Drunk driving is a grave public safety threat that injures hundreds of people each month. Although drunk driving is illegal, thousands of motorists get behind the wheel after having too many drinks without giving a thought to how they are jeopardizing public safety. The result is predictable: unnecessary accidents and injured victims.

Hart Law believes that accident victims deserve fair compensation when hurt in a collision with an intoxicated motorist. By suing, you also hold them accountable and uphold public safety. Contact our law office today. A Spartanburg DUI accident attorney can meet in a free consultation.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Spartanburg, SC

Drunk driving accidents happen every day across South Carolina. Spartanburg, SC, is no exception. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking, they put everyone around them at risk. The consequences can be severe and permanent.

Drunk driving accident victims often face weeks or months of recovery. Some never fully return to the way they were before the crash. Severe injuries, missed work, and mounting medical bills all make life harder. Emotional distress adds another layer that is just as real but harder to see.

Our law office serves people throughout Spartanburg, SC, and Spartanburg County who have been hurt in a drunk driving accident. We understand what you are going through. We offer compassionate support and a deep understanding of personal injury law in South Carolina.

Your Right to Seek Compensation for a DUI Accident

Because DUI is a crime, the driver might face criminal charges. That is a decision made by the state’s Solicitor’s Office. They often prosecute repeat offenders and those with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

However, injured victims can also file a civil case for compensation. The objective is to seek financial compensation for various damages, such as:

• Medical treatment. Many injured motorists struggle with concussions, broken bones, and organ injuries. The drunk driver should pay for your medical treatment, including surgery, pain meds, and ongoing physical therapy.
• Property damage. Your car was probably damaged in the crash. The drunk driver should pay to fix or replace your vehicle.
• Lost wages/income. Serious injuries keep workers out of work, so you should demand that the driver pay to compensate for lost income.
• Pain and suffering. Bodily injuries are painful and keep people awake all night. Many of our clients deal with depression or anxiety, which also deserve compensation.

The Solicitor’s Office does not file a civil case on your behalf. Instead, contact Hart Law so we can begin your injury claims.

Types of Injuries in Spartanburg Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Drunk driving crashes in Spartanburg, SC, often result in injuries that go far beyond bumps and bruises. Severe injuries like spinal damage, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and injuries to joints and soft tissue can change a person’s life overnight.

Medical expenses pile up quickly. Emergency room visits, surgeries, follow-up care with medical professionals, and long-term physical therapy all add to the financial pressure. On top of that, many victims lose weeks or months of lost wages while they recover. The at-fault driver should be held responsible for all of it.

Our legal team works to make sure nothing is left out. We account for current medical bills, future care costs, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress when calculating the maximum compensation you may be owed.

Evidence in a DUI Accident Case

Our lawyers need to prove that a driver was intoxicated and that this intoxication led to the crash. Usually, we rely on:

• Toxicology tests. This is one reason to call the cops after the accident. An officer can put the driver through field sobriety tests and possibly ask for a breath or urine sample. We can request access to these results and use them in negotiations.
• Witnesses. You can testify that the driver appeared drunk (stumbling around, slurred speech, etc.) Other witnesses at the scene can provide their perspective, and someone who saw the driver in a bar can testify that they were drunk when they got in their vehicle.
• Video evidence. The police cruiser could have a dash camera that records the driver. This video shows that the driver was intoxicated when they exited the car.

Contact our law office right away so we can begin to find helpful evidence. We also need to establish the full severity of your injuries. Go to the hospital following the crash and keep copies of all medical records.

How We Investigate a Drunk Driving Accident Case

A thorough investigation is the foundation of a strong drunk driving accident case. Our legal team starts gathering evidence right away. We review police reports, collect witness statements, and pull any available video footage from dashcams or nearby cameras.

We also request medical records and work with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries. Witness testimony can be powerful in showing how the accident happened and how the at-fault driver was behaving before and after the crash. Establish liability early, and you are in a much stronger position when dealing with insurance companies.

Insurance claims after a drunk driving accident can get complicated. Insurance companies often try to reduce how much they pay. Our legal team knows their tactics and will push back to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Defendants in a DUI Accident

DUI cases are unlike other car accident crashes. There might be multiple defendants:

• The drunk driver. This person is always the primary focus of our claim and is the at-fault driver when the crash occurs due to intoxication.
• Bars, restaurants, and taverns. Dram shop liability and dram shop laws in South Carolina allow victims to sue any establishment that served a drunk or underage driver.
• Vehicle owners. The person who owned the vehicle could have rented or lent it to someone visibly intoxicated. That would make them liable, too.
• Social hosts. Someone who serves an underage motorist or someone visibly drunk could also be liable for a foreseeable crash.

Adding multiple defendants can help our clients receive full and fair compensation for their injuries, especially if the driver has very little insurance. A bar’s liability coverage could pay additional compensation.

Punitive Damages in Spartanburg DUI Cases

Punitive damages are separate from regular compensation. They are meant to punish the at-fault driver for gross negligence or reckless behavior and send a message to others. Drunk driving is exactly the kind of conduct that can support a claim for punitive damages in a South Carolina court.

When a driver knowingly gets behind the wheel after drinking heavily, that is more than just carelessness. It is reckless behavior that puts everyone at risk. South Carolina courts have awarded punitive damages in drunk driving accident cases where the driver showed gross negligence or disregard for public safety.

Our law office will evaluate whether punitive damages apply to your case. This can significantly increase the total financial compensation available to you and your related claims, such as a wrongful death claim when someone is killed.

Frequently Asked Questions about DUI Accidents in Spartanburg

How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?

In South Carolina, accident victims have three years to file a legal claim. (S.C. Code § 15-3-530.) Anyone who fails to meet this deadline, even unwittingly, will lose their ability to sue. Seek legal guidance from a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash so your legal options are protected.

What happens if a family member is killed by a drunk driver?

Drunk drivers cause many fatal accidents. Surviving family members might be able to bring a wrongful death claim. This claim seeks compensation for the losses surviving family members have suffered. A wrongful death case can also seek punitive damages if the driver showed gross negligence or reckless behavior.

Can I bring a claim if the state does not press charges?

Yes. The state doesn’t prosecute all defendants for various reasons. Nonetheless, you can always sue if you have evidence that a drunk driver caused your injuries. The civil case and the criminal case are separate. Even without DUI charges, we can often establish liability through police reports, witness statements, and medical records.

What is dram shop liability?

Dram shop laws in South Carolina allow drunk driving accident victims to file a claim against a bar, restaurant, or other business that served alcohol to someone who was already visibly intoxicated. Dram shop liability can be a key source of financial compensation, especially when the at-fault driver has limited insurance coverage.

How do I know if I have a strong personal injury case?

Personal injury cases involving drunk driving depend on the evidence available, the severity of your injuries, and how clearly the at-fault driver caused the crash. A car accident caused by a drunk driver is often easier to prove than other crashes because of toxicology tests, police reports, and witness testimony. Legal guidance from a drunk driving accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and the strength of your personal injury case.

What if I was hurt in a car crash, but the drunk driver fled?

Hit-and-run drunk driving crashes are serious. Even if the driver fled, you may still have options. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. Witness statements and surveillance footage can sometimes help identify the driver. Our law firm will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all possible fault drivers and sources of recovery.

Do I need legal representation even if the insurance company offers a quick settlement?

Yes. Quick settlement offers from insurance companies are almost never the full value of your claim. Insurance companies make early offers to close cases before you understand the full extent of your injuries. An accident attorney who handles drunk driving accident cases can evaluate whether an offer truly covers your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. We focus solely on getting you the fair settlement and maximum compensation you are owed.

Can I also file a medical malpractice claim if my treatment went wrong?

In some situations, yes. If medical malpractice occurred during your treatment after the drunk driving accident, that may be a separate claim. Medical malpractice cases have their own rules and deadlines. Our law office can help you understand all of your legal options and whether multiple claims apply to your situation.

Call Hart Law to Speak with a Spartanburg DUI Accident Lawyer

We believe that public safety is best served by holding negligent drivers accountable. Contact our law office to discuss your accident and your legal options by calling (803) 771-7701. Our free consultations are free, and we offer free consultations to anyone hurt in a drunk driving accident in Spartanburg, SC, or throughout Spartanburg County.

Our law firm serves drunk driving accident victims across Spartanburg, SC, and South Carolina. We provide legal representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact our legal team today for the legal guidance and compassionate support you need.

If you need to seek legal guidance after a drunk driving crash, do not wait. Your driver’s license, finances, and future depend on acting quickly. Reach out to our drunk driving accident lawyers today.