Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Charleston

Why Choose Romeo Deters for a Charleston Drunk Driving Accident

When a driver chooses to drink and get behind the wheel, that decision endangers everyone. Civil law allows you to pursue money damages from the at-fault driver and any other responsible parties. Our firm’s approach is built around speed, pressure, and proof.

We immediately preserve and analyze key evidence, including crash reports, breath or blood alcohol results, field sobriety documentation, patrol car video, body cam footage, and witness statements. We also secure cell phone data when distracted driving may overlap with alcohol use. Our litigation team works with reconstruction professionals and medical specialists to connect the dots from an impaired decision to your injuries, pain, and losses. We then drive negotiations with a clear trial posture to compel fair settlements.

What Sets Our Case-Building Apart

• Rapid evidence preservation letters to the driver, bar or restaurant, rideshare companies, and insurers
• Independent scene investigation and photo mapping of skid marks, debris fields, and visibility issues
• Medical record organization to prove injury causation and future care
• Focused demand packages that frame punitive exposure in appropriate cases
• Relentless follow-up to shorten the timeline to resolution where possible

Understanding Your Civil Injury Claim After a DUI Crash

A DUI arrest or conviction helps, but your civil case is separate. You do not have to wait for the criminal case to finish to pursue a civil injury claim. We file and prosecute your claim on your timetable, not the state’s.

You can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, future treatment, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and scarring or disfigurement. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish and deter similar behavior. Our attorneys evaluate every potential source of recovery, including the impaired driver’s liability policy, your underinsured motorist coverage, and liability for establishments that unlawfully overserved alcohol.

Criminal DUI vs. Civil Liability

The criminal case focuses on punishment and public safety. Your civil case focuses on making you whole financially. Evidence such as BAC results, guilty pleas, or convictions can strengthen your injury case, but even without a conviction we can prove liability through witness testimony, physical evidence, and admissions made at the scene.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

• The impaired driver is the starting point, but responsibility can extend beyond one person.
• The drunk driver is being charged with negligent and reckless driving
• An employer, if the driver was on the job
• A bar, restaurant, or event host that served a visibly intoxicated person or a minor
• Rideshare companies or commercial carriers, depending on the facts
• Parties responsible for unsafe roadway conditions that contributed to the crash

Our job is to identify every liable party, stack coverages when the at-fault driver is underinsured, and structure the claim to capture all your losses.

Evidence We Use To Prove Your Case

Timing matters. Alcohol dissipates, memories fade, and digital data can be overwritten. We move quickly to collect and protect:

• Police crash report, DUI citations, and incident narratives
• BAC or toxicology results, field sobriety test records, and arrest paperwork
• 911 calls, dash cam, and body cam video
• Nearby business surveillance footage and traffic camera clips
• Black box vehicle data and airbag module downloads
• Medical documentation from ER to follow-up specialists
• Employment records for wage loss and missed opportunities
• Social media or messaging evidence related to intoxication or admissions

Local Knowledge Matters

Charleston roadways like I-26, I-526, Savannah Highway, Folly Road, Meeting Street, King Street, and the James Island Connector see heavy traffic and frequent nightlife-related travel. Knowing common crash patterns, lighting, and traffic control on these corridors helps us reconstruct how an impaired driver caused your injuries.

Dealing With Insurance After a Drunk Driving Accident

Insurance carriers often try to settle DUI-related claims quickly, before you know the full scope of your injuries. They may ask for recorded statements, broad medical authorizations, or quick releases. Do not sign anything until you talk with us.

We take over all communications, control the flow of information, and build valuation using medical opinions, cost projections, and the long-term impact on your daily life. Our settlement demands highlight the reckless nature of impaired driving to increase pressure for policy-limit resolutions where warranted.

What If the Driver Has Little Insurance

Underinsured motorist coverage can step in when the drunk driver’s policy is too small. We analyze your own policy and any resident relative policies for additional protection. If a bar or restaurant unlawfully overserved alcohol or served a minor, their liability coverage may be available and can be substantial.

Comparative Fault And Defenses You May Hear

South Carolina law allows insurers to argue that you share some blame. In a drunk driving accident, adjusters may claim you were speeding, following too closely, or not wearing a seat belt. We counter by showing how impairment, delayed reaction times, and poor judgment were the direct cause of the crash. Even if a partial fault is alleged, you may still recover as long as your fault does not exceed the defendant’s. Our strategy is to minimize any attribution to you and keep the focus on the impaired driver’s dangerous conduct.

Statute Of Limitations And Deadlines

Personal injury lawsuits are time-sensitive. Key deadlines apply to notifying insurers, preserving claims, and filing suit. Evidence like surveillance video can be erased within days or weeks. The sooner you call, the sooner we can lock down proof, speak to witnesses, and position your case for the best outcome.

Injured Families In Fatal DUI Crashes

When a loved one is killed by an impaired driver, the family may pursue a wrongful death claim and a survival action. We coordinate with the personal representative of the estate, quantify economic and non-economic losses, and pursue punitive damages when appropriate. Our team handles every step with care while maintaining a strong litigation posture.

What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash In Charleston

• Call 911 and report suspected impairment.
• Request a medical evaluation even if symptoms seem mild. Some injuries surface later.
• Photograph vehicles, the scene, and visible injuries.
• Get witness names and contact information.
• Do not give recorded statements to insurers before legal counsel.
• Contact Romeo Deters to protect your claim.

Our Fee Structure

We represent injured clients on a contingency fee. You pay no attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. We advance the costs needed to build your case and explain all terms up front so you can make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to wait for the DUI criminal case to finish before filing my injury claim?

No. Your injury claim can proceed on its own timeline. We coordinate with prosecutors as needed, but we do not delay pursuing the compensation you need.

Can I recover punitive damages for a drunk driving accident?

Punitive damages may be available in cases involving reckless conduct. We evaluate the facts, BAC level, and other evidence to decide whether to seek punitive damages.

What if the impaired driver fled the scene?

Hit-and-run cases can still be pursued using your uninsured motorist coverage and independent evidence such as video, debris patterns, and witness accounts. We work to identify the driver and preserve your rights.

How much is my civil injury claim worth?

Value depends on your medical treatment, recovery time, long-term impact, lost income, future care, and how the crash changed your life. We document every category of damage and present a comprehensive demand.

Will the bar or restaurant that served the driver be held responsible?

If they unlawfully served a minor or a visibly intoxicated person, they may share liability. We investigate receipts, surveillance, and witness testimony to determine if an establishment should be included.

What if I was not wearing a seat belt?

Insurers may raise this to reduce payment. We focus on the impaired driver’s choice to drink and drive and demonstrate how their conduct was the direct cause of your injuries.

Should I talk to the insurance adjuster?

Not before you have counsel. We handle all communications to protect your claim, prevent misstatements, and control what records are shared.

Take decisive action in Charleston to protect your recovery

Every day that passes makes it harder to capture the evidence that proves your case. If a drunk driver injured you in Charleston, South Carolina, the legal team at Romeo Deters is ready to take immediate action on your behalf.

Start your claim now. Call Romeo Deters at (843) 396-8768 or request your free case evaluation online.