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 Florence, 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 Florence, 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 Florence, 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 Florence today.
FLORENCE — Pizza, subs, pasta, salads, breadsticks — you name it and Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has it. Now, the Hartsville-based pizza joint is coming to Florence.The restaurant is expanding with a new location in Florence. The new spot is set to open at the beginning of August, owner Upen Patel said.The restaurant serves up familiar pizzas s...
FLORENCE — Pizza, subs, pasta, salads, breadsticks — you name it and Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has it. Now, the Hartsville-based pizza joint is coming to Florence.
The restaurant is expanding with a new location in Florence. The new spot is set to open at the beginning of August, owner Upen Patel said.
The restaurant serves up familiar pizzas such as pepperoni, cheese, veggie and Hawaiian. Specialty pizzas are options as well, with unique combinations such as the BBQ chicken grilled pizza or the meatball pizza. Pan pizzas are offered with some of the same toppings in smaller portions.
On the long list of pizza toppings at Big Daddy's Pizza and Wings, Patel’s favorites include onion and green peppers.
“Hey, I’m a vegetarian,” Patel said.
For customers who aren’t craving pizza, the restaurant will offer a variety of sub sandwiches, wings, pastas and salads. From chicken alfredo to Italian subs to grilled chicken salads, the menu offers a range of dishes.
Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings also offers garlic toast, savory and sweet breadsticks, and a variety of takes on cheesy bread.
The restaurant does not use frozen items in their menu items, Patel said, which is something that they believe in.
“We don't add any chemicals or any preservatives,” said Patel.
Originally opened in July 2022, Big Daddy’s Pizza and Wings has served the Hartsville community for several years and will continue to do so in Florence.
With the opening of a second location, Patel hopes to join the growing number of businesses and restaurants opening up in Florence.
Despite how daunting joining the growing restaurant scene in Florence might seem, Patel is not scared, but rather excited to open his second storefront.
“There’s so many new jobs coming over there, houses, buildings,” said Patel. “Florence is booming right now.”
Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business. (Credit: WPDE)FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business.Kaylea and Wade Holt have owned 'Eats On the Creek' at the corner of Holly Circle and West Palmetto Street in Florence for nearly a year.The Holts have a food truck business and wanted a hub where other vendors could gather.That was the whole reason we bought this place....
Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business. (Credit: WPDE)
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Florence food truck park owners are complaining that road construction is hurting their business.
Kaylea and Wade Holt have owned 'Eats On the Creek' at the corner of Holly Circle and West Palmetto Street in Florence for nearly a year.
The Holts have a food truck business and wanted a hub where other vendors could gather.
That was the whole reason we bought this place.," said Kaylea Holt. "We wanted to create a place run by vendors, because we know what they need.
The Holts said from March through December is their peak season, but right now their business is down, and they said it has to do with road construction on Holly Circle.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation will close and detour Holly Circle in Florence County for roadway improvements beginning May 29. This closure is expected to last until November.
As part of this closure, a signed detour route will be set up.
A map of the detour can be found below. Please note that Holly Circle will be open to local traffic only.
SCDOT asks that drivers slow down and pay attention when driving near the work zone.
The overview of the project reads:
The proposed improvements will widen and flatten the curve on Holly Circle Road, provide turn lanes, and a new traffic signal at the 2nd Loop Road intersection. The addition of sidewalks will also be included for this project. The purpose and need is to improve operations at both the intersections of Holly Circle at US 76 and Holly Circle at SC 51. The secondary purpose is to correct geometric and the horizontal curve on Holly Circle.
The Holts said they understand the importance and need for the construction project, but were totally caught off guard by it.
We didn’t know this happening until signs started showing up," they said. "And we saw the sign that said Holly Circle closed. And so there was no communication. There was no communication.
She said business went down 50% the first week of construction and then another 64% the following week.
The owners said people are confused as to if Holly Circle is open because of the signs that read "Road Closed to Thru Traffic" and "Detour."
The portion where Holly Circle meets West Palmetto is open, but is closed at the intersection of Second Loop Road.
They have no access. I recognize West Palmetto Street is open, but when you’re asking someone to reroute their entire way just to get here. And they’re passing all these other places, that are way more convenient to get into it. Makes it hard for them to come all the way back around. And add seven minutes to their commute. DOT has got to do a better job of communicating with us. And creating ease of access to this place that that has been here for several years. We’re vendors are relying on the Traffic. To sustain them.
They have a lot of questions regarding the timing of the project.
Our question why couldn’t this have been a night? Why couldn’t this have been a night project," said Wade Holt. "And they can’t seem to answer that question.
Kaylea questioned why officials chose this time of year to do this construction.
Why do we choose this time of year to start? Why did we not be a night project?" said Kaylea. "Why were the local business owners not communicated with with? Why were there no conversations? This is the only open business on this road. They did not take that into consideration. There are several questions that we just want to answers to. I don’t want excuses. If the answer is a hard answer and it’s not a likable one. It’s still an answer. We just want some communication and some conversation about it. So, that we don’t go from now until the end of the year suffering.
ABC 15 reached out to SCDOT regarding the business owners' concerns.
The department said the road closed signs that are on the shoulder of Holly Circle at the intersection of US 76 (Palmetto Street) read, "Road Closed to Thru Traffic," meaning the road is open to local traffic and drivers going to the food truck court are free to do so. The signs are part of our traffic control plan.
SCDOT said the roadwork is being done during the day because it has been deemed the safest and most efficient option.
Officials said there was a community meeting that was held on Sep.14, 2023, that alerted community members of the project, and a press release that was sent out a week before construction began.
The release stated the road was open to local traffic and included a map.
ABC 15 also found information on SCDOT's website that was shared two years ago, showing information about the project and its purpose.
There was also a comment period on the project from Aug. 31, 2023 until Sep. 28, 2023.
The Holts said at the time SCDOT released all the information, they didn't own the business.
They're asking the community to continue to support businesses in the food truck park.
As a community, we’ve got to bind together to support these local businesses, who are here for a reason. You know, this community wasn’t built on the Walmarts of the world," said Kaylea. It was built on the small mom and pop businesses. And then they forged a path, for the Walmarts of the world to come in.
FLORENCE — AESC's electric vehicle battery plant is pausing construction at its Florence site due to policy and market uncertainties, according to a statement from the company.The $1.6 billion Pee Dee ...
FLORENCE — AESC's electric vehicle battery plant is pausing construction at its Florence site due to policy and market uncertainties, according to a statement from the company.
The $1.6 billion Pee Dee factory was on track to employ 1,620 workers at full capacity. The Japanese manufacturer, also known as Envision Automotive Energy Supply Co,. announced the investment in late 2022 as part of a plan to supply batteries for electric cars to be built at BMW's Upstate campus and in Mexico.
“AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time," Brad Grantham, a spokesperson with AESC said in the June 5 statement.
The company said it plans to resume construction "once circumstances stabilize."
"AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years," Grantham said.
The decision to halt work "is not in the best interest of the project and moving forward," said Gregg Robinson, CEO of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership.
"However, we are committed to working closely with AESC, the customer, meaning ... BMW, as well as the state of South Carolina, to really understand the full scope of their revised timeline so that we can understand the long term viability of the project for the community's sake," he said.
Robinson said he's not concerned about AESC fulfilling its commitments to the Florence region.
"They've invested over a billion dollars, and I know they're committed to completing their commitments of $1.6 billion and 1,600 jobs," Robinson said.
The company previously paused “Facility 2,” an expansion of the site at the Florence Global Technology Park that would have been a $1.5 billion investment and would have created an additional 1,080 local jobs. AESC had not begun hiring when that phase of the project was put on hold, according to previous reports.
A spokesperson with AESC told The Post and Courier in February that Facility 1 was still on schedule to begin production next year.
A spokesperson couldn't be reached for further comment June 5.
Full statement from Brad Grantham, AESC spokesperson:
“AESC has informed the state of South Carolina and our local partners that due to policy and market uncertainty, we are pausing construction at our South Carolina facility at this time. AESC has invested over $1 billion into the Florence facility, and we anticipate being able to resume construction once circumstances stabilize. AESC fully intends to meet our commitments to invest $1.6 billion and create 1,600 jobs in the coming years.”
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Housing Authority of Florence (FHA) received a Public Housing Capital Fund Program grant from SC Housing on Thursday.According to the FHA, the grant totals $4,163,347.87 and will be put toward the total cost of renovating Creekside Village Apartments, fixing the roof at Church Hill Apartments and paving several streets at Pine Acres Apartments in Pamplico, SC.The FHA announced that it was planning to renovate Creekside Apartments in January.The renovations were announced following the di...
FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — The Housing Authority of Florence (FHA) received a Public Housing Capital Fund Program grant from SC Housing on Thursday.
According to the FHA, the grant totals $4,163,347.87 and will be put toward the total cost of renovating Creekside Village Apartments, fixing the roof at Church Hill Apartments and paving several streets at Pine Acres Apartments in Pamplico, SC.
The FHA announced that it was planning to renovate Creekside Apartments in January.
The renovations were announced following the discovery of dangerous mold at the complex in December 2022.
After discovering the mold, the Housing Authority of Florence declared the Creekside Apartment complex uninhabitable, closed the facility down, and moved all its residents to hotels.
FHA Executive Director Dr. Al Bradley said the plan at the time was to demolish the building and relocate all of its residents to permanent housing as units became available within the authority’s other properties.
However, the cost to house 84 residents in local hotels and provide food vouchers and bus passes was more than $200,000 per month to the agency.
Bradley said he “created a culture of cooperation and teamwork amongst agency staff, which made it possible for two agency departments (Section 8 and Public Housing) to address the Creekside problem in a new way."
Bradley said the number of Creekside residents staying in hotels quickly dwindled from 84 to 27 by September of 2023. He added by November 2023 there were just five Creekside residents residing in hotels.
By January of 2025, no residents remained in hotels.
Bradley said he hired an engineering firm to assess the Creekside facility, and it determined that the building was salvageable.
Engineers from 1919 Architects developed a plan to renovate the facility and put out bids for a construction company to make the needed repairs, he added.
A construction company was selected in October and received the Notice to Proceed with Work on the Creekside Village apartments earlier this year.
The renovation work began in February, and repairs are expected to be completed by August.
All of the former residents of Creekside Village Apartments will have the opportunity to return to Creekside as residents.
FLORENCE S.C. (WPDE) — The Columbia VA Health Care System has opened its new Florence Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), this week at 1380 Celebration Blvd. in Florence, according to a news release.The new clinic spans more than 22,000 square feet—over three times the size of the current facility.Officials said the expanded space allows for increased access to a wide range of services, including primary care, mental health, social work, laboratory services, and more.“This new facility reflects ou...
FLORENCE S.C. (WPDE) — The Columbia VA Health Care System has opened its new Florence Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), this week at 1380 Celebration Blvd. in Florence, according to a news release.
The new clinic spans more than 22,000 square feet—over three times the size of the current facility.
Officials said the expanded space allows for increased access to a wide range of services, including primary care, mental health, social work, laboratory services, and more.
“This new facility reflects our commitment to expanding access to quality care for Veterans in the Pee Dee region,” said Acting Medical Center Director David "Brett" Vess. “We are proud to offer a modern space that will allow us to better serve our Veterans closer to where they live with the respect, compassion, and excellence they have earned through their service.”
The new clinic was designed to enhance the Veteran experience by offering more room, additional services, and improved efficiency in care delivery.
Veterans currently receiving care at the existing Florence clinic will be transitioned to the new location. The facility is expected to serve thousands of Veterans each year from across the surrounding counties.
For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website.