St. Louis, MO Personal Injury Attorneys Blog

Statistics Show Fatal Consequences of Trucking Accidents in Missouri

2012-05-21T21:12:16Z

Located in the center of the nation, Missouri's highways are key transportation routes for large commercial trucks that transport goods from one side of the country to the other, and points in between. Given their weight and the weight and make-up of their cargo, trucking accidents are a major concern for Missouri.

]]> A look at some recent statistics regarding trucking accidents in Missouri reveals just how perilous commercial vehicles can be. According to a report by the Missouri Highway Safety Patrol, titled "2010 Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium" (the most recent such report):

•· One person was killed or injured in a commercial motor vehicle related crash every 2.1 hours in the state of Missouri in 2010

•· One person was killed or injured in crashes involving hazardous materials every 10.4 days in the state of Missouri in 2010

•· While commercial trucks were involved in 9 percent of all crashes in Missouri in 2010, they accounted for almost 13 percent of all accident-related deaths in the state

Types of Missouri Trucking Accidents

Some of the most common types of trucking and commercial vehicle accidents are:

•· Jackknife - the driver of a tractor trailer brakes quickly and the trailer swings out in a right-angle with the tractor; both tractor and trailer barrel down the road out of control.

•· Blind spots - the truck driver fails to see other motor vehicles due to blind spots in the side mirrors. The length and width of the commercial trailer cause large blind spots for truck drivers. They should always take this into consideration.

•· Unsafe braking distances - large over-the-road trucks traveling at highways speeds need a great deal of time and distance to safely stop. Inattentive truck drivers may not allow for adequate braking space.

•· Tire blowouts - if a tire blows, a truck driver can easily lose control of the vehicle. Re-treaded truck tires, or tires that have not been adequately checked and maintained, are especially at risk for blowout.

The consequences of a trucking or commercial vehicle accident can be catastrophic, as the Missouri Highway Safety Patrol's recent statistics illustrate. So caution when sharing the road with these large vehicles is urged, as the negligent acts of others can't be foreseen.

Automobile Drivers Represent Biggest Danger to Motorcycle Drivers

2012-05-07T15:52:20Z

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which is an annual national educational effort to encourage automobile and truck drivers to safely share the road with motorcyclists. It's an important endeavor. Motorcycle drivers and riders are always in a vulnerable position, so any motorcycle accident, especially those involving other vehicles, can be particularly dangerous for them.

]]> According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the proportion of deaths from motorcycle crashes rose from 5 percent to 15 percent of all traffic fatalities over the last 10 years. By most estimates, more than half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involved another vehicle. And in the overwhelming majority of those accidents, the motorcycle was hit head-on.

Preventable Road Defects Also are Threats to Motorcycle Driver Safety

The biggest danger to motorcycle drivers, then, is presented by larger and heavier vehicles on the road. Since motorcycles are smaller than cars and trucks, they can be more difficult to spot. The majority of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections, when the other vehicle makes a left turn in front of the cyclist.

Other threats, such as road defects like pot holes, inadequate guardrails and other neglected conditions, may be minimal to cars and trucks but can be deadly for the drivers and passengers of motorcycles.

But the biggest risk to motorcycle operators remains the other vehicles on the road and the inattentive acts of their operators. So in keeping with the spirit of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, here are a few tips to automobile and truck drivers when sharing the road with motorcycles.

•· Always check your blind spots for motorcycles when turning or changing lanes.

•· Never share or crowd a lane with a motorcycle. Just like cars, they should be afforded the full driving lane.

•· Be especially alert over rough road or during inclement weather. Motorcycles have tougher times dealing with these conditions than automobiles.

•· Be sure to use your turn signals so motorcyclists will be aware of your intentions well in advance

Carriers Operating Illegally Add to Unsafe Trucks and Buses on the Roads

2012-04-24T13:44:07Z

Large trucks and other commercial vehicles can pose significant dangers on the road. But if they belong to what's known as reincarnated carriers, the odds for catastrophic accidents increase greatly.

]]> When a trucking company or bus company is cited for a safety violation by the Department of Transportation, it faces a fine that can range from $1,000 to $20,000. It may also be ordered to close, especially if it is a repeat offender. Rather than pay the fine or shut down, a reincarnated carrier simply reopens under a new name and never addresses the safety issues.

A company seeking to operate buses and trucks across state lines must register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a subordinate of the Department of Transportation. The FMCSA issues a number to the company. Those seeking to transport passengers must also pay a fee and provide proof of insurance.

In 2009, the Government Accounting Office released a report that found 20 bus companies and 1,073 trucking companies that most likely registered under false pretenses over a two-year period.

Enhanced Efforts to Stop Unsafe Truck and Bus Companies

With tens of thousands of new companies registering each year, the FMCSA has argued in the past that it cannot look into each one to identify those with previous safety violations. However, in December 2011, the FMCSA announced an increased effort to identify reincarnated carriers.

Provisions of this new campaign include:

•· An increase in the fine for operating illegally from $2,000 a day to $25,000 per violation

•· Allowing the FMCSA to conduct safety inspections of buses at rest stops

•· Requiring new motorcoach companies to undergo a complete safety audit before being allowed to operate

•· Streamline the current registration system to make it easier to track companies

Whether because of truck maintenance issues or widespread negligence, trucking companies and motorcoach carriers that are deemed unsafe must be kept off the road.

Missouri Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

2012-04-17T19:43:04Z

Automobile collisions can result in death or very serious injury. What compounds the tragedy is the case where the at fault motorist has either minimum limits of insurance or no insurance at all.

]]> Missouri law requires that all motor vehicle drivers and owners maintain
some type of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. Unfortunately, each year
thousands of Missouri citizens are involved in automobile accidents with drivers
who have not maintained the required automobile insurance.

Missouri motor vehicle owners are required to show proof of insurance when
registering a vehicle and renewing their license plates. Liability insurance covers
your legal liability when injuries or property damage happen as a result of your
actions. The minimum level of coverage required by state law is:

$25,000 per person for bodily injury
$50,000 per accident for bodily injury
$10,000 per accident for property

The law also requires you to have uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for
bodily injury per person and $50,000 for bodily injury per accident. Currently,
Missouri law does not require drivers to purchase underinsured motorist coverage.

Coverage for uninsured motorists comes into play where the at fault driver
has no insurance. Coverage for underinsured motorists comes into play where the
at fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover the injured parties'
damages. Drunk drivers typically have no or inadequate insurance. People fleeing
from the police at high speeds may be uninsured or inadequately insured. Even
people who are faced with today's economic hardships let their insurance lapse and continue to drive or choose to drive with the minimum limits required in the state where they reside. There are a significant number of drivers on the road who (if they hit an innocent third party and cause an accident because of their fault), will have no resources to provide coverage for the victim. Therefore, the only way the victim can protect him or herself is to purchase uninsured/ underinsured motorist coverage in advance, at the time they purchase their own liability coverage.

It is a good idea to review your own insurance policies to make sure that you
have adequate personal protection under your uninsured/underinsured motorist
coverage. Under Missouri law, and depending on the wording contained in your
insurance, the uninsured and underinsured coverages may be "stacked" or
combined depending upon the number of vehicles owned or insured as well as the
wording of the policy.

Often it is the policy definitions, the coverages listed on the declarations
sheet and various clauses in the policies that determine the amount of uninsured
motorist or underinsured motorist coverage available in any given situation.

Safety Inspections of Commercial Vehicles May Be Lacking

2012-04-14T01:56:06Z

While thousands of trucking and other commercial vehicle accidents occur in Missouri each year, a recent fatal bus crash in Texas has put a spotlight on proper inspections of all commercial vehicles throughout the United States.

]]> The accident in North Texas killed 17 bus passengers. The Texas firm that conducted the vehicle's most recent inspection now faces scrutiny and brings into question the need for federal oversight into all state commercial vehicle inspections.

Per federal regulations, commercial vehicles are required to undergo inspections on an annual basis. A commercial vehicle is defined by a number characteristics or uses, including if it's:

•· Designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation

•· Designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and is not used to transport passengers for compensation

•· Used to transport a type or quantity of hazardous materials required to be placarded, regardless of the weight of the vehicle

However, there is no federal mandate as to who should do the inspections: state agencies, private companies, and even the owners of the vehicles are all permissible. It's up to the individual states to determine their own rules.

Many Sates Lack Commercial Vehicle Inspection Standards

According to the Associated Press, more than half of the states in this country lack a fixed set of inspection standards, allowing the inspectors - including the vehicles owners - to set their own requirements for passing inspection.

Calls for more federal oversight in the inspection of commercial vehicles are growing. The National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating transportation accidents and making recommendations to prevent similar accidents from occurring, are among those seeking more federal involvement. But the agency that would be responsible for such inspections, the Federal Carrier Safety Administration, so far has not taken up the issue.

In March, the U.S. Senate passed legislation that included a provision to require federal oversight of state commercial vehicle inspections. That legislation has not passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Event Data Recorders Can Be Key in Investigating Truck Accidents

2012-03-26T18:47:20Z

Most everyone has heard about the "little black box" onboard airplanes and searched for at the scene of aviation accidents. They need to be found as they hold important data just prior to the time of the crash, and that data can help federal officials determine the cause of the crash.

]]> What many people may not know is that commercial vehicles also have little black boxes on board. And they, likewise, can provide vital clues in determining fault in catastrophic truck accidents.

Event Data Recorders on Commercial Vehicles

These devices are known as Event Data Recorders (EDR). They are on today's passenger vehicles as well as large trucks. For commercial vehicles, they are known as Heavy Vehicle Event Data Recorders (HVEDR). There's an important distinction between the two: while family car EDRs have standard data they track, HVDRs do not. That's because each commercial vehicle engine manufacturer builds its own HVEDR, and determines what information to record.

Most HVEDRs, however, record:

•· speed of the truck

•· acceleration of the truck

•· maintenance record of the truck

Each one of these data sets can be a key in investigating truck accident and determining fault.

Truck Accident Investigations

An event data recorder on a heavy commercial vehicle is more complex than those found on passenger vehicles. Trained experts versed on forensic protocols for retrieving HVEDR data should therefore be employed as part of any truck accident investigation. If proper rules are not followed, the data may be erased. And if documented improperly, data retrieved may not be admissible as evidence in a wrongful death lawsuit.

HVEDR data, while generally very reliable and accurate, is not always sufficient by itself for successful litigation. Proper retrieval and examination of the data should be one facet of a comprehensive heavy commercial vehicle accident investigation. Other vital components include accident reconstruction, weather and road condition examinations, in-depth investigations into vehicle maintenance and driver records, and experienced attorneys who know how to conduct the overall investigation.

Missouri Drivers Must Use The Highest Degree of Care When Behind The Wheel

2012-03-19T13:40:24Z

Under Missouri law, the driver of a motor vehicle on the public roads is charged with using the "highest degree of care" at all times. This means the degree of caution that a VERY careful and prudent driver would use under the circumstances.

]]> Missouri Standard for Driver Highest Degree of Care

This standard applies to all aspects of driver conduct including:

•· speed

•· keeping a careful lookout for danger in all directions

•· having the preparedness to slow, stop or swerve upon the first appearance of danger

In the event of a motor vehicle collision or single car accident resulting in a claim or lawsuit for injury, death or property damage, legal responsibility will rest upon whether this standard of care has been met or not. The standard applies to drivers of automobiles, motorcycles, trucks and other motorized vehicles on the public streets and highways.

The reason the Legislature has set the standard of care so high is that a motor vehicle is considered to be a seriously dangerous instrumentality, especially when operated in an inattentive or negligent manner. When an accident occurs and a claim is made, this is what "fault" is based upon. Who was "at fault" will rest upon who did not meet the standard of care required by law.

Dangerous Consequences of Distracted Drivers

This strong duty of care, shared by all motor vehicle operators, is a reminder that distractions such as cell phone usage, texting while driving or engaging in other distractive activity is, in almost all instances, a failure to meet the duty of care and could establish liability if there is a motor vehicle accident. Of course, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs of any kind is, by definition, a violation of the duty of care. Too often, one or more of these activities are the cause of accidents resulting in serious injury or death.

Study Examined Dangerous Consequences of Distracted Truck Drivers

2012-03-05T19:24:32Z

Distracted drivers pose a menace to themselves and those sharing the road with them. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2009 almost 5,500 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction. And, a University of Utah research study concluded that using a cell phone - hand-held or hands-free - while driving slows a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent, which is the level at which drivers are considered legally drunk in Missouri.

]]> Most relate distracted driving habits to younger drivers of private vehicles. Distracted drivers of commercial vehicles, however, may pose a much more serious problem as accidents involving construction vehicles, buses and other large, heavy vehicles present a higher probability for fatalities and significant property damage.

Recommendations to Help Eliminate Distractions for Commercial Vehicle Drivers

There have been numerous studies examining the frequency and effects of distracted drivers of light vehicles, i.e., passenger cars and light trucks. But a 2009 study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration isolated its research on commercial motor vehicle driver distraction and came up with some interesting conclusions. Based on the heightened risk found for accidents by distracted drivers of commercial vehicles, the study's recommendations included:

•· Better education by fleet managers of their professional drivers as to the dangers of distracting actions behind the wheel.

•· Formalized policies by fleet managers to eliminate the use of distracting devices while driving.

•· Prohibit commercial drivers from reading or writing and looking at maps while driving. Routine tasks, such as looking at maps, were found to be significantly distracting for commercial drivers.

In September 2010, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration banned commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving. And in February 2011, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration banned texting by drivers operating a motor vehicle containing hazardous materials.

Weather Conditions Make Driving Hazardous

2012-02-21T21:14:17Z

Until this week, the Midwest had a pretty mild winter. Now, the cold has arrived, and with it snow and ice. While many people love the snow, no one likes driving in it.

]]> According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are overhalf a million car crashes due to snow or ice each year. While most of these do not result in serious injuries, some do. Tragically, crashes due to snow or ice causeover 2,000 deaths each year.

There are numerous things drivers can do to minimize the likelihood of a crash: drive at a reasonable speed; maintain a safe distance behind other cars; keep your headlights on; clear your windshield; make sure your tires are not worn; don't use your cruise control.

Many people will take precaution when driving during winter driving conditions.Some people, however, will choose not to. When those people cause a crash, they can't simply blame the collision on the road condition. Under Missouri and Illinois law, a driver has to act responsibly, even when the weather is bad.

Deaths in Truck, Motorcycle and Railroad Accidents Increase

2012-02-14T16:20:33Z

Fatal accidents involving trucks, motorcycles, and railroads are usually complex in nature. And, recently, more numerous.

While overall transportation deaths in this country decreased between 2009 and 2010, research by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reveals an increase during the same period in fatalities from truck, motorcycle, and railroad accidents.

]]> The NTSB released its findings in December 2011. Motorcycle-related deaths increased the most of all transportation categories, from 4,469 to 4,502. The number of deaths for occupants in medium and heavy truck accidents rose from 499 to 529, and railroad fatalities increased from 742 to 813. The majority of those deaths occurred at railroad crossings, but deaths from light, heavy and commuter rail accidents increased from 229 to 253.

However, the NTSB says that the total number of deaths on the nation's highways decreased from just under 34,000 to just under 33,000.

So while the overall number of motor vehicle accident-related deaths dropped between 2009 and 2010, it's not surprising that fatal accidents involving trucks, motorcycles and railroads rose. Each of these modes of transportation includes increased risks for serious injury and death for unique reasons, with little or no fault by their victims.

Causes for Truck, Motorcycle and Railroad Accidents

Causes for commercial trucking accidents are varied, from tired drivers to too much cargo to improper, negligent maintenance. Regardless of the cause, those involved in trucking accidents face higher odds for a fatal outcome because of the sheer size and weight of the commercial vehicle.

Motorcycle accidents often occur because drivers fail to see them in traffic. And motorcycle operators and passengers don't have the safety protections offered by automobiles.

Dangerous railroad crossings are, unfortunately, far too common. Crossings may lack warning gates or functional warning lights, or may have poor sight lines for those approaching them. With the speed, size and cargo of today's passenger and freight trains, any accidents involving them can result in multiple deaths and significant property damage.

Truck Drivers May Be Screened for Sleep Apnea in Future

2012-02-03T20:11:32Z

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which a person suffers pauses in breathing while asleep. The pauses can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and can occur up to at least 30 times per hour. The result for an individual suffering from sleep apnea is a poor night's sleep and excessive sleepiness the next day. Sleep apnea is typically a chronic condition.

]]> While it is a relatively common disorder, when a commercial truck driver suffers from it, the consequences can be devastating if the driver were to fall asleep behind the wheel.

Overweight Truck Drivers Cited for Sleep Apnea Testing

So the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee and the Medical Review Board, two government advisory boards, is working on a detailed proposal to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a sleep apnea screening test for commercial truck drivers. The two panels have already agreed that truck drivers with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher should be screened. The higher a person's BMI, the more overweight he or she is. And sleep apnea is more likely to occur in overweight individuals.

According to Today's Trucking, an industry publication, the proposal includes guidance on what to do if a commercial trucker fails the test. It would immediate disqualification of the driver for falling asleep while driving or having a fatigue-related crash.

Common Cause for Trucking Accidents is Tired Driver

Some in the trucking industry dispute the need for such testing. But along with other acts of negligence or inattentiveness, tired drivers are a common cause of catastrophic trucking accidents. If the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration accepts this recommendation, then one cause of tired drivers and the dangers they represent may be minimized.

Federally Mandated Technology To Avoid Railroad Collisions Under Fire

2012-01-25T20:01:28Z

Technology To Avoid Catastrophic Railroad Accidents Is Under Fire

In 2008, the U.S. Congress passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act. The law called for the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC), which automatically activates the braking systems of trains that are about to collide with each other or derail. Prior to 2008, a few carriers had voluntarily installed PTC on their track.

]]> The National Transportation Safety Board has called for the use of the technology for more than 20 years in order to prevent accidents that are caused by human error. The agency says that PTC would have averted 21 train accidents since 2001. The accidents resulted in 53 deaths and over 1,000 people injured.

How PTC Works to Avoid Train Wrecks

PTC systems include GPS and wireless communication technology tied to central control centers. The control centers, based on information they receive, can stop or slow trains that are in danger of collision or derailment, thereby preventing injuries or deaths to railroad passengers and workers, and anyone near the potential accident scene.

The law was enacted following a catastrophic collision in California between a commuter train and a freight train that caused 25 deaths and 135 injuries. It requires railroads to install PTC by the end of 2015 on approximately 70,000 miles of track - track that carries trains hauling passengers or hazardous materials.

Opponents of Rail Safety Improvement Act

The Rail Safety Improvement Act has its opponents. Chief among them are the Association of American Railroads, whose members include Amtrak and commercial freight haulers, and the American Public Transportation Association, which represents commuter rail systems. In 2010 the Association of American Railroads sued the U.S. Department of Transportation to halt the regulation. The department, in an effort to end the lawsuit, has proposed reducing the amount of track required to have PTC - between 7,000 and 14,000 miles, or about 10 to 20 percent of the original amount. A decision on the proposed reduction is expected this spring.

According to the Transportation Department's website, "PTC systems are eligible for funding under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program; however, no railroads have approached the Federal Railroad Administration for funding of PTC projects under this program."

Settled Lawsuit Provides Caution When Dealing with Insurance Companies

2012-01-19T14:27:42Z

Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, the country's third largest insurer of both personal lines passenger automobile and homeowners insurance, recently settled a class action lawsuit in which policy holders alleged the company mishandled their claims after being injured in auto accidents. The settlement was approximately $140 million.

Specifically, the lawsuit argued that Farmers failed to pay reasonable expenses for necessary medical services related to automobile accidents under Medical Payments ("Med-Pay") and Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") coverage in automobile policies based on Farmers' use of certain claim adjustment systems and procedures.

]]> The settlement includes claims filed with the insurance company for payment of medical bills related to an automobile accident under Med-Pay or PIP coverage from January 2001 to February 2009.

Catastrophic Accidents Can Lead to More Injustice with Insurance Companies

This action spotlights the frustration, even injustice, people often times experience when dealing with insurance companies following an automobile accident. Imagine when the accident has loss of life or required ongoing major medical care, and involves several possible responsible entities. In complex and catastrophic auto and trucking accidents, the inequities for the injured party can increase dramatically.

Following a tragic auto or truck accident, insurance companies (and other responsible parties) may try to mitigate their exposure and push for a quick settlement that is not fair to the injured party. The nation's courts, then, can serve to level the playing field for individuals when dealing with large insurance companies, especially in incidents of great emotional and financial loss.

Trucker Fatigue Poses a Serious Danger

2011-12-22T15:19:52Z

In the late morning hours of August 1, 2011, Eddie Wyatt was driving his tractor trailer southbound on I-85 just outside of Anderson, South Carolina. Suddenly, his rig veered off the road. Crossing the median, Wyatt's truck entered the northbound lanes. Wyatt's vehicle struck both an SUV and a pick-up truck. Dragging these two vehicles, Wyatt's rig ultimately collided with another tractor trailer. In the end, Wyatt and two other people were dead. The cause of the accident was driver fatigue.

Though Wyatt's accident took place in South Carolina, it could have just as easily occurred in Missouri. Drowsy driving - particularly by the drivers of large commercial trucks - poses a serious danger across the United States.

]]> Amendments to Federal Hours of Service Regulations

Last December, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA), the agency that regulates big trucks, proposed changes to the regulations governing truck operations and drivers' hours of service (HOS). These amendments called for big rig and other commercial vehicle operators to limit themselves to a 10-hour service time. The newly proposed rule mandated other limits, but encouraged more rest time between duty periods for drivers.

Since its announcement, certain special interest groups have opposed the change in the law. Members of the trucking industry believe that the new law will create financial hardships to an industry already affected by the economic downturn. Traffic safety advocates and researchers, however, believe the change is long overdue.

The change was prompted by growing concerns that - while fatalities are decreasing - the incidence of fatigue-related truck crashes are not. Deaths and injuries in big truck accidents are not limited to truckers; the dangers extend to the smaller and more vulnerable people and vehicles that share the roadways.

Truck Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

A truck accident is far from minor. At times, highways have to be shut down as a result, as we have recently seen on I-70 and I-44 in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Crash injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, head trauma and death. Simply put, people get hurt or killed.

Truck driver fatigue puts everyone at risk on our nation's roadways. While the federal government pushes for regulations to curtail the problem, the trucking industry is ultimately responsible for the risks they present.

Although Incidents May Be Decreasing, Drunk Driving Still Deadly

2011-12-20T22:24:49Z

According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), incidents of drunk driving have decreased over the last three decades, possibly in part to states passing higher minimum drinking ages. In fact, incidents of driving under the influence have gone down by 30 percent in the last five years alone.

Nevertheless, despite the decrease in the number of people who drive while impaired, fatalities caused by drunk driving accidents still make up more than 30 percent of all traffic fatalities, with an astonishing 11,000 people killed each year by drunk drivers. Moreover, in 2010, there were 112 million incidents of individuals who admitted to drinking and driving.

]]> Men More Likely to Drink and Drive

Men have been found to be the biggest offenders, accounting for 4 out of 5 drunk driving incidents. Young men in the 21-34 year-old age group contribute disproportionately to the number of individuals drinking and driving, responsible for almost one third of drunk driving instances while making up only a little over 10 percent of the population.

Additionally, 85 percent of those who reported drinking and driving also admitted to binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as drinking a large number of drinks in a short period of time.

Legal Remedies Available to Those Injured by Drunk Drivers

Often times, an accident involving alcohol does more than harm the person drinking. Other drivers, or passengers may be injured or killed. Those injured by drunk drivers may be entitled to compensatory damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. Where a family member is killed by a drunk driver, a wrongful death claim may be available. Punitive damages may also be available, depending on the circumstances of the case.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, contact an experienced Saint Louis personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation for your injuries that you deserve. For more information, contact an attorney today.