Moncks Corner, SC Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer

Injured by a Drunk Driver? Speak to an Experienced Injury Attorney in Monck’s Corner Today

Moncks Corner calls itself “The Lowcountry’s Hometown.” This community offers access to Charleston and North Charleston’s busy urban life, balanced with suburban living as the county seat of Berkeley County. 

Visitors and commuters in Moncks Corner can travel via US 52, US 17 Alt, and SC 6 – all roads that pose risks of a collision with a drunk driver. Drunk driving crashes can occur on local streets and rural roads as well. 

If you’re injured by a drunk driver in or near Moncks Corner, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney today. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm can help. 

Berkeley County and South Carolina Drunk Driving Statistics

In 2022, drunk driving caused or contributed to 32 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents nationwide. Throughout the US, drunk driving deaths and injuries increased sharply during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. These numbers have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. 

In South Carolina, 474 people died in drunk driving crashes in 2022. A total of 13,524 people died in alcohol-related crashes nationwide that year. South Carolina’s deaths included 40 people who were driving under the influence of alcohol despite being under 21 years of age. 

Unlike the nation as a whole, South Carolina’s drunk driving problem is increasing. Between 2021 and 2022, deaths from drunk driving increased 16.7 percent in South Carolina. Nationwide, however, deaths dropped by 0.7 percent. Twenty-six states saw decreases in deaths or no change in death rates. 

At 9.0 deaths per 100,000 residents, South Carolina had the US’s highest drunk driving death rate in the US in 2022. In 2024, drunk drivers caused 43 percent of all traffic deaths in South Carolina, 11 percent more than the national average of 32 percent. On average, someone dies in a DUI collision every 18.5 hours in South Carolina.

In 2019, Berkeley County reached a record low of drunk driving deaths, with five deaths that year. This total more than tripled to 18 deaths in 2020, fell slightly to 11 deaths in 2021, and reached 18 deaths again in 2022. 

However, serious injuries in drunk driving accidents peaked in 2021, reaching a five-year high of 246 injuries. In 2022, 200 people suffered serious injuries in alcohol-related crashes. Both years remain significantly higher than the 177 injuries reported in 2018, a five-year low. Between 2018 and 2022, Berkeley County recorded 998 injuries in DUI-related crashes.

Where and When Drunk Driving Crashes May Occur

A drunk driving collision can occur anywhere a drunk driver is present. However, South Carolina’s drunk driving crash statistics indicate that some roadways, days, and times can be riskier than others. 

Roadway Risks

In 2022, about 58 percent of drunk driving deaths in South Carolina occurred on state highways like Moncks Corner’s SC 6, according to SCDPS. US Highways, like US 52 and US 17 Alt, were the site of 27 percent of drunk driving deaths. Interstate highways accounted for about 18 percent of deaths, while county roads saw about 3 percent of deaths. 

Holiday Driving Can Be Risky

Major US holidays tend to see more deaths from drunk driving and more drivers on the road with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

In 2022, Memorial Day and Labor Day saw the highest rates of drunk driving deaths, followed by the Fourth of July, New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. On all these holidays, more than 60 percent of deaths involved a driver with a BAC of 0.15 or higher.

Any time of year, drunk driving crashes are more common in the evening hours and on weekends. Holiday weekends, especially those that offer evening activities like watching fireworks or holiday parties, can thus be especially dangerous.

More Alcohol, More Risk

Drivers with a higher blood alcohol concentration (BAC) are more likely to cause a fatal crash. A BAC of 0.15 or more makes a driver 25 times more likely to cause a crash than a driver whose BAC is zero, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS).

In 2022, 58 percent of fatal drunk driving crashes involved a driver with a BAC of 0.15 or more – twice the legal limit. Another 25 percent of deaths involved a driver with a BAC of 0.08 to 0.14. In 14 percent of collisions, a driver’s BAC was over 0.19.

Having a lower BAC than the legal limit doesn’t mean a driver can drive safely, however. In 2022, 17 percent of fatal drunk driving crashes involved a driver with a BAC between 0.01 and 0.07. While there may be a legal amount one can drink and still drive, there may be no safe amount of alcohol for a driver.  

Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuit Basics

After a drunk driving crash, you may need help to pay medical bills, cover lost wages, and deal with other losses caused by the collision. You may also wish to hold a negligent drunk driver accountable for their actions. 

While the rules applying to these cases are uniform throughout South Carolina, every case’s unique facts result in outcomes specific to that case. To understand how these basic rules apply to your situation, speak to an attorney with experience representing those injured by drunk drivers in Moncks Corner. 

Time Limits for Injury Claims

South Carolina’s statute of limitations gives an injured person three years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Only a few narrow exceptions apply to this time limit. In most instances, if the case isn’t filed within three years, it cannot be heard in court. 

An attorney can help you ensure you meet this deadline or argue for an exception, if one applies. Your lawyer can also help you meet any insurance company deadlines, which are often much shorter than three years. 

Compensation for Injuries Caused by a Drunk Driver

After a drunk driver causes a crash, those injured find themselves paying for someone else’s careless decision to drink and drive. An injury lawsuit seeks compensation for those losses. It places the costs where they belong – on the person who chose negligence over care for others.

Common losses that may be compensated in a drunk driving injury case include:

• Medical bills,
• Costs for future or ongoing medical care,
• Lost wages,
• Diminished future earning capacity,
• Property repair or replacement costs, 
• Physical pain and suffering,
• Mental and emotional anguish.

If a loved one dies in a drunk driving crash, compensation may also include funeral and burial costs, as well as the costs of the family’s loss of their loved one’s care and support. An attorney can help you determine the full extent of your losses and future needs. 

What If I’m Injured by a Drunk Driver While I’m Working?

If you’re working and a drunk driver injures you, report the injury to your supervisor right away. Request a list of approved doctors and consult with one as soon as possible for medical treatment. These steps help preserve your opportunity to file a workers’ compensation claim. 

You may also have a case against the driver who injured you in addition to a workers’ compensation claim. Talk to a lawyer with experience handling both workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits. An experienced attorney can help you preserve your right to access both types of compensation. 

Drunk Driving: Criminal Cases vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is prohibited by South Carolina law. As a result, many drunk driving crashes result in a criminal investigation or charges. 

A criminal case differs from a personal injury lawsuit in several ways. As the victim in a criminal case, you have the right to speak to the court; however, the case will primarily focus on what the driver owes to society. Restitution may be granted, but it is unlikely to fully compensate for all your losses. A personal injury lawsuit focuses on your specific need for compensation. 

You can file a personal injury claim whether or not a criminal case occurs. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you protect your right to compensation even if criminal proceedings are taking place as well. 

Speak to an Experienced Drunk Driving Injury Attorney Representing Moncks Corner Clients Today

A drunk driving collision changes a family’s life forever. Those injured may struggle to recover from catastrophic harm. Fatal injuries in a drunk driving collision can burden surviving family members with enormous grief, as well as the day-to-day challenges of running the household without their loved one. 

Drunk driving crashes are preventable. If a drunk driver’s negligence harmed you or your family, you have options. The dedicated Moncks Corner drunk driving accident lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm can help. Reach out to us today to learn more and to schedule a consultation with an experienced drunk driving car accident attorney. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.