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.
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - Known for its rich maritime history, Georgetown County has announced its game plan to bring in redevelopment, while also embracing its roots.The Georgetown Ports deeded their around 40-acre property at no cost over to the county in June of last year. They officially closed this deal at the end of last month. The Georgetown Ports make up the last undeveloped coastal community in South Carolina and Georgetown County is hoping to change that.Georgetown County Councilor Bob Anderson says he’s been in...
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) - Known for its rich maritime history, Georgetown County has announced its game plan to bring in redevelopment, while also embracing its roots.
The Georgetown Ports deeded their around 40-acre property at no cost over to the county in June of last year. They officially closed this deal at the end of last month. The Georgetown Ports make up the last undeveloped coastal community in South Carolina and Georgetown County is hoping to change that.
Georgetown County Councilor Bob Anderson says he’s been in the county since the 1970s and says this plan has been a long time coming.
“Hopefully, it will be - we’ll use it for commerce,” Anderson said. “It won’t be my decision alone. I’ve only got one vote out of seven. I want to see jobs here, for paying jobs.”
The Georgetown Ports property has not been used since 2016 and when the acres were handed over last year, county officials began doing their due diligence on what needs to be done. They discovered from an outside contractor that they will have to fund $13.6 million to fix deficiencies on the existing port structures.
However, that’s not in their current budget.
Their economic development director, Tiffany Harrison, says although the funding will take some time to get, it’s not something that has to be done in a day.
“We start prioritizing what are the biggest concerns that we need to address,” Harrison said. “Then, we can start looking for funding opportunities and partnerships.”
The county has also identified environmental concerns that will need to be addressed.
“They’re not terrible,” Harrison said. “They’re not things that would keep this property from being redeveloped. It’s just they’re going to be specific ways we have to address redevelopment based on the findings in certain areas.”
Harrison says the sky is the limit for what’s to come at the ports, while not knocking out any option of commercial, industrial or even residential land.
The county will be putting together a team of consultants to create a comprehensive master plan next. Anderson says they probably won’t have a timeline for when the full project will be completed for another 12-18 months.
“I’m just trying to do everything I can do to make it what it needs to be in the time I’ve got left on this Earth,” Anderson said.
Harrison and other Georgetown County officials deem this property as the “land of opportunity.”
“If done properly, this can be a place that everybody in Georgetown can be proud of,” Harrison said. “That they’ll want to share with their family. That they’ll want to share with the world.”
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
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 group of Georgetown property owners filed a lawsuit against the city on June 1 that accuses current and former officials of pursuing a gentrification campaign to force poor residents out of the West End neighborhood.The lawsuit alleges city officials enacted “several overreaching ordinances” and made decisions based on “ordinances that do not exist or are enforced in an overreaching and offensive manner.”The plaintiffs contend the city’s intent is to remake the demographics of ...
GEORGETOWN — A group of Georgetown property owners filed a lawsuit against the city on June 1 that accuses current and former officials of pursuing a gentrification campaign to force poor residents out of the West End neighborhood.
The lawsuit alleges city officials enacted “several overreaching ordinances” and made decisions based on “ordinances that do not exist or are enforced in an overreaching and offensive manner.”
The plaintiffs contend the city’s intent is to remake the demographics of the historically Black West End community.
“The City of Georgetown began a Gentrification of the West End of the City of Georgetown in the early 2000’s,” the lawsuit states. “As a result of that gentrification, many of the residents in the West End of the City were denied property rights, had their property destroyed and were subjected to deprivation of their constitutional rights under the Constitution of the United States and South Carolina.”
The city’s West End “used to be integrated,” the lawsuit states, adding that the city intends for “wealthier residents (to) take over and expel the poor people of color.”
The plaintiffs in the case are Tony Vanderhorst, Evelyn McCray and Willie Singleton. Each is described in court records as a Georgetown County resident who owns land within the city limits.
“The Plaintiff, Singleton specifically, has spoken out against the City for its violations of his rights and the rights of others in the City [as it] moves forward with retaliation for exercising his right to free speech,” the lawsuit states. “Ms. McCray and Mr. Vanderhorst have had their property rights interfered with by the City through its City Council and the Building Officials.”
The lawsuit names 15 defendants: the city of Georgetown, former Mayor Brendon Barber and incumbent Mayor Carol Jayroe, all six members of the Georgetown City Council, former Georgetown City Council members Tupelo Humes and Al Joseph, City Administrator Sandra Yúdice, interim City Director of Planning and Community Development Robert Cox, former City Zoning and Building Administrator Rick Martin and building official Ryan Call.
The lawsuit states that Vanderhorst, in attempting to relocate a mobile home from North Charleston to Winyah Street in Georgetown in 2022, was confronted by “issues created by the City in order to gentrify the West End and harm the owners of the property to eliminate their ability to use their property in violation of the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of South Carolina.”
The lawsuit alleges that Call required Vanderhorst to provide unnecessary information after issuing a stop work order that was “unwarranted.”
McCray alleged in the lawsuit that a requirement by Call that she obtain an engineer’s report for the floor of a kitchen trailer cost her “several thousand dollars” despite not being required by law.
″(T)he City’s intent is to eliminate all trailers on the West End in their gentrification scheme to improve the city and eliminate the poor community,” the lawsuit reads.
The lawsuit further alleges that Cox has allowed Call to work as a building official without proper licensing and that Cox holds a conflict of interest by working as a city official and a “commercial consultant pulling building permits under his company.”
Singleton filed a complaint with the S.C. Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation in February that accused Cox of lending his license to Call, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit deems Call’s actions similar to those of Martin, who allegedly “interfered with the rights of the Plaintiffs” until he permanently surrendered his license to work as a building official in South Carolina in November 2022. Martin surrendered his license in lieu of a disciplinary hearing after a complaint of “professional misconduct” was made against him to the S.C. Building Codes Council.
Georgetown City Public Information Officer Cindy Thompson said the city had not been served as of the early afternoon of June 6 and therefore had not been able to review the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in the lawsuit, as well as attorney fees and for the defendants to “cease and desist their harassment and deprivation of rights.”
GEORGETOWN — An Australian firm plans to purchase Georgetown’s downtown steel mill, potentially preserving one of the coastal city’s longtime factories and dozens of jobs.InfraBuild, which is run by the parent company of the mill’s current owner, announced May 29 that the company had closed on a $350 million loan to buy GFG Alliance’s American-based steel industry assets, which includes Liberty Steel USA’s plant. No date was released on when the sale could be completed.James Sanderson, presid...
GEORGETOWN — An Australian firm plans to purchase Georgetown’s downtown steel mill, potentially preserving one of the coastal city’s longtime factories and dozens of jobs.
InfraBuild, which is run by the parent company of the mill’s current owner, announced May 29 that the company had closed on a $350 million loan to buy GFG Alliance’s American-based steel industry assets, which includes Liberty Steel USA’s plant. No date was released on when the sale could be completed.
James Sanderson, president of United Steelworkers Local 7898, said that after speaking with the potential new owners that the mill, a mainstay of Front and South Fraser streets for over half a century, is in Georgetown to stay.
“We’re just very excited about this transition,” Sanderson said.
InfraBuild did not respond to a request for comment May 31. GFG Alliance declined to comment.
Georgetown’s economy relied heavily on the lumber industry in the early 20th century before the arrival of International Paper’s plant in 1936. Georgetown Steel helped further diversify the community’s industrial base in the late 1960s, but the mill cycled through various owners and changes in the industry that reduced its workforce before it was purchased by Liberty Steel in 2017.
The plant that makes steel wire used in tires and bridge cables closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic but started operating again in January 2022 with about 65 workers, well below the hundreds of employees that made the plant one of the city’s largest employers.
The reopening, however, was challenged under a city ordinance that would rezone the plant site if operations ceased for a year. The mill is near Georgetown’s main business district and the 50-acre plant site is considered a prime spot for tourism development. But Liberty and its supporters defeated rezoning efforts.
The mill’s owner recently announced a workforce expansion of more than 50 percent.
Sanderson said he has met with InfraBuild in the past, but he had not spoken with the company’s interim CEO, Dak Patel, since the May 29 announcement. Sanderson said he’s confident company representatives will visit the city and mill soon.
“They will be looking at it and examining and looking at all the capital improvements that could be done at our facility here in Georgetown,” Sanderson said.
Patel said in a May 29 statement that the new financing will allow Infrabuild “to continue to grow our business and service a customer base which spans the infrastructure, commercial and residential construction, agriculture and mining markets.”
InfraBuild’s presence in the United States consists of a pair of recycling sites in LaPlace, La., and Tampa, Fla.
Other GFG-owned businesses that could be involved in the acquisition are manufacturer Keystone Consolidated Industries and Pennsylvania-based Johnstown Wire Technologies.
Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that the company buying the Georgetown steel mill is run by the parent company of the mill’s current owner.
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WPDE) — Fresh off of plans to expand work at the LIBERTY Steel plant in Georgetown, mill owners appear to be preparing to sell the plant to a partnering company.READ MORE: Liberty Steel announces growth plan for Georgetown Mill with roughly 40 new jobsInfraBuild announced on May 29 the closing of a $350 mil...
GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WPDE) — Fresh off of plans to expand work at the LIBERTY Steel plant in Georgetown, mill owners appear to be preparing to sell the plant to a partnering company.
READ MORE: Liberty Steel announces growth plan for Georgetown Mill with roughly 40 new jobs
InfraBuild announced on May 29 the closing of a $350 million Asset-Backed Term Loan, the proceeds of which will enable the business to pursue 'growth objectives' that include its potential acquisition of steel assets in the United States currently owned by GFG Alliance.
According to a press release, InfraBuild is Australia's largest vertically integrated steel long manufacturer with recycling, manufacturing, and distribution operations across the country. It is a business unit of the United Kingdom-based GFG Alliance.
READ MORE: Workers discuss future of Liberty Steel's Georgetown facility
Jefferies LLC acted as the sole arranger on the Asset-Backed Term Loan, which was led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock and Silver Point Finance.
InfraBuild Interim CEO and Managing Director Dak Patel said:
This financing provides strategic capital to InfraBuild, which will enable us to continue to grow our business and service a customer base which spans the infrastructure, commercial and residential construction, agriculture and mining markets.
"The business has continued to perform strongly throughout this financial year and the Asset-Backed Term Loan provides us with capital to focus on strategic initiatives to strengthen operations and capitalise on the growing demand for lower carbon sustainable steel as we continue the momentum we've built in recent years."
According to a news release, the firm lists Peoria, Illinois-based Keystone Consolidated Industries (KCI) as a targeted asset, which operates an EAF melt shop, rolling mill, and wire mill in that city, as well as mesh manufacturing sites under the Engineered Wire Products name in Ohio and New Mexico.
Also on the potential shopping list is Johnstown Wire Technologies, which has plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and the Liberty Steel plant in Georgetown.
GFG Alliance owner Sanjeev Gupta also sits on the board of directors for InfraBuild.
"It's basically an internal transaction," said a spokesperson for GFG Alliance and Liberty Steel USA. "It continues to do, the things we announced; the second shift, the mesh all of that stuff still moving forward. The public is not going to see anything different."