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Life After the Crash: Hit by a Drunk Driver
Recovery after a car crash is a long and difficult process. You must deal with financial hurdles, physical healing and the mental trauma of such a difficult event.
Drunk driving accidents are unfortunately all too common across the country, and South Carolina is no exception. According to Wis10, 2022 data shows that South Carolina is the 5th highest state for drunk driving-related deaths.
When you are looking for a dependable DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney stands out from the crowd. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about handling the legal matters of a drunk driving crash, so you can focus on the important things: recovering and returning to your life.
South Carolina Drunk Driving Laws
In South Carolina, you can’t get behind the wheel if your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher.
Drivers may also potentially face charges for a BAC between 0.05 and 0.08 percent with other signs of intoxication present.
Proving that a driver fell between these BAC ranges is crucial when pursuing damages for a DUI case. If you’re looking for an experienced DUI attorney in Summerville, SC, Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney is here to help you prove your case.
Damages in a Summerville Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit
DUI crashes may result in both economic and non-economic damages, including but not limited to:
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional duress
- Medical expenses
All of these matters impact your life in a way that financial compensation may potentially help alleviate.
This is where a DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, can help. A good attorney will do everything in their power to seek as many forms of compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, helping you get back on your feet after an expensive and tumultuous crash.
Drunk Driving Accident FAQs
If you or a loved one has suffered through a crash with a drunk driver, here are a few important pieces of information that may help you handle the case in the aftermath.
How long do you have to file a South Carolina drunk driving accident claim?
If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, then you have three years from the date of the injury to file a claim.
What parties can you hold liable in a Summerville drunk driving accident?
Naturally, you can hold the drunk driver responsible. South Carolina also has strict dram shop laws that allow you to pursue bars, restaurants and other establishments that may have overserved a drunk patron. This list can include:
- Lounges and hotels
- Country clubs
- Nightclubs
- Arenas and music venues
- Convenience stores that serve alcohol
- Personal residences
Under South Carolina dram shop laws, all establishments that serve or sell alcohol have the responsibility to cut off a patron who already seems inebriated. Failure to do so means you can hold them liable for overserving, i.e. giving an already drunk person even more to drink.
Handling dram shop cases can be tricky, which is why you should have a DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, on your side. Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney can help pursue any establishment that may have ultimately had a hand in your crash.
What damages can you recover after a Summerville drunk driving accident?
In South Carolina, you can pursue several different types of damages if you’re involved in a DUI crash. This can include:
- Medical expenses
- Physical pain
- Punitive damages
Punitive damages allow you to pursue compensation for injuries, pain and suffering even if the criminal charges toward the DUI driver end up dismissed. Punitive damages also have a limit of $500,000 in South Carolina, or three times the compensatory damages, whichever is higher.
A DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, can help ensure you get the most out of your court case and walk away with the highest possible compensation payout.
What’s the average settlement for a drunk driving accident?
Because the court determines settlements on a case-by-case basis and each outcome depends on the individual details of a case, it’s impossible to give a true average for DUI crashes. Having a dependable and skilled lawyer like Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney will boost your chances of getting a better settlement.
How do you report a drunk driver?
If you notice a driver behaving in a way that could indicate intoxication, call 911 and try to get their plate number to report them to the authorities. The sooner they’re off the road, the safer it is for everyone.
Legal Options for Drunk Driving Victims in Summerville
Your legal options will depend on several unique factors of your case. This can include the severity of your injuries and the crash itself, how intoxicated the other driver was at the time of the crash and whether any venues overserved that driver alcohol.
Trying to file these personal injury lawsuits and compensation claims on your own is a great deal of time-consuming work, though. A DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, can handle matters on your behalf. Leaving the legal work in the hands of an attorney will ensure that:
- Your paperwork gets filed by the deadlines.
- You never miss an important court date.
- You understand the legal jargon involved in your case.
All in all, it’s an excellent investment.
Contact Our Summerville Drunk Driving Lawyers for Immediate Assistance
Needless to say, having the misfortune of ending up entangled with a drunk driver can cost you. It could cost you medical bills, your peace of mind, your physical health and wellness, and sometimes your life
As the victim of a drunk driver, you deserve compensation for the hurdles you must now face. If you’re looking for a reliable DUI lawyer in Summerville, SC, Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney can help.
We’ll handle the legal side of matters, giving you the time to navigate the healing process and focus on yourself.
Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help you through this troubling time.
