A drunk driving accident can leave you with severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty. Your St. Andrews drunk driving accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm is ready to take on the negligent driver and pursue the compensation you need to recover.
With over $6 million recovered for injury victims, our St. Andrews car accident lawyer is here to fight for your best interests. Contact us now to discuss your legal options to recover compensation.
Common Types of Injuries Seen in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents often result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. High-speed crashes and reckless driving behaviors make these collisions particularly dangerous. Your St. Andrews personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for injuries such as:
Traumatic Brain Injuries from Drunk Driving Crashes
A severe head injury can lead to permanent cognitive impairments, affecting memory, speech, and motor functions. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) often require extensive rehabilitation, and some victims may never fully recover. Your St. Andrews traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you pursue damages for medical costs, loss of income, and long-term care.
TBIs can result from the violent impact of a drunk driving crash, causing concussions, skull fractures, or brain hemorrhages. Symptoms can range from mild headaches and dizziness to permanent personality changes and reduced cognitive function. If a drunk driver caused your brain injury, they should be held accountable for the impact on your life.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Drunk driving crashes often lead to catastrophic spinal cord injuries, leaving victims with permanent mobility issues or paralysis. These injuries can require lifelong medical care, specialized equipment, and home modifications. The cost of treatment can be overwhelming, but seeking compensation can help cover these expenses.
Broken Bones and Internal Injuries
Fractures and internal injuries are common in drunk driving crashes due to the extreme force of impact. Broken ribs, legs, or arms may require surgery, casting, and months of rehabilitation. Internal bleeding and organ damage can be life-threatening if not treated immediately after the accident.
Liability in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
If you were hit by a drunk driver, you have the right to hold them accountable for your injuries. Your St. Andrews drunk driving accident attorney with Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you pursue the financial recovery you need while you focus on healing.
Under South Carolina Code § 56-5-2930, driving under the influence is illegal, and those who cause harm while intoxicated can be held liable for the damage they cause.
Drunk Drivers
Drunk drivers put everyone at risk, often causing severe injuries and fatal accidents. In South Carolina, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, but even lower BAC levels can result in impaired judgment and delayed reaction times. If a drunk driver caused your crash, they can be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Drunk driving accidents often involve reckless behaviors such as speeding, swerving, and running red lights. The force of these crashes can lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and permanent disabilities. If you suffered injuries in a crash caused by an impaired driver, you have the right to seek compensation for the harm they caused.
Dram Shop Liability in South Carolina
If a bar, restaurant, or liquor store served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated and that person caused your accident, you may have a claim against the establishment. Under South Carolina Code § 61-4-580, businesses can be held liable if they provided alcohol to someone who was clearly impaired, leading to injuries or death. These claims are known as dram shop liability cases and can provide another avenue for compensation beyond the drunk driver’s insurance.
Proving dram shop liability requires showing that the establishment continued to serve alcohol to someone who was already visibly drunk. Receipts, surveillance footage, and witness statements can provide evidence that the business failed to act responsibly. If an alcohol vendor contributed to the crash, they may be required to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Holding Third Parties Accountable for Drunk Driving Accidents
Liability for a drunk driving accident may extend beyond the driver and the establishment that served them alcohol. Employers, event hosts, and vehicle owners who allowed an intoxicated driver to get behind the wheel may also be held responsible. Identifying all liable parties can increase the amount of compensation available to you.
In some cases, employers can be held accountable if a drunk driver was working at the time of the crash. If a company failed to perform proper background checks or knowingly allowed an intoxicated employee to operate a company vehicle, they may share liability for your injuries. Holding all responsible parties accountable ensures that you receive full compensation for your damages.
Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
In some cases, victims may be entitled to punitive damages to punish the drunk driver and deter future reckless behavior. Unlike compensatory damages, which cover medical expenses and lost wages, punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were especially reckless.
Under South Carolina Code § 15-32-520, punitive damages may be awarded if clear and convincing evidence shows that the at-fault driver acted with willful misconduct. Courts consider several factors when determining whether to award punitive damages, including the driver’s BAC level and whether they had prior DUI convictions.
If the drunk driver was excessively speeding, had an extremely high BAC, or engaged in other reckless behaviors, punitive damages may be available. These additional damages serve as a warning to others and hold dangerous drivers fully accountable.
How Criminal Charges Impact Your Civil Case
A criminal conviction for DUI does not prevent you from filing a civil claim against the at-fault driver. While a criminal case focuses on penalizing the driver, a civil lawsuit allows you to seek financial recovery for your injuries. Even if the driver avoids criminal penalties, you can still pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
Get Help From a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in St. Andrews
A reckless decision to drive under the influence can change lives in an instant, but you have the right to demand justice.
Your drunk driving accident lawyer in St. Andrews with Shelly Leeke Law Firm will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery. Call or complete our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.
