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Myrtle Beach Attorneys of The Yates Firm - WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF A LARGE FIRM
Myrtle Beach Attorneys of The Yates Firm - WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES OF A LARGE FIRM
MYRTLE BEACH ATTORNEYS OF THE YATES FIRM
If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, contact The Yates Firm immediately. We can represent you in your case to hold the negligent motorist liable. Additionally, state law might entitle you to compensation from the bar or another establishment responsible for serving the drunk driver.
Dram shop liability means the individual or entity that knowingly served an intoxicated person can be liable if the intoxicated person’s misbehavior causes harm to someone else. That liability could include medical treatment and lost wages. The at-fault party could be a bartender, liquor store, waitstaff at a restaurant, or even a cashier at a supermarket.
At The Yates Firm, our Myrtle Beach dram shop liability attorneys understand the devastation of sustaining injuries in a car crash due to another person’s poor judgment. The driver and establishment could have prevented placing you in harm’s way if they were more responsible. It is your right to pursue the maximum possible compensation to cover your medical bills and other incurred expenses.
Call us at 843.692.3237 right now for your free consultation.
There isn’t a specific statute in South Carolina that recognizes dram shop liability. However, laws related to alcohol sales could help you prove an establishment should be liable for the injuries you suffered in the car accident.
For example, South Carolina statute 61-4-580 prohibits holders of a permit authorizing the sale of wine or beer or an employee, servant, or agent of the permittee from knowingly selling beer or wine to an intoxicated person or an individual under 21 years old.
It might also be possible to hold the host of a party liable for serving an underage guest alcohol if that person causes injuries to others in an accident. However, the courts do not allow a claim if the intoxicated driver responsible for your injury is of legal drinking age.
Drunk drivers often have a hard time staying in their lane. An intoxicated motorist has impaired motor function and might also have blurry vision. They could drift over the centerline into oncoming traffic or swerve into the next lane, sideswiping a vehicle traveling alongside them.
Alcohol minimizes a person’s ability to make good decisions. A drunk driver might exceed the speed limit on purpose or without realizing how fast they’re going. Car accidents at high rates of speed are typically catastrophic. A deadly head-on collision could occur if the motorist speeds and drifts into the path of an approaching car.
Traffic signs and signals are necessary to inform drivers when they can proceed through an intersection, turn right or left, and take other actions on the road. However, a drunk driver might ignore a stoplight or not notice a yield sign and drive directly into someone else’s vehicle.
Depth perception is limited when someone’s under the influence of alcohol. It’s more challenging for a driver to gauge how far away they are from the vehicle ahead. This can result in tailgating. If the motorist in front suddenly slows down or stops, the drunk driver likely won’t react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Drivers should check their blind spots and use their turn signals before merging into another lane. An intoxicated motorist might forget to take the necessary precautions before changing lanes. They could cut off someone approaching behind them or sideswipe a car riding in their blind spot.
Approaching a right or left turn requires drivers to adjust their speed and proceed cautiously. However, a drunk driver doesn’t have the mental capacity to operate their vehicle safely. If they take the turn quickly, they could roll their car or end up on the curb.
An intoxicated driver might not see a one-way street sign and turn the wrong way onto the road. A slower reaction time could prevent the motorist from swerving to avoid a crash. Additionally, alcohol impairment limits a person’s ability to problem-solve, so it’s likely the driver won’t know how to get themselves out of the situation.
Drunk drivers often have a hard time staying in their lane. An intoxicated motorist has impaired motor function and might also have blurry vision. They could drift over the centerline into oncoming traffic or swerve into the next lane, sideswiping a vehicle traveling alongside them.
Alcohol minimizes a person’s ability to make good decisions. A drunk driver might exceed the speed limit on purpose or without realizing how fast they’re going. Car accidents at high rates of speed are typically catastrophic. A deadly head-on collision could occur if the motorist speeds and drifts into the path of an approaching car.
Traffic signs and signals are necessary to inform drivers when they can proceed through an intersection, turn right or left, and take other actions on the road. However, a drunk driver might ignore a stoplight or not notice a yield sign and drive directly into someone else’s vehicle.
Depth perception is limited when someone’s under the influence of alcohol. It’s more challenging for a driver to gauge how far away they are from the vehicle ahead. This can result in tailgating. If the motorist in front suddenly slows down or stops, the drunk driver likely won’t react quickly enough to avoid a collision.
Drivers should check their blind spots and use their turn signals before merging into another lane. An intoxicated motorist might forget to take the necessary precautions before changing lanes. They could cut off someone approaching behind them or sideswipe a car riding in their blind spot.
Approaching a right or left turn requires drivers to adjust their speed and proceed cautiously. However, a drunk driver doesn’t have the mental capacity to operate their vehicle safely. If they take the turn quickly, they could roll their car or end up on the curb.
An intoxicated driver might not see a one-way street sign and turn the wrong way onto the road. A slower reaction time could prevent the motorist from swerving to avoid a crash. Additionally, alcohol impairment limits a person’s ability to problem-solve, so it’s likely the driver won’t know how to get themselves out of the situation.
Compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and additional non-economic losses are also available when you file a claim.
If you file a lawsuit, you could pursue punitive damages as well. However, state law requires you to provide clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s willful, reckless, or wanton conduct to receive this financial award.
At The Yates firm, our Myrtle Beach dram shop liability attorneys represent clients injured by the wrongdoing of others. You’re in pain and struggling to recover because of someone else’s careless actions. The negligent convenience store, bartender, or restaurant should be the one to face the consequences. You can depend on us to fight by your side until the end for the justice and compensation you deserve.
CALL 911
Report the accident to law enforcement. You should wait at the scene for an officer. They will need to investigate and determine fault. If you believe the other driver is under the influence, inform the investigating officer of that. However, you shouldn’t offer unnecessary details, such as your actions prior to the crash. The insurance company could use your words against you to assign you with fault.
GATHER EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE
If possible, obtain evidence at the accident scene. You can take pictures of the damage to the vehicles, debris in the road, skid marks, and anything else that could help your case. Also, ask the other driver for their name, contact information, and auto insurance details.
GO TO THE HOSPITAL
Go to the emergency room for treatment of your injuries. If the doctor recommends ongoing medical care, listen to their orders. You should continue treating until you heal or your medical providers release you from their care.
HIRE A LAWYER
Contact The Yates Firm to speak with one of our Myrtle Beach dram shop liability attorneys. We can locate all available evidence to show the drunk driver and the establishment that served them should be liable for your injuries. For example, we might request copies of the negligent motorist’s bank statements or video surveillance footage of them leaving a bar. We could also speak to any witnesses who saw them ordering drinks and their condition before getting in their car.
MAINTAIN RECORDS
Keep copies of documentation you receive during your case, such as prescriptions, hospital records, rehabilitation progress reports, and medical bills. The Yates Firm might be able to use them as evidence in your claim.
CONTACT US
If you were injured in an accident due to an intoxicated driver, call The Yates Firm right now. We will review the circumstances and determine whether we can pursue compensation from the negligent motorist and the establishment responsible for serving them.
Call 843.692.3237 for your free consultation with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Myrtle Beach dram shop liability attorneys.
ALL CONSULTATIONS ARE FREE OF CHARGE
1298 Professional Drive, Suite B
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
204 Elm St, Suite 200
Conway, SC 29526
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The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
