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Drunk or impaired driving is a serious offense that often results in life-threatening injuries and a lifetime of suffering for victims. In the event of drunk driving truck accidents in Charleston County, victims or their loved ones may be able to recover compensation from impaired drivers whose negligence caused these wrecks.
Understanding more about how drunk driving accidents work and the benefits of hiring a big rig collision attorney could help determine whether you have a case.
Like other states, South Carolina has strict laws in place that prohibit driving a truck or other motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. To determine if a motorist is impaired, law enforcement officers conduct a breathalyzer test to measure the person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which indicates the percentage of alcohol content in the subject’s blood.
Across the country, the universal legal limit for impaired driving is a BAC of 0.08 percent, but that limit can be even lower under certain circumstances. For example, operators of commercial vehicles cannot have a BAC at or above 0.04 percent while on the road. Meanwhile, individuals under the age of 21 will receive an automatic license suspension if they have a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher.
People could engage in impaired driving at any level of intoxication, experiencing impaired judgment and slowed reaction times. This behavior could subsequently put those drivers and others at risk.
If a drunk or otherwise impaired truck driver caused an accident in Charleston County, victims and their families could file a civil case that’s separate from criminal proceedings, helping them recover compensation for the damages sustained.
It is important to act fast following a drunk driving semi-truck accident in Charleston County to recover compensation. Similar to other states, South Carolina has a statute of limitations in place for personal injury and wrongful death claims, including DUI accident claims. The statute of limitations for these claims is three years from the date of the wreck.
However, there may be exceptions to this statute, depending on the situation. If the victim was a minor under 18 at the time of the accident, they would be able to file within three years of the date when they turn 18. Drunk drivers who leave the scene in a hit-and-run collision could also remain hidden, in which case the statute of limitations would begin when the police either identify or capture the driver.
The statute of limitations will also only start when the victim is mentally and legally capable of filing a claim, meaning that there could be a delay if the victim is incapacitated following the crash.
While three years may seem like a long time, this period could quickly pass. If individuals fail to file on time, they could lose their chance to recover compensation.
Following drunk driving truck accidents in Charleston County, injury victims deserve compensation from impaired drivers. Taking the right steps could increase your chances of reaching a fair settlement and effectively holding the negligent driver liable for the damages they caused. To help you succeed with a potential case, it is best to hire an attorney to provide guidance, especially considering these cases are often complex.
Speak with a lawyer from The Farmer Law Firm today to discuss potential compensation through an injury claim.