When a drunk driver gets behind the wheel, devastating consequences can ensue. A study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) using data from 2022 ranked South Carolina as the fifth-highest state for drunk driving deaths. When seeking a drunk driving accident lawyer, Greenville residents need representation that will get them justice.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident with an intoxicated driver, then you know just how deeply the damage from these accidents can run. While we understand that no amount of money can fully make up for the suffering you have been through, we know that you deserve the maximum compensation for your damages and injuries.
What is an Intoxicated Driver in South Carolina?
Across the country, each state sets its own limits on what level of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is considered too high to legally operate a vehicle. A person’s BAC is expressed as the weight of alcohol per unit of volume of blood, usually written out as a percentage or as a decimal to the hundredths place.
A driver’s BAC can be measured by performing a blood test or, more commonly, a breathalyzer test. This test requires an individual to blow air into a tube or device that calculates BAC based on the data collected from saliva and other particles in the breath. If a breathalyzer test is performed on a driver, and their BAC reading is higher than 0.08%, they can be arrested for driving under the influence.
How Can a Drunk Driver Be Held Accountable in South Carolina?
Driving while under the influence is illegal in every state in the U.S. That being said, the consequences for driving under the influence vary from place to place.
Drunk driving cases in South Carolina often result in a misdemeanor conviction. In some cases, someone who drives drunk in South Carolina will be arrested and judged as a felon. A felony conviction can result in jail time and hefty fines.
In South Carolina, responsible drivers involved in drunk driving accidents can argue that a drunk driver displayed gross negligence when they chose to operate a vehicle. Outside of pursuing a felony conviction, there are a couple of ways that an intoxicated driver can be held responsible for their actions.
- Involving insurance. You may be able to file a claim, depending on the driver-at-fault policy regarding auto liability.
- Suing. There may be grounds to sue the drunk driver in Greenville County civil court or another jurisdiction.
What Can a Greenville DUI Accident Attorney Do for Me?
Victims of a drunk driving accident need a legal team that will pursue all avenues when getting the proper compensation. Your attorney should be someone that is knowledgeable about the current drunk driving laws in South Carolina and has extensive experience in getting the maximum possible settlements for such cases. If you or a loved one have suffered personal injury, then you’ll also need a Greenville DUI injury lawyer that makes sure you get medical bills covered.
How Can a DUI Accident Attorney Investigate My Case?
When we take on your case, we appreciate the trust you put in us to get you justice. To make sure you get the maximum compensation, we can:
- Obtain and observe camera footage of the incident, including dashcam video.
- Discern important details from photos of the scene.
- Support compensation for medical expenses with statements from your doctor or your medical records.
- Pull details from police reports and witness statements.
What Kinds of Damage Can I Receive Compensation For?
In a drunk driving incident, an accident attorney can argue for compensation for a variety of damages incurred.
Medical Expenses
Car accidents of any kind can result in medical bills. Victims in a DUI accident can receive compensation for all medical bills, such as hospital visits occurring immediately after the incident. Payments for long term follow-up care, including physical therapy appointments, can also be covered in these cases.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages can be assessed for qualification for financial compensation, even when medical expenses have already been paid. You can receive payment for physical pain, emotional damage, and trauma.
Loss of Income
In a case involving extensive injury or emotional trauma, you may be forced to pause working for a time. In these situations, you may receive financial compensation for your lost income.
In addition, if your injuries or impairments resulting from the crash result in a potential future limit on your earnings, you may also be paid for loss of future income.
Wrongful Death
In the most tragic cases, victims involved in a DUI crash pass away either at the scene of the incident or in the time period following the collision due to injuries. When this happens, next of kin may be compensated for their loved one’s wrongful death.
What Happens if the Drunk Driver is Uninsured?
Sometimes, the driver-at-fault in a drunk driving crash does not have the appropriate level of insurance. In these cases, victims and their families have a couple of options.
Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Claims
One choice you can make is to make an uninsured motorist / underinsured motorist claim (UM / UIM) with your own insurance company. When these claims are successfully filed, your insurance company can step in as the other driver’s insurance company and take care of the expenses that their insurance would usually cover. If you choose to go this route, be sure to stay in constant communication with your insurance company to fully understand precisely what these claims will and won’t cover.
Dram Shop Laws
Another path you might take is pursuing action against the establishment that let a drunk driver put their keys in the ignition.
At many establishments that serve alcohol, those who pour drinks and provide them to customers are responsible for observing when someone has had too much to drink to safely drive. Workers are then supposed to make sure that their customers have a method of getting home that doesn’t involve getting behind the wheel. Within certain circumstances, the bar, liquor store, or other alcohol vendor that supplied the alcohol imbibed by the drunk driver can be held liable under such dram shop liability claims.
A Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Greenville Drivers Trust
While no one wants to be in a situation in which they need a drunk driving accident lawyer, Greenville residents know who to depend on when it counts.
We have a history of getting six-figure settlements for our clients involved in car accidents that were not their fault. Our team is prepared to defend every penny of compensation to which you are entitled.
Get a team on your side that shares your determination to get you full justice. For a free case consultation, get in touch with us today. We are available 24/7 so you are never left in the dark regarding your case.
