Should I “Pull the Plug” on My Family Member After a South Carolina Car Accident?

Severe car accidents in South Carolina can lead to various incapacitating injuries. Medical professionals often attempt to keep victims alive for as long as possible, but at some point, families may face a difficult decision: Either keep their loved one on life support or “pull the plug” and accept fate. No one can make this decision for you, and each case is slightly different.

Man Dies 10 Days After Fiery Crash on Beech Island 

In late May of 2025, various sources reported that a 21-year-old man had passed away 10 days after a fiery crash on Beech Island. The man survived for a considerable length of time while receiving treatment at a hospital, but his wounds ultimately proved too severe. His family may have made the decision to remove him from life support, although this is pure speculation.

This victim was the brother of a 16-year-old child who died in the same crash. Both siblings died because the driver of their vehicle fled from a traffic stop before disobeying a traffic light. These violations led to a collision with another vehicle, and this crash proved fatal for both brothers.

What Happens if I Pull the Plug After a Car Accident? 

If you decide to remove your loved one from life support, authorities will officially designate the collision as a “fatal accident.” This has implications for both criminal justice and civil lawsuits. If someone else caused your loved one’s fatal accident, authorities will probably investigate the incident as a potential homicide. Those responsible may face charges such as manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, felony DUI, and so on.

In terms of civil lawsuits, a fatal accident can lead to a wrongful death lawsuit. This means that you can hold the person who caused your loved one’s accident liable. A lawsuit of this nature could help you pay for funeral expenses, lost future wages, emotional distress, and many other damages associated with a death in the family.

What if I Keep My Loved One on Life Support? 

If you decide to keep your loved one on life support, you can still pursue legal action on their behalf. As long as they are incapacitated, you can take steps to gain control over their legal and financial decisions. This may allow you to file an injury claim and recover compensation for their continued medical bills. You can also recover compensation for lost future income and many other damages.

Speak With a South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer About What Happens Next 

Whether you choose to keep your loved one on life support or not, an experienced auto accident lawyer in South Carolina can help you understand what happens next. If you take this step, you may be able to proceed with a wrongful death lawsuit. If not, you may be able to obtain legal decision-making authority and file a lawsuit on your incapacitated relative’s behalf. Contact Mickelsen Dalton, LLC to learn more about what happens next.

Sources: 

greenvillecounty.org/Probate/ProtectedPersons.aspx

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK564312/#:~:text=Ultimately%2C%20the%20decision%20to%20withdraw,right%20to%20refuse%20medical%20treatment.