Columbia SC Hit By A Drunk Driver Lawyer
If a drunk person hits and hurts someone in a car crash, the bar, gas station, liquor store, restaurant, or other establishments that served that driver may be held responsible for the harm they caused. South Carolina has laws that are intended to prevent restaurants, bars, and clubs from serving alcohol to minors and to already intoxicated people. If a restaurant, bar, or club violates the law and someone is injured, the establishment can be held responsible. In South Carolina, it is illegal to serve alcohol to any person who is intoxicated. To receive compensation, an injured person will need to show that the bar, restaurant, or store had a duty to keep people safe by not overserving their patrons or by serving minors and that this duty was not kept. South Carolina courts have continuously allowed injury victims to seek compensation from establishments and persons that overserve alcohol to drivers.
Drunk driving is among the leading causes of accidents in South Carolina, with over 315 reported fatalities in 2020. Unfortunately, drivers who are already intoxicated are served alcohol at bars and restaurants, increasing the risk of accidents on the roads. While the driver who caused an accident may face a lawsuit, the bar or restaurant that served the alcohol could also be held liable for the accident.
South Carolina has laws protecting victims of drunk-driving accidents. However, seeking compensation is complicated. Hiring a lawyer after you’ve been hit by a drunk driver to handle your case may help you get the compensation you deserve. Especially in cases where you may have sustained life-altering injuries to facial scars. Speak to Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers by calling us at 803-200-2000 and see if you may qualify to file a claim. Compensation may be available if you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash after alcohol was overserved to a drunk driver that hit and injured you.
Who is At Fault for a Drunk Driver Accident in South Carolina?
Dram shop liability can occur after a bar, restaurant, or store sells alcohol to an intoxicated or underage person who then causes a car crash. The business or owner can be held liable for the driver’s drunken state, which is a risk to the driver and other motorists or pedestrians.
If you or your loved one have been injured by a drunk driver, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney such as Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers to investigate your case and help determine if you may have a claim against the bar that sold alcohol to an intoxicated driver. Our attorneys are experienced in dealing with drunk driving accidents. Contact us today for a free consultation.
The Purpose of Dram Shop Liability
Bars and restaurants have a responsibility to keep their guests safe as well as the public safe. This means not overserving or serving drunk clients. Sadly, not all establishments require alcohol safety training. Even if they do, it is not always enough to keep innocent drivers and pedestrians safe.
The bar or restaurant have a responsibility for what drunk people do at their establishment as well as what happens after they leave. Meaning: If a drunk driver hits and hurts someone in a car crash the bar or restaurant that overserved that drunk driver may be held responsible.
If you have been hurt by a drunk driver, contact our attorneys for immediate help. We’ve helped many people handle similar cases in South Carolina where an intoxicated driver was served alcohol by a bar and/or restaurant and later caused an accident.
Proving Negligence when hit by a Drunk Driver in South Carolina
To file a successful case in South Carolina, you must prove that the bar was negligent You will need evidence showing that because the bar was neglienent and served a drunk driver, you were injured as a result. The bar or restaurant will probably hire good lawyer to defend them because cases involving drunk drivers generally involve large claims and they may not want to pay you. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have a great legal team behind you as well. Below are several elements your lawyer and you will need to show to prove that the bar, restaurant or store was at fault.
- They sold alcohol to a drunk or intoxicated person.
- The accident and injuries happened because of the drunk driver
- They sold alcohol to a minor below 18 years.
- They did not ask for proof of age for a minor.
- The establishment did not train its employees to identify and handle drunk people properly.
- The establishment doesn’t have proper policies to guide employees on intoxication and overconsumption prevention
Are you finding it challenging to prove liability in a drunk driving accident? Contact us today to speak to our legal team.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in South Carolina
Case Investigation
To file a successful case, you must present concrete evidence to the insurance company or court, depending on the circumstances of the case.
A personal injury law firm such as Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers will investigate the accident, work to get strong evidence against the bar or owner, and file a claim. Contact today and let us investigate the case and work to identify the at-fault parties.
Video and Eyewitness Statement
A good lawyer can help secure video footage, eyewitness statements, and other forms of evidence to help show a business breaking the law by continuing to serve a drunk or underage person alcohol. If this can be located, it is a major win in helping to prove that the bar or restaurant is at fault for the harm that the wreck caused.
Our attorneys will go to great lengths to make sure that evidence is preserved. It is very important!
Handling the Insurance
It is not easy to deal with insurance companies when pursuing a dram shop or drunk driver-related claims. Hiring a lawyer increases your chances of getting a favorable settlement from the insurance provider. An experienced personal injury attorney or law firm such as Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers can help with their negotiation skills and their know-how of how to handle the ins and outs of all the different insurance companies and also can help in situations where you have been in a car accident with no insurance.
Statutes of Limitation
An experienced personal injury attorney understands the South Carolina statutes of limitation and can help file a claim within the expected timelines. If you miss your statute of limitations, you may not be able to recover any compensation at all. Having a good lawyer by your side can be a huge aid in not missing your chance.
Hurt By a Drunk Driver? Compensation You Can Seek in South Carolina
If you get injured in an accident because of a drunk driver, you can file a claim and seek compensation for your injuries. The bar, nightclub, or restaurant owner can be held liable for your injuries and may own you compensation for things like:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Lost wages
- Wrongful death
- Loss of companionship
Dealing with who is liable in a drunk driving accident when seeking compensation isn’t an easy task. It often requires lots of legal knowledge to get what you deserve. Having a good personal injury attorney such as Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers on your side is important. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact a South Carolina Drunk Driving Personal Injury Attorney Today
Handling a drunk driver injury-related case can be complicated, time-consuming, and challenging. Are you or your loved one planning to sue a bar because of your drunk driving-related injuries? Contact us today for a free consultation.
FAQs
How long does a “hurt by a drunk driver” case take in South Carolina?
Every case is unique and can depend greatly on your injuries and the insurance company you are dealing with.
How much can I get after being hit and injured by a drunk driver?
Compensation after being hit by a drunk driver depends on several factors, including (but not limited to) the injuries and if a bar served the drunk person alcohol.
When should I hire an attorney for a drunk driving injury claim?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer immediately after an accident can help you avoid making a costly mistake and may help you preserve evidence. A good lawyer can guide you from the beginning to the end of the case.
Columbia, South Carolina Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Review
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