Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in O’Fallon, MO

117 Combined Years of Experience Fighting for Crash Victims in Missouri

When a drunk driver causes a crash, victims face a legal situation more complicated than a standard car accident claim. The impaired driver is likely facing criminal charges, insurers are involved, and the timeline for action is fixed by statute. At Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC, we’ve represented injured people through this process for more than 30 years, with more than 117 collective years of legal experience behind our work in the St. Charles County legal community.

Our practice covers both personal injury and DUI and DWI criminal defense, which gives us a working familiarity with how the criminal case against an impaired driver unfolds alongside the separate civil injury claim. That perspective shapes how we approach these cases from the start.

If you were injured in a drunk driving accident in O’Fallon, Missouri, call us at (636) 561-5599 to schedule a free initial consultation and learn about your legal options.

How We Handle Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Clients work directly with the attorneys handling their case. We don’t route substantive legal matters to paralegals, which means clearer communication and a stronger working relationship throughout.

We build strategy around the specific facts and goals of each situation. A drunk driving accident claim involves blood alcohol concentration evidence, potential criminal proceedings, insurance coverage questions, and sometimes multiple liable parties. There’s no template that fits every case.

Our team-based approach means your case draws on attorneys who work across different legal fields. When a case requires courtroom advocacy, we’re prepared for it. Trial experience matters in negotiations, too, because insurers respond differently when they know a firm is prepared to litigate.

Compensation & Legal Doctrines That Shape Recovery

A drunk driving injury claim in Missouri can include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. The specific amount depends on the severity of the injuries, the evidence available, and how fault is allocated. Two legal doctrines are particularly relevant in these cases.

Negligence Per Se

When a driver violates Missouri’s DWI laws, that violation can itself serve as evidence of negligence in the civil case. This doctrine, called negligence per se, can reduce the need to separately prove the driver’s conduct was unreasonable. The law provides the standard, and the driver broke it.

Comparative Fault

Missouri follows a comparative fault system. If the injured person is found partially at fault for the crash, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. Understanding how this applies to your situation early in the case affects how we build your claim.

Missouri’s Five-Year Filing Deadline

Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 516.120, most personal injury claims arising from motor vehicle crashes must be filed within five years of the date of injury. Missing that deadline generally ends the right to pursue compensation through the courts, regardless of how strong the underlying claim is.

Five years can feel like adequate time, but evidence degrades, witnesses become harder to locate, and insurance policies shift. Starting the process earlier can help preserve your claim and the evidence it depends on.

Start Your Claim with No Upfront Cost

We offer free initial consultations for personal injury matters. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We keep clients informed at every stage so they understand where their case stands and what comes next.

Contact Coyne, Cundiff and Hillemann, PC at (636) 561-5599 to talk through your drunk driving accident claim. There’s no cost to speak with us, and no fee unless we recover compensation for you.