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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, 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 Lexington today.
A new grocery option is headed to a fast-growing area of Lexington County.Lowes Foods, the North Carolina-based grocery chain that has stores across the South and the Midlands, will open a new location in the Red Bank area, according to a news release from the company.The store will be located near the northeast corner of South Lake Drive and Platt Springs Road. It will be the anchor of the under-development Platt Springs Crossing mixed-use retail project, according to a release from NAI Columbia.A construction timeline ...
A new grocery option is headed to a fast-growing area of Lexington County.
Lowes Foods, the North Carolina-based grocery chain that has stores across the South and the Midlands, will open a new location in the Red Bank area, according to a news release from the company.
The store will be located near the northeast corner of South Lake Drive and Platt Springs Road. It will be the anchor of the under-development Platt Springs Crossing mixed-use retail project, according to a release from NAI Columbia.
A construction timeline for the new Lexington County location hasn’t been determined, Lowes said.
There already are several Lowes locations in the Midlands, including on Augusta Highway near Lexington High School, on Sunset Boulevard in Lexington, on Chapin Road in Chapin, on Forest Drive in Forest Acres and on Forum Drive in northeast Columbia. Aside from their staple grocery offerings, Lowes Foods stores are known for their Boxcar Coffee Co. coffee shops, Beer Den craft beer bars, and Smokehouse meat counters, among other options.
The South Lake Drive and Platt Springs Road areas have continued to see commercial growth in Red Bank.
For instance, on Tuesday a new Lizard’s Thicket restaurant opened at 1772 South Lake Drive, right next to a Walmart store and a PopShelf location.
And there’s the aforementioned Platt Springs Crossing project that is being developed at Platt Springs Road and Old Orangeburg Road. Announced in 2023, that project encompasses nearly 60 acres in Red Bank. It will ultimately include a host of commercial businesses, as well as a residential component, developers have said. Among other things, a Whataburger has plans to go on the Platt Springs Crossing site, as does a Tidal Wave Auto Spa car wash and a Panda Express Chinese restaurant.
The coming development is across the street from a Publix grocery store, as well as a Chick-fil-A that opened in 2022 and a Wendy’s that opened in August 2023.
This story was originally published January 18, 2024, 8:53 AM.
Where’s the beef?
In Red Bank, actually.
A new Wendy’s restaurant recently opened its doors in the Red Bank area of Lexington County. The latest location of the well-known chain — where you can pick up burgers, breakfast and, of course, a Frosty — is located at 5419 Platt Springs Road. The restaurant has a modern design and a covered outdoor patio for dining.
The Platt Springs Road Wendy’s is open from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, according to a message on its roadside sign Tuesday morning.
There are more than 6,500 Wendy’s stores in operation across the globe, according to the company’s website. With the newest addition in the Red Bank area, there are now 19 Wendy’s locations in the Midlands area.
The new Wendy’s on Platt Springs Road is the latest example of growth in that corridor. A new Chick-fil-A restaurant opened last year at 5465 Platt Springs, directly in front of a Publix grocery store. In June, an Express Oil and Tire Engineers location opened right beside the Chick-fil-A, at 5449 Platt Springs. And, earlier this year, developers announced plans for a more than 60-acre mixed-use development directly across the road from the Publix shopping center, at the intersection of Platt Springs Road and Old Orangeburg Road.
Lexington County has continued to see growth across several decades. Census statistics show the county’s population has swelled from 167,000 in 1990 to 300,000 in 2021.
LEXINGTON, S.C. (WIS) - An Italian restaurant in Lexington has closed down after the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) revoked their retail license.Alodia’s Cucina Italiana of Lexington underwent a difficult end, having gone through a temporary closure, allegations of employees going unpaid and a fine from the Department of Labor for paying employees late.SCDOR said the restaurant owes ...
LEXINGTON, S.C. (WIS) - An Italian restaurant in Lexington has closed down after the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) revoked their retail license.
Alodia’s Cucina Italiana of Lexington underwent a difficult end, having gone through a temporary closure, allegations of employees going unpaid and a fine from the Department of Labor for paying employees late.
SCDOR said the restaurant owes $13,244.99 in unpaid sales tax plus penalties and interest, as reflected in a state tax lien.
Without their retail license, Alodia’s is unable to legally do business.
The restaurant posted a message on their website soon after, announcing they are closing effective immediately. “Despite our deep desire to serve this wonderful community, we find it is no longer feasible to do so,” the message reads in part.
The full message can be found below:
Dear Friends and Patrons of Alodia’s,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Alodia’s Lexington effective immediately. For the past six years, our restaurant has been a place of gathering, joy, and delicious meals, shared among family, friends, and the wider Lexington community.
We have cherished every moment spent with you, and are truly grateful for the support, love, and laughter that you have brought into our establishment. Each meal served and every occasion celebrated at Alodia’s Lexington will be remembered fondly.
I would like to extend a special thank you to all of our staff, past and present. You have been more than just employees; you have become family. Your dedication, hard work, and passion have been the backbone of Alodia’s. It has been an honor to work alongside each of you, and your contributions will always be valued and remembered.
Since the shutdown, many things have changed, not only in the rising costs of commodities but also in other areas of operations. These changes have made it increasingly difficult for us to continue operating as we have. Despite our deep desire to serve this wonderful community, we find it is no longer feasible to do so.
Thank you for understanding, and more importantly, thank you for being a part of our Alodia’s family.
Warm regards,
Adam Huneau
Owner, Alodia’s Lexington
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
A new 101-room hotel proposed for downtown Lexington has cleared a potential hurdle and is back on track to transform a vacant lot along the heart of Main Street.The four-story, 61,000-square-foot Courtyard by Marriott to be built at 116 E. Main St., between the costume shop Wretched Collections and Bodhi Thai Dining, was approved Tuesday, March 12, by the town’s Board of Appearance following a denial the first time the board considered the project in January.The hotel, which will also bring a bistro and bar that will sit...
A new 101-room hotel proposed for downtown Lexington has cleared a potential hurdle and is back on track to transform a vacant lot along the heart of Main Street.
The four-story, 61,000-square-foot Courtyard by Marriott to be built at 116 E. Main St., between the costume shop Wretched Collections and Bodhi Thai Dining, was approved Tuesday, March 12, by the town’s Board of Appearance following a denial the first time the board considered the project in January.
The hotel, which will also bring a bistro and bar that will sit right along the increasingly bustling dining and nightlife corridor, comes via local hotel developer Lexington Hospitality. The company already manages a Quality Inn and Suites and a Holiday Inn Express & Suites a couple blocks up West Main Street. It also maintains the Aloft and Holiday Inn in downtown Columbia.
There had been rumblings of a hotel coming to the lone vacant lot along downtown Lexington’s core block for years, and with its initial denial, the Board of Appearance put the future of the project into doubt.
Though the approval is a big win for the hotel, there are still more steps before it can become a reality.
“Just recently it has entered the appearance approval stages before plans and land disturbance permits are submitted,” Laurin Barnes, the town’s communications manager, said of the hotel and where it stands. “This is an early stage in the development process. The developers want to know if the town will approve the look of the building.”
The Board of Appearance must sign off on the look and size of new buildings, considering town code and how new structures will fit in with existing buildings. It denied the hotel proposal the first time around, emphasizing that the look of the building needed to better fit Main Street and expressing concern that the building as first proposed would dominate its neighbors — none of the existing buildings along the 100 block rise above two stories.
“We made quite a lot of changes,” Craig Otto, the project’s lead architect, said when addressing the board March 12.
The size of the building and the number of rooms didn’t change in the new proposal, but the look of the hotel was changed dramatically, with much darker stone on the outside and gas lanterns on the Main Street entrance to the bistro, which Otto noted is only one story and is shorter than the buildings around it. There will be a terrace above the restaurant, with a cover jutting out from the four-story portion of the building, to be set back from Main Street, and a steel or aluminum trellis covering a patio adjoining the restaurant.
The hotel, which won’t exceed the height allowed in downtown, will sit beside a new surface parking lot, which will also touch the sidewalk, with a covered main hotel entrance off to the side. When asked, Otto said they would happily comply with the town’s desire to see its aesthetic for street lighting downtown replicated with the lighting for the parking lot.
Otto also said there will be a small meeting pace in the hotel, large enough for about 40-50 people, which will be made available for the public to rent out.
While one resident spoke up during public comment to question whether the updates to the building would keep it from dominating its neighbors, a variety of local business owners, including several of those neighbors, voiced their support, as did a former Lexington mayor and the heads of both the Lexington and Greater Columbia chambers of commerce.
Matt O’Hara — co-owner and general manager of two businesses on the block, O’Hara’s Public House and the O’Hara’s Bakery Cafe — emphasized that his business chose to take over that cafe spot in large part because it would be right across the street from the hotel they heard was coming.
“The promise of that many people each night on Main Street is very exciting from our perspective,” he said.
Randy Halfacre, who previously served the town as mayor and the head of the Lexington Chamber, called the project “the missing link” to the hopes the municipality has had for its downtown.
“This is kind of the the anchor to downtown, to almost complete what we envisioned many years ago as the Town of Lexington Vision Plan,” he said. “I see no reason why you should not approve.”
Raj Champaneri, principal and owner of Lexington Hospitality, gave an opening statement, emphasizing his company’s roughly 30 years in Lexington and their success with hotels in the area.
“Over the years we’ve been approached by business leaders, community leaders and the town of Lexington to develop a hotel that will be able to cater food, beverage and meeting space,” he said. “The property has been vacant for about 15 years now. I think it’s time that we see some development. We’re very encouraged with what direction we’re going in with. Once the property is developed, we feel very confident that it’ll enhance the beauty of downtown Lexington.”
County Council also discussed the future of "tiny" homes with a vote for a revised proposal for zoning.More VideosLEXINGTON, S.C. — The Lexington County Council voted unanimously to approve its new rental assistance program, the home tenant-based rental assistance program. It’s designed to assist low-income households. It’s the first step in the proces...
County Council also discussed the future of "tiny" homes with a vote for a revised proposal for zoning.
LEXINGTON, S.C. — The Lexington County Council voted unanimously to approve its new rental assistance program, the home tenant-based rental assistance program. It’s designed to assist low-income households. It’s the first step in the process before low-income families will be able to put in an application.
“Sometimes people just need a little extra help and I think this is a good thing for them,” Lexington County Council member Glen Conwell said.
According to the County’s program guide, households will generally put 30 percent of their monthly income towards rent for approved apartments in Lexington County and the program will pay the rest.
“There’s a lot of people in need right now. You’ve got inflation a lot of priced stuff nothing ever keeps up with salaries right now,” Conwell said.
RELATED: Meet Meshia Gantt, News 19's Teacher of the Week
The program will also assist with utilities, security deposits, and utility deposits. To qualify, you must be a us citizen, and have a household income that does not exceed 60 percent of the median income based on the number of occupants in a home.
Once a recipient is approved they can receive assistance for 12 months with a one year lease. Once that time has passed the recipient will need to recertify their income.
“It helps with your model income. It helps people to be able to afford something so they can basically get on their feet. I know this has child care options in it its really a great program to people that need help and assistance,” Conwell said.
RELATED: Town of Lexington announces permanent solution to downtown sewer line issues
In addition to the rental assistance program, the council voted on its revised first-reading tiny homes zoning ordinance. Council members are looking to zone tiny homes the same way mobile homes are… to provide solid waste and emergency services. There will be continued discussions, revisions and another vote for the tiny home ordinance before a final approval.
The rental assistance program will now enter a public input period for 30 days before it is presented to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The County adds to hopes to open the applications for rental assistance by late April.
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s (center-right) along with his office’s Community Outreach Subcommittee (chaired by Lexington’s Pam Imm, center-left) launched the human trafficking education effort TraffickProofSC in July of last year.ProvidedPosted Thursday, February 1, 2024 2:05 pm emily@lexingtonchronicle.comThe state Attorney General's Office has released its annual 2023 Human Trafficking report, and Lexington ...
Attorney General Alan Wilson’s (center-right) along with his office’s Community Outreach Subcommittee (chaired by Lexington’s Pam Imm, center-left) launched the human trafficking education effort TraffickProofSC in July of last year.
Provided
Posted Thursday, February 1, 2024 2:05 pm
The state Attorney General's Office has released its annual 2023 Human Trafficking report, and Lexington County’s numbers are the fifth-highest in South Carolina.
The report highlights the five counties in S.C. with the highest volumes of human trafficking hotline calls. Greenville and Horry tied for the highest number, with Charleston in second, Richland and Spartanburg tied for third, Aiken in fourth and Lexington and Orangeburg counties tied for fifth.
The report is released annually in January, which is recognized nationally as Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The Attorney General's office released the report during a press conference on Columbia College’s campus Jan. 11, which is national Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
"Almost every victim never expects to be a victim until they are a victim,” state Attorney General Alan Wilson said. “Please don't assume your child is above being preyed upon or don't assume you're above being preyed upon.”
The state Law Enforcement Division had 357 open human trafficking cases in 2023, down from 440 the year prior.
Despite open cases being down, the number of people involved has only increased. Cases included 468 people total, 460 minors and 38 adults, compared to 416 total victims in 2022.
“Human trafficking doesn’t just happen to kids and it’s not like the movies,” said Pam Imm, chairperson of the Attorney General’s Office’s Community Outreach Subcommittee. She is also a community psychologist who works with LRADAC, the state-designated alcohol and drug abuse authority covering the counties of Lexington and Richland, and serves as board chair for Lexington’s Courage Center, the Midlands’ first recovery community organization supporting youth 14-26 struggling with substance abuse and their family members.
“My job is to help people understand what trafficking actually looks like.”
Not all human trafficking reports are in regard to sex trafficking, the report notes.
“The data also shows that while situations of suspected sex trafficking are being reported at a higher rate, the number of likely victims are higher for labor trafficking than sex trafficking,” the report states.
The state's human trafficking task force was mandated in 2012, and it includes multiple state agencies with more than 1,100 members receiving communications.
“A good model for what we're doing is we're increasing community awareness that can lead to community concern,” Imm said.
The task force breaks down into 12 subcommittees, an advisory council and 10 regional task forces.
The task force has received $1.2 million in recurring funds from the state General Assembly. During the press conference on Jan. 11, Wilson said he plans to ask for more than $10 million to open shelters and promote awareness campaigns.
“We intend to increase the number of shelters available to child human trafficking victims,” he said.
The report highlighted the task force’s various efforts, including the launch of TraffickProofSC, a statewide effort launched in July 2023. In partnership with SCETV Public Radio, the state started the series of free age-appropriate educational videos and curriculum designed for middle and high school students.
More than 3,000 backpacks with school supplies were given to students around the state to promote this initiative in July.
TraffickProofSC is the first state-wide trafficking prevention effort in S.C.
“TraffickProof is actually quite exciting,” Imm said. “It’s a big deal for the task force.”
The curriculum gives an overview on what human trafficking is, along with instruction in staying safe online and education on labor trafficking and sex trafficking.
The program is in the process of being piloted in a Richland County school, according to Imm.
“All the task forces, the regional task forces will continue to do some planning around community awareness, community concern and community action,” she said.
If you or someone you know is looking for help in the case of human trafficking, you can call the confidential National Human Trafficking hotline at (888) 373-7888.