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Truck drivers and large commercial vehicle operators have an absolute duty to protect others while on the road. For the most part, this involves obeying the rules of the road and taking proper precautions while behind the wheel. One of the largest breaches of this duty involves drunk driving. Consuming any amount of alcohol could severely limit a person’s ability to control a vehicle.
State law forbids consuming alcohol to the extent that it impairs a person’s ability to drive. Rig operators who commit this crime are almost certainly liable for the losses of all people whom they injure in a crash. A semi wreck attorney at Schiller & Hamilton could help seek fair compensation after a drunk driving truck accident in Lancaster.
Driving a Truck While Intoxicated Violates the State’s Criminal Code
South Carolina Code § 56-5-2930 prohibits all people from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. This includes having a sufficient blood alcohol content (BAC) where a person is presumed to be intoxicated. While drunk driving is a serious matter for every motorist, commercial drivers who face these accusations may endure increased penalties.
The outcome of an arrest for driving while intoxicated is a matter for a criminal court. However, these criminal cases can have a major impact on a civil demand for compensation. If a criminal court convicts a semi driver of driving while intoxicated, or that driver admits fault in court, a civil court will presume that the defendant was intoxicated at the time of the collision. This means that a person seeking compensation does not need to prove that a defendant was to blame for the crash and can focus on proving the extent of their losses. An exceptional lawyer could help explain how a criminal case could help to prove a civil claim for compensation following an intoxicated driving semi wreck in Lancaster.
What Compensation May a Person Pursue after a Lancaster Crash?
Proving that a trucker’s intoxication was the cause of a collision is a vital part of any demand for compensation. However, it is just as important to be able to show how the wreck impacted the injured party’s life. Insurance providers and trucking companies only pay out the damage that a plaintiff is able to prove. A Schiller & Hamilton attorney could take the lead in this process.
All personal injury cases, including those centering around a drunk driving 18-wheeler wreck, must revolve around physical injuries. The demand for compensation seeks payment for emergency care, ambulance rides, surgeries, hospitalizations, and rehabilitation sessions.
These accidents may also impact a person’s life in other ways. They may miss time at work or endure injuries so severe that result in a permanent disability. They could also seek compensation for lost quality of life. This may include:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Lost time with loved ones
A skilled attorney may be able to help people to measure how a drunk driving 18-wheeler collision in Lancaster has impacted their lives and seek out fair payments.
Contact an Attorney about Drunk Driving Truck Accidents in Lancaster
Driving while intoxicated is one of the most dangerous things that a person can do. The impact of this choice is magnified when an individual is behind the wheel of a large rig. If they drink and drive, they are liable for any damage that they cause to others.
A lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton could help you to collect these payments. This includes compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and reductions in your quality of life. Reach out to our office today for help pursuing a case for your drunk driving truck accident in Lancaster.