Georgia residents should know that police had to close the intersection of South Carolina Highway 253 and Cedar Lane Road while a crash was being investigated. The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office has released details about the crash that occurred the morning of April 7.
A family of four was driving to church that morning when a car sped through the intersection and collided with them, eventually hitting a gas pump at an Energy Market gas station and convenience store. All four of the family members were taken to an area hospital, and their condition has not been revealed. One witness says, however, that a child was thrown from the family’s vehicle at the time of the crash.
The 23-year-old driver was trying to flee police, who had attempted to pull him over for suspected DUI. That man has now been charged with four counts of felony DUI with great bodily injury and with failure to stop for blue lights. His condition has not been revealed.
In a case like this, the family may be able to file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver. This is separate from the criminal charges that the driver is facing although the family may sue for punitive damages as a way of punishing the driver for those criminal actions. Punitive damages go above and beyond whatever economic or non-economic losses the victims suffered, such as vehicle damage, medical expenses and lost wages.
Hiring a lawyer who focuses on car accidents may be wise since auto insurance companies have their own legal team to fight against injury claims. A lawyer might hire investigators to bolster the case with evidence, starting with the police report, eyewitness testimony and physical evidence at the crash site. Medical experts may come in to measure the extent of injuries.
