Kansas City Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Kansas City Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an average of 32 people die daily due to drunk driving crashes in the US.  In 2024, 11,904 people died in impaired driving crashes which are completely preventable.

AIf you or a loved one has been injured by an impaired driver, you need a dedicated drunk driving accident lawyer who will aggressively fight for your rights in Kansas City. At The Cagle Law Firm, we know that a car accident involving an intoxicated driver is not just an “accident”—it is a gross act of negligence. Whether your collision occurred on I-70, downtown near the Power & Light District, or a quiet Jackson County residential street, our personal injury attorneys are here to help you recover maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Missouri Laws Protecting Drunk Driving Victims in Kansas City

When pursuing a civil claim against a drunk driver in Missouri, victims have specific legal rights that go beyond standard car accident claims. Criminal courts will prosecute the driver for their DUI/DWI, but our job is to represent you in civil court to ensure you are financially restored.

Punitive Damages in Missouri

Because driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs displays a reckless disregard for human life, Missouri courts frequently allow victims to pursue punitive damages. These are extra damages designed not just to compensate you, but to financially punish the drunk driver and deter others from making the same reckless choice.

Third-Party Liability: Missouri Dram Shop Law

The drunk driver may not be the only party responsible for your injuries. Under Missouri’s Dram Shop Law (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.053), you may also have the right to hold a bar, restaurant, or nightclub liable if they provided alcohol to the driver. In Missouri, a commercial establishment can be held financially responsible if there is clear and convincing evidence that they:

• Knowingly served alcohol to a minor under the age of 21.

• Knowingly served alcohol to a patron who was “visibly intoxicated” (showing significantly uncoordinated physical action or dysfunction).

What is the Statute of Limitations for a DUI Crash in Missouri?

Time is of the essence when filing a personal injury claim. In Missouri, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is generally five years from the date of the accident (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120). However, if the tragic result of the drunk driving accident was the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death claim must be filed within three years of the date of death. Evidence disappears quickly, and securing video surveillance from bars or traffic cameras requires immediate action.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash in Kansas City

1. Call 911 and the KCPD: Always involve the Kansas City Police Department or Missouri State Highway Patrol. Tell responding officers if you smell alcohol or suspect the other driver is impaired so they can administer a breathalyzer or field sobriety test.

2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Go to a local emergency room (such as St. Luke’s or Truman Medical Center) even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask severe injuries.

3. Gather Evidence: If it is safe, take photos of the vehicles, the scene, and the other driver. Do not engage aggressively with the intoxicated driver.

4. Contact The Cagle Law Firm: Before speaking to the drunk driver’s insurance adjuster, contact our Kansas City personal injury team.

Types of Car Accidents in Kansas City, MO

At The Cagle Law Firm, our car accident lawyers fight for clients in Kansas City and handle every kind of car crash including:

• Rear-End Collisions: Often caused by tailgating, speeding, or distracted driving. Insurance carriers will defend these cases claiming you stopped short or share some partial fault.
• Head-On Collisions: Generally, the most severe and catastrophic because it has the combined force of two vehicles directly on the front seat occupants
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents:  Determining the at-fault parties in these accidents requires an experienced attorney.
• T-Bone Accidents: Side impact crashes can result in really serious injuries due to less structural protection than the front or rear of the vehicle.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents result in TBI’s and spinal cord injuries. “Roof crush” is a factor as the structural integrity of the roof is tested.
• Intersection Accidents: failure to yield and observe stop signs cause nearly 96% of these types of crashes according to the FHA.
• Speeding Accidents: speeding decreases reaction time and increases the force factors in a crash.
• Bicycle Accidents: Motorists failing to see bicyclists on the roadway is a common cause of incidents. Bicyclists have the same rights to the roadways, but usually suffer the worst end when passenger vehicles collide with bicycles.
• Pedestrian Accidents: People can be hit crossing the street in urban areas, but it is just as common in parking lots and rural roadways.
• Teen Driver Accidents: Teen drivers are less experienced and historically more prone speed. Teen drivers statistically have more crashes and fatalities.
• Uber and Rideshare Accidents: Rideshare accidents usually occur involving passenger vehicles. If you are a passenger in a rideshare vehicle that crashes, you may have access to a commercial level policy.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accidents: When another driver hits you and is uninsured, you usually need to make a claim against your own policy.
• Work Zone Accidents: Work zones have reduced speed limits. The change in traffic pattern can result in crashes involving multiple parties.
• Hit and Run Accidents: These accidents are frustrating. You will want an experienced attorney to assist you in hunting coverage
• Highway Accidents: Collisions on highways are high velocity and results in serious injuries
• Failure to Yield Accidents: Failure to yield the right of way contributes approximately 7-8% of all fatal crashes. Roughly 4,200 people are killed annually in the US due to failure to yield. (III-2024)
• Driver Fatigue Accidents: Studies have shown that fatigued driving can be as dangerous as impaired driving,
• DUI Victim Accidents: It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After a DUI crash, there may be criminal charges but your bodily injuries are most successfully pursued through civil lawsuits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I still get compensated if the drunk driver is found not guilty in criminal court?

Yes. The criminal justice system requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.” A civil personal injury claim only requires proof by a “preponderance of the evidence.” You can successfully win a civil settlement or verdict even if the driver avoids a criminal DUI conviction.

What if I was hit by an uninsured drunk driver in Kansas City?

If the drunk driver lacked insurance, our attorneys will look into your own Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage. Missouri law requires all drivers to carry UM coverage, which can compensate you when the at-fault driver has no policy.

How much does it cost to hire a Kansas City drunk driving accident attorney?

At The Cagle Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing up front, and we only collect a fee if we successfully recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

For all the reasons above and more, it’s clear that drinking and driving should never mix. But sometimes drivers choose to climb behind the wheel after driving. When that happens, innocent people are hurt. The Cagle Law Firm believes that injured people deserve justice and that the insurance carriers who choose not to treat them fairly deserve to pay a price.

Consult with Founding Advocate Zane T. Cagle

You do not have to face corporate insurance defense teams alone while recovering a car crash or truck accident. Led by founding trial advocate Zane T. Cagle, our legal team provides dedicated representation to help your family secure justice.

Contact our legal team today at (314) 276-1681 or oll-free at (800) 685-3302 to schedule your 100% free, confidential case evaluation.

Zane T. Cagle has represented injured clients across Missouri for over 20 years.  Our attorneys get results–see Case Results. As a member of the Multi Million Advocates Forum and Super Lawyer, Zane can be trusted to handle your personal injury case.

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