Ready to schedule a consultation? Let’s get started »
Bradley & Perkins Office

Articles

CONTACT US TODAY

Injured from a Hit and Run with a Drunk Driver, How Do I Report Them?

In a recent five-year span, South Carolina experienced over 28,000 collisions caused by intoxicated motorists. If you were hit by a drunk driver, the first call you make should be dialing 911. Be sure to let the dispatcher know if you suffered any injuries and what type of emergency personnel should be sent. Law enforcement will likely arrive on the scene, allowing you to provide information regarding the other driver.

Our legal team understands the anxiety of being injured due to another person’s blatant disregard for your safety. If you or a family member have been hit by a drunk driver, our Anderson car accident attorneys are prepared to defend your rights.

South Carolina Drunk Driving Laws

South Carolina imposes strict penalties for drunk driving, including suspending a person’s driver’s license, imposing steep fines, and even prison time. In South Carolina, a motorist is driving under the influence if his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or greater.

Penalties will vary, with harsher penalties imposed if you have an elevated BAC (0.16%), if anyone was injured or killed, or if you have multiple offenses. Anyone who has four or more DUI convictions may face between one to five years in jail, with an elevated BAC resulting in three to seven years. Fourth-time offenders will have their licenses permanently revoked.

South Carolina Hit-and-Run Penalties

A hit-and-run occurs anytime that a driver is involved in an accident and flees the scene without exchanging information with other motorists. Under South Carolina Code §56-5-1220, a hit-and-run is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Filing a Hit and Run Accident Report in South Carolina

If a driver hit you and then fled the scene, you will want to contact 911. Law enforcement will arrive on the scene. You will want to provide the officer as much information as possible regarding the at-fault driver, including:

  • The make and model of the vehicle
  • The license plate number (if possible)
  • A general description of the driver (gender, ethnicity, age range—if possible)
  • The direction that the other vehicle was moving
  • The circumstances in which your vehicles collided

The police will use this information to file a report. If you believe the other driver was intoxicated, be sure to mention this to the officer. While a blood alcohol test is typically used to demonstrate that a motorist is intoxicated, in hit-and-run situations, the at-fault driver may not be found until hours or days after the event. By this time, the driver will have sobered up. Any evidence that you can supply indicating that the driver was drunk can help press charges. In these situations, it is common for the motorist to have a prior driving record, which can further support your claim.

Benefits of Hiring an Anderson Car Accident Attorney

While the state may pursue criminal charges against the hit-and-run driver, you also have the right to recover damages for any losses incurred. Our Anderson car accident attorneys can assist you in taking civil action, allowing you to recoup medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. The worth of your claim is dependent on the strength of the evidence. Our car accident attorneys are experienced in knowing what evidence to gather and how to assess it.

Anderson Car Accident Attorneys Providing Aggressive Counsel

Hit-and-run drivers should be punished for their reprehensible actions. If you have been injured in a hit-and-run caused by an intoxicated driver, now is the time to obtain representation. To learn what our Anderson car accident attorneys can do for you, contact us online or by phone today.