Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries because of an intoxicated driver, a Greenville drunk driving accident lawyer from Hammack Law Firm can file an insurance claim on your behalf. We hold the at-fault motorist responsible and fight to recover compensation for our clients.

Our team pursues justice for traffic accident victims in Greenville County by seeking a settlement based on our client’s financial, physical, and emotional damages. We will assess your case for free to see if we can help.

How Сrash Victims Hold Drunk Drivers Accountable in Greenville Collisions

Holding a driver who was driving under the influence (DUI) and caused an accident accountable for their actions is usually possible in one of two ways:

• Filing a claim based on the driver’s auto liability insurance policy
• Suing the driver in a Greenville County civil court or another appropriate jurisdiction

Either of these options will allow us to present evidence to show the harm our client suffered and the value of their losses. We will demand a fair payout based on this documentation. Recoverable damages often include:

Medical Costs

Injury treatment, rehabilitation, and related costs often make up the bulk of financial expenses after a traffic accident. We will try to recover money damages for your current costs and future medical bills as estimated by experts. This includes all related medical expenses, such as ambulance transportation, mobility aids, and other equipment.

Economic Expenses and Losses

In addition to medical bills, many car accident victims suffer additional costs and income losses that may be recoverable. These include:

• Lost wages and other income
• Diminished ability to earn in the future
• Vehicle repair and other property damage
• Rental car costs
• Other miscellaneous expenses

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic or intangible expenses are those that do not have a direct monetary value, such as physical pain, emotional suffering, or loss of quality of life.

Our team knows how to value these damages according to conventions used in the insurance industry and civil courts. We will pursue a fair settlement that includes the full recovery of these damages.

Wrongful Death Damages

When an accident victim dies from their injuries, S.C. Ann. § 15-51-10 allows their personal representative to file for wrongful death damages on behalf of surviving family members. These damages may include a variety of economic and non-economic losses experienced by the family because of their loved one’s death.

Our team can also handle these cases and will help you better understand your legal options and potential recovery with a free consultation.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are very rare in traffic accident cases. You should not expect these damages, but our team will discuss them with you if we believe they might be possible.

Our Attorneys Are Here to Navigate the Claims Process for
Accident Victims

At Hammack Law Firm, our Greenville traffic accident team builds personal relationships with each client. We give them a lot of time and attention, using our knowledge, resources, and experience to develop a strong claim.

At the same time, we provide warm, compassionate support to them and their families. We know this is a difficult and stressful time, and we want every client to feel like they are dealing with close friends. We strive to offer a small firm feel with big firm experience in drunk driving accident cases.

Our clients count on us to:

• Hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions
• Seek and recover financial compensation in their case

Here’s what our past clients have to say

Our recent results and customer testimonials show that we are often successful at both and will fight for the best possible resolution to your case. We are not afraid to take a case to trial if that is what it takes to get justice for our clients. We also know how to navigate underinsured motorist policies if the drunk driver did not have the insurance coverage necessary to pay for your losses.

Hammack Law Firm works on a contingency basis, never charging our clients any fees upfront. We only charge attorney’s fees if we are able to recover compensation in your case.

Proving a Greenville, SC Drunk Driving Claim

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) reports that Greenville County had almost 3,000 non-fatal drunk driving accidents between 2015 and 2019 and 18 DUI-related deaths in 2019 alone. These cases were likely among the almost 22,000 drivers who face arrest for DUI each year in South Carolina, according to SCDPS.

Impaired drivers who cause a collision may face two separate cases:

Criminal Case

According to South Carolina’s drunk driving laws, specifically S.C. Code of Laws § 56-5-2930, the penalties for a first-offense conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol include:

• A fine of up to $400 plus additional assessments and charges
• Two to 30 days of incarceration
• Six-month driver license suspension

This case will play out in the local criminal court system, and police will present evidence to show the driver was drunk and behind the wheel when the crash occurred.

Civil Case

A civil case is how Hammack Law Firm holds the drunk driver accountable for their negligence and for their victim’s damages. We file an insurance claim or lawsuit, gather evidence to show the drunk driver was responsible for the crash, and recover compensation for our client.

Occasionally, we need to sue for compensation in a civil case. If this occurs in your crash, the jurisdiction will likely be a Greenville civil court. We only have a limited time to begin this process under S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530, so we need to get started quickly after the accident.

It is important to know that these two cases often share evidence and the outcome of a criminal case may inform the civil case in some ways, but they are still separate. We do not require a criminal conviction to win compensation in a civil case. We only need to prove negligence, not intoxication.

Speak with Our Greenville Drunk Driving Accident Team Today

At Hammack Law Firm, our team offers free consultations so crash victims can get a better understanding of their legal options. We can discuss the specifics of your case, answer your questions, and explain all the ways we can help. Call (864) 326-3333(864) 326-3333 to discuss your drunk driving accident with us today.