A drunk driver is a ticking time bomb on the roads and highways of South Carolina. Drunk drivers cause serious car wrecks.
A person charged with DUI could be in legal hot water for violating the criminal laws of South Carolina. That means potential jail time for a person charged with DUI. But what about civil liability of a DUI driver who causes a wreck injuring or killing a person?
I have represented many individuals and families in Greenville, SC and the Upstate who have either been injured or lost loved ones in car accidents caused by a DUI driver. In those cases, I seek monetary compensation for my injured clients against the DUI driver.
In my experience as a personal injury lawyer, car accidents caused by drunk drivers are often more serious, often fatal, and are 100% preventable. We know that drunk drivers are a scourge upon the highways and roads of South Carolina. A recent review of news articles reveals how a drunk driving accident can occur.
In April of 2018, a driver with a passenger in his car made a U-turn. Another car then struck the car making the U-turn. The driver of the car making the U-turn was charged with DUI. The passenger in his car died in the accident.
In Anderson County, in April 2018, a driver tried to pass another vehicle when he hit another car head-on. The driver was charged with DUI. The person he hit head-on died.
And, according to an article in the Anderson Independent Mail, “[i]n both Greenville and Anderson counties, more than a third of all fatal crashes between 2012-2016 involved a driver with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, according to the state Department of Public Safety. That proportion has remained consistent since 2007.”
So as you can see DUI drivers are causing a substantial number of the fatal collisions.
A car wreck involving a DUI driver presents more issues than a normal car wreck case. Because a DUI is involved, and DUI is a criminal charge, law enforcement conducts a criminal investigation of the case. Thus, there is usually more evidence that is documented in the investigation that is available to obtain in the civil claim for personal injuries.
Also, other damages are normally claimed in civil personal injury cases involving DUI drivers. For example, South Carolina law allows for punitive damages in car wrecks involving DUI or impaired drivers who cause wrecks.
DUI Driver Caused Wrecks Cause More Serious Injuries
Moreover, because DUI driver caused wrecks usually cause more serious injuries, there needs to be a thorough analysis of all the available insurance coverage. Also involved is the potential claim against a bar, restaurant or establishment that may have over-served a DUI driver.
Drunk drivers cause serious car wrecks.
If you have been injured in a car wreck caused by a drunk driver, feel free to reach out to the Thomas Creech Law Offices to inquire about legal representation. We can be reached at 864-235-4999 or fill out the form below for a free consultation.