendant). The goal of a civil case is not to punish the driver with jail time but to hold them financially accountable for the harm they caused you. The standard of proof is lower and easier to meet: a “preponderance of the evidence,” which means showing it was more likely than not that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.

While these two cases are separate, a drunk driving conviction in the criminal case can be powerful evidence in your civil claim. However, you do not need to wait for the criminal case to conclude to start your personal injury lawsuit. A skilled DUI crash attorney in Kansas City can begin building your case immediately.

Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?

Shortly after the car accident, you will likely receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. They may seem friendly and concerned, and they might even make a quick settlement offer. While it can be tempting to accept this money, especially when medical bills are piling up, it is almost always a mistake.

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their primary goal is to resolve claims for the lowest amount possible. The first offer they make rarely reflects the true, long-term cost of your injuries.

An initial offer may not account for:

• Future Medical Needs: Will you require ongoing physical therapy, future surgeries, or prescription medications?
• Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your old job or working at the same level, you have a right to compensation for that diminished earning potential.
• Long-Term Pain and Suffering: The physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident have significant value.
• Hidden Injuries: Some injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage, may not be fully apparent in the days immediately following a crash.

Accepting a quick settlement means you will be required to sign a release, forever giving up your right to seek any more compensation for this accident, even if your injuries turn out to be much more severe than you initially thought.

Before you speak to an adjuster or sign any documents, you should discuss your case with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. We can help you understand the full value of your claim and handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf.

What is Dram Shop Liability & How Does It Affect My Case?

Dram shop liability can be particularly important in a DWI accident case; however, it’s not a very well-known term. Missouri’s dram shop law allows a person who was injured by a drunk driver to pursue damages from the bar or restaurant that overserved them.

In Missouri, dram shop liability applies in the following cases:

• The bar/restaurant continued to serve someone who was “visibly intoxicated,” showing signs like slurred speech or the inability to walk straight.
• The bar/restaurant served alcohol to someone under the age of 21.

It’s important to note that Kansas does not have a dram shop law that imposes civil liability on establishments that serve alcohol to minors or intoxicated persons.

Dram shop liability doesn’t apply in every DUI accident case, but when it does, it means another avenue of compensation for our clients. Our drunk driving accident lawyers in Kansas City can let you know if the dram shop law applies to your case and fight for every cent you deserve.

What Compensation is Available in a KC Drunk Driver Lawsuit

The purpose of a personal injury lawsuit is to make you “whole” again financially by providing compensation for every loss you have suffered because of the accident. This compensation, known as damages, is separated into different categories.

As your lawyer in Kansas City, we will meticulously document your losses to build a case for the maximum compensation possible. This may include:

Economic Damages

These are the measurable financial losses you have incurred.

• Medical Bills: This includes everything from the initial emergency room visit and ambulance ride to hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and any future medical care you may need.
• Lost Wages: We will calculate the income you have lost from being unable to work while recovering.
• Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injuries have left you with a long-term or permanent disability that impacts your ability to earn a living, you can be compensated for this loss.
• Property Damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Funeral Expenses: If the accident resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one, we can seek compensation for the funeral and burial costs.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages compensate you for the intangible, personal losses that do not have a specific price tag but are just as real.

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, discomfort, and emotional distress you have endured.
• Mental Anguish: This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and fear resulting from the traumatic event.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or relationships that you once enjoyed.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent physical changes caused by the accident.

In cases of extreme recklessness, like drunk driving, the court may award punitive damages. These are not meant to compensate you for a specific loss but rather to punish the defendant for their egregious behavior and to deter others from engaging in similar conduct.

Our legal team knows how to build a strong case that accurately reflects the total impact the accident has had on your life, ensuring that both your current and future needs are addressed.

Kansas City Drunk Driving Accidents FAQs

Here are answers to some common concerns we hear from our clients about drunk driving accidents in Kansas City.

What should I do if the drunk driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?

This is a frightening and frustrating situation, but you may still have options for recovery. You may be able to file a claim through your own insurance policy’s Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is a type of coverage designed specifically for these scenarios. Our attorneys can review your policy and help you navigate the process of filing a UM/UIM claim.

How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit in Missouri and Kansas?

Every state has a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. It is crucial to act before this deadline expires, or you will lose your right to seek compensation. Because Kansas City sits on the state line, the applicable deadline depends on where the accident occurred.

• In Missouri, you generally have five years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
• In Kansas, the deadline is much shorter. You typically have only two years from the date of the accident to file.

My loved one was tragically killed in a drunk driving crash. What are our family’s legal options?

If you have lost a family member, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of civil claim seeks compensation for the losses the surviving family members have suffered, such as loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and emotional grief. The laws governing who can file a wrongful death claim are specific in both Missouri and Kansas, and an attorney can help you understand your rights during this incredibly difficult time.

What if I am found partially at fault for the accident? Can I still recover compensation?

Yes, in many cases, you can. Both Missouri and Kansas use a system of comparative fault to assign responsibility in an accident.

• Missouri is a “pure comparative fault” state. This means you can recover damages even if you are found to be primarily at fault, though your total award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Kansas uses a “modified comparative fault” rule with a 50% bar. This means you can only recover damages if you are found to be 49% or less at fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation.

Contact Our Kansas City Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today

Drunk driving accounts for 32% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, and intoxicated drivers claim the life of an innocent victim every 53 minutes. Even worse, over half of all drivers arrested for being under the influence have been convicted of more than one DWI.

At DM Injury Law, we have zero tolerance for drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking and will take aggressive action when you have been injured by one. Our Kansas City drunk driving accident law firm will investigate the car accident and any additional factors that may have contributed

When you trust us with your case, we will immediately get to work on your behalf. We will:

• Conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident.
• Gather all necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and medical records.
• Handle all communication with insurance adjusters and opposing attorneys.
• Work with professionals to calculate the full, long-term value of your claim.
• Fight tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you are owed, whether through a negotiated settlement or a court verdict.

Contact our drunk driving accident lawyers at DM Injury Law today to learn how we can help. Your consultation is free and confidential, and there is no obligation. Call us at (816) 888-7500 or reach out through our online form to get started.

Past results obtained on behalf of clients afford no guarantee of future results, and every case is different and must be judged based on its own merits.