WHAT IS SOCIAL HOST LIABILITY?
In South Carolina, it is illegal for the host of a party to serve alcohol to an individual who is underage.
Additionally, if the host knowingly served that alcohol to someone underage and it leads to an accident, the host can be held liable for damages resulting from that accident. This is known as social host liability.
Who’s At Fault For An Injury From A DUI Crash After A Party?
Who is at fault for your injuries will depend on the specific facts in your situation.
- Was the driver under the age of 21? If the driver was underage and was served alcohol by an adult at a party, you may be able to pursue compensation from the adult who served the alcohol, sometimes referred to as the “social host.” You can also pursue compensation from the underage drunk driver through a personal injury action.
- Was the driver over the age of 21? If so, then generally only the driver can be held liable for your injuries from the drunk driving accident.
South Carolina limits social host liability to cases involving service to underage individuals. This means that if your accident was caused by a drunk person over the age of 21, then social host liability will not apply.
