The two ways that drunk drivers are punished after an accident in Spartanburg

Spartanburg, SC – People who drive after consuming drugs or alcohol will face serious consequences. These consequences are divided into categories based on criminal charges and civil liability. Only the criminal charges from the government can result in jail time, but a civil lawsuit can result in large amounts of financial liability depending on the seriousness of the accident.  

Any person who has been injured during an accident caused by a drunk driver has the ability to meet with an attorney to discuss what they should do in terms of bringing a case against the person responsible and the possible value of any lawsuit. 

Prosecution from the state

Drunk driving is a crime in every state, including South Carolina. The state has set the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration at .08, and the presence of certain controlled substances in the bloodstream is illegal as well. The legal limit for alcohol is even lower for commercial drivers and underage drivers, as these are set at .04 and .02 respectively. Those who test at or above these limits will face a number of different penalties associated with their criminal case. For a first offense, the penalties include six months of a driver’s license suspension, a fine of four hundred dollars, and a minimum of forty eight hours in jail with a maximum of thirty days of incarceration. These penalties increase for people who have prior DUI convictions as well. If the person causes any fatalities during the accident, they may be prosecuted with a felony for DUI manslaughter as well.  

Suing a drunk driver who caused an accident

Drivers who were under the influence when they caused a collision can face a civil lawsuit in addition to any relevant criminal charges, and they can be sued even if they were never convicted in their criminal case. Negligence cases filed against a drunk driver can make them pay for things like medical treatment, other costs of healthcare, lost wages, pain and suffering of the victim, and future losses that are related to the accident and the related injuries. These costs may potentially be covered by the driver’s auto insurance, but it depends on their specific policy and provider. They may be personally responsible for paying for all of these losses, and their insurance costs will likely increase significantly based on increased risk for accidents in the future. Lawyers who focus on drunk driving accident cases can assist the victims with things like the initial filing of the lawsuit and settlement negotiations. 

Drunk driving accident lawyers are available in Spartanburg

USAttorneys.com is a service that helps people find the right lawyers in their area. Anyone who is searching for attorneys near me can call 800-672-3103 to speak with a representative.