When an auto accident happens unexpectedly, anyone can become a victim. One moment you're commuting back home after a long day at the office. The next, your car is totaled, and you're injured in the hospital due to another person's negligence. It's not fair, but it happens every day. Unlike the irresponsible party who caused the accident, personal injury victims often suffer the most in auto accidents. They have to worry about lost days at work, the long road to recovery, and the inability to provide for their family. Sadly, many people injured in car accidents don't have the luxury of worrying about bills because they're fighting for life in the emergency room.
And while modern cars come equipped with safety features like blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alerts, motor vehicle accidents are still a huge problem in South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in 2020, one person was injured every 11 minutes in a car collision. Even worse, one fatal collision was recorded every 9.1 hours.
Unfortunately, victims of auto accident negligence often don't know what to do when another driver hits them. They have questions like:
These same innocent people provide official statements to insurance agencies without knowing the consequences.
However, if you or your loved ones are victims in a car crash, there's good news. Laws in South Carolina mandate that guilty parties must compensate for pain and suffering. But in order to get the compensation you deserve, it's crucial to work with a personal injury attorney in Barnwell, SC. Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to bolster your case by securing witnesses for questioning, obtaining accident scene information, and documenting vehicle damage. If these tasks aren't completed quickly, you are far less likely to receive the compensation you and your family deserve.
Theos Law Firm exists to fight for your rights and to ensure negligent drivers are held responsible for the damage they do to your family. It's really that simple. We aren't afraid to trade blows with selfish insurance agencies. Because, unlike Theos Law Firm, they couldn't care less about your best interests.
Here are just a few reasons why so many hardworking people choose Theos Law Firm:
When you're involved in a car or truck accident, it can be a life-changing event. Having represented hundreds of personal injury victims, we understand that you may be confused and frightened. You know you need to speak with a lawyer, but you need a calm, cool presence to ease your anxiety. You need someone who understands what you're enduring, and we know how you feel. Unlike other auto accident attorneys, we believe that personal injury claims are more about the people involved and less about money and settlements. When you reach out to Theos Law Firm, you can rest easy knowing our team will treat you with dignity, compassion, and empathy.
With many years of combined personal injury experience, there's nothing that our team hasn't seen in terms of auto accidents. With that said, we understand that there is no "common" type of accident or scenario - no two accidents are the same. We have represented clients involved in DUI accidents, truck rollovers, reckless drivers, interstate pileups, rear-end collisions, and even Uber driver crashes. With such extensive experience, our team has the tools and talent to take care of you, regardless of how complicated your case might be.
The recovery process involved with automobile accidents changes with every person we represent. There are dozens of details to account for, from car repairs to insurance questions and everything in between. These small but necessary details aren't easy to accomplish for injured parties. That's why our team goes the extra mile to help cut through the red tape to ensure your medical bills are paid, and your car gets fixed. The less weight you have on your shoulders to worry about, the faster you can focus on recovering.
Unlike other personal injury law firms, our team is 100% committed to protecting your rights, and we're uniquely positioned to do so with decades of combined experience. We offer robust representation for many types of auto accidents, including:
If you have been the victim of an accident listed above, please understand that time is of the essence. There is limited time to seek compensation for your injuries, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. As such, there is only a short time to obtain experienced representation for your personal injury case.
Our team knows that finding the right attorney to represent you is an important choice. Therefore, we believe that an initial consultation is imperative to understand your needs and identify your goals fully. When we sit down with you to learn the nuances of your accident, we'll cover all aspects of South Carolina law pertaining to your case. That way, you're armed with information and have an idea of the next steps our firm will take to represent you.
Remember - the sooner we can dig into the details of your case, the sooner we can pursue your rightful compensation. As seasoned personal injury attorneys, our team specializes in several types of automobile accidents:
Car accidents are a serious problem in South Carolina. If you're an adult, you probably know someone involved in a bad car crash in our state. When you look at the stats, it seems like car accidents are always on the rise. One person was killed every 8.2 hours in a car collision. Even more sobering is that one teen driver is involved in a fatal or injury-causing collision every 1.6 hours. The unfortunate truth is that many people involved in car crashes were hurt due to the other driver's negligence.
Common car crash injuries in South Carolina include:
Car accident victims in South Carolina are often left to pay their medical bills but can't do so because they're too hurt to go to work or take their car in for repair. These life-changing scenarios can snowball into a series of scary events, leaving victims hopeless and unsure where to turn.
Fortunately, a car accident attorney in Barnwell, SC can help you avoid these pitfalls and obtain the money you need to survive. At Theos Law Firm, our team has a deep understanding of the rules that dictate fault in South Carolina. We know that thorough representation is needed to receive maximum compensation, and we're well-prepared to achieve that goal for you.
Our car accident lawyers in South Carolina can recover compensation for injuries and damages:
The moments following the crash are often a blur when you're involved in a car accident. However, per South Carolina law, those on the scene must adhere to legal responsibilities and obligations.
First, try to stop your car and ensure it is positioned safely near the scene of the crash. Then, call 911 to report the accident. While most folks go into full-blown panic mode, you need to stay calm so you can process the situation. If you notice that there are injured people, give them "reasonable assistance." Per South Carolina Code of Laws, that could include transporting hurt people to a hospital or calling an ambulance for them.
If you're in a car crash, you need to be prepared to exchange contact information with other drivers at the accident scene. If the person who caused the collision is present, make sure to get their name, phone number, address, and insurance info. If witnesses are present, get their contact info, too, in case our team needs to obtain their account later.
Next, try to piece together how the car crash happened. This is an appropriate time to take photos of the cars, wreckage, and debris. Ask yourself if you think a vehicle failed to follow the rules of the road, like speeding or failing to stop at a stop sign.
Regardless of how minor your injuries may appear and who may be to blame for the accident, get legal advice from Theos Law Firm first before giving any recorded statements or refusing medical care.
Tractor-trailer and semi-truck crashes are often more complicated than two car crashing. Because these cases are more complex and nuanced, it's imperative that you contact a truck accident attorney in Barnwell, SC to help you through the recovery process and win the compensation you deserve.
After a semi-truck crash, you must take steps quickly to preserve evidence so that the crash may be recreated. In serious semi-truck accidents where people are injured or killed, trucking companies usually send a team of investigators to the accident site immediately. These investigators will do their best to obtain evidence that can hurt you in court or even attempt to hide or destroy evidence. The last thing a trucking company wants is for you to win a settlement against them.
That's especially true since various entities may be liable for your truck accident injury, not just the driver. The trucking company, the trucking manufacturer, and the team responsible for truck maintenance could also be responsible. Additionally, if dangerous or inadequate road conditions factor into your accident, you could actually sue some government departments. For those reasons, it's critical to retain quality representation ASAP after a truck accident in South Carolina.
At Theos Law Firm, our team has experience winning compensation in many types of truck accidents, such as:
As your truck accident lawyer in South Carolina, we work hard to fight for your rights and win your case. In order to do so, our team will:
We'll arrive on-scene to notate skid mark length and the locations of vehicles involved. We will also capture detailed pictures and measurements pertinent to your crash.
Obtaining the trucking company's records and discovering the info they have on the semi-truck driver involved is an important part of our process. We will also secure access to the trucker's driving log notes, which they must maintain according to law.
Like airplanes and helicopters, big rigs have a "black box" that records real-time truck data, like speeds, changes in direction, and brake application.
We'll arrive on-scene to notate skid mark length and the locations of vehicles involved. We will also capture detailed pictures and measurements pertinent to your crash.
Sometimes an expert is needed to digest all the evidence and provide an expert opinion on the cause of the semi-truck collision. When needed, our team will hire such an expert to ensure your case is robust and air-tight.
We will obtain the police's investigation report and any accident photos, measurements, or other documentation taken by officers while investigating your semi-truck crash.
It's imperative to find all the witnesses of your accident and interview them to get recorded statements in a timely manner. Doing otherwise may result in faded memories and inaccurate facts.
Time and again, auto accident victims agree to early settlements provided by insurance companies because the offer seems like a lot. But what if you return to work after recovering from an accident, only for your pain to return?
With adjusters, lawyers, and investigators at their disposal, insurance agencies will do everything in their power to minimize the compensation you deserve. Don't let them pick on you or silence your voice. If you or a loved are victims of a negligent car or truck accident in South Carolina, contact Theos Law Firm today. We have the team, tools, and experience to fight back on your behalf, no matter how complicated your case may seem.
To schedule an appointment for your free consultation, contact Theos Law Firm in Barnwell today.
A South Carolina school district said a ninth grader walking in a hallway was stopped during a moment of silence and not the Pledge of Allegiance, as the student had said in a lawsuit filed last month.Marissa Barnwell said she was pushed against the wall by a teacher at River Bluff High School when she didn’t stop to recite the pledge as she walked to class in November, according to her ...
A South Carolina school district said a ninth grader walking in a hallway was stopped during a moment of silence and not the Pledge of Allegiance, as the student had said in a lawsuit filed last month.
Marissa Barnwell said she was pushed against the wall by a teacher at River Bluff High School when she didn’t stop to recite the pledge as she walked to class in November, according to her family’s lawsuit.
A lawyer for Lexington School District 1 said videos from the hallway shows the teacher touched Barnwell’s shoulder to get her attention but didn’t push her.
It also shows the confrontation didn’t take place until after the end of the Pledge of Allegiance — which state law says students can refuse to recite if they are not disruptive — and the start of a moment of silence.
Barnwell was not silent, arguing with the teacher until she walked away, the district said.
“There would be no prohibition on the school requiring students to stop doing whatever they are doing, including walking down the hall, and to remain silent during the moment of silence,” school district attorney David Lyon wrote.
Barnwell told reporters this month she was humiliated and feared she was in trouble.
“I was completely and utterly disrespected,” the 15-year-old said. “No one has apologized, no one has acknowledged my hurt.”
The district said while the principal did discuss the incident with her, a full investigation determined neither she nor the teacher should face discipline.
The district said it reviewed all footage from the hallway and not just the clip released by the student’s parents.
The family’s attorney and parents were also shown all videos.
Police also did their own investigation and did not file charges.
Along with the teacher, the teen’s family is suing the principal, school district and state education officials, saying they violated the student’s civil rights and her First Amendment rights to both free speech or not to speak at all.
In a statement, Lexington School District 1 said both its employees and Barnwell are getting “extremely hateful communication.”
“District leaders strongly condemn this inappropriate behavior. We care for all of our students and employees and regret that those involved in this situation have been the target of cruel messages,” district officials wrote.
BARNWELL, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - For most kids, competing in the Dixie Softball World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.For the Barnwell 12U All-Stars, most of the players are going back for the second year in a row.“I’m really excited, because one, it’s a fun experience, and not a lot of girls get to do it,” said Pitcher Kensley Terrapin.“We all feel like family, and so, we’re just so excited to do this all over again,” said Outfielder Sadie Whitehead.Seven of the 12 ...
BARNWELL, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - For most kids, competing in the Dixie Softball World Series is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For the Barnwell 12U All-Stars, most of the players are going back for the second year in a row.
“I’m really excited, because one, it’s a fun experience, and not a lot of girls get to do it,” said Pitcher Kensley Terrapin.
“We all feel like family, and so, we’re just so excited to do this all over again,” said Outfielder Sadie Whitehead.
Seven of the 12 girls on Barnwell’s roster went to the Dixie World Series in the 9-10-year-old division last year. Finishing as the national runner-ups is motivating them even more to get the job done this year.
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“When we’re on the field, we’re cocky and confident. So we stay that motive all year,” said Terrapin.
“We’ve learned a lot of different things, and have had to play a lot of different positions,” said Infielder Harper Still.
“Whenever it’s at home or when we’re on the field, we just try to do our hardest and our best,” said Infielder Emily Vanacore.
“I tell them every time, if they get the bat on the ball, there’s not a team here that can touch them, and I firmly believe it,” said Head Coach Brad Whitehead.
Having the chance to represent the state of South Carolina is an honor, it also gives this team the chance to wear a cool new uniform.
MORE | Dozens turn out for It’s OK to be Different Bowling Tournament
“I like these better than last year’s, because of the pants design and the shirts and everything,” said Vanacore.
“They’re pretty cool, but they’re really baggy, and all of us have really big pants,” said Sadie.
Sometimes youth sports can be more serious than they’re meant to be, but no matter the stakes, these girls from Barnwell just want to have fun.
“We were down in the state tournament, and I said loom, let’s have fun. Whatever happens, happens but, if we go out there and have fun playing the game we love, and do what we know how to do and what we’ve practiced it will work out,” said Brad.
Barnwell is sending off their All-Stars in style with a celebration at the town circle, on Thursday night at 6 p.m. The Dixie Softball World Series begins this weekend and goes through early next week.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
A Midlands woman narrowly missed out on winning a $750 million grand prize in a recent Powerball drawing, but her ticket was good enough for her to walk away with a six-figure jackpot, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said.Because the woman was one number shy of exactly matching the July 12 Powerball drawing, she had to settle for a $150,000 con...
A Midlands woman narrowly missed out on winning a $750 million grand prize in a recent Powerball drawing, but her ticket was good enough for her to walk away with a six-figure jackpot, South Carolina Education Lottery officials said.
Because the woman was one number shy of exactly matching the July 12 Powerball drawing, she had to settle for a $150,000 consolation prize, lottery officials said in a news release.
The woman made it clear her feelings weren’t hurt.
“I’m elated,” she said in the release.
She bought her winning ticket at the OM Jay 2002 LLC gas station/convenience store at 10193 US Hwy. 78 in the Elko section of Barnwell County.
The winner will be allowed to retain some privacy, as South Carolina is one of 11 states — along with Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Virginia — that allow lottery winners to remain anonymous.
The woman said her newfound windfall won’t be used on any flashy impulse buys, but instead will be put aside for retirement, according to the release.
Her ticket matched four of the five white numbers and the red Powerball number. Because the woman paid an additional dollar for the Power Play option when she purchased the ticket, her prize was tripled from $50,000 to $150,000 when that number was a 3, according to the release.
The winning numbers from the July 12 drawing were 23, 35, 45, 66, 67 and Powerball: 20.
The convenience store received a commission of $1,500 for selling the claimed winning ticket, lottery officials said.
The next Powerball drawing will be held on Monday night, when a $145 million grand prize will be on the line.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1-in-293 million.
Barnwell couldn’t stay out of its own way early Friday night, leading to a first-quarter deficit at Aiken High in a matchup of two football teams loaded with youth.The Warhorses corrected themselves from there, stepping aside to allow themselves the opportunity to be successful. Aiken, on the other hand, continued to fight against a current it created until the very end.Barnwell scored 26 consecutive points in a 26-12 win that is the Warhorses’ second in a row and third of the season, a no-pictures-on-the-scorecard ...
Barnwell couldn’t stay out of its own way early Friday night, leading to a first-quarter deficit at Aiken High in a matchup of two football teams loaded with youth.
The Warhorses corrected themselves from there, stepping aside to allow themselves the opportunity to be successful. Aiken, on the other hand, continued to fight against a current it created until the very end.
Barnwell scored 26 consecutive points in a 26-12 win that is the Warhorses’ second in a row and third of the season, a no-pictures-on-the-scorecard kind of victory for Brian Smith, who in his first year at Barnwell is also the golf coach. Aiken is still searching for its first win under Dwayne Garrick.
“I felt good about us all night. I thought our kids were executing and playing well, but it was a couple mistakes here and there,” Smith said. “We came out in the second half and did some of the things that we do, and we didn’t beat Barnwell tonight. That’s the big thing is you can’t beat Barnwell. I’ve said it every week, we can’t beat ourselves. We’re still young, and we’re still learning. But our kids are fighting hard, and I love their effort. I love being around them, and I love coaching them every day.”
Barnwell (3-2) was quickly facing a 12-0 deficit after a rough start that included a three-and-out on the offense’s first possession, followed by a quick kickoff recovered by Aiken (0-5) after scoring 4:41 into the game.
Luke Jones put the Hornets on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run, and then Jahnari Mole ran in from 12 yards out as Aiken took advantage of the short field for a 12-0 lead with 4:15 left in the first quarter.
But that was all of the scoring for Aiken, as the Hornets’ remaining drives ended with either punts or turnovers.
“Got to keep grinding. Got to keep working, you know what I’m saying?,” Garrick said. “Got to keep trying to get a little better each week. We’re struggling up front, trying to run the ball and protect. If you’ve got one phase of the game, you can kind of sneak the other one in there a little bit. When you can’t do either one, and there’s where it all starts, and that’s where we’ve got to get better.
“We’ve got to get better in the weight room. We’re young, so it’s a combination of a lot of things. They’re pretty good kids, and they work pretty hard. We need time, you know what I mean? Time to try to get the process going and try to get a little better. Main thing is we’ve got to get stronger.”
Barnwell quarterback Cameron Austin started the game 0-for-6 passing - “with like eight drops,” Smith quipped - but heated up after a late hit on the Barnwell sideline following a 10-yard run. Austin completed four of his next five passes on the drive, the last one a 21-yard touchdown to Logan Sturkie with 8:04 left in the quarter to pull the Warhorses within 12-10.
Austin finished the game 9-for-18 for 100 yards, and he also ran it 14 times for 42 yards plus two successful two-point conversions. Sturkie was his top target, catching seven passes for 83 yards and the score. Jaquan and Jordan Peeples each rushed for 47 yards and a second-half touchdown as the Warhorses put the game away.
“We’re going to play every week as well as Cameron plays,” Smith said. “We call a bunch of pass plays, and with what we do there’s going to do some drops. It’s just like when you run the option back in the old days, the ball’s on the ground some. Well, we don’t want them, but you’re going to see them on Saturday and you’re going to see them on Sunday. Our kids know they’re going to work hard this week to get rid of that. We pride ourselves on that. It’s just our mistakes, and we’ve got to get better at it.”
Jones went 13-for-28 for 138 yards and two interceptions, one by Sturkie and one by Kahzeer Wesley, and several of his pass attempts went to receivers who weren’t looking for the ball. Mole was the Hornets’ leading rusher with 45 yards on 11 carries, but as a team Aiken rushed for just 85 yards on 30 attempts. Cam’ron Frazier was Aiken’s leading receiver with 58 yards on four catches.
“We got behind the chains a couple times. Whether it was getting hit in the end zone, or I think we had a bad snap or two,” Garrick said. “We’re not good enough to get 15 yards. It’s all we can do to get 10 yards. We definitely aren’t good enough to get 15 or 18, so we can’t play behind the chains. Outside of that, it is what it is. Just keep grinding. It’s a process, as much as I keep having to say that word. I get tired of saying that word, to tell you the truth.”
BARNWELL — A pledge made as freshmen came true Wednesday morning for four seniors from Barnwell High School’s powerhouse football program.Team captains Jaden James, Maurice Odom, Clay Pender and Tyler Smith dreamed of the moment when they would sign to play college football - and they dreamed of doing it together. They did that Wednesday in the school gymnasium.The linebacker duo of James and Odom will remain together at Limestone, Pender will reunite with older brother Craig at Erskine, and Smith will continue a fa...
BARNWELL — A pledge made as freshmen came true Wednesday morning for four seniors from Barnwell High School’s powerhouse football program.
Team captains Jaden James, Maurice Odom, Clay Pender and Tyler Smith dreamed of the moment when they would sign to play college football - and they dreamed of doing it together. They did that Wednesday in the school gymnasium.
The linebacker duo of James and Odom will remain together at Limestone, Pender will reunite with older brother Craig at Erskine, and Smith will continue a family tradition by heading to South Carolina State.
For James, Limestone offered an opportunity to grow not just as a player but also as an individual, plus the chance to build bonds like the ones he’s forged in high school.
James has done a bit of everything for the Warhorses, bringing his high-intensity playing style to the outside linebacker, tight end and H-back positions while also contributing on special teams. An All-State selection and the Region 6-AA H-back of the Year, James accounted for 100 tackles (eight for loss), 51 assists and five sacks as a senior.
He intends to study sports management at Limestone, where he and Odom will be able to lean on each other academically and athletically as they continue on as teammates.
“I mean, that’s my boy for sure,” James said. “It’s going to be us conquering another level.”
Odom echoed those sentiments, asserting that together they’re going to make something happen at Limestone. He said that signing felt like a weight lifted off his shoulders as years of hard work turned into a chance to play at the next level.
“As a kid, I dreamed of this,” he said. “As kids we all dreamed of this, playing football in the backyard. Going to the next level, going to college, going to the NFL.”
A National Honor Society and Beta Club member, Odom will study nursing in college. He said Limestone simply felt like home, and the Saints’ desire to win mirrored his own.
Like James, Odom has stood out as a high-energy talent for the Warhorses at inside linebacker, tight end, H-back and on special teams. The Region 6-AA Linebacker of the Year and an All-State selection, Odom is also a finalist for Aiken Standard Defensive Player of the Year after accounting for 124 tackles (eight for loss), five forced fumbles, three sacks and three blocked field goals.
Pender truly did do it all for Barnwell, earning All-State honors at multiple positions throughout his high school career. He starred at wide receiver and defensive back, handled kicking duties and was the backup quarterback when the Warhorses went into the Wishbone, and he proved to be a threat to score any time the ball was in his hands.
He’ll play wide receiver at Erskine, though he said he told the Flying Fleet coaching staff that he’s willing to line up wherever to make plays. He felt like he had more of an influence on his brother transferring back to Erskine than Craig did on him to sign there, and they’ll have the opportunity to be teammates again rather than adversaries.
“Maybe if I was playing DB so I could pick him off or something,” he said with a laugh. “If I was playing wide receiver somewhere else, I would just have to watch him throw touchdowns. That would’ve been a little disappointing.”
Pender, like Odom a member of the National Honor Society and Beta Club, is leaning toward studying sports management.
The Region 6-AA Wide Receiver of the Year, he averaged 19 yards per catch and had 736 yards and 12 touchdowns on 37 total touches. At defensive back, he had 10 career interceptions, and as a sophomore he was the Region Specialist of the Year.
Smith has done nothing but set the bar for himself higher over the course of the last two seasons, and each time the Warhorses’ star running back cleared that bar with room to spare - he is the reigning Class AA state champion in the high jump, after all.
One of seven seniors chosen as a finalist for the state’s coveted Mr. Football award, Smith is joining the tradition-rich program at South Carolina State while also continuing a proud family tradition of attending the school. He intends to study athletic training.
The numbers speak for themselves. As a senior he rushed for 2,903 yards and 46 touchdowns, bringing his two-year totals to 5,054 and 74 scores. He’s ranked among the nation’s top backs in terms of yardage and touchdowns, and with those numbers has come a lot of recognition.
In addition to being named a Mr. Football finalist, he’s been a multi-time All-Region performer in basketball, football and track - twice an All-State pick in the latter two. He was named a North-South all-star, the Region 6-AA Player of the Year, the Class AA Lower State Offensive Player of the Year and is again a finalist for Aiken Standard Offensive Player of the Year.
“Crazy. Crazy, just shocking,” he said. “A guy like me from a small-town school like this right here, I never thought I’d be in that situation. That’s all I can say.”
This group helped lead Barnwell to an undefeated regular season as seniors, and the year before they reached the state semifinals.
“I’m happy for them. Happy for the families. Not happy for me, because they’re gone,” said Barnwell head coach Dwayne Garrick. “They’ve been the core and the nucleus of this program for the last three years, especially. Great football players. Did what they had to academically to give themselves a chance to be successful. Kind of sad to see them go, but at the same time happy for them. Happy for them for the next four or five years in their lives, and the doors that this is going to open for them to be successful.