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SC Worst in Nation for DUI Deaths

DUI Deaths

MADD Finds that South Carolina Leads Nation in DUI Deaths

DUI DeathsNew traffic death information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that South Carolina leads the nation in DUI deaths.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a national anti-DUI advocacy group, examined the information from the NHTSA, which shows in 2013, there were 335 South Carolina deaths from DUI-related accidents. That number was about 44% of all traffic fatalities in the state – the national average is 33% of traffic deaths being caused by DUI.

“Improvements aren’t being made fast enough, and it’s a shame that we lead the nation in such devastating circumstances,” said MADD South Carolina Program Director Steven Burritt in a released statement. “It forces us to ask ourselves as a state once again whether we’re doing everything we know we should to drive these numbers down. We know the answer is that we’re not.”

Although national DUI deaths reached over 10,000 for yet another year, the number of DUI accident deaths fell a small amount between 2012 and 2013 – there were 10,322 DUI deaths in 2012, and 10,076 DUI deaths in 2013, the most recent year for traffic fatality data.

MADD examines DUI fatality data as part of the group’s ongoing “Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving,” which calls for better law enforcement sobriety checkpoints, ignition interlock devices for convicted drunk drivers, and better driver alcohol detection systems in cars.

The group was part of passing Emma’s Law this past year in South Carolina, and MADD South Carolina hopes that the effort will reduce DUI deaths in the state in 2014 and beyond.

“Emma’s Law is going to help with these numbers going forward, for sure,” said Burritt.  “But we did not go as far as 24 states have done to require these devices for every DUI offender, so we can’t expect the kind of massive drops those states had.  Also, Emma’s Law can only meet expectations if those who should be convicted of drunk driving actually are.  We know this isn’t happening.”

DUI Accident and Wrongful Death Litigation in South Carolina

If a loved one dies as a result of the negligence, recklessness, DUI, or intentional conduct of another, you may be entitled to bring a claim for wrongful death. A South Carolina wrongful death lawsuit asserts a claim against a person who can be held legally responsible for a death.  Surviving family members may be entitled to damages; money that can help with the expenses caused by the loss of their loved one.

Common wrongful death claims arise as a result of a:

  • tractor trailer accident,
  • automobile accident, including DUI accidents,
  • burn injury,
  • brain injury,
  • motorcycle accident,
  • construction site accident,
  • defective product,
  • toys or childrens’ product,
  • medical malpractice claim,
  • nursing home neglect and abuse, or an
  • injury sustained while working on the job.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with DUI Car Accident Injury and Wrongful Death Cases

Although many of the people we represent in these cases are from right here in South Carolina, our lawyers routinely take clients from throughout the Southeastern U.S. and, in certain types of product liability or pharmaceutical cases, from across the country as well. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed through no fault of your own, whether from a defective product or was a victim in a DUI car accident, you may have a personal injury or wrongful death case. Contact the South Carolina personal injury accident attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free, no-cost consultation today. 803.252.4800