Those who are injured in DUI-related crashes often suffer from a variety of severe injuries that can leave a lasting impact on their life. These cases are taken even more seriously when a drunk driver causes the death of another person. Have you lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of a drunk driver? You may wonder if you are entitled to compensation on behalf of your loved one, and how to move forward.
The Reality of Drunk Driving in South Carolina
Drunk driving in South Carolina is a harsh reality, where it happens more often than we would like to believe. In fact, statistics show that it is the third deadliest state in the nation when it comes to deaths caused by drunk driving. A study by 24-7 Wall Street shows that nearly 360 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents alone in 2012. Many of these intoxicated drivers were minors. Fortunately, over the years we have seen a decline in these accidents, but they are still very serious accidents that are punished severely under the law.
There are many steps that have been taken in South Carolina to sway drivers from drinking and driving. These include drunk driving laws that make it illegal to drink and drive, sobriety checkpoints that allow police to stop vehicles and see if drivers are impaired, and license revocation and suspension laws that make drivers think twice about their actions. Even with these measures in place, drunk driving accidents continue to occur. If your loved one has lost their life to a drunk driver, we can help you in your time of need.
Criminal and Civil Actions, and How They Go Hand in Hand
Many DUI accidents will end in a criminal case, as a crime was committed when a driver chose to drink and get behind the wheel. The drunk driver could face manslaughter charges, fines, and jail time due to their actions, which will only help you and your family when it comes to bringing a civil claim against them. You may be able to take them to court over matters like funeral costs, loss of companionship, and so many other elements, especially when the proof is on the police report that a driver acted grossly negligent.
Am I Permitted to File a Claim?
One of the biggest questions that many people have is: Am I able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of my loved one? Not everyone can bring one of these cases in court. They are usually brought by a representative of the estate of the deceased victim, which is somebody who had a close relationship to them. In many cases, this will be a spouse, parent, or child of the loved one. Usually, the more distant the relative, the more difficult it will be to bring a claim on behalf of your loved one because it becomes difficult to prove that the death has caused you and your family damages.
We want you to compensate for the wrongful death of your loved one and receive compensation for things like pain and suffering on behalf of your loved one, medical costs associated with their accident before their passing, funeral services, loss of inheritance as a result of the death, and loss of love and companionship. At the Nye Law Group, we can help in your time of need, as we have experience in wrongful death cases and want to help you receive the results you deserve. Call us today at 855-636-9277 for more information.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pdf/impaired_driving/drunk_driving_in_sc.pdf