Fighting for Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving remains one of the most preventable causes of catastrophic car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 37 people die every day in drunk-driving crashes across the country — one death every 39 minutes. Despite decades of enforcement and public awareness campaigns, alcohol-impaired driving continues to devastate families throughout Georgia and South Carolina.
At Roden Law, our drunk driving accident lawyers understand the unique legal complexities of these cases. Beyond a standard negligence claim against the impaired driver, victims may have additional legal avenues for recovery, including dram shop liability claims against bars, restaurants, or social hosts who illegally served alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals.
Georgia & South Carolina Drunk Driving Laws
Both Georgia and South Carolina set the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit at 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. Commercial vehicle operators face a lower threshold of 0.04%.
Georgia’s dram shop law (O.C.G.A. § 51-1-40) allows injured parties to sue establishments that knowingly served alcohol to a noticeably intoxicated person or to a minor, when that service was the proximate cause of the injuries. South Carolina’s dram shop statute (S.C. Code § 61-4-580) similarly holds liquor licensees liable when they serve a visibly intoxicated person who then causes injury to a third party.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that alcohol-impaired driving costs the United States more than $68.9 billion annually in economic damages, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and property damage.
Proving a Drunk Driving Accident Claim
A drunk driving accident claim requires establishing that the at-fault driver was impaired and that their impairment caused the accident and your injuries. Critical evidence includes:
- Police reports documenting BAC test results and field sobriety test observations
- Toxicology and blood test records from the hospital
- Surveillance footage from bars, restaurants, or convenience stores
- Witness testimony regarding the driver’s behavior and alcohol consumption
- Criminal case records, including DUI arrest reports and plea agreements
A criminal DUI conviction is powerful evidence in a civil injury case, but it is not required. Even if criminal charges are reduced or dismissed, you can still pursue a civil claim for damages based on the lower “preponderance of the evidence” standard.
Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
Victims of drunk driving accidents may be entitled to compensatory damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life. In both Georgia and South Carolina, courts may also award punitive damages in drunk driving cases to punish the defendant’s reckless disregard for public safety. Georgia caps punitive damages at $250,000 in most cases (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1), with exceptions for cases involving specific intent to harm or impaired driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. South Carolina does not impose a statutory cap on punitive damages but requires clear and convincing evidence of willful, wanton, or reckless conduct.
Why Choose Roden Law for Your Drunk Driving Case
Our attorneys have recovered millions for victims of impaired driving crashes across Georgia and South Carolina. We conduct thorough independent investigations, work with accident reconstruction experts, and pursue every available source of compensation — from the drunk driver’s auto insurance to dram shop liability claims against negligent alcohol vendors. There is no fee unless we win your case.