West Ashley Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

After a Crash, Call an Experienced Charleston, SC Injury Lawyer

West Ashley offers a spirited nightlife among its many bars and restaurants. Whether you’re having a romantic dinner, enjoying a night on the town with friends, or sharing brunch with a family member, West Ashley offers multiple venues for food, drinks, and relaxation.

Many people who visit West Ashley and choose to drink also think about traveling responsibly. However, those who do not increase the risk of a drunk driving crash and injury on local roads. If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving collision in West Ashley, speak to an experienced local attorney. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm can help. 

West Ashley Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

South Carolina posted the US’s highest drunk driving crash rates in 2022, according to a WLTX News 19 report. With 474 drunk driving deaths that year, South Carolina had the highest number of alcohol-related roadway deaths per capita and the highest number of deaths per vehicle miles traveled. On average, one person dies in a DUI collision every 18.5 hours in South Carolina.

South Carolina had a lower total death rate for car accidents in 2022 than neighboring North Carolina or Georgia. However, South Carolina’s death rate in DUI crashes was higher than North Carolina’s. DUI deaths accounted for 43 percent of all roadway deaths in South Carolina in 2022 – higher than both Georgia and North Carolina, where drunk driving accounted for 28 percent of deaths. In the US as a whole, drunk driving made up 32 percent of all roadway deaths in 2022.

In 2022, Charleston County recorded 33 deaths in drunk driving collisions, an increase of 7 deaths over the previous year. Only Greenland, Horry, and Richland counties reported higher numbers of drunk driving-related deaths. 

Common Factors in West Ashley Drunk Driving Accidents

All drunk driving collisions have one factor in common: A driver chose to get behind the wheel while impaired. Analysis of crash statistics demonstrates other common factors, however. These include the days and times when drunk driving crashes most commonly occur, as well as the roads that see the highest number of drunk driving crashes in South Carolina. 

Day and time: Saturday is the most common day of the week for drunk driving crashes and deaths, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS). Sunday is a close second, followed by Friday. The most common time of day for these collisions is between 9:00 p.m. and midnight, while the second most common is 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  

These days and times coincide with the times that bars in West Ashley typically stop serving alcohol. South Carolina requires bars to stop serving alcohol at 11:59 p.m. on Saturdays and at 2:00 a.m. on weekdays, though beer and wine are available 24 hours a day. Venues like Cedar Creek Tavern Charleston and The Pub on 61 typically close at 2:00 a.m.

Roads: Any road or street can become the site of a drunk driving collision. However, in 2022, South Carolina state highways saw the highest rates of drunk driving deaths, according to SCDPS. U.S. highways saw the second-highest rate of fatal alcohol crashes, followed by interstate highways and county roads. 

State highways serving the West Ashley area include SC-161, SC-61, and SC-7. SC-7 connects to US-17 Alt; US-17, also known as the Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway, also passes through the area. Interstates 26 and 526 also pass through West Ashley. 

Drunk driving crashes can occur anywhere an impaired driver is on the road. They can happen at any time of day. If you’re injured in a crash, reach out to an experienced West Ashley drunk driving injury lawyer. 

What Happens in a South Carolina Drunk Driving Accident Claim

After a drunk driving crash, a South Carolina injury lawsuit seeks to compensate an injured person for the harm the accident causes. These cases can become complex. They’re even tougher when you’re already struggling to recover from serious injuries or you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. 

An experienced West Ashley drunk driving accident lawyer can help you handle your case and seek the compensation you need. 

Time Limits on Car Crash Injury Lawsuits

South Carolina law provides a three-year window to file a personal injury case after a car accident. If you’re injured by a drunk driver, you have three years from the date of the crash to file your claim in court. 

A few exceptions apply, but only in rare cases. Speak to an attorney in West Ashley as soon as possible to protect your right to file a case. An attorney can help you ensure you file an insurance claim before the insurer’s deadline arrives. 

Compensation for Injuries Caused by a Drunk Driver

A drunk driving accident can cause serious, ongoing losses. A personal injury lawsuit seeks compensation for those losses. 

Common losses that appear in West Ashley drunk driving injury claims include:

• Medical bills and costs
• Costs for future or ongoing medical care related to the crash injuries
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity when injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement

When a crash claims a life, surviving family members can also seek compensation for losses related to the death. These might include compensation for funeral and burial costs, as well as for the family’s loss of their loved one’s care and support. 

Every case is unique, and so are your losses. To learn more about how compensation rules apply in your situation, speak to an attorney with experience handling drunk driving accident claims. 

Third-Party Liability in South Carolina

Every driver on South Carolina roads has a duty to use reasonable care to prevent accidents. Those who choose to drive drunk also choose to ignore that duty – and endanger everyone else on the road.

Yet other parties can contribute to a tragic outcome. A venue that doesn’t cut off obviously drunk patrons can exacerbate the problem. Those who host parties in their homes and don’t watch out for their guests may create a situation in which someone drives drunk, a situation that might have been prevented. 

Several US states recognize “dram shop” or “social host” liability. Such cases hold third parties, like bars and social hosts, accountable if their decision to keep serving alcohol results in someone else causing a drunk-driving injury. 

Dram Shop vs. Social Host Liability

In South Carolina, dram shop cases are governed by Section 61-4-580. A “dram shop” case involves holding a business, like a bar, restaurant, or liquor store, accountable if they serve alcohol to someone who is already visibly intoxicated and that individual then goes on to cause harm or injury to others because of their drunken state. This type of claim seeks to place responsibility on establishments that ignore warning signs and contribute to alcohol-related accidents.

A social host liability case involves holding a social host, an adult individual who served alcohol in a private gathering or event, liable for serving alcohol to another guest. As defined in Section 61-3-10, a gathering consists of two or more persons at a social activity. Especially if a social host holds a private party at a household or apartment, and some guests are under the age of twenty-one, and a car accident involving drunk driving occurs after the guests leave, the host may be held liable. 

In early 2025, the South Carolina General Assembly took up a new bill which would add Section 15-3-710 to Title 15, Civil Remedies and Procedures. If passed, the bill would hold “any person or entity licensed to sell alcohol” liable if it “sells, serves, or otherwise furnishes alcohol” to someone who is visibly intoxicated and who goes on to harm another person. The law would apply even if the alcohol was supplied to someone of legal drinking age. 

Understanding the difference between dram shop and social host liability is crucial if an intoxicated individual has harmed you or a loved one. With South Carolina laws evolving and new legislation on the horizon, both businesses and private individuals could face serious legal consequences for serving alcohol irresponsibly. If you have questions about your rights or possible claims related to an alcohol-related accident, reaching out to an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney can make all the difference. At Steinberg Law Firm, we’re here to help you navigate these complex laws and pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.

What is the Difference Between a Drunk Driving Injury Lawsuit and a DUI Criminal Case?

Some drunk driving crashes result in the intoxicated driver being charged with DUI (driving under the influence) or a related crime. You may have evidence that the driver who hit you was drunk, or you may learn the driver was charged with a crime when the court contacts you to inform you of the criminal case or to serve as a witness in the case.

• A drunk driving injury lawsuit and a DUI criminal case differ in several important ways. In a criminal case, the state charges an individual with violating South Carolina’s criminal laws. The prosecution must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecution is successful, the defendant may face jail time, probation, fines, or other criminal penalties. 
• A personal injury lawsuit occurs when the injured person, often with an attorney’s help, files a civil lawsuit. These cases seek compensation for the injured person’s specific injuries and losses.

It’s essential to consult with an attorney who has experience handling car accident claims involving a drunk driver. A West Ashley drunk driving accident attorney can help ensure that you are guided towards the right path of recovery. 

Speak to an Experienced West Ashley Drunk Driving Injury Attorney Today

Drunk driving crashes are preventable. If a drunk driver has injured you, you can seek compensation for the losses you have suffered. 

At the Steinberg Law Firm, our West Ashley drunk driving injury lawyers are dedicated to helping our clients protect their legal rights and seek the compensation they deserve. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an experienced attorney.