A major bill advancing in South Carolina’s Senate could lower insurance rates, change lawsuit rules, and hold bars more accountable for drunk driving accidents.
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COLUMBIA, S.C. — A comprehensive bill reforming civil liability in South Carolina could potentially impact insurance premiums and every kind of court case, from drunk driving accidents to home insurance claims.
Lawmakers met Thursday to discuss tort reform with a bill over a dozen pages long and public testimony from trial lawyers, homeowners, and more.
The bill, which Senate leaders say is necessary to lower insurance rates, seeks to reform how blame is divided in lawsuits and hold bars more accountable for drunk driving accidents.
Under current state law, individuals can sue and collect the full damages from one defendant, even if they weren’t the most at fault. The new bill would only allow someone to be fully responsible if they were more than 50% at fault.
Sen. Shane Massey, who supports the bill, said reforming the state’s tort law could reduce insurance costs.
South Carolina tort reform bill advances, could impact insurance rates
