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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, 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 Georgetown today.
According to a report from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, in the early morning of April 12, his car was involved in a high-speed chase.GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Family, friends and law enforcement officials continue their search for a missing Georgetown County man.Daniel Altman was last seen on April 11.According to a report from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, in the early morning of April 12, his car was involved in a high-speed chase.After running the car’s plates to confirm ...
According to a report from the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office, in the early morning of April 12, his car was involved in a high-speed chase.
GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - Family, friends and law enforcement officials continue their search for a missing Georgetown County man.
Daniel Altman was last seen on April 11.
According to a report from the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office, in the early morning of April 12, his car was involved in a high-speed chase.
After running the car’s plates to confirm the car was stolen, deputies attempted a traffic stop but the driver did not pull over, according to the report. A pursuit then took place, reaching speeds of 115 mph.
The report states the chase ended when the driver pulled into the backyard of a private residence.
The passenger of the car, Javon Chattine, fled from the car, running into the woods, according to the report. He was caught and placed under arrest.
The driver of the car, Serenity Jackson, did not flee and was transported to Georgetown County Detention Center and was charged with a DUI along with other charges.
Daniel was not in the car and is still missing, and deputies said they have not determined how the suspects in the chase got ahold of Daniel’s car.
Daniel’s sister, Caroline Altman, said right now the family is in fight-or-flight mode. She said their main focus is finding Daniel.
“We just want someone that knows something to say something,” Caroline said.
Caroline said Daniel is the type of person that would go out of his way to help anyone else. She said if you needed help with anything, you could call Daniel and he will be there.
“Daniel wouldn’t quit on me, and he wouldn’t quit on any of his friends, so we aren’t going to quit on him,” Caroline said.
Now, Daniel’s family and his friends want answers.
Caroline said finding out Daniel’s car was involved in a high-speed chase was very concerning for their family because they have no connection to the suspects in the case.
She said Daniel worked hard for that car- saving money from a young age.
“Daniel would not willingly give someone his car,” Caroline said.
Daniel works at Texas Roadhouse and would get off late at night. She said on the night of April 10, he said he was headed to Kingstree to meet a woman.
But she said she doesn’t know anyone in Kingstree, and that Daniel did not normally hang out there or have friends in that area.
“We know that Daniel wouldn’t run away. He has a house, a job, a car, a job. He wouldn’t just leave all these things behind and not say anything to us or his friends,” Caroline said.
She said she has no idea where her little brother is and would give anything to hear him call her ‘sissy’ again.
“It’s just heartbreaking to think that I may never hear him say that again,” Caroline said.
Anyone who knows anything is asked to call the Georgetown County Sheriff’s office at 843-546-5102.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
GEORGETOWN — A blight removal pilot program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act got underway in Georgetown County on March 31, beginning with the demolition of a vacant home on Katherine Court in the Graves Station community.Thirteen area homes in the area immediately west of Georgetown will be demolished under the program, according to Georgetown County Planning Director Holly Richardson. For Georgetown County Councilman Everett Carolina, whose district includes Graves Station, the day was a “very happy” one to s...
GEORGETOWN — A blight removal pilot program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act got underway in Georgetown County on March 31, beginning with the demolition of a vacant home on Katherine Court in the Graves Station community.
Thirteen area homes in the area immediately west of Georgetown will be demolished under the program, according to Georgetown County Planning Director Holly Richardson. For Georgetown County Councilman Everett Carolina, whose district includes Graves Station, the day was a “very happy” one to see the program take flight.
“We had community leaders that identified burned-out, distressed and abandoned properties in the community,” Carolina said. “And one of the kick-off projects was to identify the properties and let’s move out these distressed pieces.”
The homes approved for demolition are located in Graves Station, sandwiched between Friendfield and Silver Hill plantations along the south side of U.S. Highway 521, and across the highway in the nearby Spring Gully area. Carolina said the program should run about $120,000 in all.
“In many cases when municipalities are trying to clean up and find affordable housing, sometimes the gem is right there before you by removing the blighted properties,” Carolina said.
TSIAC International President Andra Basnight estimated that homes scheduled for demolition under the program should all be torn down within 30 days.
“It means a lot to us,” Basnight said. “For one, we like the idea to be able to help the communities and, like Mr. Carolina said, get rid of all of these blight(ed) homes and stuff like that so that the people in the neighborhoods can see that the counties and cities are doing something to help out with these homes and people won’t be living in them.”
As far as replacement of the homes is concerned, Carolina said the owners of the land on which the demolished homes were originally built must make a decision.
“My vision is to create cottages, one-to-two-bedroom cottages,” Carolina said. “From 680 square feet to about 1,200.”
Carolina said he hopes to find a contractor to work on such a concept, keeping construction costs around $60,000 to $90,000 per home.
“Then we will have to weigh the idea that some may want to put (down) a manufactured home,” Carolina said. “So now we’re going to have to review what the current ordinance is concerning that. Then there may be some property owners who may want to sell their property.”
The reception of the program within Graves Station has been “fantastic” thus far, Carolina said, despite some initial hesitation from property owners.
“The main thing is to beautify your community within,” Carolina said.
GEORGETOWN — Two years in the making, SoCo Wood-Fired Pizza will at last open its doors to Georgetown diners this week.Owner Greg Metcalfe counts 16 beer taps, nine televisions and 78 seats indoors with some outside dining as well at his newest restaurant, around the corner from his SoCo Grille. But the most impressive number surrounding the pizzeria’s operation could be the speed with which its blue-tiled, wood-fired oven can cook a pizza from start to finish: 90 seconds.Metcalfe first encountered a wood-fired oven...
GEORGETOWN — Two years in the making, SoCo Wood-Fired Pizza will at last open its doors to Georgetown diners this week.
Owner Greg Metcalfe counts 16 beer taps, nine televisions and 78 seats indoors with some outside dining as well at his newest restaurant, around the corner from his SoCo Grille. But the most impressive number surrounding the pizzeria’s operation could be the speed with which its blue-tiled, wood-fired oven can cook a pizza from start to finish: 90 seconds.
Metcalfe first encountered a wood-fired oven when working as a chef in Cleveland three decades ago, but it was his landlord who floated the idea of a wood-fired pizzeria in Georgetown.
“He had bought the building and two years ago he called me over and (we) sat in this cinder-block building together with nothing in it and said, ‘Greg, what do you think about wood-fired pizza?’” Metcalfe said.
And so began the two-year process, which included sending away to California for the kit to build the oven. As Metcalfe discusses the menu, the effects of the oven’s 900-degree heat and future plans, he is enthused.
“Nobody’s doing anything like it around (here) as far as wood-fired pizza is concerned,” Metcalfe said. “So we think it’s going to be the biggest hit to come to Georgetown for a long time.”
Metcalfe has since acquired partners for the pizzeria, including Trevor Day of nearby Buzz’s Roost. The oven saw its first action with the second annual Georgetown Food, Beer and Wine Festival. Metcalfe and crew sold 100 pizzas over four hours and ran out of dough.
The oven gives pizza dough a crisp texture and smoky flavor, cooking from above as well as below to brown the cheese and toppings, Metcalfe said. But it is also versatile, effective for finishing off stromboli, lasagna, manicotti and chicken wings.
As far as the pizzas themselves are concerned, diners can build their own, but the menu features about a dozen specialty pizzas — Metcalfe quickly lists barbecue chicken, wood-fired chicken with arugula spinach, Buffalo chicken, vegetarian and the “Godfather” with “all the meats and everything you could ever think of.”
He also describes as his favorite the menu’s fig and pear pizza, with toppings that include thinly sliced caramelized lemons.
“You actually put them on the pizza and you eat the rind and all,” Metcalfe said of the sugar-sprinkled lemons. “But because it’s so thin and because it’s so crispy, it’s a wonderful flavor.”
Metcalfe said SoCo Wood-Fired Pizza will not provide carryout service in its first couple weeks. In the near future, he is still planning to open a Texas-style barbecue restaurant in the building next door to the pizzeria, which used to house SoCo ChopHouse.
“You’ll walk up to the counter and we’ll slice everything in front of you and weigh it by the pound and we’ll build your sandwiches for you,” Metcalfe said. He hopes to have the barbecue restaurant open within two months of the pizzeria’s opening.
Metcalfe is hosting a soft “VIP” opening at SoCo Wood-Fired Pizza on May 9, hoping to work out any kinks, after which it will soon be time for the doors to open to Screven Street diners. He plans to open the restaurant to the public for its inaugural dinner service at 4 p.m. May 11.
GEORGETOWN — Harriet Tubman never lived in South Carolina’s third-oldest city, but a collaboration of local officials and the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce will bring her to Georgetown this summer nonetheless.“The Journey to Freedom,” a 9-foot bronze sculpture of Tubman leading a young enslaved girl to freedom, will spend three months in Georgetown and five months in Georgetown County, beginning in August.The sculpture will arrive in Georgetown on Aug. 1 ahead of an Aug. 5 unveiling in Joseph Rainey...
GEORGETOWN — Harriet Tubman never lived in South Carolina’s third-oldest city, but a collaboration of local officials and the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce will bring her to Georgetown this summer nonetheless.
“The Journey to Freedom,” a 9-foot bronze sculpture of Tubman leading a young enslaved girl to freedom, will spend three months in Georgetown and five months in Georgetown County, beginning in August.
The sculpture will arrive in Georgetown on Aug. 1 ahead of an Aug. 5 unveiling in Joseph Rainey Park, where it will remain until Oct. 31. At that time, it will be transported north up U.S. Highway 17 for a two-month stay at Brookgreen Gardens.
Local historian Steve Williams encouraged residents to come see what Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce founder Marilyn Hemingway said is one of the most monumental events to come through Georgetown since the Freedom Schooner Amistad visited in the early 2000s.
“One of the disciples — Nathaniel — said ‘Does anything good come out of Nazareth?’” Williams said. “And Philip succinctly and simply answered him, ‘Come and see.’ We are asking the city of Georgetown next summer to come here and see what we have planned.”
“The Journey to Freedom” sculptor Wesley Wofford will be on hand for the Aug. 5 unveiling, as will author and Tubman scholar Kate Clifford Larson and Tubman’s great-great-great-grandniece Tina Wyatt.
Further events coinciding with the statue’s visit will include a one-woman show by “Gullah Gullah Island” star Natalie Daise on Tubman and an artisan village showcasing Gullah works.
“I submit to you that when it comes to history we are a small, quaint community, but we don’t take a backseat to any city in South Carolina,” Williams said.
Tubman’s connection to Georgetown runs through James Bowley, who was born into slavery but later freed by Tubman, his great-aunt. Bowley went on to serve as the commissioner of Georgetown County schools and had fundraising help from Tubman. His former King Street home is denoted by a historical marker.
“We are here because we love Georgetown,” Hemingway said. “We love its history, we love its heritage, we love its leadership. And who is the epitome of leadership, courage, and freedom and liberty in this country with a major connection to Georgetown but Harriet Tubman?”
The statue’s trip to Georgetown was paid for in part by accommodations tax funding from Georgetown County. The Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce is still fundraising for programs and logistics surrounding the statue’s exhibition with a goal of $105,000.
GEORGETOWN — Another pair of tenants could be on the horizon for the Georgetown County Business Park.The County Council voted unanimously on April 25 to pursue two projects under which a pair of as of yet unnamed businesses would construct industrial buildings to operate from the park off U.S. Highway 521 near Andrews.How large the buildings would be and how many jobs they would support remain to be seen, but growth at the park is significant enough that the council also authorized the sale of surplus land to support an e...
GEORGETOWN — Another pair of tenants could be on the horizon for the Georgetown County Business Park.
The County Council voted unanimously on April 25 to pursue two projects under which a pair of as of yet unnamed businesses would construct industrial buildings to operate from the park off U.S. Highway 521 near Andrews.
How large the buildings would be and how many jobs they would support remain to be seen, but growth at the park is significant enough that the council also authorized the sale of surplus land to support an electric substation at the park.
“We’re basically making this land available to Santee Electric (Cooperative) to put the substation because we’re growing so fast out there?” Councilman Raymond Newton asked County Attorney Jay Watson prior to the vote.
“That is my understanding, sir,” Watson said.
“And from the location of the substation, it is kind of tucked away behind another industry out of the way where it’s not big enough to sell, so this really would just sit there and go to waste if they didn’t use it, is that correct?” Newton asked.
“That is also my understanding,” Watson said.
The business park, located just southeast of Andrews town limits, has over 400 acres in available space and is home to loading rack and platform manufacturer SafeRack and a service center of Ohio-based MPW Industrial Services.
The April 25 votes also came just four months after New Jersey-based bathroom accessories manufacturer WingIts moved its North American distribution to a 50,000-square-foot facility at the business park.
An announcement by Gov. Henry McMaster’s office said WingIts planned to create 40 jobs with its $7.4 million investment, though WingIts President Tom Murphy said in February that the company won’t be limiting itself to that number if it can grow past it.
County Economic Development Director Tiffany Harrison said she is not sure when the county will be able to reveal the companies involved in the resolutions approved.
Georgetown County denied a records request seeking information about the projects, citing in part a portion of the S.C. Freedom of Information Act that exempts from disclosure documents that pertain to proposed contracts.
CORRECTION: This story was amended on April 28, 2023, to make clear that the land for an electric substation will be made available to Santee Electric Cooperative rather than Santee Cooper.