Drunk driving accidents are still one of the biggest dangers on American roads. These crashes often leave people with life-changing injuries or lead to wrongful death cases.
If an intoxicated driver causes a wreck, victims deal with more than just physical pain. They’re thrown into messy legal fights—sometimes against not just the driver, but also bars or restaurants that overserved alcohol.
These cases can get complicated fast. You might see settlements in the millions, especially if a bar or club played a role in the crash.
Lawyers who handle DUI cases have to understand blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rules, who was at fault, and whether a third party like a bar is on the hook.
- Drunk driving accidents can rope in both the driver and places that served them alcohol.
- Victims may recover big money—think medical bills, lost wages, even punitive damages—if they hire a sharp car accident attorney.
- Multiple defendants aren’t rare, and settlements can skyrocket if a dram shop (bar or restaurant) is liable.
$2,050,000 Settlement – Intoxicated Driver Crash Involving Two Establishments
Let’s look at a Missouri wrongful death case that shows just how much financial responsibility bars can face. Here, a drunk driver killed someone after drinking at two different establishments.
Key Case Details:
- Total Settlement: $2,050,000
- Defendants: Drunk driver and two bars
- Location: Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
- Case Type: Wrongful death from DUI accident
Establishing Bar Liability in Alcohol-Related Crashes
Missouri’s dram shop law (RSMo § 537.053) says bars and restaurants can be responsible if they serve someone who’s “visibly intoxicated” and that person causes a crash. But proving the bar should’ve cut them off? That’s not always easy.
It usually takes showing the driver had obvious signs of impairment while being served—think slurred speech, stumbling, or acting out of control. The law in Missouri is strict: unless you can show visible intoxication, the bar might skate by.
In Illinois, dram shop liability looks a little different (235 ILCS 5/6-21). The law doesn’t require proof of visible intoxication—just that the bar sold or gave alcohol to the person who then caused the harm. Illinois victims sometimes have an easier time holding bars accountable, but there are strict caps on damages.
Evidence Used in DUI Accidents:
- Blood alcohol test results (sometimes hours after the last drink)
- Toxicology expert opinions
- Security camera footage inside the bar
- Employee and customer witness statements
Investigation Requirements for Drunk Driving Cases
Honestly, evidence can vanish fast. Video gets erased, computer sales records disappear, and memories fade.
If you’re even thinking about a claim, you need a legal team that’ll move quickly. They’ll grab surveillance video, talk to witnesses, and dig through the bar’s training records.
| Evidence Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Training Records | Show if staff recognized intoxication signs |
| Video Systems | Capture customer behavior at the bar |
| Order Tracking | Prove how much alcohol was served |
| Witness Statements | Confirm visible intoxication |
Multiple Defendants in DUI Accident Claims
It’s not always just the drunk driver who pays. In this Missouri case, both bars got pulled in for serving someone who was clearly over the line.
Honestly, if you or your family is dealing with the aftermath of a drunk driving crash, you should check every place the driver visited that night. Sometimes, more than one bar or restaurant shares the blame—and the financial fallout.
Missouri Dram Shop Law vs. Illinois Dram Shop Law
Missouri’s dram shop law is pretty tough. You have to show the bar served someone who was “visibly intoxicated,” and the signs must be obvious. The law doesn’t allow suing bars for simply serving a minor unless there’s visible intoxication, which is a high bar to clear. See RSMo § 537.053 for the nitty-gritty details.
Illinois, on the other hand, is a bit more favorable to victims. You don’t have to prove visible intoxication—just that the bar sold or gave alcohol to the person responsible for the crash. (235 ILCS 5/6-21). But Illinois law limits how much you can recover, with caps on damages that adjust yearly. It’s not perfect, but it does open more doors for victims.
Both states let you bring claims against bars, but the rules and hurdles are different. If you’re in either Missouri or Illinois, you’ll want a lawyer who knows these laws inside and out. For more info, check out www.missourilawyers.com or just contact us directly.
Common Questions About Drunk Driving Crash Legal Cases
What actions should someone take right after a drunk driving crash happens?
First, get medical help—that’s non-negotiable. Call 911 as soon as you can.
If it’s safe, stay at the scene. Grab the other driver’s insurance info and contact details if you’re able.
- Snap photos of the cars and the whole scene
- Ask witnesses for their names and numbers
- Jot down what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind
- Don’t admit fault or apologize (even if you feel bad—it can be used against you)
- Keep all medical records and bills
If you suspect the other driver was drinking, tell the police. They’ll know what to do next.
How can someone decide if they need legal help for their case?
Honestly, most people should at least talk to a lawyer after a drunk driving crash. These cases are rarely simple.
If someone was seriously hurt or killed, or if the insurance company lowballs you, it’s time to get help. Same goes if there’s any confusion about who caused the crash or if the drunk driver’s insurance is missing in action.
- Big medical bills piling up
- You’ve missed work for days (or weeks)
- The insurance company says “no” or drags its feet
- You’re lost in the legal maze
Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations. You can talk to one without paying a dime, just to see where you stand.
What money damages might someone receive after this type of crash?
Victims can get compensated for a bunch of things. It depends on how bad the injuries are, but here’s the usual breakdown:
Medical costs—think hospital bills, doctor visits, rehab, and whatever care you’ll need down the road.
Lost wages—if you missed work, or can’t go back to your old job, that counts too.
Pain and suffering payments? Those are for the physical and emotional toll. Car repairs or replacement fall under property damage.
| Type of Compensation | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses | Hospital stays, therapy, prescriptions |
| Lost income | Missed paychecks, reduced earning power |
| Property damage | Car repairs, personal belongings |
| Pain and suffering | Physical pain, stress, anxiety |
Sometimes, courts award punitive damages—extra money meant to punish especially reckless behavior. It’s not guaranteed, but it happens in the worst cases.
Can legal help make a difference when the drunk driver has no insurance?
Absolutely. Even if the drunk driver’s broke or uninsured, a good lawyer can find other ways to get you paid.
- Your own uninsured motorist coverage (check your policy—you might have it and not even know)
- Going after the drunk driver’s assets (if they have any worth pursuing)
- Suing bars or restaurants that overserved the driver (thanks to dram shop laws in Missouri and Illinois)
Lawyers know how to track down every possible source of compensation. Sometimes, they’ll even set up payment plans with drivers who can’t pay all at once.
How much time do people have to file legal claims after these crashes?
Time matters. Every state sets a “statute of limitations”—wait too long, and you’re out of luck.
- Personal injury: usually 2-3 years in Missouri and Illinois
- Property damage: 2-6 years, depending on the state
- Wrongful death: often 1-3 years
The clock starts ticking on the day of the crash. Sometimes, if injuries aren’t discovered right away, there are exceptions—but don’t count on it.
Insurance companies want claims reported ASAP, sometimes within days. The sooner you start, the better chance you have to save evidence and talk to witnesses while they still remember what happened.
If you’re unsure about deadlines or your rights, visit www.missourilawyers.com or just contact us. It’s better to ask now than wish you had later.
What legal problems might drunk drivers face in civil court?
Drunk drivers who cause crashes deal with criminal charges, sure, but they also face civil lawsuits. These two legal paths run separately, and honestly, the civil side can hit just as hard—sometimes harder.
In civil court, folks who drove drunk and hurt someone usually have to pay money damages. Bankruptcy won’t get them out of these debts in most states, which might surprise some people.
Civil consequences include:
- Paying for every medical bill and all lost wages
- Covering damages for pain and suffering
- Facing possible punitive damages (that’s basically extra punishment money)
- Dealing with sky-high insurance rates for years
Civil cases don’t have to wait for a criminal trial to wrap up. If someone’s been hurt, the lawsuit can move forward even while criminal charges are still pending.
On top of that, the state might yank a drunk driver’s license and hit them with more penalties. It’s a lot to deal with, and it doesn’t just end with the court date.
Now, let’s talk about how Missouri and Illinois handle things. Both states have what’s called a “dram shop law.” Basically, these laws let injured people sue bars, restaurants, or even social hosts who served alcohol to someone already visibly intoxicated, if that person then caused a crash. Missouri’s dram shop law (see Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.053) is a bit narrower than some—bars can only be liable if they knowingly served a drunk person or a minor, and there are some exceptions. But if a bar served someone clearly wasted, and that person hurt you, you might have a case against the bar too.
Illinois dram shop law is broader. Under 235 ILCS 5/6-21, you can sue an establishment that sold or gave alcohol to the at-fault driver, if you can show the booze contributed to the crash. Illinois doesn’t require proof that the bar knew the person was drunk, just that they provided the alcohol. Sounds strict, but it’s meant to keep everyone a little safer.
Both states put some limits on how much money you can recover from a dram shop claim, and you’ll need to act fast—deadlines for filing can be short. If you’re in Missouri or Illinois and dealing with a drunk driving crash, it’s smart to talk to a lawyer who knows these rules inside and out. The laws can get complicated, and insurance companies aren’t always eager to help you out.
Need more info or want to talk it through? Check out www.missourilawyers.com or just contact us. We’re here to help you sort through the mess and figure out your next steps.
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