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 Hilton Head, 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 Hilton Head, 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 Hilton Head, 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 Hilton Head today.
BEAUFORT — The State Infrastructure Bank has denied a key piece of funding for the long awaited Hilton Head Island bridge project.The decision by the SIB board comes weeks after Beaufort County met a tight deadline to present a scaled back plan for the multi-million-dollar project. That solution came with a new problem: The revised plan doesn't meet the s...
BEAUFORT — The State Infrastructure Bank has denied a key piece of funding for the long awaited Hilton Head Island bridge project.
The decision by the SIB board comes weeks after Beaufort County met a tight deadline to present a scaled back plan for the multi-million-dollar project. That solution came with a new problem: The revised plan doesn't meet the scope originally agreed to by the SIB.
The project isn't dead yet. There will be opportunity for the county to meet and discuss revisions, SIB board chairman John White said during the group's May 12 meeting.
"We understand the seriousness of this. We understand the need," White said. "We're left with passing something that is not a part of our contract. There are provisions there in violation. We'll let the lawyers deal with that and the staff."
The scaled-back project to replace Hilton Head's span of bridges was approved by Beaufort County Council in March. It took several years, hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees and a threat of rescinded funding from the SIB to reach that point.
The original scope looked to build a new six-lane bridge with corridor improvements on the island. As debate over final design dragged on, the estimated cost skyrocketed to $499 million.
The county had a plan to cover the price tag. A $950 million sales tax referendum would have implemented a 1 percent sales tax for 10 years, with the goal of improving the county's transportation infrastructure. About $90 million was earmarked for the bridge project.
About 55 percent of county voters struck the referendum down.
On Nov. 7, the State Infrastructure Bank, which pledged $120 million to the project, sent a letter requesting a plan to address the $190 million shortfall.
In early January, state Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, suggested a new course of action: "Do the best we can with the money we have."
In other words, scale back the $499 million plan that called for a new six-lane bridge. Scrap the "add ons," which included features like pedestrian pathways, a breakdown lane and corridor expansion on the island. Simplify the project.
Town and county leaders have spent the past few months doing just that.
A new plan came together. It calls for demolition of the existing eastbound bridge over Mackay Creek and the construction of a new bridge from the mainland to Jenkins Island.
"It got down to the eleventh hour, but right now we've got a bridge that only has two lanes going one way," White said, "and our contract had a scope of a bridge with two lanes going both directions."
A system of two eastbound and two westbound bridges provide the only way to and from Hilton Head Island.
The S.C. Department of Transportation built the Mackay Bridge in 1956 and widened it in 1984. The state agency inspects all bridges in South Carolina at least every two years. Due to the age and condition of the MacKay Bridge, DOT inspects it annually.
An inspection in January 2024 rated the structure and substructure as “poor.” While the bridge is safe to drive over, it is approaching the end of its life and has been placed on a statewide priority list.
If the county and town fail to finalize a funding plan in a matter of weeks, it's likely the DOT will step in and replace only the deficient span of bridge. This scenario would scrap the planned project and cause serious congestion issues on and off the island while construction is underway.
County council members were briefed on the situation during their May 12 meeting. Davis once again offered a way forward.
He suggested the county address the SIB's concerns, which include clarification on when and how the secured funding will be used, and the development of a more detailed cost estimate.
"I spoke with Chairman White. He wants to figure out a way to move this project forward," Davis said. "There's some work to do in a very abbreviated period of time, but I don't want the feeling of this council to be that this project is dead. That is not the case."
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- A male sperm whale washed ashore on Hilton Head Island over the weekend and drew dozens of onlookers to Coligny Beach days later. Crews worked throughout Monday to conduct a necropsy and bury the massive marine mammal's feet beneath the sand, WJCL reported.According to NOAA officials, the 30-foot male whale was underweight for its size, which raised concerns about ...
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- A male sperm whale washed ashore on Hilton Head Island over the weekend and drew dozens of onlookers to Coligny Beach days later. Crews worked throughout Monday to conduct a necropsy and bury the massive marine mammal's feet beneath the sand, WJCL reported.
According to NOAA officials, the 30-foot male whale was underweight for its size, which raised concerns about its health prior to beaching. Clay George, a marine mammal biologist with NOAA Fisheries, explained that researchers examined the whale for signs of entanglement or vessel strikes. However, it could take months to determine the exact cause of the beaching.
"It's pretty sad, but it's what any whale does," said Regina Laboe, a visitor to Hilton Head Island for the week.
For many visitors, the sight of the beached whale was a rare and somber experience.
"I've seen sharks, I've seen stingrays, you name it. But never a beached whale," Laboe said.
This marks the fifth beached whale in South Carolina since 2005. Sperm whales, known to beach themselves when in poor health, are a rare sight on the state's shores. The whale was first spotted on Saturday, with a nearby hotel staff member capturing a photo of the scene.
Tourists and locals alike gathered to watch as crews conducted the necropsy and prepared the whale for burial.
"We walked probably a mile and a half to get here," said Steve Doll, visiting from Tennessee. "I've never seen a whale up close. This is about as close as I'll ever get."
When asked by WJCL 22 News if the whale could've been put back in the ocean, George said that would've caused more harm than good for the whale. That thought led crews to the decision to euthanize the 20,000-pound adolescent male sperm whale Sunday night
Monday evening, the whale was buried deep enough to prevent other animals from disturbing it.
"I love the fact that they're doing the right thing and burying it where it came out, rather than taking it away," said Christy Doll, who was also visiting from Tennessee.
While the cause of the beaching remains unknown, NOAA researchers say the burial process ensures the whale will soon decay underneath the sand, where no other animal will reach it. They added that in a few weeks, it will be as if it never washed ashore.
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