Dram Shop Liability

DUI Accidents Spike during the Thanksgiving Travel Period

From the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through the Sunday night following, motor vehicle accidents spike. Not only is there increased traffic volume contributing to accident risk over these days, there are also higher rates of drunk driving. From 2012 to 2016, there were 800 people killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents during this time period surrounding Thanksgiving.

With Halloween activities happening across South Carolina this weekend and into next week, it's a good time to revisit safety tips for motorists and trick-or-treaters. While many adults worry about unsafe candies, too often the danger posed by motor vehicles is overlooked. Twice as many child pedestrians are killed on Halloween than other days of the year.¹ With caution and preparation, we can all do our part to prevent these tragedies.

Drunk drivers kill and injure an alarming number of people every year. Even if the drunk driver who caused the accident is held criminally responsible, do you have options for holding the bar, restaurant or other establishment responsible for over-serving the driver? In South Carolina and most other states, the answer is yes.