Under South Carolina law, any motorist who drives with a BAC of 0.08 or higher is intoxicated and can face legal charges. The same is true if alcohol or drugs impair their normal faculties and they cannot drive safely.

Hart Law serves the Rock Hill community by helping injured victims with accident claims. Although DUI is a crime, it is also a civil wrong that gives rise to liability. Anyone who is hurt in a DUI accident can seek compensation from the drunk driver and possibly from other defendants. Contact our office to speak with a Rock Hill DUI accident attorney about a possible injury claim.

Why DUI Accidents Are Serious

Many injured victims struggle after a crash with a drunk driver:

• More significant injuries. Drunk drivers are often speeding, and they can cause longer-lasting injuries when they crash into pedestrians or other vehicles.
• Fleeing suspects. Some drunk drivers flee the scene because they do not want to be arrested. They leave the injured victim behind. Emergency medical care might be delayed, which can lead to more serious injuries.
• Financial cost. A high-speed collision is expensive. Your car might be totaled, and you probably cannot work for a few months. Many victims struggle to pay rent or a mortgage.
• Confusion. Some motorists are confused about the process for obtaining compensation. They wrongly think the state will file a claim for them, but that isn’t the case.

Contact Hart Law to learn more about the claims process. We can handle your case from the moment you are injured.

The Hart Law Advantage

Hart Law opened our doors to provide top-shelf legal services to our neighbors. We have developed experience over the past years in DUI accident cases.

We assist clients by doing the following:

1. Gathering evidence. We can establish that the driver was drunk or at least impaired. This evidence is critical for establishing fault for an accident.
2. Analyzing your injuries. We seek financial compensation for various injuries, such as concussions and fractures. We can use our experience to estimate the value of your case.
3. Opening negotiations with the defendant. We can draft a demand letter for compensation and support it with medical bills and other evidence.
4. Identifying all defendants. We might also file a claim against a bar or another establishment that served alcohol to the drunk driver.
5. Negotiating effectively. Our firm can settle most claims without the need for litigation.

Average DUI Accident Settlements

A civil DUI accident claim is brought for monetary compensation. Our clients often suffer staggering financial loss after a crash. In addition to medical care, they need to fix their car. Many of them are in too much pain to return to work, so their family’s finances plunge off a cliff.

We seek compensatory damages for:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Doctor’s visits and diagnostic tests
• Pain medication
• Ongoing physical therapy
• Lost income or wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Property damage

Instead of trying to calculate an “average” settlement, we fight to obtain the most compensation available under the law.

Statutory Deadlines

The South Carolina statute of limitations is three years for personal injury cases. (S.C. Code § 15-3-530.) There are narrow exceptions, but you almost always need to file a claim within three years of the accident. Call Hart Law quickly. If you go past the deadline, then you will likely not receive any compensation.

FAQs: Rock Hill DUI Accident Cases

Q. Can I sue a bar or tavern for serving the drunk driver?

Possibly. South Carolina’s dram shop law allows victims to sue a business that knowingly serves an intoxicated person. This type of claim can be an effective way of obtaining compensation.

Q. Can I obtain compensation if the driver enters a diversion program for DUI?

Yes. The civil claim (which we handle) is distinct from the criminal case. Some of the evidence might be the same. For example, if the driver gave a breath sample, we can ask the state to use the results. But your right to compensation doesn’t depend on what happens in the criminal case. We can even bring a case if the state chooses not to press charges. Call us to review.

Schedule a Consultation with a Rock Hill DUI Accident Attorney

Hart Law believes that injured victims deserve to be treated fairly after a crash. Unfortunately, many DUI accident victims feel as if they have no voice in the process, or they feel invisible. Call our office at (803) 771-7701 if you need assistance or if you have questions. In a free consultation, we can discuss whether your claim is strong and what steps to take next.