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Force Full Accountability for the Damage Done

Drunk driving crashes continue to be a persistent and deadly problem on American roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 12,429 people were killed in crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher in 2023, which accounts for about 30% of all traffic fatalities nationwide. These crashes occur roughly every 42 minutes in the United States.

A drunk driving accident occurs when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol, violating DUI laws and creating an unreasonable risk of harm to others. These often result in catastrophic injuries, long-term disability, and overwhelming emotional and financial burdens on victims. A drunk driving accident lawyer in Charleston can help the victims pursue justice and compensation when someone’s reckless choice to drink and drive changes lives forever.

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Common Reasons for Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving crashes don’t just happen out of nowhere. They are the result of predictable, reckless behavior that puts everyone else on the road at risk, including you. Some of the most common reasons these crashes occur include:

  • Misjudging impairment after drinking socially
  • Driving after leaving bars, clubs, or restaurants
  • Overconfidence in the ability to “drive fine”
  • Slowed reaction times and impaired judgment
  • Ignoring traffic signals or posted signs
  • Speeding while under the influence
  • Failing to stay in the proper lane
  • Falling asleep or losing focus behind the wheel
  • Being overserved by bars or alcohol vendors

Why Choose Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm for Drunk Driver Accidents?

When a drunk driver upends your life, you need a firm that moves fast and hits hard. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we treat drunk driving cases as what they are: reckless, preventable acts that deserve maximum accountability. We immediately secure crash evidence, toxicology records, and witness statements, and we don’t stop at the driver. If a bar overserved, we pursue dram shop liability. Our goal is simple: build a case the defense can’t outrun.

As one of the best drunk driving accident lawyers in Charleston, Gus Anastopoulo leads with pressure, prepares every case like it’s going to trial, targets punitive damages when the facts allow, and refuses to let insurers lowball or delay claims. Our team keeps you informed, supported, and never guessing about what comes next, while making the other side very uncomfortable.

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Who Can Be Held Liable for Drunk Driving Accidents?

Liability in a drunk driving case is rarely limited to just one person. These crashes are often the result of multiple bad decisions made at different points, and our job is to identify every party whose conduct contributed to what happened to you. At the Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we reconstruct the timeline, analyze evidence, and look beyond the crash to determine who enabled, ignored, or failed to prevent a dangerous situation from unfolding. Depending on the facts of your case, liable parties may include:

  • The drunk driver who chose to get behind the wheel while impaired
  • Bars, restaurants, or clubs that knowingly overserved alcohol
  • Liquor stores or retailers that sold alcohol to a minor
  • Employers, if the driver was working or driving a company vehicle
  • Social hosts who provided alcohol to underage guests
  • Vehicle owners who allowed an intoxicated person to drive their car

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What Are the Types of Compensation Available for Drunk Driver Accidents?

Drunk driving crashes often leave victims dealing with far more than a damaged vehicle. Medical bills pile up, work becomes impossible, and the physical and emotional toll can follow you for years. The goal is to force the at-fault parties to take responsibility for everything their reckless decision caused.

Our drunk driver accident lawyer in Charleston will evaluate the full scope of your losses to pursue compensation that reflects the real impact on your life. Depending on the facts of your case, compensation may include:

  • Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, and future treatment
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering from physical injuries and emotional trauma
  • Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
  • Permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages in cases involving extreme or reckless conduct

"The work that Gus is doing to help victims of drunk drivers is amazing. If you have the misfortune of being struck by a drunk driver, call Gus immediately.

Joseph Linnehan

Steps to Take Immediately After Drunk Driver Accidents

What you do in the moments and days after a drunk driving crash can directly affect your health, your recovery, and your ability to hold the right people accountable. Taking the right steps early helps protect both you and your case.

  • Call 911 and report the crash
  • Request medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
  • Cooperate with law enforcement and provide factual information
  • Avoid confronting the drunk driver at the scene
  • Document the scene with photos and videos if able
  • Obtain contact information from witnesses
  • Follow all medical advice and attend follow-up appointments
  • Avoid discussing the crash with insurance companies
  • Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer in Charleston as soon as possible
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Why Hire a Drunk Driver Accidents Lawyer in Charleston

Drunk driving cases demand more than a basic insurance claim: they require pressure and a strategy built to expose reckless conduct. A drunk driver accident lawyer in Charleston knows how to use DUI evidence, crash data, and witness testimony to force accountability from drivers, bars, and insurers. A skilled drunk driving accident lawyer in Charleston also protects you from tactics that minimize your injuries or rush you into a bad settlement. When the stakes are this high, a drunk driver accident attorney in Charleston makes sure nothing is left on the table.

Drunk Driver Accidents Frequently Asked Questions

Will the drunk driver’s DUI case affect my civil claim?

Yes, but not in the way most people expect. A DUI case is criminal and handled by the state. Your injury claim is civil and focuses on compensation. You can pursue your civil case before, during, or after the DUI prosecution. A DUI arrest or conviction can strongly support your claim by establishing negligence, but it is not required. Civil cases use a lower burden of proof, meaning a driver can avoid a DUI conviction and still be held financially responsible.

Do I need a DUI conviction to win my case?

No. Alcohol use alone doesn’t automatically prove fault, and a conviction isn’t mandatory. Your legal team must show that the drunk driver caused the crash through negligent actions, such as running a red light, drifting into another lane, or rear-ending a vehicle. At Gus Anastopoulo Law Firm, we build these cases methodically using crash data, witness statements, toxicology, and pressure on insurers who would rather minimize your injuries.

When can a bar be held responsible for a drunk driving crash?

South Carolina law prohibits bars and retailers from knowingly serving alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated or under 21. When that violation leads to a crash, the establishment can be held liable. This is known as “dram shop liability.” These cases are complex because you must show the bar “knowingly” overserved the patron, but criminal charges are not required. Civil cases rely on evidence such as receipts, surveillance footage, witness testimony, and training failures to establish liability. Holding bars accountable can significantly increase the available compensation.

Can I recover punitive damages in a drunk driving case?

Possibly. Punitive damages are meant to punish extreme misconduct and deter future behavior. In South Carolina, they require proof that the defendant acted willfully, wantonly, or recklessly by clear and convincing evidence. Punitive damages may apply when a driver was heavily intoxicated, refused a safe ride, or has a history of DUI offenses. They may also apply when a bar intentionally overserved someone who was obviously impaired and allowed them to drive. Bartenders are trained to recognize intoxication, and sending someone onto the road anyway may lead to liability.

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Get the Lawyer Who Won’t Back Down

If you’ve been injured, don’t accept the insurance company’s first offer. Get the team who makes them pay you what they should.

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