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It wasn’t an accident. It was a choice. A choice someone else made to get behind the wheel while impaired, a choice that has now forced a heavy and unfair burden onto you and your family.
While you are left to navigate doctor’s appointments, vehicle repairs, and lost time from work, the person responsible created a path of destruction through pure negligence. This profound injustice can leave you feeling angry, frustrated, and powerless.
Walner Law was founded to give power back to those who have been wronged. We are now proud to bring our legacy of client advocacy to Kansas City, and a compassionate Kansas City drunk driving accident lawyer from our team is prepared to help you turn your fight for justice into a plan for recovery.
Choosing the right legal team to represent you can feel like another difficult decision. You need a firm with a history of standing up to insurance companies and a genuine commitment to the well-being of its clients. Walner Law is proud to bring our legacy of advocacy to Kansas City.
Here is how we make a difference for the families we serve:
We are not just opening an office in Kansas City; we are becoming part of the community. We are ready to put our firm’s considerable resources and history of success to work for you.
The consequences of a drunk driving crash extend far beyond the immediate scene. While every accident is unique, the injuries are often severe due to the impaired driver’s delayed reaction time and high-speed impact. These collisions can leave victims with life-altering physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
Common injuries include:
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. This staggering statistic highlights a senseless and entirely preventable cause of tragedy on our roads, from the busy stretches of I-70 to the neighborhood streets of Brookside.
The harm is not just physical; the financial strain from medical bills and lost wages can be crippling for families already in crisis.
When you are injured by a drunk driver, it is important to understand that there are two separate legal processes that may occur: a criminal case and a civil case.
A crucial point to remember is that the outcome of the criminal case does not determine the outcome of your civil claim. You can pursue and win a civil case for damages even if the driver is found not guilty in criminal court or agrees to a lenient plea deal. The standard of proof is different, and our job is to prove that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
The purpose of a personal injury claim is to make you “whole” again financially and to compensate you for the intangible suffering you have endured. While no amount of money can erase the trauma of the event, it can provide the financial stability needed to heal and move forward. A knowledgeable attorney can help you identify and calculate the full extent of your damages.
Compensation in a Missouri drunk driving case may include:
Calculating these damages accurately requires careful analysis of your medical records, employment history, and the long-term impact on your quality of life. Our team works with medical and economic professionals to ensure we account for every loss you have suffered.
In some situations, the drunk driver may not be the only party responsible for the accident. Missouri has laws that can extend liability to others who contributed to the driver’s intoxication. This is an important area for a drunk driving accident attorney to investigate.
One of the most significant examples is Missouri’s “dram shop” law. This law states that a bar, tavern, or restaurant that sells alcohol can be held liable if they serve a person who is “visibly intoxicated.” This means if a bartender continues to serve drinks to someone who is clearly drunk, and that person then causes a crash, the establishment that over-served them may be partially responsible for the victim’s injuries.
Identifying all potential sources of recovery is critical to maximizing your compensation, especially when a drunk driver has minimal insurance coverage. Our attorneys will thoroughly investigate every angle of your case to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
After you have received emergency medical care and are safely back home, the days and weeks ahead are crucial for both your health and your potential legal claim. The steps you take can significantly impact your ability to secure fair compensation.
Here is what you should focus on:
Taking these steps helps protect your rights while your legal team begins the work of building your case. A drunk driving accident lawyer in Kansas City can handle the legal details so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Here are answers to some common questions we receive from those who have been injured by an impaired driver.
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is five years from the date of the accident. It is critical to contact an attorney well before this deadline, as building a strong case takes time.
Yes, absolutely. The criminal and civil justice systems are separate. A criminal case requires proof “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is a very high standard. A civil case only requires proving “by a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning it is more likely than not that the driver’s negligence caused your injuries. A skilled lawyer can often win a civil claim even if the criminal case fails.
Walner Law, like most personal injury firms, works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront fees. We only get paid if we win your case by securing a settlement or a verdict in your favor. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we recover for you.
Missouri follows a “pure comparative fault” rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the accident. However, your total compensation award will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 10%.
You did not choose to be in this position, but you can choose to fight back. You can choose to hold the drunk driver accountable for the harm they have caused. You can choose a law firm that will stand with you, fight for you, and treat you with the compassion you deserve.
Since 1961, Walner Law has been a voice for the injured. We are proud to bring our decades of experience and our track record of over $1 billion recovered to the Kansas City community. Let our family help yours.
Contact us today at (312) 410-8496 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to listen to your story and explain your legal options.
