It always surprises South Carolina accident attorneys how often people still drink and drive. Even though there are rideshare companies on call, people still insist on getting behind the wheel after they’ve been drinking. More than 23% of all drivers admit that they’ve driven drunk at least once or twice in their lives. More than 2% admit that they’ve done it often, at least six (6) times on average.
When a person decides to get behind the wheel after enjoying a few cocktails or half a dozen beers, they’re putting their lives at risk. What they don’t understand, or care about, is the fact that they’re putting innocent people’s lives at risk too when they drink and drive. More than 10% of people surveyed admitted that they didn’t care at all about what happened when they drove drunk. Many others continue to drink and drive although more than 39% of Americans polled said they felt they were very likely to get into an accident if they drink and drive. This begs the question – why are people still getting hurt and killed in South Carolina drunk driving accidents?
There’s No Excuse Now That We Have Ridesharing
Years ago, when organizations like MADD came about, their biggest complaint was that drunk drivers didn’t think to use a designated driver. People used to have to find one of their friends willing to forego drinking one night in order to drive everyone home. Today, partygoers don’t even have to worry about that. If they need a ride home or to another bar, all they have to do is use an app on their phone. Companies like Uber and Lyft are literally a phone call (or touchscreen) away. More than 25% of drivers in the U.S. said that having a rideshare company readily available doesn’t change their opinion on drunk driving at all. They’d be just as likely to drink and drive rather than request a ride from Uber.
What is the DUI Law in South Carolina?
Thankfully, the DUI laws in South Carolina are strict. If your South Carolina accident attorney can prove the defendant was convicted of DUI, it’ll help your case. In order for that to happen, the State will have to prove that the other driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than .08. They can also be arrested and charged with DUI if they seem impaired. Even if they don’t fail the breathalyzer test, the officer can still arrest them. If they come across as unable to drive safely, they can be arrested. It’s important to remember that someone can be intoxicated or impaired by something other than alcohol. This is becoming an even bigger problem in the U.S. Just because a driver has a BAC of less than .08 doesn’t mean they’re safe to drive.
Can a South Carolina Accident Attorney Help if You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver?
If you’re hit by a drunk driver, you will more than likely be entitled to damages. It would be pretty hard for a defense attorney to convince a court that their client was drunk, but that you caused the crash. Of course, it is possible that you were responsible. You may not have been 100% at fault but they may be able to show that you were partially at fault. If this happens, your South Carolina accident attorney is going to push for damages anyway. As long as you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation for your injuries.
Will the Driver’s Insurance Still Cover Damages from a Drunk Driving Crash?
The defendant’s auto insurance should cover your damages if they drink and drive. It shouldn’t matter that the accident was caused by drunk driving. As long as the policy is valid and covers your expenses, you shouldn’t have a problem getting paid. Of course, there are times when the insurance company denies the claim. If that happens, your South Carolina accident attorney can help. They’ll try to negotiate the claim and, if need be, they’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Call and Talk to One of Our Experienced South Carolina Accident Attorneys
If you or your loved one are injured by a drunk driver, you should call our office. This is the sort of thing that can’t be excused or justified. You should meet with one of our South Carolina accident attorneys so they can review your case. Take advantage of your free, initial consultation and find out the best way to proceed.