What Types of Injuries are Caused by Drunk Driving Accidents in South Carolina?

November 24, 2019

There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to drink and drive. With the availability of Lyft and Uber, anyone, at any time, can call for a ride. But that doesn’t mean people still don’t do it. There are thousands of people injured or killed in this country by drunk driving accidents every year. And despite the advent of rideshare companies, the number of DUI arrests in South Carolina haven’t really decreased.

Drunk driving accidents are some of the most dangerous of all motor vehicle accidents. When people are drunk, they become reckless. They don’t make good decisions. They certainly don’t take the well-being of other people into account. This is why most drunk driving accidents are so serious. People drive faster when they’re drunk. So when they crash into another car, they end up causing a lot of damage.

If you or your loved one are injured in a drunk driving accident in Columbia, you’re going to suffer some pretty serious accidents. You’re going to need to focus on recovering from your injuries. The last thing you need to do is deal with insurance companies and lawyer. Let your Columbia car accident lawyer handle it for you.

Drunk Driving Accidents Lead to Spinal Injuries

Some of the most dangerous injuries involve your spinal cord. When you suffer any kind of spinal injury, you could end up partially or totally paralyzed. If this happens, you won’t be able to work again. Your entire life will be affected. You won’t be able to walk or drive. You may not even be able to take care of your family.

Some of the more serious types of spinal injuries include:

Spinal cord injuries
Disc herniation or slipped discs
Nerve damage

You May Suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain injuries are caused when you sustain a serious blow to the head. This is common in drunk driving accidents. When a car hits you at a fast rate of speed, you’re going to suffer a serious impact. Whether you’re hit from behind or head-on, you’re going to suffer pretty serious injuries.

Some of the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:

Nausea
Headaches
Inability to concentrate
Sleep problems and insomnia
Vision problems
Ringing in the ears

If not treated properly, a traumatic brain injury can prove fatal. Even if it is treated, that doesn’t mean you’ll fully recover. You may need surgery and long term physical and occupational therapy.

Chances are, if you suffer a TBI, you may end up on permanent disability. If so, you’ll be entitled to damages for the future lost earnings you’ll experience.

Chest Injuries are Common in Drunk Driving Accidents

Even if you’re wearing your seatbelt, you can still suffer severe chest injuries. You may end up with a crashed sternum. Or, you could end up with broken or bruised ribs. This is common in any fast speed crash. When your body slams up against the windshield or dashboard, you can end up with several types of injuries. Even a bruised chest can cause problems with breathing and sleeping.

Legs and Knees May Be Injured in Your Crash

If you end up with leg or knee injuries, your car accident lawyer in Columbia will demand damages. These are the types of injuries that may not destroy your life, but they can put you out of work. If this happens, your attorney will demand the following:

Medical bills and future medical bills
Lost wages
Lost future earnings
Permanent disability
Pain and suffering
Property damage

Your Columbia car accident attorney will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. They’ll use your medical records to prove that you were injured. And they’ll use the police report and other types of evidence to prove the other driver was at fault.

Contact a Skilled Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, South Carolina

If you get injured in any sort of accident, you’re going to need an experienced car accident lawyer in Columbia. Your attorney will review your case and give you an idea of what it’s worth. They’ll also be able to answer any questions you may have.

The insurance company is going to have a team of lawyers working for them. Their goal is to prove that you were at fault. Or, they’ll claim that you weren’t really injured in the crash. Thankfully, in a drunk driving accident, this can be difficult. No jury is going to believe that someone convicted of DUI was innocent in the crash.

Call Connell Law Firm today and schedule your free initial consultation.