Drunk driving is one of the most common and preventable causes of car accidents. Intoxicated drivers typically suffer from impaired vision and reflexes, and they often lack the ability to judge their level of intoxication. Unfortunately, these factors can lead to a serious or even fatal accident. Sadly, a 16-year-old boy was recently killed and six others were injured on a South Carolina highway when a suspected drunk driver chose to get behind the wheel of his car. It remains to be seen if a wrongful death claim will be pursued by the victim’s family as a result of the tragedy.

The collision occurred shortly before 7 p.m. when a car operated by a South Carolina man struck an SUV that was headed southbound on I-77 in Fairfield County. A 16-year-old was killed after being ejected from the SUV. The six remaining occupants of the SUV were taken to a nearby medical center with unspecified injuries.

The 34-year-old driver who reportedly caused the crash was arrested and transported to a local detention center. He was charged with felony DUI. The Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team is looking into the incident.

Catastrophic car accidents like this can devastate families emotionally and financially as they struggle to cope with the loss of a loved one. Likewise, those seriously injured may have both a long road to recovery and significant expense along the way. In addition to criminal charges, the accused man may face claims of wrongful death from the family members of the deceased victim, as well as personal injury claims from those injured. In South Carolina, they have the right to seek reimbursement for the expenses resulting from the accident, as well as pursue monetary compensation for pain and suffering.

Source: wistv.com, “Teen killed on I-77, man charged with felony DUI,” Jason Old, Nov. 19, 2012

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Steven M. Krause

Steven Krause is a personal injury, auto accident, and workers’ compensation lawyer who practices in Anderson, SC. He graduated form the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and has been practicing law for 40 years now. Steven Krause believes in fighting for the injured. Learn more about his experience here.