Introduction
South Carolina’s strict liability law for dog bite injuries holds owners responsible even when their animal has no documented history of dangerous behavior, a rule that sets South Carolina apart from many other states and that Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC knows how to apply on behalf of injured clients. Based in Mt. Pleasant, the firm handles personal injury, premises liability, and DUI defense for clients throughout the Charleston region and across South Carolina, with a practice built around direct attorney contact and contingency fee representation.
The firm is located at 1032 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Suite 201, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Phone: (843) 388-3661. Website: https://anderson-schuster.com
Practice Areas
Anderson & Schuster handles personal injury claims, premises liability cases, and DUI defense, covering the types of legal matters that most commonly bring South Carolina residents to a personal injury and criminal defense firm.
Car Accidents
Vehicle accidents cause a wide range of injuries, from whiplash and soft tissue damage to traumatic brain injury and permanent disability. The firm pursues compensation for the full scope of losses that a car accident creates, including medical expenses, lost income, vehicle damage, pain and suffering, and long-term consequences.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders face unique vulnerabilities in collisions with passenger vehicles, and insurance adjusters sometimes approach motorcycle claims with biases about rider conduct. The firm handles motorcycle accident claims with an understanding of the specific liability questions and injury patterns these cases present.
Dog Bites
South Carolina imposes strict liability on dog owners. Unlike states that require proof of a dog’s prior dangerous behavior before holding an owner responsible, South Carolina holds owners accountable for injuries caused by their dogs regardless of any prior history. This rule benefits injured victims and simplifies the liability analysis in most dog bite cases. The firm handles claims under this framework for clients bitten or attacked in Charleston County and throughout the state.
Defective Products
When a manufactured product causes injury due to a design defect, manufacturing error, or inadequate warning, the responsible party in the distribution chain may be liable. The firm handles product liability claims as part of its personal injury practice.
Wrongful Death
Families who have lost a loved one due to negligence deserve compensation for both the economic and non-economic losses that follow. The firm pursues wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving family members throughout South Carolina.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall
Property owners have a legal obligation to maintain reasonably safe conditions for lawful visitors. When they fail to do so, injury victims can pursue claims for the resulting harm. The firm handles premises liability cases involving wet floors, icy sidewalks, broken stairways, faulty railings, inadequate security, and unlevel concrete, among other dangerous conditions.
DUI Defense
A first-time DUI conviction in South Carolina can result in 2 to 30 days in jail and approximately $1,000 in fines, in addition to license suspension and the long-term consequences of a criminal record. Commercial driver’s license holders face harsher consequences still. The firm challenges DUI charges by examining breathalyzer calibration records and administration procedures, field sobriety test administration, and the conduct of the arresting officer. Technical violations and procedural errors can affect the admissibility of evidence and the strength of the prosecution’s case.
Attorney Profiles
Austin Anderson
Austin Anderson is the lead attorney at Anderson & Schuster. His practice covers the firm’s full range of personal injury, premises liability, and DUI defense matters for clients throughout the Charleston region. The firm’s commitment to direct attorney contact means clients work with Austin Anderson rather than being handled primarily through case managers or support staff, an approach that ensures the attorney handling the case remains directly informed and personally accountable to each client.
Location and Service Area
1032 Chuck Dawley Blvd, Suite 201
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (843) 388-3661
Website: https://anderson-schuster.com
The firm serves clients throughout the greater Charleston area and across South Carolina: Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, North Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Moncks Corner, Ladson, McClellanville, Awendaw, and beyond. Mt. Pleasant’s location across the Cooper River from Charleston gives the firm convenient access to the full range of courts and venues serving the Lowcountry region.
Client Focus
Anderson & Schuster handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning personal injury and wrongful death clients pay no legal fees unless the firm recovers compensation on their behalf. Free consultations allow prospective clients to understand their legal position before committing to any course of action.
The firm pursues comprehensive compensation for injury victims, including: medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, physical disability, permanent disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. That breadth reflects an understanding that accidents create consequences that extend well beyond immediate medical costs and property damage.
The firm’s policy of direct attorney contact is a practical commitment that distinguishes it from practices where clients spend most of their time interacting with paralegals or administrative staff rather than the attorney managing their case. Clients who reach out to Anderson & Schuster connect with the attorney, not intermediaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does South Carolina’s dog bite law matter to my case?
South Carolina holds dog owners strictly liable for injuries their animals cause, without requiring any proof that the dog had previously shown dangerous tendencies. In many states, a “one bite” rule limits owner liability unless they knew the dog was dangerous. South Carolina’s law is more favorable to injury victims and simplifies the path to compensation in dog bite cases.
What should I do after a car accident in South Carolina?
Seek medical attention for any injuries, document the scene if you are able to do so safely, exchange information with the other driver, and contact an attorney as soon as possible. Early legal consultation helps preserve evidence, identifies applicable insurance coverage, and ensures you do not inadvertently make statements to the other driver’s insurer that could reduce your recovery.
What can DUI defense attorneys challenge in a breathalyzer case?
The firm examines whether the breathalyzer device was properly calibrated and maintained, whether the officer administered the test correctly, whether field sobriety tests were conducted in accordance with established procedures, and whether the officer’s conduct during the stop and arrest was legally proper. Problems in any of these areas can affect the admissibility of evidence or the strength of the prosecution’s case.
What compensation can I seek after a serious accident?
The firm pursues medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, pain and suffering, physical disability, permanent disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. The specific categories that apply depend on the facts of each case and the nature of the injuries sustained.
Will I be working with an attorney or with support staff?
You will have direct access to the attorney. The firm operates on the principle that clients deserve to communicate with the person actually handling their case rather than being filtered through intermediaries.
Closing
From the strict liability framework governing dog bites to the calibration requirements for breathalyzer evidence in DUI cases, Anderson & Schuster brings specific legal knowledge to the matters that most affect people’s lives in the Charleston region. The firm’s contingency fee structure, free consultations, and direct attorney contact model are designed around the practical reality of what personal injury and DUI defense clients actually need. Reach the firm at (843) 388-3661 or visit https://anderson-schuster.com