set of car keys sitting beside an alcoholic beverage on a bar

Rock Hill Drunk Driving Accidents Lawyer

Drivers who make the irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel after drinking are putting themselves and everyone on the road around them at risk. They can be held legally liable for the consequences of their bad behavior, including the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering they cause car accident victims.

However, this type of personal injury claim can be complex to pursue effectively, as parties other than the drunk driver could also be to blame. Moreover, drunk driving accident victims may be entitled to additional types of financial recovery not available to other injured parties, but this requires meeting a heightened burden of proof. If you suffered injuries because of the careless actions of an intoxicated motorist, getting the full amount you’re entitled to may require the help of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer.

Call at 866-783-9278 or contact us online to arrange your free and confidential case review.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help After a Drunk Driving Crash?

At Stewart Law Offices, our Rock Hill car accident attorneys proudly represent victims who have been injured through no fault of their own. Every drunk driving crash is preventable, and we pursue maximum compensation against irresponsible motorists who cause life-altering injuries. Our recent victors include $9.8 million in a drunk driving automobile accident.*

A DUI accident lawyer can help with your case by:

  • Investigating your car accident claim and identifying all responsible parties
  • Gathering critical evidence to support your claim, including the police report, eyewitness statements, and video footage, when available
  • Assisting you in seeking appropriate medical attention immediately and afterwards so your car accident injuries are properly diagnosed and treated
  • Documenting the full extent of your injuries and their impact on your life
  • Gathering your medical records, loss wage statements, and other evidence of your economic damages
  • Answering calls and returning messages promptly
  • Communicating with you regularly about the progress of your case
  • Contacting the insurance company promptly to file your claims
  • Fighting aggressively for the maximum compensation you need

Our car accident attorneys can meet with you at home or in the hospital so there’s no delay in your case. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we charge no fees unless we win money for you.* You can learn more about your legal rights and options following a serious car accident caused by a drunk driver when you call for a free case review.

The Dangers of Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving is incredibly dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 13,524 people died in alcohol-related traffic accidents in one recent year. That’s 37 drunk driving deaths per day and one such fatality every 39 minutes. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) estimates that about a third of all traffic fatalities involve alcohol and that someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving car crash in this country every 79 seconds.

But just what makes drunk driving so dangerous? Alcohol is a depressant that impairs a wide range of skills critical to operating a vehicle safely. Specifically, consuming alcohol:

  • Impairs coordination
  • Slows reaction times
  • Lowers inhibition
  • Blurs vision

Simply put, a driver who has consumed alcohol is less physically and mentally capable of controlling their vehicle. This can increase the risk that they cause an accident by:

  • Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
  • Tailgating or following too closely
  • Running red lights, stop signs, and other traffic controls
  • Driving in the wrong lane
  • Failing to yield to other road users when required to

As a consequence, both the drunk driver and anyone they hit are at risk of suffering severe injuries like the following:

The consequences of these injuries can be life-altering. Victims are often left in pain, dealing with expensive medical bills, and unable to work or care for themselves. In severe cases, drunk driving accident injuries can even prove fatal.

Who Is Responsible for a Drunk Driving Crash in South Carolina?

The negligent driver who made the irresponsible decision to drive after drinking is most responsible for their behavior, and they can be held legally liable for the consequences. However, South Carolina law acknowledges that other parties may have contributed to a drunk driver’s intoxication and that they can also be held liable for the harm they effectively helped the drunk driver cause.

For example, the vendor that sold alcohol to the driver could be responsible through the legal concept of dram shop liability. The term takes its name from the dram, the unit of fluid measurement by which bars used to sell alcohol. While South Carolina does not have an explicit dram shop liability law in its statutes, sections 61-4-10 and 61-6-10 of the South Carolina Code make it illegal to sell intoxicating beverages to someone who is under 21 or is already visibly drunk. Courts have long held that bars and restaurants can be held liable if violating this law results in a drunk driving accident.

This liability can also extend to social hosts. For example, suppose Matt throws a party and invites his friends over. Steve drinks heavily and is seen to be stumbling and slurring his words. If Matt continues to serve Steve alcohol despite Steve’s obvious intoxication, Matt could be partially liable for an accident Steve causes on his way home.

While dram shop and social host liability provides victims with additional sources of compensation, they also complicate drunk driving accident cases. As such, it’s critical that a victim works with an experienced DUI injury attorney to best pursue the full amount of compensation they could be entitled to.

Financial Compensation for Drunk Driving Accident Victims

If you’ve been injured by an intoxicated motorist in Rock Hill, SC, a drunk driving injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for your:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost income and diminished earning potential
  • Property damage, including repairing or replacing your vehicle
  • Pain and suffering, a term that describes the physical and emotional discomfort caused by your injuries
  • Reduced quality of life if you are no longer able to take part in everyday activities or favorite pastimes

Furthermore, a Rock Hill drunk driving accident lawyer can also help you seek punitive damages. Unlike the compensatory damages described above, punitive damages are not about offsetting specific types of harm you’ve suffered. Rather, they are meant to punish the drunk driver for their egregious behavior and to deter others from making the same irresponsible decision in the future. Punitive damages can greatly increase the value of your case, but courts only award them sparingly. As such, it’s essential to work with an experienced car accident lawyer in order to seek the most compensation effectively.

Contact Our Rock Hill Drunk Driving Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Have you been injured in a serious car accident caused by a drunk driver? If so, Stewart Law Offices wants to help you demand justice. Our personal injury law firm has won big in a similar case, with one of our most significant victories being a $9.8 million recovery we secured for a drunk driving accident victim.* We’re available 24/7 and prepared to meet you wherever is most convenient for you – whether that’s at your home or by your hospital bed. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Rock Hill drunk driving accident attorney, and let us fight aggressively for the maximum compensation you’re entitled to.