All car accidents are dangerous. Even minor accidents can cause property damage and bodily injury. However, very few accidents cause the kind of injuries you find with drunk driving accidents. There are many reasons for this.
Drunk driving, by its very nature, usually involves reckless drivers. People get behind the wheel with absolutely no regard for other drivers. They know they shouldn’t drive but they do it anyway. Rather than call an Uber they put their own lives and the lives of others at risk.
Drunk driving accidents are unique in many ways. People who have been in these types of accidents usually suffer serious injuries. In fact, many drunk driving accidents prove to be fatal. And, sadly, it’s usually the innocent victim who pays the ultimate price.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a drunk driving accident in Columbia, you need to call a car accident lawyer in Columbia right away.
A Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina Will Know the Statistics
Sadly, car accident lawyers in Columbia are very familiar with drunk driving statistics. This is because they often find themselves representing clients who are seriously hurt in these types of accidents.
Believe it or not, South Carolina ranks second for the most drunk driving fatalities. The only other state with more drunk driving deaths is Montana. You’d expect it to be a state with more big cities – however, population has absolutely nothing to do with the fatality rates.
The mortality rate in South Carolina for drunk driving deaths is almost 8 for every 100,000 residents. Studies show that this equates to a drunk driving death every 50 minutes. The reason for this high rate may surprise you.
The high fatality rate has little to with the drunk driving laws in South Carolina. Their laws aren’t any less strict than any other state. The high rate actually has to do with the number of outlets that sell alcohol in the state.
The more stores you have that sell and serve alcohol, the more people will drink. And, a by-product is that more underage drinkers are being served here than anywhere else. People just aren’t careful enough about checking identifications. They end up serving young people alcohol. These young people then get behind the wheel and drive.
An Accident Lawyer in Columbia, SC Knows How Dangerous Drunk Driving Can Be
An accident lawyer in Columbia knows how scary drunk driving accidents can be. Drunk driving accidents are naturally dangerous. There are many reasons for this, including:
- Drunk drivers do not pay attention to the road
- Reaction time for drunk drivers is much slower
- Alcohol causes people to drive recklessly
- Drunk driving accidents usually involve speeding
- Impaired drivers often lose control of the car
Another big reason drunk driving is so dangerous is because you can’t predict it. Even the most careful drivers have absolutely no control over a drunk driver. We can obey all stop signs and keep an eye out for other drivers on the road. However, there’s no way to know when a drunk driver may approach.
Drunk drivers can hit you from behind or head-on. If they lose control of their car, there is no limit to what kind of damage they can cause. Many victims of drunk driving accidents end up with life-altering or fatal injuries, and there’s nothing they can do to prevent the crash.
Your Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia Will Get You the Compensation You Deserve
If you or a loved one have injuries from a drunk driver, you’re entitled to compensation. You may suffer some pretty serious injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Head injuries
All of these may require surgery and physical therapy. You could be out of work for weeks or even months, or may even end up permanently disabled. If this happens, you’ll be entitled to certain damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
You can request punitive damages in a drunk driving accident case. Your lawyer can ask the court to impose these damages as a punishment for the defendant’s negligence and reckless behavior.
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident, you need to call and schedule your initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Columbia today. The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.
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