Summerville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Despite the well-documented dangers of drinking and driving, drunk driving accidents continue to wreak havoc in Summerville and Dorchester County. Data from the state Department of Public Safety show that nine fatal DUI crashes occurred in Dorchester in one recent year, along with 610 non-fatal DUI crashes. While many drunk drivers face criminal charges after a collision, many victims turn to a Summerville drunk driving accident lawyer for justice.

The Summerville car accident lawyers with Murphy Crantford Meehan understand the catastrophic toll of DUI crashes all too well. If a drunk driver injured you in a collision, our lawyers can help you seek fair compensation. We can build an effective case against the drunk driver and other potentially liable parties, such as whoever served them. Our attorneys can also document all your losses from the crash to maximize your claim’s value. You don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation, and your initial consultation is free. Call now or complete our contact form to learn more.

What a Summerville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Do for You

After a drunk driving accident, the legal process can feel overwhelming. Murphy Crantford Meehan is here to make it easier for you. Our team can handle every aspect of your case, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies. We gather critical evidence, including police reports, BAC test results, and witness statements, to build a strong claim.

Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, especially when they try to minimize your compensation. We can handle all communication with insurers to see they treat your claim fairly. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for fair compensation.

Our attorneys also can assess the full impact of the crash on your life, including medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. We work to maximize your compensation so you can focus on your recovery instead of worrying about bills.

By hiring Murphy Crantford Meehan, you gain an advocate who simplifies the legal process and protects your rights. Let us handle the paperwork, phone calls, and legal strategies while you focus on healing.

South Carolina DUI Laws

Like most states, South Carolina has strict drunk driving laws. If the police catch a driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, the driver is guilty of DUI per se.

While having a BAC of 0.08 or higher is the most common cause of DUI arrests, it’s not the only cause. South Carolina law also prohibits anyone from driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol if their ability to handle a car is impaired. In other words, the police can still arrest and charge someone with a BAC lower than 0.08 percent. This law matters because any amount of alcohol can compromise someone’s ability to safely drive a car.

Common Types of Drunk Driving Accidents

There are many ways that a drunk driver can cause a collision, such as:

• Rear-End Collisions – Drunk drivers often have slower reaction times, making it harder to stop when a vehicle ahead slows or stops suddenly.

• Head-On Collisions – Impaired drivers can drift into oncoming traffic due to poor judgment or inability to stay in their lane.

• T-Bone Accidents – Drunk drivers may run red lights or stop signs, crashing into the side of vehicles crossing through intersections.

• Wrong-Way Accidents – Intoxicated drivers might enter highways or roads going the wrong direction, causing severe head-on or sideswipe collisions.

• Sideswipe Accidents – Drunk drivers often struggle to maintain a straight path, making them more likely to drift into adjacent lanes and strike nearby vehicles.

• Pedestrian or Cyclist Accidents – Impaired judgment and reduced visibility may prevent drunk drivers from seeing pedestrians or cyclists crossing or traveling near the road.

• Hit-and-Run Crashes – Some drunk drivers flee the scene out of fear of legal consequences, leaving injured victims without immediate help.

• High-Speed Collisions – Drunk drivers might fail to judge speed limits or traffic flow, leading to severe crashes due to excessive speeding.

• Parking Lot Accidents – Impaired drivers might misjudge distances or fail to notice pedestrians while navigating crowded parking areas, causing minor or serious injuries.

Who’s Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident in Summerville?

While a drunk driver is responsible for their decision to drink and drive, other parties sometimes contribute to a collision. For example, South Carolina law says it’s illegal for bars, restaurants, and other vendors to knowingly sell alcohol to an intoxicated person. If a vendor sold alcohol to someone who later caused a crash, the vendor could be partly liable.

There are also rare circumstances where other parties contribute to a drunk driving crash. For example, a catastrophic brake failure could make it harder for a drunk driver to control their car. In circumstances like this, the car’s manufacturer or a parts maker could be partly liable for a drunk driving collision. Our attorneys can conduct a thorough crash investigation to identify everyone liable for your injuries.

Compensation for Summerville Drunk Driving Accidents

Because drunk driving accidents often happen at high speeds and cause severe injuries, it’s essential to seek maximum compensation for your losses. Our lawyers can help you seek compensation for all the harm you’ve suffered, which could include money for:

• Your current medical expenses

• The cost of future medical treatments you need

• Lost income while you heal from the accident

• Reduced future income due to an injury or disability

• Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability

• Your pain and suffering

• Your emotional distress

• The cost to repair or replace your damaged property (such as your car)

Frequently Asked Questions About Summerville Drunk Driving Accidents

Here are some of the most common questions we receive about drunk driving crashes in Summerville, along with their answers:

What should I do right after a drunk driving accident in Summerville to protect my rights?

The first thing to do after a drunk driving accident is to report the crash to the police. Once you’ve done that and sought medical treatment, follow these steps to protect your rights:

• Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all your follow-up appointments

• Keep your medical bills, receipts, and other proof of your accident-related expenses

• Make copies of your medical records so you have proof of your injuries

• Don’t discuss the crash publicly or on social media

• Do not give any statements to insurance companies without talking to a lawyer first

• Speak to a drunk driving accident lawyer about your case

How long do I have to file a claim after a drunk driving accident in Summerville?

Per South Carolina law, you must file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of a drunk driving crash. If you miss this deadline, you will likely lose your chance to recover compensation for your injuries. However, we urge you to speak to an attorney right away so they can gather and preserve essential evidence.

Do I still have a case if the drunk driver wasn’t charged or convicted?

It’s undeniably frustrating when a drunk driver doesn’t face criminal penalties for their actions. However, the lack of criminal charges or a conviction doesn’t mean you can’t seek compensation for your injuries. A personal injury lawsuit is a civil matter, so it’s distinct from any charges the state might file after a crash.

Furthermore, the burden of proof is lower in civil cases than criminal cases. While the state must prove a defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” in a criminal trial, that’s not the case for civil suits. To win a personal injury lawsuit, you only need to prove the defendant injured you based on “the preponderance of the evidence.” In other words, you must show that it’s more likely than not that the drunk driver caused your injuries.

If I was partly responsible for the accident, can I still receive compensation?

You can still recover compensation for your injuries if you played a role in a drunk driving accident. Under South Carolina’s comparative negligence rules, you can still seek compensation as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. However, your compensation would be reduced accordingly to your share of liability.

So, for example, suppose you’re 20 percent liable for a drunk driving accident. In this example, you would lose 20 percent of your overall compensation. The comparative negligence system acknowledges the complex factors in many personal injury cases and provides a partial remedy for those who contributed to their own injuries.

Contact a Summerville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Now

A drunk driving accident is a tragedy, but it doesn’t have to define your life. A personal injury claim can provide the resources you need to heal and move forward. Our Summerville drunk driving accident lawyers are fully prepared to take your case and help you find justice. Call Murphy Crantford Meehan now or reach out online for a free consultation.