North Charleston, SC Drunk Driving Injury Lawyer

Accident Attorneys for Victims of DUI Drivers in North Charleston, South Carolina

Drunk driving remains a serious issue in North Charleston, with more than 30 percent of the city’s traffic fatalities involving alcohol-related crashes. These preventable incidents also lead to severe injuries and devastating losses, forcing victims and their families to face emotional and financial hardships.

At the Steinberg Law Firm, we understand the challenges that follow a drunk driving accident. Victims often have urgent questions: How can I hold the other driver accountable? How will I cover my medical expenses? When will I be able to support my family again? Our North Charleston drunk driving accident attorneys are dedicated to providing clear answers and helping victims regain control over their lives. From the beginning, we will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you know your rights and options. By choosing us to represent you, you will have an advocate who will work relentlessly to secure the compensation you need for recovery and stability.

You do not need to face this process alone. At the Steinberg Law Firm, we manage every detail, allowing you to focus on healing and rebuilding your life. We are here to make your path forward as straightforward as possible, with a commitment to pursuing justice and accountability on your behalf.

North Charleston Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

Drunk driving remains a persistent danger on North Charleston roads, contributing significantly to traffic-related fatalities each year. Charleston County, like much of South Carolina, struggles with the consequences of impaired driving, where lives are often lost or permanently altered due to poor choices. Most recent data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reveals the concerning rates of alcohol-impaired accidents across counties in the region. Below, we break down drunk driving statistics by county to better understand the trends and risks these incidents bring to our community.

Charleston County Drunk Driving Fatalities by Year

Charleston County has seen a fluctuating trend in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities over recent years. Each of these numbers represents lives lost and families impacted by the preventable choice to drive while impaired:

• 2018: 29 fatalities 
• 2019: 26 fatalities
• 2020: 20 fatalities
• 2021: 26 fatalities
• 2022: 33 fatalities

Dorchester County Drunk Driving Fatalities by Year

In neighboring Dorchester County, the statistics show a more minor, yet still troubling, number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities:

• 2018: 2 fatalities
• 2019: 7 fatalities
• 2020: 8 fatalities
• 2021: 9 fatalities
• 2022: 9 fatalities

Dorchester County saw a rise in fatalities from 2018 to 2019 and has maintained a higher level of impaired driving fatalities through 2022. For a county with fewer residents than Charleston, these numbers highlight a significant risk to community safety, particularly in incidents involving alcohol.

Berkeley County Drunk Driving Fatalities by Year

Berkeley County experienced substantial fatalities linked to drunk driving, with fluctuations over recent years:

• 2018: 13 fatalities
• 2019: 5 fatalities
• 2020: 18 fatalities
• 2021: 11 fatalities
• 2022: 18 fatalities

The increase in Berkeley County fatalities in 2020 and 2022 highlights the ongoing risks posed by drunk driving. For residents and drivers in Berkeley County, these numbers reflect the current threat of impaired driving.

Statewide Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatality Data for 2022

South Carolina 2022 data further shows where these tragic accidents are most likely to occur and when drivers and passengers are at the highest risk.

• Highway Types: A majority of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in South Carolina occurred on:
  • State highways: 58.59%
  • U.S. highways: 27.17%
  • Interstates: 10.25%
  • County roads: 3.99%
• Days of the Week: Fatalities are more likely to occur over the weekend, with:
  • Saturday accounts for 25.53% of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities
  • Sunday at 20.27%
  • Friday at 13.38%
• Months of the Year: Certain months tend to see a higher frequency of these accidents. The top three months include the following:
  • July, with 10.63% of all alcohol-related fatalities
  • May, at 10.06%
  • October, with 9.16%

This statewide data highlights patterns that South Carolina drivers should consider when driving local roads and highways.  

Hot Spots for DUI Accidents in North Charleston

While drunk driving accidents can occur anywhere, at any time, many of these preventable collisions happen in areas that see heavy traffic and have a high concentration of restaurants and bars that serve alcohol, including:  

Rivers Avenue (U.S. Route 52): This major thoroughfare experiences significant traffic and has been the site of serious DUI-related accidents. For instance, a fatal hit-and-run DUI crash occurred at the intersection of Rivers Avenue and Benderson Drive in September 2024. 

Patriot Boulevard: This road has been the scene of severe DUI incidents, including a tragic crash in August 2024 near Club Course Drive, resulting in two fatalities. 

Ashley Phosphate Road: Known for its high traffic and numerous commercial establishments, this area has a history of traffic incidents, including those involving impaired drivers.

Dorchester Road (State Highway 642): Serving as a major connector with various bars and restaurants along its route, Dorchester Road is another area where DUI incidents are frequently reported.

Interstate 26 (I-26) Exits: The exits and entrances to I-26, particularly around the North Charleston area, are common sites for accidents, including those involving impaired drivers, due to the high-speed nature of the interstate and the convergence of local traffic.

Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Cases

Drunk driving accidents often lead to severe injuries due to impaired judgment, slowed reaction times, and reduced motor skills of the intoxicated driver. These accidents may result in major injuries to the drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or motorcyclists involved.

Some of the most common types of injuries in drunk driving accidents include the following:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, impacting cognitive abilities, memory, and emotional regulation. Victims of TBIs may face lifelong challenges, including the need for ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.

Spinal injuries are also quite common, especially in high-speed crashes. Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, altering a person’s life dramatically. Even without full paralysis, spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, and other severe issues requiring extensive therapy.

Broken bones are another common outcome of drunk driving collisions. These may include fractures to arms, legs, ribs, and the pelvis. Some broken bones require surgery, pins, or plates to heal, while others can cause lasting pain and mobility issues.

Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, are also frequent. Whiplash occurs when the neck is jerked suddenly, straining muscles and ligaments. Although often considered minor, whiplash can result in long-lasting pain and limit neck mobility.

Internal injuries, like organ damage and internal bleeding, are also dangerous and require immediate medical attention. These injuries are not always apparent immediately after the accident, making them especially perilous.

Drunk driving accidents can have life-altering consequences for victims, who often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support. Those who have suffered injuries in a North Charleston DUI accident may be entitled to financial compensation for what they’ve been through. 

Establishing Liability in a North Charleston Drunk Driving Accident Case

Establishing liability in a drunk driving case involves proving that the driver was impaired and that their impairment caused the accident. In a DUI accident case, you’ll typically need to prove four elements.

1. Duty of Care: Every driver on the road has a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly, protecting others from harm. In a DUI accident case, this includes obeying traffic laws, driving at safe speeds, and refraining from impaired driving.
2. Breach of Duty: The victim must demonstrate that the driver breached this duty by driving under the influence. Evidence of impairment, such as the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding the legal limit or witness accounts of reckless driving behavior, can establish this breach. Arrest records, police reports, and chemical test results are often valuable evidence here.
3. Causation: It is essential to show that the driver’s impaired state directly caused the accident and that it would not have happened otherwise. This step connects the driver’s breach of duty to the victim’s injuries. Proving causation often involves accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and expert opinions that highlight how impairment contributed to the crash.
4. Damages: Finally, the victim must prove they suffered tangible damages, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, property damage, or financial losses resulting from the accident. Medical bills, lost wages, repair costs, and records of pain and suffering help illustrate these damages.

In South Carolina, a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered impaired. Police reports, witness statements, and BAC test results can provide critical evidence of impairment.

Have You Been Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you or a loved one was recently involved in a DUI accident, it’s essential to take a few minutes to ensure you fully understand your rights—including the right to pursue a claim against the drunk driver. At the Steinberg Law Firm, our North Charleston drunk driving accident lawyers have over 95 years of experience aggressively pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of our clients. We take pride in helping our clients get back on their feet after tragic, life-interrupting accidents, and we know what it takes to secure the damages you deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, give the Steinberg Law Firm a call at 843-720-2800 or through our secure online contact form.