Accidents Caused By a Drunk Driver

Seek Help From a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

Wreck cases caused by a drunk driver can be more complicated to handle than other cases.  To get an insurance company to pay the full value of a case involving a drunk driver, additional work needs to be done.  In a case involving a drunk driver, you have to obtain the toxicology reports and other documents to prove that the driver was intoxicated.  You also need to look into the drunk driver’s background to see if they have driven drunk prior to hitting you. 

Drunk Driving Statistics in South Carolina

Drunk driving is far too common in the Greenville area, as evidenced in the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book. Several alarming statistics that reveal the frequency and severity of drunk driving accidents are highlighted below:

• Every 30.8 hours, somebody is killed in a DUI crash involving a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent.
• In 2019, 28 percent of driving fatalities in South Carolina involved alcohol impairment. That year, there were a total of 285 alcohol-related traffic fatalities.
• Over 5,200 non-fatal collisions in SC in 2019 involved drugs or alcohol.
• The vast majority of SC drunk driving fatalities occurred on State Highway 184 in 2019.

Drunk Driving Laws in South Carolina

The South Carolina Code of Laws prohibits motorists from operating vehicles with a BAC of over 0.08 percent. Depending on the availability of other evidence, a motorist can also be regarded as driving under the influence with a BAC of between 0.05 percent and 0.08 percent.

Other South Carolina drunk driving laws to keep in mind include:

• A first DUI offense results in fines of up to $400, plus imprisonment of up to 30 days and driver’s license suspension for six months.
• A second DUI offense prompts fines of up to $5,100, along with up to one year in jail and one year of driver’s license suspension.
• If the motorist has a third offense, fines could reach $6,300, while imprisonment could last up to three years. The time period for license suspension depends on how much time passes between the second and third offenses.
• Felony DUI can occur if an impairment-prompted crash results in death or great bodily injury.
• Refusal to submit to BAC testing can lead to an automatic license suspension of 90 or 180 days.

Regardless of what happens in criminal court, it’s possible for the victim to seek personal injury damages. The response to a drunk driving accident could potentially encompass both civil and criminal consequences.

How Can a Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Help?

There’s no room for complacency after a drunk driving accident. As you deal with not only severe physical injuries, but also financial struggles and a whirlwind of emotions, it’s important to seek justice.

You can’t necessarily count on the criminal system to deliver the justice you desire, but you can at least seek damages while working with a drunk driving accident lawyer.

Your attorney can help you demonstrate the role of alcohol in your crash — and how you’ve suffered as a result. With strong legal support, you may be able to recover damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Turn to Smith Jordan When You Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Greenville

On the hunt for a Greenville drunk driving accident attorney? Look no further than Smith Jordan. Our trusted team of lawyers can help you secure compensation for your suffering. We’ll guide you through the entire process.

Our goal: to keep your stress to a minimum while getting the damages you’d deserve. You’ll never regret working with an experienced South Carolina drunk driving accident lawyer. Contact us today.