Drunk drivers are a menace to public safety. Alcohol has well-known side effects which make driving dangerous: loss of coordination, blurred vision, and impaired decision-making are the most prominent. All of these problems can lead to collisions, which injure innocent victims.

Hart Law opened our doors to help people like you after accidents with drunk drivers. We bring civil claims against the driver and other defendants for fair compensation. Any accident can end up costing you thousands of dollars in medical care and lost income. Let us negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Call to schedule a free consultation with a Sumter DUI accident attorney today.

South Carolina’s Law on Drunk Driving

A motorist commits DUI whenever they are driving on a public road, and their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For some motorists, only one or two beers will be sufficient to put them over the limit. A driver can also be convicted if their ability to drive safely is impaired by any amount of drugs or alcohol.

Someone convicted of DUI can face time in jail and fines. However, they are also liable civilly to those people hurt in a crash. Personal injury law requires that drunk drivers pay compensation to injured victims to cover a variety of damages. That’s where Hart Law comes in.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

Many motorists are badly shaken after a crash. Nonetheless, try to do as many of the following steps as you can:

1. Report the accident to the police. An officer can visit the scene and investigate whether the driver was drunk. For example, the officer might ask the other driver to take a field sobriety test or give a breath sample. We can use that evidence in your case.
2. Note anything unusual about the driver. Is he stumbling around? Does his breath smell of alcohol? Note these factors.
3. Talk with any witnesses to the crash. Ask them what they saw and then request their name and method of contact. We can follow up with them. They might testify they spoke to the driver, whose eyes were bloodshot and whose breath reeked of alcohol.
4. Photograph the accident scene if you can. Photographs will show how the cars collided.
5. Visit the hospital after you finish at the crash scene. Early treatment will aid in recovery and document the severity of your bodily injuries.

Compensation for a DUI

Many of our clients are hurt when a drunk driver runs a red light and T-bones or rear-ends them. Other drunk drivers slide over the center line and crash head-on with an innocent motorist. Their injuries are serious.

We can seek financial compensation for:

• The cost of your medical care. Collisions leave many motorists with concussions, whiplash, broken bones, and more. You might need surgery or time in the intensive care unit. Let us seek fair compensation to cover the cost of your medical care.
• Any lost income or wages. Injuries often keep people at home for several weeks, possibly longer. Our clients can’t work because of the pain and bodily limitations. We can seek compensation for all lost income, even if you are self-employed.
• Property damage, including damage to your car. The at-fault driver should pay to fix or replace damaged property.
• Non-economic or general damages. These damages cover pain, mental anguish, depression, disfigurement, and other hard-to-define losses. Do not overlook the value of general damages in a drunk driving case.

Contact our office so we can begin reviewing your injuries. We believe in aggressively negotiating for our clients.

Sumter DUI Accidents Frequently Asked Questions

What are punitive damages?

These are damages focused on punishing the defendant for reckless or wanton conduct. (S.C. Code § 15-32-520(D).) We can often request punitive damages in a drunk driving accident, since getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is reckless conduct. Let our office review whether to request punitive damages.

Can I bring a claim if the driver’s BAC was under 0.08%

Possibly. The key in a civil claim is proving the driver was negligent, meaning the driver did not exercise reasonable care. The driver could have been impaired even if their BAC was below 0.08%. We can also seek compensation if the driver wasn’t drunk but was otherwise impaired by drugs, like cocaine or marijuana.

Are there deadlines for a drunk driving case?

Yes. You should move quickly to contact our office. S.C. Code § 15-3-530 gives you three years to file a lawsuit in an appropriate court.

Schedule a Meeting with a Sumter DUI Accident Lawyer

Hart Law has negotiated favorable settlements for many clients. Let’s get together and talk about the accident, including how you are recovering from your injuries. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling (803) 771-7701.