Our David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers know that drunk driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities tend to rise during the summer months in South Carolina due to a combination of increased social activities, travel, and the prevalence of alcohol consumption.
The warmer weather brings about numerous events, including holidays, festivals, concerts, and family gatherings, where alcohol is often consumed more freely.
With more people drinking and driving, the risk of alcohol-related accidents inevitably increases, contributing to the higher incidence of crashes, injuries, and fatalities during this time. Law enforcement agencies typically respond with heightened patrols and sobriety checkpoints. Still, despite these efforts, the combination of more vehicles on the road and higher alcohol consumption leads to a spike in drunk driving incidents.
These accidents frequently involve multiple vehicles, causing widespread damage and injuries to not only the impaired driver but also innocent passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. The long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences for victims and their families, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and psychological trauma, underscore the profound and far-reaching impact of drunk driving incidents.
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a crash caused by a drunk driver in South Carolina, our personal injury attorneys want to help you hold them liable for their reckless decision to get behind the wheel impaired.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Drunk Driving Accidents, Injuries & Fatalities in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, multiple parties can be held liable for drunk driving accidents, injuries, and fatalities, depending on the circumstances of the incident.
They include:
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The Drunk Driver
The individual driving under the influence is primarily responsible for any accidents, injuries, or fatalities caused by impaired driving. The drunk driver can face criminal charges and civil lawsuits from victims seeking compensation for damages. While these are two different areas of law, a criminal conviction can help support our client’s personal injury claim against the driver’s insurance coverage.
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Bars and Restaurants: Dram Shop Liability
Establishments that serve alcohol can be held liable if they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or to a minor who subsequently causes an accident. South Carolina has dram shop laws that allow victims to sue bars and restaurants for negligence in serving alcohol, and we can help enforce them when our clients are injured or lose a loved one because of the establishment’s negligence.
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Social Hosts
Social hosts who provide alcohol to guests can be held liable if they serve alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated individuals who then cause an accident. While South Carolina does not have specific social host liability laws, hosts can still be held accountable under general negligence principles.
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Employers
Employers can be liable if an employee causes a drunk driving accident while acting within the scope of their employment, such as during work-related events or functions where alcohol is provided. Employers might also be held accountable under the doctrine of vicarious liability if they knew or should have known about the employee’s propensity to drink and drive.
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Vehicle Owners
If a vehicle owner allows a drunk driver to use their vehicle knowing that the driver is intoxicated or has a history of impaired driving, the owner can be held liable for negligent entrustment.
Contact Our Attorney at David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a drunk driver in South Carolina, contact our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers today at (803)-258-6199 to learn more about your legal rights and options to hold the negligent party liable for your complete recovery needs.
We provide free consultations for all South Carolina personal injury cases and never charge legal fees unless we achieve a positive outcome for your unique case.