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South Carolina is a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Like many popular cities, however, our state has a major personal injury problem. Did you know that, in South Carolina, the rate of personal injury cases is 30.21 per 100,000 residents, which is 217% higher than the national average of 9.53?
In fact, personal injury cases account for 36% of the state's entire civil caseload, which is 210% more than the national average proportion. That's the third-highest proportion of personal injury cases in the country, with the average being 11.65% in the United States.
If you've suffered an injury due to someone else's fault, it's safe to say that you're not alone. Like others in your situation, you may be enduring a long, painful recovery process. Unfortunately, recovery is just one of the many concerns you've got to worry about. While you're healing, you're probably also thinking about questions like:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., we understand the stress and frustration you may be experiencing. Our personal injury attorneys have been helping clients since 2000 by utilizing their extensive experience and knowledge of state and federal personal injury laws to provide much-needed guidance when you need it most. During this difficult time, however, it's critical that you contact a personal injury lawyer in Charleston as soon as possible to start the process of pursuing compensation.
If you've been involved in an accident that left you injured or incapacitated, dealing with legal matters and lawyers is the last thing you want to do. However, having a personal injury lawyer to handle the legal process while you recover can alleviate some of the stress in your life. The legal system in South Carolina can be complicated - especially when it comes to personal injury cases. Fortunately, hiring a personal injury attorney from Bostic Law can relieve the burden of managing your own case. Perhaps more importantly, working with a seasoned personal injury firm can help you get the compensation you need to survive and provide.
As your Charleston accident attorney, our firm will guide you through your rights, the compensation you may be entitled to, and how to pursue it through a customized legal strategy. As the process progresses, our team will keep in touch with you to answer your queries, provide helpful advice when you have concerns, or simply be a friendly professional when you need to talk about your case.
Our attorneys specialize in a wide range of personal injury accidents and cases, including the following:
We provide aggressive legal representation to help you win the compensation you deserve while also offering compassion as you deal with your injuries and other legal matters. Throughout the process, we will act as your advocates and remain committed to providing you with honest and responsive service. And that, in a nutshell, is the Bostic Law difference.
Personal injury cases in South Carolina can happen from a number of different accidents, from car wrecks and wrongful death situations to nursing home negligence and workers' compensation issues. The sheer number of different personal injury cases makes understanding this niche of law particularly exhaustive - especially in The Palmetto State. But that doesn't change the fact that you should be educated on the topic if you have been injured due to no fault of your own.
To help you establish a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject, keep reading this article, which covers some of the laws governing personal injury cases in South Carolina and the steps you can take to protect your rights.
While some cases may share similarities, any personal injury attorney in Charleston, SC, who says your case is exactly the same as someone else's isn't being truthful. There are several factors that come into play when determining the value of a case. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, permanent injury, the need for future medical care, where the incident occurred, and witness statements.
However, two particular factors have the most significant impact on the case's value: the defendant's behavior and the character of our client. Liability drives damages, while credibility is an essential asset for any client. No matter how skilled their attorney may be, a client's credibility and likability can greatly affect the outcome of the case. It's crucial to be open and honest with your attorney from the beginning so that they can help you overcome any obstacles that may arise during the case.
Did you know that insurance companies in the United States have spent millions of dollars stereotyping personal injury victims and the attorneys who represent them? Moreover, some people fake injuries, which can prejudice jurors against those who have actually been harmed. Despite those unfortunate facts, one truth remains: Horrible accidents occur every day, tragedies affect every community in our state, and families are left to deal with nothing but questions in the aftermath.
When tragedy strikes, it doesn't discriminate based on race, ethnicity, location, or profession. As such, South Carolina personal injury laws treat everyone equally. If you've been hurt because of someone else's carelessness, you have the right to hold them accountable both legally and financially, regardless of your background.
As they say, "It's not what you know; it's what you can prove." That saying is especially true in today's day and age. In order to receive full compensation for accident claims in South Carolina, it's not enough to just have physical harm, medical bills, and ongoing pain. As your personal injury lawyers, we must establish additional elements of the case and provide proof to answer a number of questions before an insurance carrier or jury will make you whole.
Some of the questions we must provide answers to include:
Dealing with insurance companies can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to personal injury cases. Though the questions listed above may seem simple and their answers straightforward, insurance companies will dispute the value of your case for any reason they can find. But don't be discouraged. At Bostic Law, our personal injury lawyers have spent entire careers helping people overcome the challenges you're facing, and they're readily available to help you, too.
It's important to have insurance, especially if you get injured. With health insurance, you can receive medical treatment that you may not otherwise be able to afford. If you've been in an accident, we'll work to make sure the insurance company of the person at fault pays for your medical expenses. Medical expenses are defined by the true cost of the treatment you receive, not just what you pay out of pocket.
For instance, if your co-pays are $400 but your medical care costs $11,500, our state's personal injury laws guarantee that you'll get the full $11,500, not just your out-of-pocket expenses.
If the other party in your case cannot be proven to have been negligent, careless, reckless, or willful in some way, South Carolina law does not allow you to receive compensation. Negligence can be easily demonstrated at times, such as when a doctor forgets to remove a surgical tool from your body or when a texting driver hits someone from behind.
Liability can be disputed in other cases, such as when the other driver claims that the person swerved into their lane during a crash, or when a product manufacturer argues that an injury occurred due to improper use. In such cases, a personal injury lawyer can assist in identifying independent witnesses and experts who can establish that someone else is responsible for your injuries
Once an attorney in your case shows that the other party is liable for your injuries, they must then prove that their negligence is behind those injuries. As an example, suppose you have a previous history of back pain, and a short time later, you get in a rear-end collision. In such a situation, an insurance company may contend that your preexisting condition - and not the collision - is the reason behind your current back pain.
To counter their argument, we may require your doctor's testimony to verify that the accident aggravated your back pain, leading to medical attention. Additionally, we may ask your friends and family to describe any changes in your physical activity after the crash to further establish the difference in your condition and prove that it was caused by the accident.
If you have been unable to work for a period of time due to an accident, or if your injuries will affect your future earning potential, you are entitled to compensation for lost income. This includes both the wages you have already lost and the amount you will lose over your lifetime as a result of someone else's negligence. It is important that insurance companies do not underestimate or ignore these damages when negotiating a settlement.
It's critically important that you understand every aspect of your personal injury case before you settle or accept an insurance company's offer. Once you sign on the dotted line and approve a release, you won't qualify for further payments, even if you need more medical attention. That's why it's so important to work with a personal injury law firm like Bostic Law.
We'll evaluate your case for free to help you better understand the challenges ahead. When the insurance companies try to squirm out of covering your injuries, we'll fight to protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Now that you have the information above to help fortify your foundation of knowledge, let's take a look at some of our personal injury specialties at Bostic Law Group, P.A.
According to state records, out of the 3.9 million licensed motorists in South Carolina, close to 219 thousand were involved in auto accidents in 2019. If you were to account for those not licensed in the state, you would find that 1 in 20 drivers got in an auto wreck - about 5.6% of all motorists. Those statistics are staggering, and they seem to be getting worse.
Fortunately, in South Carolina, the law says that personal injury victims are entitled to compensation that covers the full extent of their injuries. Why? Because the purpose of auto injury compensation is to help the victim return to the life they had before their accident. Of course, in reality, that's easier said than done. Truly recovering from an auto accident - both physically and mentally - is quite rare.
The unfortunate truth is that it's not possible for personal injury laws in South Carolina to reverse or even account for the trials and tribulations you face due to auto accident injuries. But there's light at the end of the tunnel.
By hiring a personal injury lawyer in Charleston, SC, you can receive financial compensation that equals those damages. How much money can you get? Every personal injury case is different. In general, however, personal injury victims are often compensated for needs and expenses such as:
Whether you or one of your loved ones is injured because of an auto accident, contact Bostic Law Group today to speak with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. The quicker you call, the faster we can dig into your case and begin fighting for your right to compensation.
At Bostic Law, one of the most common questions we receive is what auto accident victims should do on the scene after they've been in a South Carolina car wreck. Being involved in an auto accident is harrowing and stressful, but it's crucial for you to remain as calm as possible in the immediate aftermath. Once you collect yourself, it's time to focus on a few very important steps that can affect whether or not you obtain reasonable compensation for any injuries you sustain.
If possible, have every car involved in your car accident move to a safe space away from traffic. Common options include moving to the shoulder of the highway or road or to a safe parking lot.
Once you move out of traffic, turn on your hazard lights to make your vehicle more noticeable. This helps prevent you from being hit by other cars that are passing you.
If anyone has been injured in the car wreck, make sure you call medical services. If you aren't sure if you or anyone else is hurt, it's always best to err on the side of safety and call an ambulance anyway.
Regardless of how serious your car wreck is, you should contact the police. Calling law enforcement helps ensure that a police report is written and recorded. Make sure to take this step even if you believe that the officer on the scene attributed blame to the wrong motorist.
Once you have called the cops, it's time to collect information. Try to collect the following:
Take photos of your car and any other vehicles that may have been involved in your car wreck. Try to snap photos from varying angles if it's safe to do so.
Your parents probably raised you to apologize for something that you may believe is your fault. When you're involved in a car wreck, do not ever apologize or admit that anything was your fault.
Can you smell alcohol on the breath of the person who hit you? Does it sound like they're slurring their words? Are they stumbling around? These are red flags that you should make a note of because they could help indicate whether the other driver was intoxicated when they hit you.
If you've been involved in a car accident in South Carolina and need help in seeking a fair recovery from your insurance company, The Bostic Law Group, P.A., is here for you. We specialize in personal injury and auto accident cases in South Carolina. When you hire a personal injury attorney in Charleston, SC, from Bostic Law, you can rest easy knowing you're in seasoned, capable hands.
Contact our office immediately for a legal consultation if you have any questions about your case. We take pride in serving our community and want to ensure that you receive the assistance you need to obtain a full, fair recovery after your auto accident.
Getting injured on the job isn't just painful - it can be a source of stress, anxiety, and mental anguish too. Nobody wants to feel like they can't put food on the table because they can't go to work. Sadly, in South Carolina, 30,300 workplace injuries and illnesses were reported.
Employees who are injured at work are generally eligible for benefits under state and federal workers' compensation programs. South Carolina's workers' compensation program provides compensation for medical expenses related to the injury and disability benefits if necessary. Additionally, in the event that an employee is unable to return to work immediately after an accident, they can receive a portion of their regular wages as they recover.
But getting the workers' compensation you rightly deserve isn't always easy. That's why it's so important to have a personal injury lawyer by your side.
While South Carolina's workers' compensation program seems great when you're hurt at work, recovering those benefits can be difficult. That's especially true if you're trying to recover and heal from your injuries at the same time. A personal injury attorney can help accomplish that task for you, even when you're facing tough scenarios such as:
At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our workers' compensation lawyers in Charleston understand the significance of workers' compensation benefits for you, your family, and your financial stability. We strive to provide you with the detailed guidance and assistance required to file a successful claim or appeal a denied one.
With more than 25 years of experience in handling worker's compensation cases, we're ready and willing to answer your questions and help you get the benefits you need.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences a human can endure. Their loss leaves what seems to be a giant hole that can never truly be filled. To make matters worse, grief is often compounded by confusion and anger when you learn that your loved one died because of an accident caused by negligence or carelessness. At Bostic Law Group, P.A., our attorneys understand the distress you feel after losing a loved one in an accident.
On both a human and professional level, we believe that you and your family shouldn't suffer alone. That's why, during this trying time, we're here to provide reliable help and healing when you need it most.
Losing a loved one can never be compensated for with money. However, it can be helpful to seek compensation through a wrongful death suit to avoid financial difficulties in the future. Pursuing compensation can enable your family to be in a better position to focus on healing emotionally.
According to laws in South Carolina and the United States, you might be eligible to pursue compensation for your family's losses. Some of the most common types of wrongful death compensation include:
By holding the negligent party accountable for their actions, you may also be able to prevent another family from enduring the same heartache yours has experienced. Whether you're the deceased's child, spouse, parent, or heir, contact our wrongful death law firm today. Together, we'll take the first steps toward a better tomorrow.
Getting injured in an accident caused by someone else's negligence can be a scary and painful experience. Dealing with legal matters during recovery can be overwhelming, but a great personal injury lawyer in Charleston, SC, can help alleviate your worries and allow you to focus on healing. Our Charleston lawyers are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover quickly by providing excellent legal representation and attentive client services as you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
If you're looking for a law firm you can trust, contact our office today for a legal consultation.
Listen to this articleAfter months of ‘Vote Yes’ and ‘Vote No’ throughout Charleston County, residents overwhelmingly voted against passing a third transportation sales tax with about 60% voting no.As the 2004 half-cent sales tax reaches the end of its timeframe,...
Listen to this article
After months of ‘Vote Yes’ and ‘Vote No’ throughout Charleston County, residents overwhelmingly voted against passing a third transportation sales tax with about 60% voting no.
As the 2004 half-cent sales tax reaches the end of its timeframe, this tax was proposed to replace it, leaving people paying no more than they were previously. The sales tax would have generated funds for over a dozen infrastructure projects including the long-debated Interstate 526 extension — deemed a priority by the Charleston County Council and Charleston Mayor William Cogswell.
The extension, also known as the Mark Clark extension, has been in planning for nearly 40 years and was planned to receive the most funding from the tax. Other projects the tax was intended to fund included:
Related: Got questions on the half-cent sales tax in Charleston County? Here’s a primer
Related: Groups clash over half-cent sales tax vote in Charleston County
Hesitation for the approval of the sales tax focused primarily on environmental concerns for marine life and various bodies of water, as well as impacts on small businesses along its path. Faith River James, executive director of the Coastal Conservation League, said there are other ways to solve the traffic issues in the area.
“We are so proud of Charleston County voters standing up for the environment in our community,” James said. “One of our opportunities now is to move forward with traffic solutions that will enhance the way of life for folks who are living on Johns and James islands.”
James said that the CCL intends to focus their efforts on more small-scale solutions to better traffic flow as well as safety measures. Additionally, they plan to contribute to completing the 2016 referendum project list such as the Main Road Corridor in Johns Island.
In July, the CCL filed a lawsuit with the Southern Environmental Law Center against the county regarding the language of the options on the ballots about the tax. The lawsuit was dismissed after the election and James said the legal team will look back into it soon.
“It was definitely a team effort, it was a successful grassroots campaign, and I think the people of Charleston spoke very loudly,” James said. “We hope council will hear their concerns and give us an opportunity to come back to the table to work on traffic and safety solutions.”
Charleston County Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt said that since the tax wasn’t approved, the projects it was intended to fund will not go through at this time. She said Charleston does have a contract with the state to complete the Mark Clark extension so how to do it will be further discussed.
Honeycutt said the state views Charleston as self-sustaining, so it doesn’t typically send as much funding for projects such as these.
“This does not mean that the problems we were trying to solve don’t exist anymore,” Honeycutt said. “We will continue to look for solutions to solving those problems, mainly the impact that rapid growth has had on our region and keeping pace with infrastructure to address those needs.”
This story has been updated.
The Mark Clark Extension has long been promoted as the best chance to relieve traffic on Johns Island. But the referendum to fund that road failed to win a single precinct on the island.It wasn't an isolated rejection.Voters countywide sent the Charleston...
The Mark Clark Extension has long been promoted as the best chance to relieve traffic on Johns Island. But the referendum to fund that road failed to win a single precinct on the island.
It wasn't an isolated rejection.
Voters countywide sent the Charleston County sales tax referendum down in a crushing defeat, with more than 61 percent opposed.
In many areas — Johns Island, James Island, Mount Pleasant, Seabrook Island, the Charleston peninsula and others — the referendum didn't pass in even one precinct.
Opponents say that should be the end of the Mark Clark Extension, which would carry Interstate 526 from West Ashley to Johns and James islands as a lower-speed parkway.
"The reality is, it was a 526 referendum," said John Zlogar, a cofounder of Rational Roads for Johns Island.
He called the results "just astounding" and said he had hoped the referendum might fail by one or two percentage points, not more than 21.
County Councilman Larry Kobrovsky, who opposed the referendum, said after results were tallied that voters made clear their opposition.
"They said 'no' and 'hell no,' " he said.
Some supporters believe that voters weren't rejecting the road at all, but the proposed sales tax to raise $5.4 billion. The referendum was designed to fund the Mark Clark Extension, but was crafted to avoid any mention of that specific road project.
“My perception is, this was about voting down another tax," said County Councilman Joe Boykin, a Johns Island resident who supports the road plan. “It just means we need back up and find another way to fund it."
Charleston County voters supported two previous transportation sales tax referenda, together adding one percent to the county's sales tax rate. The referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot would have continued one of the half-percent taxes for up to 25 more years, when an existing one expires in 2027.
While the referendum question didn't mention the Mark Clark Extension, it was the only priority project listed in the referendum ordinance and would have consumed the largest share of the money raised.
“One thing that was clear to me last night is that we could do a better job of communicating," said Councilwoman Jenny Honeycutt, who supports the Mark Clark Extension and lives on James Island.
“I would have thought that the people who stood to gain the most would have supported it," she said, referring to residents of Johns and James islands.
Business and real estate groups supported the referendum, along with elected officials from the county, Charleston and North Charleston.
Charleston County needs more than $1.8 billion for it's share of the $2.33 billion project. The state's contribution to the Mark Clark has been capped at $420 million.
“We’re contractually bound to do this, so we’ll have to find a way to finance it," Boykin said. "It’s not going away."
Council Chairman Herb Sass said the referendum results surprised him.
“I thought we had a really good program," he said. "I had an awful lot of people tell me they were voting for it."
In Mount Pleasant, where Sass lives, the referendum failed by a more than two-to-one margin, a difference of more than 20,000 votes.
Opponents have long argued that residents would be better served if the county pursued less costly improvements to roads and intersections.
People on both sides of the issues expect the county to come back in two years with another tax referendum to put before voters. The potential sales tax money would also support green space preservation and mass transit.
"We look forward to working with citizens and Charleston County to come together to decide what road projects should be prioritized to create a better referendum in 2026," said The Coastal Conservation League, "one that prioritizes the completion of effective traffic solutions, restores the Greenbelt program’s purchasing power, supports public transit, considers flooding on our roadways, and promotes pedestrian safety."
The League has long been a vocal opponent of the Mark Clark plan, and took the county to court over the ballot question — a fight the county won.
The League had argued that the referendum question was misleading because it didn't mention the Mark Clark Extension or inform voters how the money would be spent, among other things.
Boykin said he has talked to people who voted against the referendum because it didn't mention the Mark Clark.
Even on Kiawah Island, seen as a main beneficiary of the proposed highway extension, the referendum barely passed with just under 51 percent of the vote.
The remaining 10 voting precincts where the referendum received more "yes" than "no" votes were in West Ashley (four), North Charleston (five), and in Charleston's Neck Area.
County voters have rejected tax referenda in the past, but not by such huge margins.
Four years ago — during the height of the COVID pandemic in the fall of 2020 — voters rejected the county's plan for a modest property tax increase to fund affordable housing efforts. That referendum won 90 of 182 precincts and only lost by 3,466 votes in an election where 199,468 were cast.
The Mark Clark tax referendum lost by 47,456 votes, according to the Nov. 5 results that remain unofficial until certified.
Bring out the whole family this weekend for some Lowcountry fun, seasonal activities and music madness.Try out more than a dozen craft meads at the Mead-ival Festival this weekend, and then catch some radical surfing videos and support a good cause at the Carolina Surf Film Fest. Or, if you're hungering for Carolina barbecue, head out to the Holy Smokes BBQ Fest to sample from various Lowcountry pitmasters.Then park your classic car or motorcycle at the Rockabillaque Charleston Festival and marvel at vintage vehicles, enjoy tas...
Bring out the whole family this weekend for some Lowcountry fun, seasonal activities and music madness.
Try out more than a dozen craft meads at the Mead-ival Festival this weekend, and then catch some radical surfing videos and support a good cause at the Carolina Surf Film Fest. Or, if you're hungering for Carolina barbecue, head out to the Holy Smokes BBQ Fest to sample from various Lowcountry pitmasters.
Then park your classic car or motorcycle at the Rockabillaque Charleston Festival and marvel at vintage vehicles, enjoy tasty local foods, browse dozens of artisan vendors and more. Or finish out your weekend by trying some authentic Jewish cuisine and celebrating Jewish heritage at the annual Lowcountry Nosh event.
SATURDAY (NOV. 9)
This annual mead festival starts at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Deepwater Vineyard, 6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island and features a full day of "mead-ival" fun with live music throughout the day from Dallas Baker & Friends and bites from local food trucks like Fed Up!, Foxes Fried, Sticky Fingers and A Boy and His Dogs. There will also be a host of local artisan vendors selling unique crafts. Mead tastings will be available every 45 minutes starting at 10 a.m. with various beverages available in the barn including wine, wine slushies and over a dozen draft meads. Challenge your friends to free inflatable jousting and enter a fun costume contest. Tickets are $20 per car in advance and $30 on the day of the festival. You can also purchase your own horn drinking glass for $15 to truly immerse yourself in the experience. For more info on the event, visit tinyurl.com/yyj769rn.
UNTIL SUNDAY (NOV. 8-10)
Rev your engines for the 11th annual Rockabillaque Festival in Park Circle, North Charleston. This free event will start with a kickoff party on Friday, Nov. 8 where attendees can get started on all the fun. The main event is on Saturday, Nov. 9 and will feature one of the largest classic car and vintage bike shows in the whole state as well as pinup, tattoo and beard and moustache contests for all of Charleston's rockabillies to take part in. There will also be live music from national and regional bands across four separate outdoor stages as well as a packed local vendors market to comb through with the family. Then, the festival will finish up on Sunday, Nov. 10, with an atomic splash pool party which will benefit Hurricane Helene relief efforts. For more information on the event, check out tinyurl.com/4axf643c.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY (NOV. 8-9)
Celebrate the Carolina Surf Film Fest's 10th anniversary at Mex 1 Coastal Cantina, 817 Saint Andrews Blvd., for this two-night event. This small festival will feature an awesome local video lineup highlighting the Carolina Surf brand and talented individuals shredding up waves at Lowcountry beaches. There will also be a slew of Charleston vendors and a special raffle. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the films are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Tickets for this event are $10 for a single night or $15 for both nights. This event also supports autism awareness and a portion of sales go to the Surfer's Healing Foundation in Charleston and Wrightsville. For more information on the event and to check out what films are scheduled, visit tinyurl.com/4mymbrk3.
SATURDAY (NOV. 9)
Bringing the heat this weekend is the Holy Smokes BBQ Fest at Riverfront Park, 1061 Everglades Ave., North Charleston from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9. Sample from 50 of the Lowcountry's greatest pitmasters and learn about the cultural history and traditions of American grilling. Lighting up the stage will be The Delta Circus and Last Waltz Ensemble to fuel the noise for a memorable weekend. The event is also raising awareness and funds for families affected by brain cancer through donations to Hogs for the Cause as well as the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston. General admission is $95, while the all-inclusive VIP tickets are $250 and provide access to exclusive viewing areas and special tastings. For more information on the event, contact info@holysmokeschs.com or visit tinyurl.com/fefzevjx.
SUNDAY (NOV. 10)
Lowcountry Nosh
Make sure you visit the annual Lowcountry Nosh event to sample authentic Jewish dishes and browse dozens of local artisan vendors. The event will close down a length of Hasell Street in downtown Charleston from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10. This 10th anniversary event also coincides with the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim's 275th anniversary, which will make an appearance to promote Jewish heritage and KKBE's history. Along with vendors and special booths, there will be a kids zone for fun activities. The event is free to enter. For more information on the vendors and past celebrations, visit tinyurl.com/bdhw2vby.
I suspected I was going to like The Archer as soon as I peeked at the beverage menu.There’s at least one unusual element in each of the cocktails (all $14), and often it’s vegetal. There’s roasted bell pepper in the Remember Sarah Marshall, tomato alongside basil and peach in the Talking in Cursive, and charred corn in the See You on the Other Size.If you’re going to put weird stuff like that in cocktails, they had better ...
I suspected I was going to like The Archer as soon as I peeked at the beverage menu.
There’s at least one unusual element in each of the cocktails (all $14), and often it’s vegetal. There’s roasted bell pepper in the Remember Sarah Marshall, tomato alongside basil and peach in the Talking in Cursive, and charred corn in the See You on the Other Size.
If you’re going to put weird stuff like that in cocktails, they had better be really good cocktails. And The Archer’s are.
That charred corn plus a dose of coconut cream give the bourbon-based Other Side a rich, sweet body and a mild chili bite. The Freezer Door Martini finishes with a pleasant slickness thanks to a dose of olive oil, and brown butter has a similar effect in the Accidental Daiquiri, which is made from tequila instead of the usual rum.
Similar bold twists are found on the nine small plates that open the menu. Tender cubes of steak tartare ($17) are pressed into a baseball-sized mound then blanketed with what appears to be Parmesan but proves to be shaved horseradish. Those wispy shreds impart a strong, spicy zip, and the tender beef underneath is enrobed in creamy peppercorn aioli with a bright citrusy finish.
Cocktails and appetizers converge in the G&T salmon crudo ($16). The G is for gin-cured salmon, and the T is for lemon-pepper tonic from local “sodary” Sweatman’s Garden. I suppose the tonic functions as a sort of dressing, but its flavor lurks subtly in the background. Out front is the clean, soft salmon and the crisp bite of cucumber. Both are diced into precise half-inch cubes and blended in roughly equal proportions, creating an orange and green assemblage that’s as lovely in flavor as it is in color.
The Archer is the second restaurant from Marc and Liz Hudacsko, the couple behind Berkeley’s in Wagner Terrace. It opened in August in the ground-floor space in the Meeting Street Lofts building that formerly housed Gale.
The new décor is striking but a little hard to characterize. The front window is adorned with a white and orange art deco logo that seems straight off a pulp novel cover. Red leather-capped barstools and U-shaped counter seats continue the retro Edward Hopper vibe.
The wallpaper above the bar, though, is adorned with frolicking rabbits and squirrels straight from a woodlands fable. Other walls are packed all the way to the high ceiling with framed paintings, posters and clocks — a throwback vibe of a different sort, more to the Victorian era.
Against all that, aggressive hip-hop thumps down from the speakers. The overall effect is a room that’s detached from any specific time and place but has plenty of mood and energy.
It’s also hard to buttonhole a single culinary style for The Archer. There are upscale comfort dishes — a braised short rib ($32), roasted half chicken ($28), a big burger draped in gooey Parmesan cream ($18). They’re balanced by preparations that seem more in the farm-to-table mode, like crisp fried eggplant with whipped buttermilk ($13) and charred cabbage fried schnitzel style ($24).
A big pizza oven is front and center in the kitchen, inherited from the previous tenant, but there’s no pizza on the menu. It’s used instead for roasting fish and charring florets of broccoli and cauliflower. Classic sauces like bearnaise and au poivre are joined by more contemporary finishes, like Thai chili garlic butter on the baked oysters ($20) and red daubs of cumin-laced harissa supporting the lamb and potato croquettes ($5 each.)
Those croquettes, by the way, are a delight. Inside the thick, golden brown crust, creamy mashed potatoes are dotted with bits of savory lamb. Each is topped with a scoop of pickled mustard and bright yellow turmeric-pickled scallions, which are brilliantly bright in flavor, too.
The larger plates aren’t always so consistently brilliant. Beneath a spray of microgreens, a filet of oven-roasted grouper ($32) hits with a big blast of butter and salt. It gets some much needed support, though, from florets of lightly charred cauliflower and a thick, flavorful celery root puree.
There’s nothing really wrong with the roasted half chicken ($28), which is layered over a mound of mashed potatoes and finished with dark brown jus. The white meat of the breast is a touch dry, but the leg has a pleasant dark flavor. The plate just doesn’t soar, and once the palate is primed by the big wows of the small plates, it wants everything to soar.
The seared duck frites ($31) comes to the rescue. It somehow manages to be simple, elegant, comforting and exciting all at the same time. Eight slices of rosy duck breast are fanned out around one side of the plate then smothered in a dark brown sauce. It’s billed as “citrus jus” but seems more a thick, starchy gravy. Either way, it’s perfect against the tender richness of the duck.
There’s nothing particularly special about the long, skinny fries that come alongside — until you start dipping them into the little ramekin of yellow béarnaise sauce, which has a wonderful surge of tarragon and sparkling kiss of acid.
There’s lots more duck to be had on the duck confit salad ($16), and it really shines there, too. The silky shreds are tucked inside a pile of chopped bitter lettuces that are slick with duck fat vinaigrette. Perched on top is a single poached duck egg, which upon slicing sends a gush of yellow yolk that adds even more richness to the bowl. As if that weren’t enough, there are also Hawaiian roll croutons — crisp but still soft in texture, dark and sweet in flavor — and wonderfully tart pickled shallots. It’s a fantastic salad.
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A majority of Charleston County voters said “no” to renewing a half-cent sales tax planned to fund transportation, drainage and greenbelt projects.Charleston County general election results showed 61% of voters rejected the transportation sales tax and use referendum. Nearly 40% of voters chose ‘yes’ on their ballots.The ballot question asked for the renewal of the half cent sales tax. The tax meant residents would fund $5.4 billion over 25 years. The plan would start in 2027 ...
JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - A majority of Charleston County voters said “no” to renewing a half-cent sales tax planned to fund transportation, drainage and greenbelt projects.
Charleston County general election results showed 61% of voters rejected the transportation sales tax and use referendum. Nearly 40% of voters chose ‘yes’ on their ballots.
The ballot question asked for the renewal of the half cent sales tax. The tax meant residents would fund $5.4 billion over 25 years. The plan would start in 2027 to support 22 large-scale transportation projects, drainage and greenbelt projects.
The ordinance planned for $4.9 billion toward transportation projects with $2.3 billion of that money focusing on the Mark Clark extension. The project would impact West Ashley, James Island and Johns Island areas if continued.
County councilman Larry Kobrovsky was against the referendum. Kobrovsky says the tax defeat would be “a historic vote from the grassroots level that was up against great odds.”
“This in my opinion was- and apparently in the opinion of most people in Charleston County- overwhelmingly thought it was a fiscally irresponsible plan, that didn’t address our needs countywide,” Kobrovsky says. “And we need to roll up our sleeves and you know come back in two years with something that is fiscally responsible and transparent and comprehensive.”
County council voted for the third and last time in July with a majority vote in favor of the tax. The final vote during the meeting was 6-2 with one council member absent.
Vice Chairwoman Jenny Honeycutt supported the referendum and advocated completing the I-526. She is among the 39% of voters that voted ‘yes’ on their election ballots. Honeycutt says officials will continue to look ahead to figure out solutions to issues.
“I think we all agree that we face some very challenging transportation and infrastructure issues with the amount of growth in our region and we have to address that,” Honeycutt says. “So we will look for whatever mechanism possible to continue our transportation program and meet those needs.”
Up-to-date election results are available here.
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