fbpx

Visit our offices in Kansas City, Liberty, St. Joe,
or our Virtual Office

Missouri’s high DUI fatality rate is on the decline

Monday, Aug. 26th 2019

The battle has not been won but at least it’s trending in the right direction.

Missouri has been among the worst states when it comes to DUI fatalities over the years but since the turn of the century the numbers have been on a downward slope.

According to stats provided by QuoteWizard by LendingTree, Missouri had the 9th highest number of drunk-driving fatalities in the country with 432 in the year 2000.

But by 2017 that total had dropped by almost 42 percent down to 254, 14th-highest in the nation.

And in stats provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, last year the number dipped to 147, a 66 percent drop from 2000.

Missouri State Highway Patrol spokesperson Sam Carpenter points out though that alcohol is still a major factor in accidents.

“Last year in all the fatal crashes that we had, 16 percent of them were alcohol-related,” he said. “That 16 percent should be easily erased if you use services like Uber, Lyft, taxis or designated drivers.”

Certainly the growth of ride share services like Uber and Lyft have helped as has increased emphasis on drunk-driving enforcement and education programs presented in high schools.

“We show very graphic videos of drinking and driving, texting and driving, just any kind of distracted driving and what the end result can be,” Carpenter said.

22 year-old Tabitha Clark of Springfield is an example of that result.

On December 5, 2015 she and some friends were headed home after bowling when their car was T-boned by a drunk driver in a truck.

She spent four months in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.

“The guy who hit her got a five-year sentence,” Tabitha’s mother, Yvonne, said. “Tabitha got a life sentence.”

Tabitha’s dream of becoming a veterinarian has been replaced by a dream of walking and talking normally again.

She says the anger and “Why me?” moments are behind her.

“I’ve come to terms with it,” she said.

Tabitha says the biggest difference in her life is the way people perceive her.

“People treat me different,” she said. “They treat me like a baby.”

She now spends some of her time speaking to people who’ve been convicted of drinking and driving, doing her part to educate the public.

She says she welcomes the news that DUI fatalities are going down.

“I’m glad,” Tabitha said. “I don’t want anyone else to end up like me.”

“This can happen to anybody and it does happen to anybody,” Yvonne said. “It’s amazing to see grown men cry when we’ve given a speech or they will come up and hug her and thank her for the courage to come out and speak. It’s tough to do but as long as we can get out there and help that’s all we’re trying to do.”

Tabitha is a courageous young woman who believes her life was spared to get out a very important message.

“Don’t drink and drive!” she says.

Click HERE to read DUI report.

If you or a loved one have suffered accident injuries in a car accident call Northland Injury Law at 816-400-4878 to speak to a Missouri automobile accident lawyer today for help in recovering the compensation you need.  An experienced personal injury attorney can ease some of the burden by engaging in fact-finding, gathering the necessary documentation, and crafting concise and thorough demands for settlement of your claim.


Google 5 Star Rating Motor Vehicle trial Lawyers Top 25 Hurt In An Accident?

Personal Injury

If you’ve been injured and aren’t sure where to turn, let us help. We represent individuals in many areas of personal injury including truck, auto and motorcycle accidents, property liability (slip & fall), spinal cord injuries, and more.

Worker's Comp

Injured at work? We can help! If you have suffered a work-related injury or illness, we can help ensure you get full and fair compensation under the law.

REAL PEOPLE HELPING REAL PEOPLE

Our Personal Injury & Worker's Comp Attorneys

Northland Injury Law: Personal Injury Lawyers in Northland Kansas City and Northwest Missouri.

Proudly serving: Gladstone, Liberty, Kansas City, North Kansas City, Saint Joseph, Plattsburg, Cameron, Chillicothe, Trenton, Sedalia, Warrensburg and many other areas in Missouri.

The Northland Injury Law Firm has been practicing in the Kansas City area for many years. Our founders, Max Von Erdsmannsdorff and Steve Mowry, built a strong foundation for the firm. Since Eric Bartlett joined the firm in 1996, Northland Injury Law has earned a reputation for success, honesty and compassion in personal injury and worker’s compensation.

I found Northland Injury Law to be very professional and honest! They kept me up to date on my case. I would highly recommend the whole firm for all your legal needs!!” – Michael T.

Northland Injury Law is proud of the relationships they’ve built with the clients they have served in the Northland and surrounding areas.  Their many great results for seriously injured people have helped their clients recover the significant economic losses that attend such serious injuries.

When it comes to a lawsuit after an accident or injury, representation matters! Most people do not realize that insurance companies have teams of lawyers, investigators, photographers and defense experts who immediately go to work following a serious accident involving their insureds.  They hire these people to minimize their exposure throughout the claims process and to reduce the amount received by the victim. Northland Injury Law aims to level the playing field for their clients.

This is an excellent law firm. They helped me out after an accident and did an awesome job. I would recommend this law firm to anyone who needs a good lawyer.” – Toni B.

Between them, Mr. Mowry and Mr. Bartlett have over  50 combined years of legal experience in the Kansas City Northland area. They have both been recognized by KC Magazine as “Top attorneys in Missouri and Kansas” and both have been recognized in the National Top 100 Trial Attorneys.

If you require the services of excellent local lawyers after an accident or injury, call Northland Injury Law today for a free consultation at 816-400-4878.

Latest Blog

How To Choose A Personal Injury Attorney

Accidents don't come with a warning, leaving you grappling with injuries and a complex web of legalities. It's the kind of situation that can thrust you into a whirlwind of uncertainty, where decisions matter more than ever. A guiding hand...

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about our Kansas City law firm, like how and when to file a suit for your Personal Injury & Worker’s Compensation.

View All FAQ's

CLICK HERE FOR YOUR FREE EBOOKS!

Northland Injury Law © All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Site Created by KC Web Specialists, LLC

Skip to content