Drunk Driving Accidents

The Firm You Need, When Quality Matters

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Myrtle Beach

Serving Injured Victims Across Horry and Georgetown Counties Since 2008

A criminal charge against a drunk driver doesn’t put money in your pocket. The civil claim does. At Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC, we represent victims injured by impaired drivers throughout the Myrtle Beach area, pursuing the compensation they’re owed for medical bills, lost income, and the toll the crash takes on daily life.

We’ve been part of this community since 2008, formerly operating as Joye, Nappier, Risher & Hardin, LLC. Our attorneys practice both personal injury and criminal defense for DUI charges, which means we understand how law enforcement investigations unfold, how DUI charges move through the courts, and how that criminal record can inform a civil claim. That perspective shapes how we build cases for injured victims.

If a drunk driver hurt you or someone you love in Myrtle Beach or the surrounding area, call our team at (843) 203-0637 to discuss your options.

Drunk Driving on the Grand Strand: A Real and Documented Problem

Horry County has one of the worst impaired driving records in South Carolina. In 2021, the county logged 553 non-fatal accidents caused by drunk drivers. That same year, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities rose 67% over the prior year, resulting in 30 deaths, and the county ranked second in the state for fatal impaired driving accidents. Statewide, alcohol-impaired crashes accounted for 367 deaths in 2023, representing 33% of all South Carolina traffic fatalities.

These aren’t abstract statistics for the people behind them. If you were injured in one of these crashes, you need an attorney who knows this area and handles these cases.

Why Myrtle Beach Victims Turn to Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC

We’ve represented clients across Horry and Georgetown Counties for more than 15 years, treating them as members of the community whether they’ve lived here their whole lives or arrived recently for work or retirement. That isn’t a marketing line. It shapes how we communicate, how we prepare cases, and how we advocate when insurers push back.

Our attorneys practice both personal injury and criminal defense for DUI charges. That dual practice gives us a working understanding of how impairment is investigated, what breathalyzer and toxicology evidence shows, and how a criminal case outcome can be used in civil proceedings. We also follow South Carolina’s liquor liability law closely. In April 2026, we published guidance on how updated liquor liability rules affect claims against alcohol-serving establishments, an area of law that directly affects recovery in many drunk driving accident cases.

Our auto accident results include settlements of $1.4 million in a truck accident case, $1.1 million in a cement mixer collision, and $650,000 in an auto accident claim. Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they reflect the seriousness with which we pursue each case.

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Who Can Be Held Liable After a Drunk Driving Accident in South Carolina

The intoxicated driver who caused the crash is civilly liable for your injuries. That’s the starting point, but liability doesn’t always end there.

Driver Liability and Dram Shop Claims

South Carolina recognizes dram shop principles, which allow victims to pursue claims against bars, restaurants, and other establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person or a minor who later caused an accident. These claims matter for a practical reason: A commercial establishment carries commercial insurance, which may expand the total recovery available beyond what the driver’s personal policy covers.

South Carolina’s 2026 liquor liability law updates brought additional clarity to when these claims apply. Courts and claimants now look closely at visible intoxication at the time of service, staff training records, service timelines, and the connection between over-service and the crash itself. We’ve followed these developments closely and published guidance on how they affect claims against establishments in the Myrtle Beach area.

Who Can Bring a Claim

Passengers: A passenger injured while riding with a drunk driver who causes a crash may have a civil claim against that driver.
Civil vs. criminal standard: A civil case can move forward regardless of whether the driver is convicted or even charged criminally. The burden of proof in a civil claim is lower than in a criminal prosecution.
Wrongful death: When a drunk driving crash is fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim for their losses.

Damages Available to Drunk Driving Accident Victims

South Carolina law allows injured victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Because drunk driving involves reckless conduct, courts may also award punitive damages designed to punish the driver and deter similar behavior.

Economic Damages
These are the measurable financial losses: emergency and hospital care, surgery, medication, physical therapy, future medical treatment, lost wages during recovery, and reduced earning capacity if the injuries are permanent.

Non-Economic Damages
These address the human cost of the crash: pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for affected family members.

Punitive Damages
Drunk driving is among the categories of conduct where South Carolina courts may award punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. These are evaluated case by case.

When dram shop liability is established, victims may have access to both the driver’s insurance and the establishment’s commercial policy, increasing total available recovery. South Carolina also requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured motorist coverage may apply when the at-fault driver’s policy limits fall short of the actual damages.

Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Accident

What you do in the hours and days after a crash can directly affect the strength of your claim. We published guidance in May 2026 identifying the most common mistakes victims make, and the pattern is consistent: Early missteps create leverage for insurers looking to minimize or deny claims.

Call 911: A police report documents driver statements, witness accounts, and officer observations, including any field sobriety or breathalyzer testing at the scene.
Seek medical attention promptly: Injuries from whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and concussions can appear hours or days after the crash. A gap in medical care creates a gap in your claim.
Don’t give recorded statements to insurers: Speak with an attorney before talking to any insurance adjuster. Recorded statements can be used to minimize your recovery.
Collect evidence: Photos, witness contact information, and any documentation available at the scene become harder to obtain as time passes.
Don’t accept a quick settlement: Early offers rarely account for future medical costs. Know the full scope of your damages before agreeing to anything.

How a Drunk Driving Accident Claim Moves Forward

Investigation begins immediately. We gather police reports, breathalyzer and toxicology results, witness statements, surveillance footage, and available records from any establishment where the driver was served. The goal is to establish impairment, causation, and the full extent of your damages before making a demand.

Maximum Medical Improvement and Settlement Timing

Timing matters on the medical side as well. It’s generally advisable to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement before finalizing a settlement demand. That’s the point at which your treating physician determines you’ve recovered as fully as you’re likely to. Settling before that point risks locking in a number that doesn’t account for ongoing treatment needs.

Civil Lawsuit and the Fault-Based System

If the insurance company doesn’t offer fair compensation through negotiation, the case may proceed to a civil lawsuit. A criminal DUI conviction can be introduced as evidence of intoxication in civil proceedings. South Carolina operates on a fault-based system, so we build the case around demonstrating that the driver’s intoxication caused the crash and the resulting damages.

Statute of Limitations in South Carolina

South Carolina’s personal injury statute of limitations is generally three years from the date of the accident. Cases involving government entities may carry shorter filing deadlines. Don’t wait to consult an attorney.

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Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (843) 357-6454.

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Personalized Representation, Not a One-Size Approach

No two drunk driving accident cases are alike. The injuries differ, the insurance coverage differs, and the circumstances of the crash differ. At Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC, we build a legal strategy around your specific situation rather than running cases through a standard process.

Our attorneys practice across personal injury, criminal defense, and related areas. When a client’s situation touches more than one area of law, we can coordinate representation without handing them off to someone else. We’ve been part of the Myrtle Beach community since 2008, and we’re here for clients across Horry and Georgetown Counties for however long their case takes.

Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Myrtle Beach

If you were injured by a drunk driver in the Myrtle Beach area, including Murrells Inlet or anywhere in Horry and Georgetown Counties, Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC can help. We can review your situation, explain your options, and handle the legal complexity so you can focus on recovering.

Call (843) 203-0637 or use our online contact form to schedule a consultation with our team.

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What Sets Us Apart

Hometown Attorneys
Our firm is deeply committed to our community, actively supporting local initiatives and building strong relationships to create a lasting impact.
Extensive Experience
The legal team at Joye, Nappier, Risher, & Hardin LLC has a wide range of legal experience since 2008 in various cases and situations.
Personal & Professional
Our goal in every case is to establish a relationship with our clients. We believe this is the best foundation for a successful case.

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