When bars, restaurants, or nightclubs continue serving visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause devastating crashes, assaults, or fatal accidents, these establishments must be held accountable for prioritizing profits over public safety.
Available 24/7 - Video Evidence and Witness Accounts Vanish Quickly
When bars, restaurants, or nightclubs throughout South Carolina continue serving visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause devastating car crashes, assaults, or fatal accidents, these establishments must be held accountable for prioritizing profits over public safety. You may not realize that South Carolina law allows injury victims to pursue claims against the bars and restaurants that recklessly served alcohol to drivers or patrons who caused your injuries, not just the intoxicated individuals themselves.
Matthew McGuire has pursued dram shop liability cases throughout all 46 South Carolina counties for over 30 years, understanding that establishments hide behind corporate protections, destroy video evidence, and coach employees to deny over-service that security footage clearly shows. Call (888) 499-5738 now—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because alcohol liability cases demand urgent action before critical evidence vanishes forever.
South Carolina dram shop cases demand proof that establishments knowingly served visibly intoxicated patrons. Our expertise transforms circumstantial evidence into compelling liability claims.
Deep understanding of SC Code § 61-6-4510 requirements—proving establishments knowingly and willfully served visibly intoxicated patrons who caused your injuries.
Immediate action to preserve surveillance footage before establishments can delete or overwrite recordings showing patron intoxication and continued service.
Working backward from post-accident blood alcohol levels to prove intoxication was visible when bars continued serving—science that establishes liability.
Access to alcohol service professionals who testify about industry standards, proper cutoff protocols, and how establishments violated recognized practices.
Uncovering prior incidents, regulatory citations, and lawsuits revealing the same establishment's history of over-serving and resulting injuries.
Understanding South Carolina's specific dram shop requirements is essential for building successful alcohol liability claims against bars and restaurants.
SC Code § 61-6-4510 prohibits serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons—showing obvious signs including slurred speech, stumbling, bloodshot eyes, or aggressive behavior.
Proving establishments consciously disregarded intoxication signs, continued serving despite obvious impairment, or ignored staff concerns about patron conditions.
Liability extends beyond drunk driving crashes to assaults, falls, drownings, or any injuries caused by over-served patrons after leaving establishments.
Homeowners and party hosts face liability when serving minors who later cause injuries, though standards differ from commercial establishment requirements.
Establishments carry liquor liability insurance often exceeding $1 million—far beyond drunk drivers' inadequate personal auto policy limits.
Bars and restaurants cannot escape liability by claiming they didn't "know" patrons were intoxicated when obvious visible signs existed for staff to observe.
Surveillance footage typically overwrites within 7-30 days. Witness memories fade. Establishments coach employees. Immediate legal action preserves your case.
Bars and restaurants deploy aggressive defense strategies to avoid accountability. Our unwavering commitment ensures victims receive justice despite corporate resistance.
Issuing immediate spoliation letters and subpoenas to preserve surveillance footage, receipts, and server records before establishments can destroy evidence.
Holding establishments financially responsible for the devastation caused by their profit-driven decision to keep serving visibly intoxicated patrons.
Contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation—allowing you to fight corporate defendants without financial risk.
Pursuing all liable parties and insurance policies—establishment coverage often provides recovery far exceeding drunk drivers' personal limits.
Every successful dram shop case sends a message to bars statewide that over-serving patrons has consequences beyond regulatory citations.
Alcohol liability claims arise in numerous situations throughout South Carolina. Recognizing these scenarios helps identify when establishments share responsibility for your injuries.
Fatal or catastrophic highway collisions caused by patrons over-served at bars before driving on I-26, I-85, Highway 17, or other South Carolina roads.
Assaults by aggressive, intoxicated patrons that establishments continued serving despite obvious impairment and threatening behavior.
Fatal accidents involving students over-served at bars near USC, Clemson, College of Charleston, or other campuses despite obvious underage intoxication.
Victims struck by over-served patrons driving through crosswalks, parking lots, or sidewalks after leaving Columbia, Greenville, or Charleston establishments.
Crashes and drownings on South Carolina lakes and waterways involving boaters over-served at marinas or lakeside bars.
Servers continuing to bring drinks despite visible intoxication, with patrons later causing crashes leaving parking lots.
Dram shop defendants employ every tactic to avoid accountability. Matt McGuire's three decades of experience expose their strategies and build cases that compel fair settlements or jury verdicts.
Same-day spoliation demands and emergency subpoenas preserving surveillance footage before establishments can delete recordings showing over-service.
Toxicology experts working backward from BAC levels to establish intoxication was visible and obvious when servers continued bringing drinks.
Deposing servers, bartenders, and managers to expose management pressure prioritizing alcohol sales over responsible service practices.
Uncovering prior ABC violations, police calls, and incident reports demonstrating patterns of over-service the establishment failed to correct.
Identifying all available coverage including dram shop policies, umbrella coverage, and corporate parent liability to maximize your recovery.
Dram shop claims provide recovery sources far exceeding what drunk drivers personally carry. Understanding available damages ensures establishments pay for all harm caused.
Dram shop verdicts threaten business licenses, trigger insurance cancellations, and expose patterns of over-service. That's why they aggressively defend—and why you need experienced representation to overcome their tactics.
Dram shop liability involves unique legal standards and proof requirements. Here are direct answers to the questions alcohol liability victims most commonly ask.
Yes. South Carolina law creates liability when establishments knowingly serve visibly intoxicated patrons who then cause injuries. Recovery often exceeds what drunk drivers personally carry.
Obvious signs including slurred speech, stumbling, inability to stand, bloodshot eyes, or aggressive behavior that servers necessarily observed before continuing service.
Surveillance footage, witness testimony, receipt records showing drink counts, and toxicology analysis proving BAC levels required extensive service over time.
Spoliation of evidence can result in adverse inference instructions allowing juries to assume destroyed footage would have proven your case.
No. Dram shop claims access establishment insurance often exceeding $1 million—far beyond typical auto policy limits drunk drivers carry.
Social host liability applies when hosts serve minors who later cause injuries. Standards differ from commercial establishments but recovery remains possible.
South Carolina's statute of limitations applies, but evidence disappears within days. Contact us immediately to preserve surveillance footage and witness accounts.
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—you pay only if we recover compensation. No hourly fees while you focus on recovery from your injuries.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't let bars and restaurants escape responsibility for devastating injuries. Our firm has successfully pursued dram shop claims throughout all 46 South Carolina counties, recovering millions when establishments prioritized profits over public safety.
If you or your family were injured by an intoxicated patron over-served by any South Carolina bar, restaurant, or nightclub, call Matt McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for experienced dram shop liability representation. Our firm has successfully held establishments accountable throughout all 46 counties, recovering millions when businesses prioritized profits over safety. Time is critical—surveillance footage disappears and witnesses vanish. Chat online or schedule your free consultation now. We're available 24/7/365.
