When a driver in South Carolina has a passenger in the vehicle, he or she is responsible for the safety of that passenger. If the driver is negligent and becomes involved in an accident that causes the death of the passenger, the surviving family of the deceased passenger may have a viable wrongful death claim. Such an accident occurred on a road in Clarendon County on a recent Friday afternoon.
South Carolina Highway Patrol reported that the 21-year-old driver lost control of his vehicle when it veered to the right and off the roadway. The car rolled over after the driver over-corrected to the left, striking an embankment and going off the right side of the road again. The 18-year-old passenger apparently suffered severe head trauma and died at the accident scene.
Police note that the driver failed to remain at the accident scene. He was, however, located some hours later and taken into custody. The driver is now facing a felony charge for driving under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the death of his passenger, and leaving the accident scene. His bail was set at a cash bond of $25,000 or a surety bond of $50,000.
The surviving family members of the young man who died so tragically in this car accident may benefit from consulting with an experienced wrongful death attorney in South Carolina. The complicated process of establishing negligence may be best left to professionals who focus on protecting the rights of grieving families. A lawyer will guide the family throughout the legal processes of a wrongful death claim, and upon successful proof of a claim, a civil court may award monetary relief for end-of-life expenses, and other documented losses.
Source: manninglive.com, “Man charged with felony DUI granted bond, still at jail“, Robert Joseph Baker, June 28, 2015