Joplin Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Legal Help After A Drunk Driving Crash
When a drunk driver shatters your life in a few seconds, you are left dealing with pain, medical appointments, and sudden financial strain. You may be angry, scared, and unsure who to trust. In this moment, having a focused drunk driving accident attorney on your side can make a real difference in your recovery.
Bishop & Hayes P.C. is a boutique auto injury firm with an office in Joplin. Our attorneys concentrate solely on auto accident recovery, and we bring nearly 50 years of combined experience to every case. We have recovered more than $100,000,000 total for injured clients, and we work to guide drunk driving victims and their families through every step of the legal process.
We know you need straight answers and practical help, not legal jargon. Our goal is to protect your rights, pursue the full compensation the law allows, and handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
Contact us today at (417) 479-3510 to schedule a free consultation.
Drunk Driving Laws in Missouri
Missouri takes drunk driving seriously, but accidents still happen far too often. Under Missouri law, a driver is considered legally intoxicated if they have:
- A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher
- A BAC of 0.04% or higher for commercial drivers
- Any detectable amount of alcohol for drivers under 21
Missouri’s “Driving While Intoxicated” (DWI) laws allow police to arrest drivers based on breath, blood, or urine tests, as well as observable impairment. A DWI conviction can result in fines, jail time, license suspension, and mandatory alcohol education—but again, those penalties do not directly compensate victims.
Our Joplin drunk driving accident lawyer can use evidence from the criminal case—such as BAC results and arrest records—to strengthen your personal injury claim.
How Alcohol Impairs Your Ability to Drive
Alcohol affects the brain and body in ways that make safe driving impossible. Even small amounts can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to react and make sound decisions.
Alcohol impairment can cause:
- Slower reaction times
- Poor judgment and risk-taking behavior
- Blurred vision and reduced depth perception
- Difficulty maintaining lane position
- Delayed braking and steering responses
At higher levels, alcohol severely compromises coordination and consciousness, often leading to high-speed crashes, wrong-way collisions, or failure to brake before impact. These factors are frequently central to drunk driving accident claims in Joplin.
Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
Because drunk drivers often fail to brake or swerve, their crashes tend to be especially violent. Victims may suffer serious or life-altering injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns or lacerations
- Wrongful death
Our attorneys work closely with medical professionals and financial experts to fully document the extent of your injuries and future care needs.
How to Prove Liability Against a Drunk Driver
To recover compensation, your attorney must prove that the drunk driver’s negligence caused your injuries. In Missouri, this typically requires showing:
- The driver owed a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely
- They breached that duty by driving while intoxicated
- The breach directly caused the accident
- You suffered damages as a result
Evidence commonly used in drunk driving cases includes:
- Police crash reports
- Breathalyzer or blood test results
- Dashcam or bodycam footage
- Witness statements
- Bar or receipt records showing alcohol consumption
- Accident reconstruction analysis
Missouri Dram Shop & Social Host Liability
In some cases, parties other than the drunk driver may share liability. Missouri’s dram shop law allows injured victims to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, or liquor stores that knowingly served alcohol to:
- A visibly intoxicated person, or
- A minor who later caused a crash
Additionally, social hosts—such as private individuals hosting parties—may be held liable if they knowingly provide alcohol to minors who then cause injuries.
Dram shop and social host claims can be complex, but they are often critical when the drunk driver has limited insurance coverage. Our firm carefully evaluates every case to identify all potential sources of compensation.
Compensation Available After a Drunk Driving Accident
Victims of drunk driving accidents in Joplin may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Property damage
- Wrongful death damages for surviving families
In some cases, punitive damages may also be available to punish especially reckless behavior and deter future drunk driving.
OUR VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS
MORE THAN $100,000,000 RECOVERED FOR OUR CLIENTS
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$1.5 Million Auto Accident Rollover
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$1.1 Million Motorcycle Accident
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$1 Million Semi-Truck Accident
The Keys to our success
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Exclusive Focus on Auto Accident Recovery Law
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Over $100,000,000 Total Recovered for Our Clients
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50 Years of Combined Experience in Car Crash Recovery
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Same-Day Returned Phone Calls and Emails from Our Clients
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Partners Who Handle Your Claim from Consultation to Recovery
Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
What if the drunk driver was arrested?
An arrest or conviction can strengthen your civil case, but you can still pursue compensation even if criminal charges are pending or dismissed.
How long do I have to file a claim in Missouri?
Missouri generally allows five years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, but it’s best to act quickly while evidence is fresh.
What if I was partially at fault?
Missouri follows a pure comparative fault rule. You may still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do I have to go to court?
Many drunk driving accident claims settle out of court, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.
Hear from our clients
WE PUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR RECOVERY FIRST
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“They are really good people very friendly and helpful!”- Jimmy C.
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“Mr. Bishop was always available to answer my questions and he took care of everything”- Cathy B.
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“Great professional team!”- Terry W.
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“Tim and his staff are wonderful to work with!”- John B.
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“I give this Firm 5 stars on all levels!”- Gene M.
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“If you need an attorney that is going to look out for your needs give them a call first.”- Jen F.
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“Two times now we have needed them.”- Kasandra S.
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“There aren't enough words to say how much I appreciate my first meeting with Tim Hayes!!”- Jeanette B.
Why Choose Our Joplin Drunk Driving Lawyers
If you are comparing law firms after a crash, you are likely wondering what actually makes one different from another. At our firm, the first difference is focus. We handle only auto injury cases, including crashes caused by drunk and impaired drivers. This focused practice helps us recognize patterns in these claims and respond quickly when insurers try to downplay alcohol use or shift blame.
Another key difference is who handles your claim. When you hire Bishop & Hayes P.C., you work directly with partners Brad Bishop and Tim Hayes. Our attorneys stay involved from your first consultation through settlement or trial. We do not hand your case to inexperienced staff. This personal attention allows us to understand the details of your injuries, your work, and your family, then tailor our strategy to your needs.
Over nearly five decades of combined practice, our attorneys have recovered more than $100,000,000 for people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian crashes. Our work includes multi-million dollar results in serious auto cases across Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. We are also backed by an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, which reflects our commitment to client service as well as results.
Before focusing our practice on auto injury recovery, we worked with insurance defense. That background gives us insight into how carriers evaluate claims, what they look for to reduce payouts, and where their weaknesses often lie. We now use that perspective for injured clients. Our attorneys build cases from the start with negotiation and trial in mind, and we employ assertive tactics when dealing with insurers who try to minimize drunk driving claims.
Call (417) 479-3510 to speak with our team today.
