Drunk drivers cause thousands of deaths and injuries every year. These accidents are preventable, and it is important to hold drunk drivers accountable for their potentially deadly actions. Learn more about how many car accidents are caused by drunk driving every year.
Drunk Driving Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than ten thousand victims were killed by drunk drivers across the U.S. in 2019. The figures are also not good here in the Palmetto State: ABC 4 News reports that South Carolina was the third-highest state for drunk driving fatalities per capita in that same year.
Drunk driving is a deadly problem. While officers and prosecutors can provide criminal consequences for DUI, it is also important for injury victims to provide financial consequences through personal injury lawsuits. This helps to keep everyone safe from drunk drivers on the roads of Charleston.
Other Types of Impairment
Alcohol is not the only substance that can impair a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Impairment statutes are written to allow for the prosecution of drivers who are impaired by recreational drugs, prescription medications, or even household substances. Whether an impairment case is prosecuted in the criminal court or not, an injury victim is still entitled to compensation by proving the driver’s negligence in civil court.
Call a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Who Knows Drunk Driving Cases
Attorney Mark Bringardner is an experienced car accident lawyer. Call 843-380-5299 to schedule your free case review. For years, Charleston residents have trusted our legal team to protect their legal rights, and we will fight hard for you, too.
Drunk Driving FAQs
What if the other driver is never charged with DUI in the criminal court?
There are many reasons why a prosecutor may decline to pursue charges against an impaired driver. This does not mean that you are not entitled to compensation. Criminal charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, while your civil claim has an easier standard. As long as you can prove that the driver’s negligence is more likely than not, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
How can you prove impairment if the driver is not charged with a crime?
If officers do not take blood tests at the scene or the blood tests show a low level of alcohol in the driver’s system, you can still prove negligence. Witnesses can testify that the driver was swerving or not paying attention. They can also testify that the driver had bloodshot eyes, smelled of alcohol, or showed other signs of impairment. Jurors may consider this evidence in a civil injury claim regardless of whether the driver has been charged with a crime.
Can I get compensation for my injuries if I was not a driver?
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, and passengers in any involved vehicle can all be injured by a drunk driver. Any party whose injuries were directly caused by the drunk driver’s negligence has the legal right to file an injury claim against that driver.