Any car accident can result in devastating damages, but a drunk-driving crash can be particularly catastrophic. These incidents are especially infuriating because they are entirely preventable.
The accident could have been avoided if the other driver had obeyed the law and refrained from driving while intoxicated. Drivers with a high blood alcohol level pose a severe threat to others on the road as alcohol impairs reaction times, blurs vision, and hinders their ability to respond adequately to prevent a crash.
Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer severe injuries, and some may even lose their lives as a result. If you or a loved one has been involved in a drunk driving accident, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention and contact the police.
Additionally, gather evidence at the scene by taking photos and obtaining eyewitness contact information.
You must contact our experienced Greenville drunk driving accident lawyers for all your DUI legal matters. Because the drunk driver broke the law, you could be able to sue them for bodily injury and possibly even punitive damages.
Call our knowledgeable legal professionals to go over the specifics of your case involving a drunk driver.
Our Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Are Here to Handle the Claims Process for Accident Victims
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our Greenville drunk driving accident team is dedicated to building personal relationships with each client. We invest time and attention, leveraging our knowledge, resources, and experience to develop strong claims.
Compassionate Support and Expertise
We offer warm, compassionate support to our clients and their families, understanding that this is a difficult and stressful time. We aim to make every client feel like they are dealing with close friends.
We provide a small firm feel with big firm experience handling drunk driving accident cases.
Our Commitment to Clients
Our clients rely on us to:
- Hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions
- Seek and recover financial compensation
Client Testimonials and Success Stories
Our past clients’ testimonials and recent case results demonstrate our commitment to achieving the best possible resolution. We are prepared to take a case to trial if necessary to secure justice for our clients.
Additionally, we are skilled in navigating underinsured motorist policies when the drunk driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your losses.
No Upfront Fees
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm works on a contingency basis, meaning we never charge our clients any upfront fees. We only collect attorney’s fees if we recover compensation for you.
If a drunk driver has hit you, trust us to provide the support and expertise you need.
How Our Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Law Firm Support Accident Victims?
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we believe that victims of drunk driving accidents in Greenville, SC, deserve qualified legal representation.
Our approach includes:
- Some cases should go to trial, while others may reach a fair settlement. We are prepared to litigate or negotiate to achieve the best outcome for our clients.
- Utilizing our experience, diligence, and determination to represent our clients fully.
- Pursue all possible compensation sources, including insurance policies and the liability of bars, restaurants, or other establishments, if applicable, to maximize your award.
- Offering full-service representation and ensure we handle every aspect of your case. Our team is both caring and compassionate while aggressively advocating for your interests.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is a skilled legal team committed to serving victims’ needs. He develops your argument, pays attention to your concerns, and aggressively defends them.
Call or message us for a consultation if you want additional information or to begin your case.
Causes of Greenville Car Accidents
While some factors leading to major car accidents, such as inclement weather, are beyond our control, many can be attributed to driver carelessness or negligence. These factors include, but are not limited to:
- Speeding: It is a leading cause of car crashes in Greenville, South Carolina, and nationwide. Driving too slowly when other drivers expect a vehicle to complete a maneuver within a certain timeframe can also result in accidents.
- Disobeying Traffic Laws: Drivers often violate other traffic laws to keep us safe besides speeding. Ignoring traffic signals, disregarding signs, or violating other traffic regulations can set the stage for a collision.
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): According to the CDC, 3,299 people were killed in crashes involving a drunk driver in South Carolina from 2020 to 2023. Drunk driving is a leading cause of traffic fatalities across the United States, accounting for more than 10,000 deaths each year.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving encompasses activities that divert a driver’s attention from the road, such as texting, looking at a smartphone, eating, or retrieving an object that has fallen inside the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that nearly 3,200 individuals died in distraction-related accidents in 2023.
Other factors contributing to crashes include driver inexperience, age, weather conditions, road and highway conditions, objects like debris or obscured signs, and vehicle problems. Our experienced personal injury lawyer can assess various factors contributing to your accident and how they may affect the settlement process.
What Should You Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver?
If a drunk driver has hit you, it’s essential to follow the appropriate steps to ensure your safety and protect your rights.
Here’s what you should do in the best-case scenario:
Call 911 Immediately
Dial 911 as soon as possible and request police and an ambulance. The dispatcher will provide guidance based on your situation.
To ensure your safety, it’s often necessary to have an ambulance check you out. Visiting the emergency room for a comprehensive physical examination is highly recommended.
Provide Your Account to the Responding Police Officer
When the police arrive, clearly describe what happened. Stick to the facts without admitting any guilt or making apologies. Avoid statements like “I should have…” Just be honest and specific.
If you cannot remember certain details, communicate that to the police.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If it is safe, collect evidence at the scene. Talk to witnesses and get their contact information.
Take photos and videos of the scene, including the vehicles involved, the damage, and the surrounding area. This evidence can be invaluable later.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t take an ambulance, visit urgent care or your primary care physician as soon as possible. Follow up in the days after the incident, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent.
Consult a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
Meeting with a drunk driving accident lawyer will help you understand your legal options. A lawyer can assist in gathering evidence, supporting your claims, and protecting your right to compensation.
By following these steps, you can ensure your safety and protect your legal rights after being hit by a drunk driver.
What Drunk Driving Victims Should Know?
If a drunk driver has hit you, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Drunk driving is a serious offense, and those responsible—including those who enable them—can be held accountable through legal action.
Even if the driver faces criminal charges, it’s not enough to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. To receive a monetary award, you need to file a claim.
Compensation can cover:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Other economic and non-economic losses
You must prove your right to a financial award to secure this compensation. Our Greenville drunk driving accident lawyer is here to represent you.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents in Greenville
Drunk drivers are responsible for some of the most deadly accidents in Greenville. Here are some common types of DUI crashes we encounter:
- Head-on Collisions: These occur when a driver crosses the centerline and collides with oncoming traffic. Due to the high speeds involved, head-on collisions are often devastating and can result in severe damage to vehicles and fatal injuries for those involved.
- Rear-End Collisions: One of Greenville’s most common types of DUI accidents. Impaired judgment and reaction time make drunk drivers more likely to rear-end other vehicles. These collisions can range from minor to severe, causing extensive property damage, injuries, and even wrongful death.
- Side-Impact Collisions: Also known as T-bone collisions, these occur when the side of one vehicle hits another vehicle. They occur typically at intersections where a driver fails to yield the right of way. They can also happen in parking lots or driveways when a driver backs out without looking. Side-impact collisions can cause significant injuries and damage.
- Hit and Run Accidents: Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are all too common. Drivers often flee the scene without exchanging information or rendering aid, which is illegal. If you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident, contact the police immediately to investigate and locate the responsible party.
- Pedestrian Accidents: These accidents are often caused by distracted driving and can be devastating for pedestrians, resulting in serious injuries or death. Drivers should avoid distractions, be aware of their surroundings, and exercise extra caution in areas with pedestrians.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, schedule a free consultation with an experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm. We have extensive experience ensuring that liable parties in car and truck accidents caused by drunk drivers are held accountable.
We pride ourselves on maintaining a positive attorney-client relationship and will help you obtain your accident report and fight for your full compensation. For more information or to start your case, call or message us for a consultation.
Statutes of Limitations for Drunk Driving Accidents in Greenville
Statutes of limitations are time limits for filing criminal charges or a lawsuit, ensuring fairness in civil lawsuits. This is crucial in all negligence claims.
In Greenville, a DUI lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of the accident. It’s best to file your claim as soon as possible, as delays can result in a lower settlement amount or no settlement.
With so much at stake, you can’t afford to wait. The sooner you contact a car accident lawyer, the higher your chances of filing your case within the time limit.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help victims of car accidents in Greenville pursue their claims, ensuring they receive the justice they deserve from liable parties and providing expert legal advice. Schedule a free consultation with our law firm today to get started.
How Will Our Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Investigate Your Claim?
To maximize your compensation, we will gather extensive evidence from various sources, including:
- Video Surveillance Footage: Captures the events leading up to, during, and after the accident.
- Photos Taken at the Accident Scene: Provide visual documentation of the crash, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries.
- Police Reports and Witness Statements: Offer official accounts and eyewitness perspectives of the incident.
- Accident Reconstructions: Recreate the accident scenario to determine fault and contributing factors.
- Your Medical Records: Document the extent of your injuries and the required treatments.
If possible, collect beneficial evidence immediately after the collision. Videos and photos showing an intoxicated driver are particularly helpful, but document as many accident details as possible.
It is important to accept or seek medical treatment after an auto accident. Your health should always be the top priority.
Medical professionals will document your condition, and your attorney will use these records as evidence to support your claim.
Contact Our Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today!
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we specialize exclusively in personal injury cases related to drunk driving accidents. As an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer in Greenville, SC, we focus on maximizing your compensation.
We keep our caseloads lower so that we can devote the time and care necessary to each case. The sooner you receive medical attention if you suffer injuries in an intoxicated driving collision, the better.
Call us at (864) 664-3865 now for a free initial case consultation to discuss the details of your claim and your legal options.
FAQs
- Do Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents Need an Attorney?
Yes, it is highly recommended. An experienced attorney can manage the complications of drunk driving cases, ensuring all aspects are thoroughly handled. This increases the chances of receiving fair compensation for your losses.
- Is the Drunk Driver Automatically Responsible for All My Damages in Every Car Accident in South Carolina?
Generally, a drunk driver is presumed responsible, but contributory negligence may apply. The drunk driver’s insurance might only cover part of the damages if the non-drinking driver was also negligent. The court will determine fault percentages for each party.
- Who Can Be Held Responsible for Drunk Driving Accidents?
In addition to the driver, social hosts who provide alcohol to underage or visibly intoxicated individuals and anyone knowingly providing a vehicle to a drunk driver can be held accountable for accidents. Responsible drinking and driving practices are essential to prevent such incidents.
