A night out on Ninth Street, a weekend tailgate near Faurot Field, or a quick drive home along I-70 should never end in tragedy. When a drunk driver makes the choice to get behind the wheel in Columbia, innocent people pay the price.
If you or someone you love was hurt by an impaired driver, our Columbia drunk driving accident lawyers at DM Injury Law are here to help you hold that driver accountable and pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve.
Drunk driving crashes are not ordinary accidents. They are preventable acts of negligence that often leave families dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, and the loss of a loved one.
At DM Injury Law, we treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve. Our dedicated attorneys combine deep knowledge of Missouri law with the resources needed to take on insurance companies, commercial establishments, and anyone else who contributed to the crash.
Call (573) 508-0400 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
Why Choose DM Injury Law for Your Columbia Drunk Driving Accident Case
When you have been hit by a drunk driver in Columbia, you need a law firm that treats your case with care and fights for every dollar you deserve. DM Injury Law brings together the size, skill, and structure to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies and corporate defendants without losing the personal touch that matters to families in Mid-Missouri.
Here is what sets our team apart:
- Team-Based Approach: Our firm has approximately 70 attorneys and roughly 250 support staff members, each focused on specific aspects of your case, so nothing falls through the cracks.
- Proven Results: We have recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients and families across the region in matters involving auto accidents, workplace injuries, serious injuries, and wrongful death.
- Trial-Ready Attorneys: Our lawyers are respected advocates recognized in prestigious listings like Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.
- Personal Attention: We give every client the time, access, and updates they deserve, so you are never left wondering what is happening with your case.
- No Fee Unless We Win: We handle drunk driving accident cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing up front, and we only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you.
From our early investigation through every negotiation and, if needed, courtroom argument, we focus on building the strongest possible case for you. Call (573) 508-0400 today to speak with a Columbia drunk driving accident lawyer about your next steps.
How Drunk Driving Crashes Happen in Columbia
Columbia sits at the crossroads of I-70 and Highway 63, with a lively downtown, a major university, and popular entertainment districts that all contribute to traffic on weekend nights. When drivers choose to drink and drive in these busy areas, the results can be devastating.
Common places we see drunk driving crashes in and around Columbia include:
- Interstate 70 near the Stadium Boulevard and Providence Road exits
- Downtown streets around the District and Ninth Street
- Highway 63 connecting Columbia to Jefferson City
- Stadium Boulevard and Broadway near the University of Missouri
- Residential intersections in neighborhoods like Old Southwest and Benton-Stephens
No matter where the crash happened in Boone County, our drunk driving accident lawyers in Columbia can investigate the scene, gather evidence, and build a clear picture of how the collision occurred.
Missouri Drunk Driving Laws and What They Mean for Your Claim
Missouri law takes drunk driving seriously, and those same laws play a key role in civil injury cases. In Missouri, a driver is considered legally impaired when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reaches 0.08% or higher.
For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, it is 0.02%. These rules are outlined in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 577.
A driver can also be considered impaired below these numbers if alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both affects their ability to drive safely. Evidence like field sobriety tests, breath or blood test results, and police reports often come into play in both the criminal case and your personal injury claim.
A few important points to keep in mind about Missouri drunk driving injury claims:
- Criminal and Civil Cases Are Separate: A drunk driver can face criminal charges from the state while you pursue a separate civil claim for your injuries.
- Guilty Pleas Can Help Your Case: A DWI conviction or plea can serve as powerful evidence of fault in your civil claim.
- You Do Not Need a Conviction: Even if criminal charges are reduced or dropped, you may still recover compensation through a civil personal injury claim.
Understanding how these pieces fit together takes experience, and our team is ready to walk you through each step.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Columbia Drunk Driving Crash
In a typical drunk driving case, the impaired driver is the obvious defendant. But Missouri law also allows injured people to look beyond the driver in certain situations. Identifying every responsible party can make a meaningful difference in the total compensation available to you and your family.
Parties who may share responsibility for a Columbia drunk driving crash include:
- The Drunk Driver: The person who chose to drive while impaired is almost always the primary responsible party.
- Bars, Restaurants, and Liquor Establishments: Under Missouri's dram shop law, RSMo § 537.053, a licensed business that sells alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to someone under 21 may be liable if that person then causes injury.
- Employers: If the drunk driver was working at the time of the crash, the employer may share liability under certain circumstances.
- Vehicle Owners: Someone who knowingly allowed an unfit driver to use their vehicle can sometimes be held responsible.
A full investigation often uncovers additional insurance coverage and defendants beyond just the driver. That matters because drunk driving crashes frequently cause catastrophic injuries, and a single auto policy may not cover the full cost of a victim's losses.
Missouri's Statute of Limitations for Drunk Driving Injury Cases
Time is critical in any Missouri personal injury case. Under RSMo § 516.120, you generally have five years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Missouri. For wrongful death claims involving a drunk driving crash, RSMo § 537.100 sets a shorter window of three years from the date of death.
While five years may sound like a long time, evidence does not wait. Dash camera footage can be overwritten, surveillance video at bars and restaurants may be deleted, and witness memories fade.
Working with a Columbia drunk driving accident attorney early allows us to preserve crucial evidence before it disappears.
How Missouri's Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim
Missouri follows a "pure comparative fault" system. This means that even if you are partially at fault for the crash, you can still recover compensation. Your total recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, if a jury decides you are 10% responsible for the crash and awards $500,000 in damages, you would receive $450,000. Insurance companies know this rule and often try to shift blame onto injured victims to reduce what they owe.
Our Columbia drunk driving accident lawyers push back against those tactics and work to keep fault squarely where it belongs.
Compensation Available After a Drunk Driving Crash in Columbia
Drunk driving crashes often cause serious physical, emotional, and financial harm. A successful claim can pursue several categories of damages, and every case is evaluated on its own facts.
Damages you may be able to recover include:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency room care, surgery, hospital stays, medication, physical therapy, and future medical needs.
- Lost Wages: Income lost while you recover, plus loss of future earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work long-term.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the mental toll of serious injuries.
- Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and other personal property damaged in the crash.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the impact on close family relationships.
- Punitive Damages: In drunk driving cases, courts may award punitive damages to punish the driver for reckless conduct and deter similar behavior.
Punitive damages are especially important in drunk driving cases. Because these cases involve conscious, reckless choices, Missouri juries have discretion to send a strong message through these awards.
What Our Team Does for You After a Columbia Drunk Driving Crash
When you hire DM Injury Law, you are not just hiring one lawyer. You are bringing in a coordinated team of personal injury attorneys, investigators, case managers, and support staff who all work together on different parts of your claim.
Here is how we build your case:
- Thorough Investigation: We obtain the crash report, collect witness statements, secure surveillance footage, and work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed.
- Evidence Preservation: We send legal notices to preserve video from bars, restaurants, and traffic cameras before it is erased.
- Medical Documentation: We help organize your medical records and work with your providers to fully document the extent of your injuries.
- Insurance Negotiation: We handle every call and communication with the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
- Trial Preparation: When insurers refuse to make a fair offer, we prepare your case for trial with the same care and skill as any case we settle.
A prepared case is a stronger case. Insurance companies know which firms are ready to go to trial, and that knowledge often leads to better settlement offers for our clients.
What to Know About Dealing with Insurance Companies
After a drunk driving crash, you may hear quickly from the at-fault driver's insurance company. They may sound friendly, express concern, and ask for a recorded statement or a quick signed release. It is important to remember that their job is to pay out as little as possible on your claim.
Before giving any statement, signing any document, or accepting any offer, talk with a Columbia drunk driving accident lawyer. We will deal directly with the insurance companies on your behalf and work to protect the full value of your claim.
FAQs about Columbia Drunk Driving Accident Claims
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from Columbia drunk driving crash victims and their families.
How much does it cost to hire a Columbia drunk driving accident lawyer?
At DM Injury Law, our drunk driving accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, no hourly fees, and no bills along the way. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
What should I do if the drunk driver who hit me did not have insurance?
If the at-fault driver had no insurance or very low limits, we look at your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. We also explore whether a bar, restaurant, employer, or other third party may share responsibility under Missouri law.
Can I still recover compensation if the drunk driver was not convicted?
Yes. Criminal and civil cases operate under different rules and standards of proof. Even if charges are reduced, dropped, or result in an acquittal, you can still pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim in civil court.
How long will my Columbia drunk driving accident case take?
Every case is different. Some claims settle within a few months, while others take a year or longer, especially when injuries are serious or liability is disputed. We focus on building the strongest case possible rather than rushing to a quick, low settlement.
Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?
Early offers are usually much lower than what your case is worth. Before accepting any offer or signing any release, let our team review the offer and explain your options.
What if my loved one was killed by a drunk driver in Columbia?
Missouri law allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a loved one is killed by a drunk driver. These claims can seek compensation for lost financial support, lost companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and other losses. We handle wrongful death cases with care and respect for your family.
Talk to a Columbia Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
A drunk driver made a choice that turned your life upside down, and now it is time to make sure that choice has real consequences. At DM Injury Law, we understand the weight of what you and your family are carrying right now.
Medical bills are piling up, work may feel impossible, and the insurance company is already looking for ways to minimize your claim. You should not have to shoulder any of that alone.
Our Columbia drunk driving accident lawyers are ready to step in, handle the legal side of things, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. We will investigate every angle of your crash, identify every responsible party, and push back hard against any attempt to blame you or undervalue your losses.
If you've suffered a drunk driving injury in Columbia, get the aggressive advocacy you need. Contact DM Injury Law today at (573) 508-0400 for a free consultation. We're available 24/7 and don't get paid unless we win.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.