Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in NC, SC & GA
Drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable, which makes them especially devastating for victims and their families. When a driver chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, they recklessly endanger everyone on the road. The injuries caused by drunk drivers are often catastrophic because impaired drivers frequently travel at high speeds, fail to brake, and strike other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists with full force.
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our drunk driving accident attorneys are committed to holding impaired drivers accountable and securing maximum compensation for victims. Drunk driving cases often present unique opportunities for punitive damages — additional compensation intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. We also investigate whether bars, restaurants, or social hosts who served alcohol to the driver can be held liable under dram shop laws.
The Devastating Impact of Drunk Driving
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 13,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes in the United States each year. Survivors often face life-altering injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Multiple broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations
- Permanent disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
The emotional and psychological toll on victims and their families is immense. Beyond physical injuries, victims may suffer anxiety, depression, fear of driving, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Dram Shop Laws in NC, SC & GA
Dram shop laws allow victims to hold establishments that served alcohol to an intoxicated person liable for resulting accidents. These laws vary significantly by state:
North Carolina
North Carolina's Dram Shop Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 18B-121 et seq.) allows a person injured by an intoxicated individual to sue the establishment that sold or served alcohol to that person. The plaintiff must prove that the sale of alcohol was a proximate cause of the injury. Claims must be filed within 3 years. North Carolina's contributory negligence rule still applies.
South Carolina
South Carolina's dram shop liability is primarily based on common law and statutory provisions. Under S.C. Code § 61-4-580, it is unlawful to sell alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person. Violations of this statute can form the basis for civil liability. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Georgia's dram shop law (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-40) provides that a person who sells or furnishes alcoholic beverages to a person of lawful drinking age is not liable for injuries caused by that person's intoxication, except when the provider knew that the person was noticeably intoxicated and knew that the person would soon be driving. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
Drunk driving cases are among the strongest candidates for punitive damages because the driver's conduct is willful and reckless. Each state has different rules regarding punitive damages:
- North Carolina — Punitive damages are available under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1D-15 when the defendant's conduct is willful or wanton. Drunk driving typically qualifies. Punitive damages are capped at three times compensatory damages or $250,000, whichever is greater.
- South Carolina — Punitive damages are available under S.C. Code § 15-32-530 for willful, wanton, or reckless conduct. DUI-related accidents frequently support punitive damage claims.
- Georgia — Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, punitive damages are available when the defendant's actions show willful misconduct, malice, or wanton disregard. A cap of $250,000 generally applies but is lifted for cases involving intoxication.
Criminal vs. Civil Proceedings
A drunk driver may face both criminal charges (DUI/DWI) and a civil lawsuit for damages. These are separate proceedings. A criminal conviction is not required for you to pursue a civil claim, though it can strengthen your case. Our attorneys work independently of the criminal case to build the strongest possible civil claim for our clients.
Compensation Available
Victims of drunk driving accidents may recover compensatory damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and other losses. Punitive damages may significantly increase the total recovery. When a drunk driving accident results in death, the victim's family may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today. We will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve, including punitive damages. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.