Could a Greenville Bar or Restaurant Be Responsible for Your Drunk Driving Accident Injuries?

How Bars and Restaurants Can Prevent Drunk Driving Tragedies

Greenville businesses can help prevent drunk driving accidents and dram shop litigation by:

• Properly training staff. Bar and restaurant staff should be adequately trained to recognize signs of intoxication and check IDs. Proper training is essential to ensure responsible alcohol service and prevent potential accidents.
• Marketing alcohol responsibly. Some establishments use marketing tactics that encourage excessive drinking, such as "all you can drink" specials or heavily discounted drinks during happy hours. These practices can lead to overconsumption and increase the risk of drunk driving crashes.

Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Drunk driving accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, many of which have long-lasting or even permanent effects. These injuries may include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

A TBI can occur when there is a sudden, violent impact. These injuries can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, potentially affecting cognitive function, memory, and personality. Recovery from a TBI can be a long and challenging process, often requiring extensive rehabilitation and ongoing care.

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)

The force of a drunk driving collision can cause damage to the spinal cord, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis. Spinal cord injuries can also lead to loss of sensation and motor function below the point of injury, dramatically impacting your independence and quality of life.

Fractured or Broken Bones

The impact of a drunk driving accident can cause multiple fractures throughout the body. While some breaks may heal relatively quickly, more severe fractures can require surgery and prolonged physical therapy. In some cases, victims may experience chronic pain or limited mobility even after the bones have healed.

Internal Injuries

Blunt force trauma from a collision can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys. These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated.

Whiplash and Neck Injuries

The sudden jerking motion often experienced in car accidents can cause whiplash, leading to neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. While some cases of whiplash resolve within a few weeks, others can result in chronic pain and limited range of motion.

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

Beyond physical injuries, survivors of drunk driving accidents often experience significant emotional and psychological distress. This can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or fear of driving. These invisible wounds can be just as debilitating as physical injuries and may require long-term therapy and support.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident in Greenville

After a drunk driving accident, it's crucial to take specific steps to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. For example, you can:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if you don't think you're seriously injured, getting checked out by a medical professional is important. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and prompt medical attention can prevent complications and create a record of your injuries.

2. Contact law enforcement. Call the police to report the accident. They will create an official accident report, which can be crucial evidence in your case. Be sure to mention if you suspect the other driver was under the influence of alcohol.

3. Gather information and evidence. Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved in the accident if you can. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries. If there were witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.

4. Avoid discussing fault. Be careful not to admit fault or apologize for the accident, as these statements could be used against you later. Stick to the facts when speaking with the police or other parties involved.

5. Document your recovery. Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, medications, and any expenses related to your injuries. This documentation will be necessary when seeking compensation for your damages.

6. Notify your insurance company. Report the accident to your insurance company, but avoid giving a detailed statement until you've spoken with a lawyer.

7. Be cautious with insurance adjusters. The at-fault driver's insurance company may contact you. Be polite, but avoid giving detailed statements or accepting settlement offers without legal advice.

8. Contact a personal injury lawyer. As soon as you're able, reach out to an experienced dram shop lawyer such as those at Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers. We have an attorney on call day and night so that are we are available to speak with you to discuss and evaluate your case.

How A Greenville Dram Shop Lawyer Can Help

Navigating a dram shop case can be challenging, especially when you're trying to recover from injuries. At Derrick Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our experienced Greenville dram shop lawyers are committed to providing legal support throughout each case. While each case is different, our lawyers are equiped to provide the following support on cases:

• Case evaluation. We'll start by conducting a thorough evaluation of each case. This includes reviewing police reports, medical records, and any available evidence to determine the strength of a claim and identify all potentially liable parties.
• Investigation. Our team investigates the circumstances surrounding each accident. This may involve interviewing witnesses, analyzing surveillance footage, and consulting with experts if necessary to build a strong case.
• Establishing liability. In dram shop cases, proving liability can be complicated. If injuries resulted from negligent overserving, we'll work to demonstrate that the establishment served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor and that this act contributed to these injuries.
• Calculating damages. We'll carefully assess all damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potential future costs related to these injuries. This comprehensive approach ensures we are working to seek fair compensation for all losses.
• Negotiation. Our lawyers work with insurance companies and other involved parties to pursue a fair settlement. We're prepared to resist lowball offers and fight for the fair compensation our clients deserve.
• Litigation. If a fair settlement can't be reached through negotiation and it is necessary and advised to proceed to trial, our lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to court and present the case to a judge and jury.
• Ongoing support. Throughout the legal process, we work to be our clients' advocate. We have a team of lawyers and staff members assigned to each case in an effort to ensure our clients are kept informed about the progress of their case, answer questions, and provide the guidance needed to make informed decisions.

While we can't guarantee specific outcomes, our track record speaks for itself. We encourage you to review our case results and client testimonials on our website to get a sense of the positive outcomes we've achieved for other clients in similar situations. For example, one of our clients who was rear ended in Greenville gave us a 5 star rating and said, “Excellent service. Explained every step of the process in easy to understand details. Helped me feel comfortable with the entire process.” Remember, every case is unique, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes, but we believe they demonstrate our commitment to fighting for our clients' rights and securing the just and fair compensation.