DRUNK DRIVER ACCIDENTS

INJURED BY A DRUNK DRIVER?

DELIVERING JUSTICE TO VICTIMS OF DRUNK DRIVING FOR OVER 15 YEARS

── Injured by Drunk Driver in South Carolina?

According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving website, there are some startling statistics regarding drunk driving:

Adults drank too much and drove about 121 million times per year – over 300,000 incidents of drinking and driving a day.
Each day, people drive drunk more than 300,000 times, but only about 2,800 are arrested.
Drunk driving costs the United States $132 billion a year.

About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of drunk driving are repeat offenders.
Every day about 800 people are injured in a drunk driving crash.
An average drunk driver has driven drunk over 80 times before their first arrest.

When we read through these statistics, one of the first things that comes to mind is the number of people who are not being held accountable for their actions. If you are in the state of South Carolina and have been injured or affected as a result of a drunk driving accident it’s important to understand the drunk driving consequences, levels of responsibility, and the legal help available.

At White Davis & White Law Firm, we have over 80 years of combined experience serving the residents of South Carolina in a variety of legal situations, including drunk driving accidents and injuries.

While every case is different and there are nuances across states, city, and county laws to take into consideration, there are some main questions we are asked when it comes to drunk driving ramifications:

Q: Who is responsible for a drunk driving accident?

A: The state of South Carolina does not have a Dram Shop Act. However, it IS illegal for a bartender or server at an establishment that sells alcohol to over-serve someone who they witness being knowingly intoxicated.

This means that if there is an accident involving a drunk driver, not only is the driver responsible, but it’s very possible for the server and even the bar or restaurant where the over-serving occurred to be held responsible in a court of law. This is especially the case if the situation involves someone underage who has been drinking.

Q: Does “driving under the influence” just pertain to too much alcohol?

A: No. In the state of South Carolina, driving under the influence includes operating a vehicle while under the influence of not just alcohol, but drugs. What we’ve seen is that the legal process and penalties are very similar regardless if the accident is due to driving under the influence of alcohol vs. drugs, but this can vary based on the situation and other factors.

Q: What is the legal limit in South Carolina for driving under the influence of alcohol?

A: The following statement comes directly from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety:

“South Carolina law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that the person’s faculties to drive are materially and appreciably impaired. If you have a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher, it will be inferred that you were driving under the influence. If you have a BAC that is at least 0.05 percent but less than 0.08 percent, your BAC level may be considered along with other evidence to infer that you are under the influence.”

── Tell Us How We Can Help

At White Davis & White Law Firm we are here to do everything in our power to help you if you or a loved one are the victims of a drunk driving accident.

Our team of dedicated trial lawyers is located in Anderson, South Carolina, just 30 miles southwest of Greenville. We serve clients across the state, including the cities of Columbia and Rock Hill. In addition to drunk driving accidents and injury cases, we support a wide range of personal injury and civil litigation cases from foster child abuse to wrongful death accounts.

Please do not hesitate to contact us today via phone or by completing our online form to schedule your personal consultation.

EIGHT FIGURE SETTLEMENT
IN DRUNK DRIVER CASE

$11 Million Confidential Settlement in drunk driver accident case in which client was catastrophically injured by drunk driver who was overserved at a local establishment.

Lead WDW Lawyer on the Case: Kyle J. White & Drew Bradshaw

SEVEN FIGURE SETTLEMENT
IN DRUNK DRIVER CASE

$1.35 Million Confidential Settlement in Dram Shop case.

Lead WDW Lawyer on the Case: Kyle J. White

VIEW MORE CASE RESULTS

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