Getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence is not only illegal but dangerous to all those involved. The legal blood alcohol content or BAC is 0.08 percent in South Carolina. Unfortunately, despite this law, South Carolina was the fifth-highest ranking state for drunk driving problems per capita in 2018. With such a high accident rate, it’s important that you know what to do should you be involved in a DUI-related crash.
Steps to Take If You’re the Victim of a Drunk Driving Crash
If you are involved in a car accident caused by an impaired driver, there are important steps you need to take that may affect the outcome of your personal injury case and help maximize your compensation:
Call police to the scene right away.
Drunk driving is a crime that can result in catastrophic consequences, especially when someone is injured or killed. If you suspect the at-fault driver is impaired, it’s important to stay on the scene and call 911. Contacting the police guarantees that you will have a police report that will become critical when filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit for damages against the driver.
Assess your injuries.
Immediately following the crash, remain calm, determine the extent of your injuries, and seek medical attention right away. No matter how minor you believe your injuries are, you may be entitled to collect damages for the losses you have suffered as a result. If you wait too long, you risk losing the right to obtain coverage from the insurance company to help pay for expenses.
Contact a personal injury lawyer immediately.
Once you have tended to your immediate medical needs, the next thing you should do is contact a lawyer—ideally, a personal injury lawyer specializing in car collision representation. At Smith Injury Law, our experienced attorneys can fight to protect your legal rights and hold the responsible party accountable for their negligent actions.
Collect and keep all copies of records and lost wages.
Insurance money may not always cover a victim’s financial loss and emotional suffering. The costs of medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages can be overwhelming. In order to demonstrate economic damages and ensure you receive a fair settlement, you and your attorney should collect and document all supporting invoices and records from doctors and police.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured by a Drunk Driver?
If you are injured by a drunk driver in Greenville, SC, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at Smith Injury Law as soon as possible. Recovering from an accident can be overwhelming and not something you should go through alone. Please fill out our online form or call our office directly at 864-300-4878 today to schedule your free consultation.
Disclaimer: Our principle office is located at 1210 Laurens Rd, Greenville, SC 29607. There is no fee unless the case is settled or won; costs may be excluded.
