Summerville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

After suffering injuries in a drunk driving accident, you need a strong legal team to advocate for your rights to compensation. Our Summerville, SC, drunk driving accident attorneys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward can help you build a strong case. 

The Thumbs Up Guys are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation and holding the negligent parties accountable. Our Summerville personal injury attorneys can review your case for free.

What Information Should You Prepare Before Your Free Consultation?

Before getting in touch with our team, there are several pieces of information you should gather. This information can help our attorneys better understand your case and determine the best course of action for pursuing compensation. Some of the information you should prepare includes:

• Details about the accident: This includes the date, time, and location of the accident, as well as any police reports or witness statements.
• Medical records and bills: Any medical records or bills related to the accident can help our attorneys understand the extent of your injuries and the costs associated with your treatment.
• Insurance information: You should have information about your insurance policy and the insurance policy of the other driver involved in the accident.
• Employment information: If you have lost wages due to the accident, you should have information about your employment situation and the income you have lost.
• Pictures or videos: Any pictures or videos you have of the accident scene, your injuries, or the damage to your vehicle can help our attorneys build a stronger case.

By gathering this information before your consultation, you can help our attorneys better understand the details of your case and provide you with more personalized legal advice. However, if you do not have all of this information, don’t worry. 

Our Summerville car accident lawyers can still help you understand your legal options and work with you to gather any additional information needed to build a strong case.

How Long Do You Have to File a South Carolina Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

According to the South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. This statute of limitations applies to all personal injury claims, including those related to drunk driving accidents. If you do not file a claim within this period, you may lose your right to pursue compensation for your losses.

Working with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Summerville, SC, as soon as possible after the accident is important to make sure that your legal rights are protected and that you have the best chance of recovering the compensation you deserve.

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable in Summerville

Drunk driving accidents can have devastating consequences, often resulting in serious injuries or death. In addition to the physical and emotional toll these accidents can take, they can also have serious legal consequences for the drunk driver responsible for the accident.

In Summerville, drunk drivers can face criminal charges for driving under the influence (DUI) or while intoxicated (DWI). These charges can result in fines and even jail time, depending on the severity of the offense. However, criminal charges alone may not be enough to fully compensate victims of drunk driving accidents.

Parties That Can Be Liable in a Summerville Drunk Driving Accident

Several parties can be held accountable in a Summerville drunk driving accident. The Thumbs Up Guys can help you hold the following parties accountable:

The Drunk Driver

The primary party responsible for damages in a drunk driving accident is the drunk driver who caused the accident.  Drunk drivers may face criminal charges for driving under the influence or intoxicated. 

These charges can result in fines, license suspension, and even jail time, depending on the severity of the offense. It’s important to note that even if drunk drivers are not charged with a criminal offense, they may still be held responsible for damages in a civil lawsuit.

The Establishment that Served Alcohol

According to South Carolina’s Dram shop law, establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals may also be held liable for damages caused by those individuals. This law is designed to hold bars, restaurants, and other establishments accountable for serving alcohol to individuals who are intoxicated and may pose a danger to themselves and others. 

Establishments that serve alcohol must monitor their patrons and make sure that they are not serving alcohol to individuals who are visibly intoxicated. If they fail to do so and an accident occurs, they may be liable for the damages.

The Vehicle Owner

If the drunk driver was operating a vehicle that did not belong to them at the time of the accident, the vehicle’s owner may also be held responsible for the damages caused. You can hold the vehicle owner liable under the legal theory of negligent entrustment, which holds that the vehicle owner must make sure that they only entrust their vehicle to responsible drivers.

To establish negligent entrustment, our Summerville, SC, drunk driving accident attorneys can prove that the vehicle owner knew or should have known that the person they entrusted their vehicle to was likely to cause an accident.

Government Entities

In some cases, government entities can also be liable. For example, if a drunk driving accident was caused by a poorly maintained road or a malfunctioning traffic light, the government entity responsible for maintaining those roadways may be liable for damages. 

However, holding government entities responsible for damages can be complex and may require following different legal rules and procedures.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Summerville drunk driving accident, it’s important to work with an experienced drunk driving accident attorney in Summerville. 

The Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward team can help you understand your legal options and build a strong case to pursue compensation.

Damages You Can Recover After a Summerville Drunk Driving Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Summerville drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages are those with a clear monetary value, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Loss of income
• Transportation costs

Non-economic damages are less tangible losses that do not have a clear monetary value, including:

• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Mental anguish

Recovering damages after a Summerville drunk driving accident can be difficult. Our drunk driving accident lawyer can guide you through the process, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve. 

Contact Us After A Drunk Driver Injures You

At Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, our Summerville drunk driving accident attorneys can help you recover the compensation you qualify for. The Thumbs Up Guys don’t stop until you get the desired results.

Contact us for a free consultation today.