Drunk driving is a major public safety threat. South Carolina criminalizes drunk driving, but injured victims can also seek justice by bringing a civil personal injury claim. This type of claim seeks compensation for all losses stemming from the crash, including the cost of medical care and car repairs.

Hire an experienced law firm for assistance with your claim. Hart Law knows how to bring these cases in an effective and efficient manner. We can review your medical records and the police report to check if your claim has merit. Call to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with an Aiken DUI accident attorney.

Drunk Driving Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

Drunk drivers crash into motorists and pedestrians when running a red light or swerving all over the road. Alcohol can impair a driver’s reflexes, so they cannot brake in time when they see an intersection up ahead or a driver pull into the road in front of them.

Victims often struggle with the following injuries after a crash:

  • Head and neck injuries
  • Fractures
  • Joint injuries
  • Organ damage
  • Facial disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Back injuries
  • Paralysis
  • Emotional injuries, including PTSD

Never assume your injuries are too “minor” to warrant compensation in a legal claim. Contact our office quickly. South Carolina gives most personal injury victims only three years to file a lawsuit. (South Carolina Code § 15-3-530.)

We Can Seek Damages from Liable Defendants

Any number of people could be defendants in a DUI accident case:

  • Drunk driver. This driver is responsible for their actions, which led to the crash. We can submit a claim on their liability insurance or sue them personally.
  • Vehicle owner. The owner could be liable if they lent the vehicle to someone who was visibly intoxicated.
  • Taverns, bars, or restaurants. These establishments might be liable under the state’s dram shop law for serving a visibly intoxicated person.

Our objective is to maximize the compensation our clients receive. Sometimes we can sue more than one defendant for the same accident, which improves the odds of receiving a fair settlement.

Calculating the Value of an Injury Claim

Compensation will depend on your injuries and other factors. We seek damages for:

  • Medical care, emergency care, and ongoing rehabilitation or pain management.
  • Job-related losses, including lost income or wages, as well as lost benefits.
  • Damage to property, including necessary repairs for your motor vehicle.
  • Pain and suffering for the distress suffered from injuries.
  • Punitive damages are a punishment for the driver’s dangerous behavior.

If a loved one died, we might bring a wrongful death claim for the surviving family members. Contact Hart Law to discuss whether a wrongful death action is feasible. This is a special type of personal injury claim, and you need a lawyer familiar with the process for obtaining compensation.

Aiken DUI Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are drunk driving injuries more serious?

They can be. Some drunk drivers are speeding at the moment of the crash, so more force is generated. Other drunk driving accidents are head-on collisions, which are an especially dangerous type of accident. Many of our clients are dealing with permanent brain injuries, spinal injuries, and fractures. Call our office to discuss your case.

Q. Are you required to hire a lawyer to bring a DUI accident claim?

No. South Carolina does not require that injured motorists hire a lawyer to handle their case. However, there are tangible benefits to hiring legal counsel. A lawyer will know how to negotiate a settlement with insurance companies. We can also analyze how much is a fair settlement. Someone without a lawyer is at risk of settling for too little compensation in a case. You don’t want to sign away your rights.

Q. Can I seek compensation if the state does not press charges against the drunk driver?

Yes. Whether the state brings charges depends on many considerations. Your ability to seek compensation in a civil suit is independent of the criminal case. True, we might rely on much of the same evidence, including any breathalyzer results. However, your right to seek compensation does not depend on whether a criminal case is brought.

Q. What if the driver’s BAC was less than 0.08%?

You can still seek compensation in a case if the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs. The legal standard for car accidents is negligence, which means the driver failed to use the care a reasonable motorist would use. Even someone with a BAC under 0.08% is likely impaired and should not be driving.

Contact an Experienced DUI Accident Lawyer in Aiken Today

Hart Law is prepared to take all necessary steps to advance our clients’ interests. Call us to schedule a free, personal consultation with our attorney at (803) 771-7701.