Our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers in South Carolina know that when a drunk driver is involved in a car accident in the Palmetto State, there may be more than one party who is liable for the crash.
Unfortunately, these preventable crashes occur more often than most people think — especially over the 4th of July weekend.
According to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 38% of traffic deaths, and 23% of recreational boating deaths were attributed to impaired drivers over Independence Day weekend last year.
Here is what our South Carolina residents need to know if their lives have been impacted by a negligent and intoxicated driver.
The South Carolina Establishment That Served the Driver May Be Liable for the Crash
When a drunk driver causes an accident, injuries, or fatalities in South Carolina, he or she may face both criminal charges and a civil lawsuit for their negligence.
However, the establishment that served the driver may also be held liable for their intoxication through a Dram Shop legal claim.
A dram shop is a commercial establishment that sells alcoholic beverages and can include restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
When businesses sell alcoholic drinks to a guest who is obviously intoxicated or close to it, or underage, they may be held strictly liable to anyone injured by the drunken patron.
To pursue a successful personal injury claim against the establishment, the injured party must prove the alcohol sale was a proximate cause of the accident and was to blame for the person’s injuries. We can help.
Our South Carolina personal injury attorneys know that crashes involving impaired drivers are typically catastrophic, as the driver is also often speeding or going the wrong way, directly into oncoming traffic. Tragically, these crashes can also occur on the water — when boat operators are intoxicated after leaving a bar or restaurant — or when a vehicle driver swerves into pedestrians who are enjoying our state’s innumerable hospitality options on foot.
No matter how your crash, injuries, or the loss of your loved one occurred, if there was a drunk driver involved, the collision may require a dram shop investigation too. Our dedicated drunk driving accident attorneys in South Carolina will review your case from all angles, to ensure we are maximizing your potential recovery.
Contact Our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers in South Carolina to Schedule a consultation Today
If you are hurt in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver in South Carolina, you should seek medical care right away and contact our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers in Rock Hill and Fort Mill today by calling (803) 258-6199 to learn more about your legal rights and options to hold the negligent driver and potentially the established that served him or her liable for your complete recovery needs.
We provide consultations for all personal injury cases in South Carolina, and never charge any legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.