Let's Have Them Pay For Your Injuries!
Let's Have Them Pay For Your Injuries!

Personal Injury Attorney in North Charleston, SC

Accidents can happen suddenly, catching even the most prepared person off guard. One minute, you may be strolling to a restaurant after a long day at work, and the next minute, someone else's carelessness can change your life forever. Personal injury victims not only endure negligence but also experience pain and worry about their families and ability to work. Often, these victims cannot afford to focus on work and family when they're injured or even clinging to life in an ER. Without a personal injury attorney in North Charleston, SC, to fight for their rights, these same victims provide official statements by mistake to insurance companies. They accept embarrassingly low settlement offers without realizing that they deserve much more.

If you've been hurt in an accident recently, ask yourself these questions:

  • Now that you're injured, what happens next?
  • How am I going to pay for my stay at the hospital?
  • Am I going to get fired because I've missed work?
  • How will I be able to become independent again after this serious injury?

With 30.21 personal injury cases for every 100,000 residents in South Carolina - 217% higher than the national average - it's not surprising that men and women like you are asking the questions above. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our hearts hurt for victims who are suffering needlessly.

Because, at the end of the day, they're not just hurting physically. They're struggling to make ends meet due to the cost of car repairs, medical bills, doctor's appointments, and loss of income. Fortunately, personal injury laws in South Carolina state that the parties found responsible for your suffering and pain must account for your expenses. With a personal injury lawyer by your side, you have a real shot at getting the compensation you deserve.

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Max Sparwasser: A Personal Injury Lawyer in North Charleston, SC You Can Trust

If you've been injured in an accident in South Carolina, you have the right to file an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If the insurance company doesn't offer a fair settlement, consider speaking with our North Charleston personal injury lawyer.

At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our goal is to help accident victims in South Carolina recover the maximum amount for their losses, including damages for pain and suffering. Unlike some personal injury law firms, our expert attorneys know that no two cases are ever exactly the same. That's why we take a personalized approach to each case that comes across our desk.

You can rest easy knowing that your personal injury case starts with a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. During this initial meeting, we'll review your accident, determine liability, and recommend the best legal course of action for you. Max Sparwasser and his team focus on a range of personal injury categories, including the following:

Why Choose The Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC?

Injured victims choose Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC because we put our clients' needs first.

Legal Consultation North Charleston, SC

We Work for You

Max dedicates focused attention to your claim and is confident that once you've met and talked to him, you will feel comfortable entrusting him with your personal injury case.

Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer

Your case is going to be handled personally by Max, properly and professionally. NO FEES are collected unless you are paid benefits.

Personalized Attention

Now that you know a little bit more about our personal injury law firm and how we take care of our clients, let's take a look at two of the most common types of personal injury cases we take: Car accidents and workers' compensation.

As an experienced personal injury attorney, Max has the right training and legal tools to assist with your compensation claims and your personal injury case as a whole.

Injured in a Car Wreck? It's Time to Fight for Your Rights

If you've ever been in a minor fender bender, you know how frustrating and scary it can be when police are called and insurance companies get involved. Dinging a car is one thing, but a full-on car wreck is a completely different story. A car accident in North Charleston can result in significant expenses such as vehicle damage and medical costs.

If a distracted driver kills your loved one, the impact on your family can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors of car accidents often experience emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other challenges that alter their quality of life. In the face of these life-changing events, aggressive representation from a personal injury attorney in North Charleston, SC, can maximize your chances of winning your case.

Accident Recovery North Charleston, SC

The Truth About Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in South Carolina

Here's an uncomfortable truth to digest: Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from their tactics by getting the right legal support for your personal injury claim.

When you report a crash to an insurer, they'll assign an adjuster to your case. However, these adjusters deal with many cases and may not fully understand yours. If an insurance claims adjuster contacts you, be cautious. They aren't looking out for your best interests. It's common for adjusters to push for settlements that undervalue your claim.

Stick to the facts if you talk to an adjuster and refuse to provide a recorded statement or agree to any settlement. Instead, wait until you've consulted with a personal injury attorney. At the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, our team of car accident lawyers will assess the true worth of your claim and protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies.

The Truth About Insurance Companies and Car Accidents in South Carolina

When you hire a personal injury attorney in North Charleston, SC, from Max Sparwasser Law Firm, you don't have to know all our state's car crash and insurance laws. We have the expertise, knowledge, and resources to handle any case related to a car accident in the Lowcountry. Our long-time car accident attorneys can handle the legal proceedings for you and provide you with peace of mind during negotiations. With that said, we understand that the more you know about South Carolina's car wreck laws, the better you can safeguard your rights after an accident.

As such, here are three car wreck laws in South Carolina you should understand:

It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.

Personal Injury Attorney North Charleston, SC

Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a "fault" insurance system. This system holds the driver responsible for covering the damages of the injured party if they are at fault for the accident.

Legal Consultation North Charleston, SC

If you are in a car accident and it leads to a personal injury claim due to negligence, the court needs to determine that you (the plaintiff) are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you will lose your right to seek compensation. However, if you are 50% or less at fault, you will receive at least some compensation. Your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

Accident Recovery North Charleston, SC
Personal Injury Attorney North Charleston, SC

The Role of Negligence in South Carolina

When drivers take the wheel, they bear the responsibility of being careful and attentive to their surroundings. This means watching out for other drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users. However, if a driver chooses to text, eat, or talk on the phone while driving, they are failing to do so and are behaving negligently.

Negligence involves acting carelessly, resulting in harm or damage. Other examples of negligence include:

  • Running Red Lights
  • Speeding
  • Failure to Yield
  • Distracted Driving
  • DUI
  • Improper Lane Change
  • Much More

If you've been in a car accident and need help understanding our local laws or the role of negligence in your case, schedule your free claim assessment with the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC, today. The sooner you know your rights and file a claim, the sooner our lawyers can advocate on your behalf. Our accident lawyers will uphold your best interests despite pushback from insurance companies and the complex legal system in South Carolina.

Workers' Compensation Claims in South Carolina Explained

While South Carolina's workplace incidence rate was lower than the national average in 2020, tens of thousands of workers were reportedly injured on the job. In fact, private employers in South Carolina reported 29,100 nonfatal injuries and illnesses, resulting in an incident rate of 2.1 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers. In 2021, the private sector reported 30,300 such injuries and illnesses, leading to an incidence rate of 2.2 cases per 100 workers, many of whom hired.

Public sector employers reported 8,100 injury and illness cases in 2021, with 72 percent occurring among local government workers. Occupational illness trends in South Carolina mirrored those seen nationwide. In 2020, the private sector accounted for 4,200 of the total reported cases, and 3,100 in 2021, showing a 26 percent decline.

Respiratory illnesses made up 79 percent of the total occupational illnesses reported in South Carolina in 2020. In 2021, 89.8 percent of private industry recorded incidents were injuries.

Legal Consultation North Charleston, SC

Personal injury attorneys in North Charleston, SC, fought some of the state's biggest employers in court, including brands such as:

  • Volvo
  • BMW
  • College of North Charleston
  • Boeing
  • Medical University of South Carolina
  • Kapstone
  • Roper Hospital
  • Rober Bosch Corporation

While there is no single federal law governing workers' compensation, every state in the U.S. has its own workers' compensation system. This program provides financial benefits to employees who experience job-related injuries or illnesses. Typically, an injured worker can receive workers' compensation benefits without needing to prove their employer's negligence. In exchange, the employee forfeits the right to file a personal injury claim against the employer.

Under the state workers' comp system, an injured employee will be reimbursed for all necessary medical treatment following a workplace accident. If the injury or illness leads to more than seven days of missed work, the employee will receive 66.66% of their average weekly wage, up to a maximum amount. Workers may also receive compensation for permanent disabilities or disfigurement. The maximum award for death or total disability is 500 weeks of compensation.

Lifetime benefits are available in cases of paraplegia, quadriplegia, and brain injury. It should be noted that trying to

Who Can Receive Workers' Comp Benefits in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, most employees are eligible for workers' compensation benefits if they suffer an injury or illness while working. Employees don't need to prove fault; they just need to prove that the injury or illness happened at work or during a work-related activity. Unfortunately, there are exceptions under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act, meaning some employers never qualify for workers' compensation.

Those restrictions apply to:

  • Federal Employees
  • Small Businesses with Three or Less Employees
  • Agricultural Employees
  • Casual Employees
  • Some Realtors
  • Corporate Officers
  • Railroad Workers

Employers who fall under the SC State Workers' Compensation Act must maintain the required minimum amounts of workers' comp insurance. If you're trying to pick up the pieces after being injured at work, contact the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC today. Our personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the help you need to rebuild your life.

Accident Recovery North Charleston, SC

Top Reasons to Hire a Worker's Compensation Personal Injury Attorney in North Charleston, SC

Many injured workers assume they can save money by foregoing a personal injury attorney to oversee their workers' comp claim. In reality, many plaintiffs lose money - or don't get the proper amount they're owed - when they choose not to hire a lawyer. If you were recently injured at work and are on the fence about retaining counsel for your case, keep these facts in mind.

To safeguard your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation, injured individuals must file a workers' compensation claim. Unfortunately, many people come up with reasons why they shouldn't file a claim before determining whether their claim is valid.

Some of the most common reasons for doing so include:

  • Reporting the Injury to Management and Continuing to Work
  • Having an Existing Condition
  • Fear Over Job Termination

You should know that making the decisions above doesn't necessarily disqualify you from making a workers' comp claim. That's why it's so important to work with an experienced workers' compensation lawyer. Great workers' comp attorneys - like those at the Max Sparwasser Law Firm, LLC - thoroughly assess your case and help determine whether you have a valid claim for workers' compensation benefits.

Personal Injury Attorney North Charleston, SC

Here's a safely kept secret in the insurance industry: Skilled workers' compensation lawyers create risk. Insurance companies hate risk because it exposes them and causes them to lose money. An experienced workers' compensation lawyer takes on risk by developing the best strategy to maximize your benefits and gathering evidence that will be admissible in a hearing.

Do you truly understand the benefits you're entitled to? Do you know what you need to prove in order to win? Do you know how to effectively present that evidence? This can be quite complex, even for attorneys, which is why an injured employee alone doesn't pose much of a threat to the insurance company. That's why professional help from a qualified attorney is essential in workers' comp cases.

Legal Consultation North Charleston, SC

It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.

Accident Recovery North Charleston, SC

It's important to keep in mind that there's a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a car accident claim in South Carolina. Typically, you need to pursue your claim against the at-fault driver or another party within three years of the car accident. However, there are certain cases that require action within two years. If you fail to file your personal injury claim within the specified deadline, you may forfeit your right to make a claim permanently.

Personal Injury Attorney North Charleston, SC

Trust the Max Sparwasser Law Firm Difference

Whether you have been injured in a car accident, hurt at work, or are struggling with another type of personal injury situation, know that our team is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys in North Charleston, SC are insurance claims experts and know how to negotiation and achieve maximum financial compensation. The best part? We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay us unless we win. That's the Max Sparwasser Law Firm difference. Contact our office today to learn more about personal injury cases in South Carolina and whether or not you have a valid claim.

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Latest News Near Me North Charleston, SC

Charlotte Hornets to host NBA champs and league MVP in Charleston

The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at the North Charleston Coliseum this fall, multiple sources have confirmed to The Post and Courier.The game has been set for Oct. 5 with the time for the tipoff to be determined.The game is part of the Hornets' extended stay in the Lowcountr...

The NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will play a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at the North Charleston Coliseum this fall, multiple sources have confirmed to The Post and Courier.

The game has been set for Oct. 5 with the time for the tipoff to be determined.

The game is part of the Hornets' extended stay in the Lowcountry. Charlotte will hold part of its preseason training camp at The Citadel’s downtown campus from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.

Despite Charleston being more than 200 miles from the closest NFL, NBA or NHL franchise, the Hornets are one of several professional franchises that have come to the Holy City in recent years, not only for its history and food scene, but for practices and team bonding as well.

This is the fourth straight year The Citadel will host an NBA team as part of its preseason training camp at the downtown military school.

The Philadelphia 76ers (2022) and the New York Knicks (2023, 2024) worked out at The Citadel’s McAlister Field House in preparation for the regular season.

The NBA isn’t the only professional sports league to use Charleston as a training base.

The NHL’s St. Louis Blues worked at the Carolina Ice Palace and North Charleston Coliseum twice — once in 2013, then again in 2022.

In 2008, the Phoenix Coyotes, coached by Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, spent two days in the Lowcountry while Super Bowl XLII was being held in Arizona.

The Buffalo Sabres held their preseason camp in the Lowcountry in the early 2000s.

In the 1990s with Pat Riley as their head coach, the Knicks would come to the Lowcountry — practicing at College of Charleston — for part of their preseason camp.

Earlier this week, Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a four-year, $285 million super maximum contract extension with Oklahoma City through the 2030-31 season, which is now the richest annual salary for a player in league history.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged a league-high 32.7 points during the regular season and 30.3 in the NBA Finals, joined an exclusive list of players to win the MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. The 26-year-old also became the first player to win a scoring title and NBA championship in the same season since O'Neal in 2000.

The Hornets' roster boasts two elite wing players in guard LaMelo Ball and forward Miles Bridges, who both averaged more than 20 points a game last season.

This isn’t the first time the Hornets have played an exhibition game at the coliseum.

In 2012, the then-Charlotte Bobcats faced the New Orleans Hornets — a game that featured No. 1 overall pick, and future NBA champion, Anthony Davis against Charlotte’s Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the second pick in the draft.

In 2009, the Bobcats played the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose roster featured LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal.

Dominion Energy Innovation Center

A state-of-the-art facility that plays a central role in shaping America’s energy future.The Dominion Energy Innovation Center (EIC) is strategically located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute’s (CURI) campus at the former U.S. Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina. Modeled after the success of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, the facility forges public/private partnerships in a unique industrial, port environment.The EIC houses the Duke Energy eGRID &mdash...

A state-of-the-art facility that plays a central role in shaping America’s energy future.

The Dominion Energy Innovation Center (EIC) is strategically located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute’s (CURI) campus at the former U.S. Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina. Modeled after the success of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, the facility forges public/private partnerships in a unique industrial, port environment.

The EIC houses the Duke Energy eGRID — an electrical grid simulator that can simulate the electrical grid of any country in the world — and the world’s most-advanced wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated mechanical and electrical testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines. The two labs are linked and allow researchers to work on some of the technical challenges that need to be overcome to widen the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power.

On Nov. 23, 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded a $45 million grant – the largest single award in university history and the largest single grant by the U.S. DOE for wind power – to Clemson University. The purpose of the grant was to design, build and operate a facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated testing of next-generation wind turbine drive-train technology.

The US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy objectives for the project are to:

The $98M facility, which includes $53M of private and state contributions, is strategically located at the Clemson University Restoration Institute’s (CURI) campus at the former U.S. Naval Base in North Charleston, South Carolina. Modeled after the success of the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research, the facility forges public/private partnerships in a unique industrial, port environment.

The world-class facility was named the SCE&G (now Dominion) Energy Innovation Center during a dedication ceremony in November 2013. The center houses the world’s most-advanced wind-turbine drivetrain testing facility capable of full-scale, highly accelerated mechanical and electrical testing of advanced drivetrain systems for wind turbines.

The Duke Energy eGRID — Electrical Grid Research Innovation and Development — Center is housed in the Dominion Energy Innovation Center. The 15-megawatt hardware-in-the-loop grid simulator supports education, research and economic development to speed new electrical technologies to market. The eGRID can simulate the electrical grid of any country in the world.

Here are a few options to celebrate the Fourth of July in the Lowcountry

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - If you love Fourth of July fireworks, several events across the Tri-County area will help you boost your patriotic pride.Here are just a few of the events you and your family can enjoy:Goose Creek: Fabulous Fourth in the CreekThe city of Goose Creek will welcome visitors to celebrate with its Fabulous Fourth in the Creek celebration.The event will take place at the Goose Creek Municipal Center at 519 North Goose Creek Blvd., from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.It will showcase live music,...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - If you love Fourth of July fireworks, several events across the Tri-County area will help you boost your patriotic pride.

Here are just a few of the events you and your family can enjoy:

Goose Creek: Fabulous Fourth in the Creek

The city of Goose Creek will welcome visitors to celebrate with its Fabulous Fourth in the Creek celebration.

The event will take place at the Goose Creek Municipal Center at 519 North Goose Creek Blvd., from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

It will showcase live music, food vendors and free activities for children, including balloon animals, bubbles, face painting and crafts.

Admission and parking is free. On-site parking will be available at the Recreation Complex and event parking fields. Accessible parking is available with a valid placard.

Golf cart transport is available once attendees have parked, but golf cart transport is not available after the event or in the dark.

Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged.

Shuttles will be running from Westview Elementary School and Westview Middle School, located at 100 Westview Blvd., starting at 5 p.m.

The walking path around the Municipal Pond will close at 7 a.m. on Friday.

The fireworks show is expected to begin at around 9 p.m.

Isle of Palms: 4th of July Fireworks Show

The city of Isle of Palms hosts its annual Independence Day show on Front Beach, at 1118 Ocean Blvd. It is free and open to the public.

Beachgoers are required to leave the beach and remove their belongings by 6:30 p.m. to allow preparation for the event. The area of the beach between 21st Avenue to Coconut Joe’s will close at that time.

Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Guests may remain inside the Isle of Palms County Park area or behind the public restroom facilities to watch the show.

Fireworks are not permitted in the City of Isle of Palms and must be operated by professionals only.

Click here, for more information.

Mount Pleasant: 4th of July Fireworks Blast

The Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum hosts its annual Independence Day celebration, the 4th of July Fireworks Blast.

The event begins at 7 p.m. at the museum aboard the U.S.S. Yorktown for ticketed guests.

Tickets give access to the ship, live music, a view of the fireworks show over Charleston Harbor and family-friendly fun throughout the night.

Guests can purchase from a selection of food and drinks from Charleston vendors.

Fireworks are set to begin at around 9:30 p.m. or when it is dark.

The Yorktown will close at 10 p.m.

Click here to purchase tickets for the event.

Parking is available onsite at Patriots Point. Space is limited. Parking fees are not included in event tickets and must be paid separately through the Pay By Plate QR code system, based on posted rates. Only clear bags are allowed for safety purposes. Small non-clear clutches are permitted. Seating is limited. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and small tables. Bagged chairs must be removed from their bags before entry.

Coolers, outside food or beverages, and wagons are not permitted. Only strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on board.

North Charleston: 4th of July Festival

The city of North Charleston takes celebrating the Fourth of July seriously, touting its annual celebration as the Lowcountry’s largest fireworks display.

This year’s event will be held from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park. It will feature live music by Motown Throwdown and music from DJ Natty Heavy and DJ D-Nyce, all leading up to the fireworks show at 9 p.m. Numerous food vendors will be at the site.

No seating is provided, so visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, water and snacks.

Parking is free and visitors can enter from the north via Virginia Avenue or from the south by way of the Bainbridge Connector. Golf cart parking will be available. North Charleston officials recommend walking, biking, carpooling or ridesharing where available.

All bags will be searched. No grills, sparklers or outside fireworks will be allowed.

Sullivan’s Island: Fourth of July at Sullivan’s Island

Sullivan’s Island will kick off Independence Day with a golf cart and bike parade at 9 a.m., beginning at Sunrise Presbyterian Church and continuing to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School.

The parade route extends from Station 28 1/2 Street toward the beachfront and then right on Atlantic Avenue.

The town will then hold its Independence Day party at Stith Park, at 2056 Middle St., starting at 6 p.m. Visitors can bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy music provided by the Shem Creek Boogie Band.

Fireworks begin shortly after 9 p.m. Dogs are not allowed in the park and alcohol is prohibited.

Summerville: Fireworks & Freedom Festival

The town of Summerville will hold its annual Fireworks & Freedom Festival Friday night at Gahagan Park, located at 515 W. Boundary St.

The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Before the fireworks show, enjoy food trucks, vendors and other activities along the park. Shuttles will be available to take people to Gahagan Park from Hutchinson Square.

Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Where to see July 4 fireworks in the Lowcountry

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Fireworks shows are being planned across the Lowcountry in celebration of the Independence Day holiday.North CharlestonNorth Charleston will hold its free July 4 party at Riverfront Park on Friday evening. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the fireworks are slated to begin at 9 p.m.There will be food and beverage vendors on site, and live music by Motown Throwdown, DJ Natty Heavy, and DJ D-Nyce.People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, water, and sna...

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Fireworks shows are being planned across the Lowcountry in celebration of the Independence Day holiday.

North Charleston

North Charleston will hold its free July 4 party at Riverfront Park on Friday evening. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the fireworks are slated to begin at 9 p.m.

There will be food and beverage vendors on site, and live music by Motown Throwdown, DJ Natty Heavy, and DJ D-Nyce.

People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, water, and snacks. Seating is not provided.

Mount Pleasant

The Fourth of July Fireworks Blast will light up the sky over the USS Yorktown on Friday night. Organizers say the celebration includes live music, food and beverage vendors, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

The night will culminate with a 20-minute fireworks show. Tickets can be purchased online through Patriots Point.

Goose Creek

Fabulous Fourth in the Creek will kick off at the Goose Creek Municipal Complex at 6:30 p.m.

The celebration includes music, food, free activities for children, and, of course, a fireworks show. Neither outside fireworks nor sparklers are allowed, and alcohol is prohibited.

Admission to the July 4 celebration is free, but city organizers say parking is limited and ask people to carpool.

Shuttles will run from Westview Elementary School and Westview Middle School starting at 5 p.m. for attendees.

Murrells Inlet

A fireworks display over the scenic waterfront in Murrells Inlet is scheduled for Friday night.

There will be live music and plenty of fun along the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. Festivities will end with a 20-minute fireworks display that organizers say “truly lights up the sky.”

The show begins around 10 p.m.

Summerville

The Town of Summerville’s Fireworks and Freedom Festival invites people to Gahagan Park. There will be food trucks, vendors, and other fun activities at the park.

Organizers say the event is free. Shuttles will be available from Hutchinson Square, as onsite parking at Gahagan Park is limited.

New North Charleston restaurant is among the very best Mexican spots in the area

NORTH CHARLESTON — Mahi mahi is arranged like dominoes on an oval platter, the sweet white meat softened by lime and ginger. The row of fish is topped with a tuft of pickled red onions and surrounded by circular Serrano slices, imparting a delicate heat.The tiradito dorado ($14) at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila reminds me of Japanese sashimi, but with Mexican flavors. The tasty triumph eats like a fine piece of sushi, too, even if its price tag is far less rich than the fish served at top Charleston restaurants.It&rsquo...

NORTH CHARLESTON — Mahi mahi is arranged like dominoes on an oval platter, the sweet white meat softened by lime and ginger. The row of fish is topped with a tuft of pickled red onions and surrounded by circular Serrano slices, imparting a delicate heat.

The tiradito dorado ($14) at La Minerva Cocina & Tequila reminds me of Japanese sashimi, but with Mexican flavors. The tasty triumph eats like a fine piece of sushi, too, even if its price tag is far less rich than the fish served at top Charleston restaurants.

It’s one impressive example of the mix of fusion and traditional cooking taking place at this North Charleston newcomer, located about 30 minutes from downtown. I will happily drive that far for the restaurant’s fresh nixtamalized corn tortillas, enchiladas and other Mexican-inspired dishes.

Cuisine with provenance

La Minerva Cocina & Tequila — named after the famous Glorieta de La Minerva statue in Guadalajara, Mexico — is led by Raul Salazar and Alondra Ramirez, owners of Rio Chico.

The pair’s latest restaurant offers guests a more elevated dining experience than their more casual eatery with locations in West Ashley and on James Island. La Minerva features food inspired by Salazar’s upbringing in Guadalajara, a city that's part of Mexico's Pueblos Mágicos national designation program, denoting towns considered to have high cultural importance.

The restaurant space, with its high exposed ceilings and artificial trees sprouting out of tall charcoal booths, is built for communal, all-ages dining.

Friends catch up over guacamole ($14), which fills a large molcajete. Exercise restraint when dunking the accompanying golden chips in the fresh, citrusy dip, for the more imaginative appetizers and entrees are also worthy of your attention.

Families photograph fajitas and a mother dines with her baby underneath a neon sign that reads, “Si la vida te da limone … pide sal y tequila.” (If life gives you lemons, ask for salt and tequila.)

The easygoing, unpretentious atmosphere continues further inside. Patrons share plates of tamales, paella with a Mexican slant, and carnitas braised in citrus and calm spices near a backlit bar where margaritas with salted rims are poured.

Golden wings have been erected for an Instagram moment underneath another flashy sign that reads “Dream until it’s your reality.”

The food might earn a post on your feed, too.

Fusions with finesse

What in some ways looks and feels like a typical U.S. Mexican restaurant juxtaposes a culinary program representative of food found in Mexico — with a few twists.

Stateside creations like queso fundido join forces with Oaxacan-inspired mole negro, torre de mariscos (seafood towers), adobo-marinated octopus, cochinita pibil sopes, mahi ceviche and pozole blanco (a Mexican stew with hominy, simmered pork, onion and oregano).

Tacos ($14-$18, two per order) are filled with ribeye, shrimp, braised pork or lengua. The beef tongue is diced into tender cubes, each soft, sweet and a touch bland. A shower of cilantro and onions and dip in a mildly hot verde sauce liven up the most interesting and perhaps least tasty taco filling at La Minerva.

Birria — which anchored America’s hottest taco trend in 2020 — shows up in multiple forms on La Minerva’s menu.

The chefs riff on the spicy, slow-cooked Mexican meat with their version of quesabirria — tortillas dipped in broth, crisped, filled with beef cooked in a stew and served alongside a cup of the stew’s broth. They also shuffle birria into creations from other cultures, such as ramen and egg rolls ($10).

The latter Chinese and Mexican fusion wasn’t necessarily on my bingo card heading into my second visit to the North Charleston restaurant, but it will be next time.

A snappy crust reminiscent of a wonton wrapper gives way to delicately spiced, succulent braised beef. The quartet of halved golden cylinders are accompanied by a meat and cilantro-enriched consommé for indulgent dunking, the sauce deepening one’s experience with each hearty bite.

Servers are likely to suggest familiar comforts like birria or fajitas rather than more adventurous offerings like pescado zarandeado or mole negra Oaxaca. You can meet in the middle by ordering the chile rellenos ($18), a slightly bold foray into more traditional Mexican cooking.

The dish, translating to “stuffed chiles,” typically follows a standard formula: roasted and battered poblanos packed with cheese.

La Minerva’s green peppers are filled with stretchy queso Oaxaca that pulls apart with the tug of a fork, its mild tomato sauce merging with rice on a white and blue plate that’s far too hot to touch. Warm tortillas await the flattened peppers, battered and fried so that a delightful crust has emerged.

Two meals here are just enough to scratch the surface of an offering that escapes the Americanized Mexican food served at some restaurants. Its location in North Charleston fits, for South Carolina’s third-largest city has become a mecca for Mexican cuisine, with food trucks and markets and restaurants setting the record straight on plates that honor the country’s heritage.

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