Did you know that each day in the U.S., approximately 30 people are killed in drunk driving accidents? That number is significantly higher when we look at those who suffered injuries in alcohol-related crashes. While drivers are well aware of the dangers associated with driving while intoxicated, many still get behind the wheel of their car or truck tipsy or drunk, putting not only their lives at risk but also those traveling around them.
If you were involved in an accident with a drunk driver in Columbia, SC and need help recovering compensation for the costly medical bills you are now required to pay, the personal injury attorneys at Louthian Law Firm, P.A. are here to help you. Navigating the legal system following a serious accident isn’t something you should have to do alone, especially while your focus should be on getting better.
South Carolina Teen Hospitalized After Drunk Driver Collides into His Vehicle
It was back in February when the tragic accident transpired in Horry County, SC. WMBF says that John Louis Sangastiano had been driving on Socastee Boulevard and Luttie Road at around 9:30 p.m. when he hit a Mazda 6 that was trying to make a left turn onto Luttie Road. That Mazda was occupied by a young man whose name has not been disclosed as per his family’s request.
The source said that both men had to be transported to the hospital after the collision. After Sangastiano was released from the hospital, he was then taken to jail as officers had accused him of driving while under the influence. He was charged with a felony DUI with great bodily injury and was released on a $50,000 bond. As for the teen driver, who is a senior at PALM Charter High School, he was placed in the Intensive Care Unit.
The source said the teen was later put into a medically induced coma after undergoing several intense surgeries. His “family and friends [say they are] hopeful about his recovery.” On the night of the accident, the teen had been heading home from a youth group he attended that evening. Friends and classmates of the injured teen were shocked to learn he had been hit by a drunk driver. In an effort to raise money to help cover medical expenses, PALM Charter set up a GoFundMe page for the family.
What are the first steps a family should take after their loved one was involved in a drunk driving accident in Columbia, SC?
If your child, spouse, or another relative was injured in an alcohol-related accident, you should consider contacting the Columbia, SC personal injury lawyers at Louthian Law Firm, P.A. Because another driver’s carelessness and disregard for others caused the accident, you may be able to recover a substantial amount of money that can make this time easier on you and your loved ones. Taking legal action against the drunk driver may not only help you recognize him/her for their recklessness, but also help you to recoup money for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Drunk driving accidents can not only have a physical effect on a victim and their family but also a financial one. The numerous trips to the hospital, the time you had had to take off from work, the money you had to spend on certain types of medical care, etc. can all result in you losing out on a large amount of money or spending money you didn’t really have. This, in turn, can make the recovery process more difficult as you not only need to focus your attention on helping your loved one get better, but also finding a way to satisfy your financial obligations.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against a Drunk Driver in South Carolina
One of the ways you can obtain justice as well as compensation for the injuries your loved one suffered is by filing a personal injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawsuit is typically filed by one party who is looking to recognize another for their negligence. While you are required to prove that the party you are suing was negligent in some way, if they were charged with DUI, then this will make that much easier to accomplish.
If you would like the opportunity to sit down with an experienced Columbia, SC personal injury lawyer who can help you understand the lawsuit process as well as what you might be entitled to recover compensation for, contact our firm today to schedule an initial consultation. At Louthian Law Firm, P.A., we understand how difficult things might be for you and your family right now, but we are here to help you get through this challenging time.
Louthian Law Firm, P.A. can be reached at:
1116 Blanding Street, #3A
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 888-316-9040
Website: www.louthianlaw.com
Bert Louthian has been practicing law in Columbia with his father, Herb, since 1985. After receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina, Bert launched his legal career in his father’s firm. With 80 years of legal experience between them, Louthian Law, P.A. remains Family-Owned and Family-Focused.
Bert understands that when life goes wrong – when you or someone you love gets hurt or suffers a loss, it can feel like nothing will ever be right or fair again. He gets up and goes to work every day to prove that feeling wrong – and does everything in his power to make things right again.
