Get the Support You Need After an Accident Caused by Driving While Intoxicated in Kansas City
Drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI) means driving when you have consumed alcohol or other drugs, and it handicaps your ability to make rational decisions on the road while driving a vehicle. Driving while intoxicated in Kansas City is a serious criminal offense under Missouri DUI law on traffic. In Missouri, you’ll be considered under the influence if your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is higher than 0.8%, and you will be penalized for alcohol-impaired driving. Druck drivers often cause fatal accidents in Kansas City. If you have suffered a drunk driving accident, you will need the help of our drunk driving accident attorney. Don’t let a DUI charge ruin your life. Get the representation you deserve. Contact our experienced DUI Lawyer Kansas City now and get the justice you are entitled to.
How common are DUI accidents in Kansas City?
According to the Traffic Safety Facts statistics published by the United States Department of Transportation, In 2020, 11,654 people lost their precious lives to drivers who were intoxicated while driving their vehicles. The statistic shows that majority of these deaths were preventable, and the unfortunate accidents only happened because the drivers had consumed alcohol. Alcohol is the most prominent contributor among drugs that cause drunk driving accidents. MO alcohol laws and MO DUI law prohibit driving if your BAC is 0.08 g/dL or higher. In Kansas City, drunk driving is one of the biggest causes of death in 2020, according to the statistics report by the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Injuries and Damages Caused by DUI Accidents in Kansas City
DUI lawyers Kansas City are present to help you if you have suffered a Missouri DUI accident. A suit for damages is a civil suit that ensures you get fair compensation for Injuries that are caused by traffic accidents by drunk drivers who violate the DWI laws in Missouri are;
- Spinal cord damages
- Brain injuries
- Internal bleeding or loss of limb
- Organ bursts
- Bone fractures
- Muscle damage
- Permanent disability
- Other kinds of minor injuries
A DUI lawyer will help you understand the scope of the damages you can claim for injuries you incurred by someone violating the DWI law — driving while intoxicated. According to the DUI law in Kansas City, anyone who is drunk driving and injures a person is liable to pay the following damages to them;
- Monetary damages: The compensation of financial losses due to the accident — car damage, medical bills, loss of wages, and ability to earn in the future.
- Psychological damages: The traumas associated with the accident and the expense of their treatment.
- Fines: Other than monetary and psychological damages, the court may impose punitive damages on the driver i.e. fines as a way of penalty for violation of DUI in Kansas City, MO.
What are the penalties for DUI in Kansas City?
In Kansas City, the prerequisite to meet the penalty of Missouri DUI Laws, the driver must be guilty of a 0.08 g/dL or higher BAC. However, DUI in Kansas still applies to anyone with a BAC lower than 0.08 g/dL, but they won’t be penalized. DUI/DWI are criminal offenses and the penalty for DUI in Kansas City is classified into two classes. They are Class A misdemeanor and Class B misdemeanor.
Class B misdemeanor is less severe than Class A, and it includes the following penalties;
- Imprisonment for up to 06 months
- Fine up to $1000
- Suspension of driving license for one year
- Evaluation of BAC and treatment
Class A misdemeanor includes the following penalties;
- Imprisonment for up to 12 months
- Fine up to $1,750
If the offense is repeated for a third time within ten years of the second DUI, a person is sentenced to a fine of $2,500 and imprisonment for up to one year. A person may be charged with a felony on the fourth offense that will permanently stay on a driver’s criminal record.
What to do after a DUI accident in Kansas City?
If you are charged with DUI, you can find the best DUI lawyers in Kansas City. If you’re in Missouri, you will need the expertise of a Missouri DUI lawyer. Each DUI case has a different scope and class of offense. A good DUI attorney can help you reduce the sentence by the court. KS DUI laws are quite strict, and the penalties are not awarded sparsely. This is because the frequency of driving while intoxicated Missouri accidents have increased significantly over the last few years and penalizing the offenders can help in the strict application of DWI laws. Similarly, DUI cases are dealt with a firm hand to ensure observance of KC DUI laws. That said, you can still get out of a DUI/DWI charge with the help of an expert accident attorney. A DUI attorney will tell you how to get out of a DUI in Kansas City, MO.
If you have suffered an accident due to a drunk driver, you can claim compensation against them with the help of a personal injury lawyer. An accident lawyer understands the nature of your case and is in a better position to help you evaluate what types of compensation you should claim in your personal injury lawsuit. Moreover, a personal injury attorney also negotiates with the insurance company of the defendant and sees if a settlement can be reached regarding damages as a way of compensation. Sometimes, you have better chances for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit than in a settlement with the insurance company.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind that you may or may not get the entire sum you have claimed in your case. It is the discretion of the personal injury court to award you compensation after careful evaluation of the claim. However, hiring a good personal injury attorney can enhance your chances to win fair compensation. A drunk driver doesn’t automatically become responsible for damages in every car accident as it depends on their degree of fault. If you’ve been involved in a DUI accident, our experienced car accident lawyer can provide you with the assistance you need.
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