A 59-year-old South Carolina man was tending to his broken down pick-up truck on the side of an Aiken County highway, when a drunk driver lost control of his car and skidded off the road, slamming into the pick-up truck. The pick-up truck was forced into the man who was checking under the hood, and he later died from his injuries.
The 21-year-old driver was charged with Felony DUI, and if convicted, he could face up to $25,000 in fines and up to 25 years in prison. This accident is an example of what can happen if someone gets behind the wheel of a car after consuming too much alcohol. The result is the wrongful death of an innocent South Carolina citizen.
In South Carolina, wrongful death occurs when as a result of negligence, or misconduct (such as DUI) of another person. A wrongful death can be caused by a car wreck, a workplace accident, defective product, or medical malpractice. South Carolina has a wrongful death statute that allows the family of a person killed to seek contribution for their loved one’s death from the careless people who caused it.
This law can get complicated, and this is why it is so important to seek competent attorneys who are experienced in the realm of the South Carolina Wrongful Death Statute. If you have lost a loved one as a result of the negligence or misconduct of another driver, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP for a consultation. You can call our Baxter Village office located in Fort Mill, South Carolina at 803-374-4444, or 877-548-5999.