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 St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews today.
The United States has a 250th birthday coming up, and South Carolina is positioning itself to play a vital role in the celebration.On July 4, 2026, the U.S. will celebrate 250 years of independence from Great Britain.Bill Davies, who’s part of the S.C. Revolutionary War Sestercentennial Commission, spoke to a small group of Calhoun County residents on Monday night about how each county can help spark interest in residents and tourists alike.“Honest to goodness, what we’re trying to do is hook every one ...
The United States has a 250th birthday coming up, and South Carolina is positioning itself to play a vital role in the celebration.
On July 4, 2026, the U.S. will celebrate 250 years of independence from Great Britain.
Bill Davies, who’s part of the S.C. Revolutionary War Sestercentennial Commission, spoke to a small group of Calhoun County residents on Monday night about how each county can help spark interest in residents and tourists alike.
“Honest to goodness, what we’re trying to do is hook every one of you to being part of this because we think it’s really important,” Davies said.
The S.C. American Revolutionary War Sestercentennial Commission – or SC250 for short – along with the Liberty Trail are working to promote two goals ahead of the nation’s upcoming milestone.
“The first goal is education. Education should always be first,” Davies said.
“The education we need to focus on is winning back the heritage that South Carolina had before 1860 for having a pivotal role in winning independence from Great Britain,” he added.
“If you read all the books before 1860, it’s recognized that the South is where the war was won. After that, the South got written out of the war. This is something we need to educate people on and reeducate us – all of us, not just some – school children and everybody about our role in that war,” Davies said.
“We also need to educate the visitors because the visitors are coming,” he said.
The second goal “is technically called cultural heritage tourism. What that really means is local economic development. We want to get literally hundreds of thousands of people who are going up and down our interstates, who tour our state every day. We want to get them off the highway – somewhere other than Myrtle Beach and Charleston – we want to get them to rural South Carolina. And when we get them off the highway, we want them to stop and buy gas. We want them to buy T-shirts, belts, hats and maybe a pocketknife or something. And we want them to eat lunch in our restaurants and we want them to spend the night here,” Davies said.
At least 400 Revolutionary War incidents took place in South Carolina, Davies said.
He noted there were two battles each in Charleston and Camden, “and everything else was out in the country.”
“When people go to Revolutionary War sites, they will be in rural South Carolina,” he said.
Davies said tourists and residents are heading to rural areas to visit Revolutionary War sites.
In 2020, Star Fort, a national park in the Ninety-Six district of South Carolina, saw 95,107 visitors. Davies said the visitors invested an estimated $5.7 million in the state.
Cowpens National Battlefield, just outside of Chesnee, saw 227,000 visitors during 2020, bringing an estimated $14.9 million in revenue to the state.
As the state gets ready for the nation’s 225th birthday, each county needs to form a committee to tell of its Revolutionary War sites, contributions and other significant impacts, he said.
“Once your county council recognizes you as the official Calhoun County committee, we have a $3,000 grant that’s not competitive or anything else,” Davies said. “We’ve got grants that will help you locate sites in your county. Grants that will help research history and find the place and provide the archaeology, that will help you set up the pull-offs and will help you with signage.”
Davies said the SC250 Commission is focused on telling factual stories of the Revolutionary War to not only focus not only on the people who fought in battles, but capture the diversity of people who contributed to the efforts.
St. Matthews Mayor Helen Carson noted, “I’m happy to see this. It would be a wonderful thing for our children and grandchildren to know South Carolina played such a vital role.”
“We’ve got to bring others to the table, to the drawing board, because that’s what’s going to make the horse run down the road,” she said.
To learn more about South Carolina’s efforts to celebrate the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday, visit: www.southcarolina250.com
The Liberty Trail is a free, interactive phone application that allows users to plan tours of Revolutionary War sites across South Carolina.
A St. Matthews woman pleaded guilty to identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement.Amanda Fogle Johnson, 48, of 213 Carlisle Avenue, entered her plea before Circuit Judge Maite Murphy during a recent term of court held at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.Murphy sentenced her to five years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.In other recent guilty pleas:• Terrence Maurice Felder, 49, of 1072 Sulton Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-offense driving under the in...
A St. Matthews woman pleaded guilty to identity fraud to obtain employment or avoid detection by law enforcement.
Amanda Fogle Johnson, 48, of 213 Carlisle Avenue, entered her plea before Circuit Judge Maite Murphy during a recent term of court held at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.
Murphy sentenced her to five years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.
In other recent guilty pleas:
• Terrence Maurice Felder, 49, of 1072 Sulton Court, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-offense driving under the influence less than .10.
Murphy sentenced him to pay a $100 fine within six months or report to jail for 30 days.
• Jamichael Dashawn Franklin, 24, of 624 Bleakley Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense driving under suspension license not suspended for DUI and first-offense failure to stop for blue lights.
Murphy sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years, suspended to one year of probation.
She also ordered him to undergo random drug/alcohol testing.
Prosecutors dismissed Franklin’s charge of first-offense uninsured motor vehicle fee violation.
• Dycippa Lamart Garner, 42, of 741 Old Elloree Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to second-degree domestic violence.
Murphy sentenced him to prison for three years, suspended to two years of probation after he served two days in jail.
She gave Garner credit for having already served the two days in jail.
She also ordered him to undergo random drug/alcohol testing.
• Charles Antrell Demaine Govan, 23, of 960 Rivers Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to public disorderly conduct.
Murphy sentenced him to one day in jail and gave him credit for time served.
Prosecutors dismissed his charge of resisting arrest.
• Taveon Jerell Haywood, 24, of 158 Petunia Street, Cordova, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery.
Murphy sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years, suspended to 18 months of probation.
She also ordered Haywood to complete anger management.
• Shannon Ray Heath, 46, of 2385 Camp Rawls Road, Wagener, pleaded guilty to second-degree non-violent burglary.
Murphy sentenced him to five years in prison, suspended to two years of probation once he served 290 days in jail.
She gave him credit for having served 290 days in jail.
She also ordered Heath to pay restitution and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.
• Manaysia Hoheb, 22, of 751 Bonner Avenue, Santee, pleaded guilty to breach of trust with fraudulent intent valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.
Murphy sentenced her under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed three years, suspended to one year of probation.
She also ordered Hoheb to pay restitution, enroll with the S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department or Job Corps and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.
• Eitan Ben Israel, 70, of 126 Mack Hill Street, St. Matthews, pleaded guilty to pointing and presenting a firearm at a person.
Murphy sentenced him to prison for one year, suspended to probation for nine months.
An additional charge of pointing and presenting a firearm was dismissed.
Murphy also ordered Johnson to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.
• Cleveland Jermaine Johnson, 27, of 77 Timber Lane, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree domestic violence.
Murphy sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to 18 months of probation.
She ordered Johnson to obtain his GED. She gave him credit having already served 329 days in jail.
Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: two counts of third-degree domestic violence and one count each of resisting arrest and malicious injury to real property valued at $2,000 or less.
• Marvin Johnson, 47, of 124 Omega Court, Santee, pleaded guilty to first-offense DUI and second-offense DUI less than .10.
Murphy sentenced him to pay a $150 fine within six months or report to jail for 30 days.
Prosecutors dismissed two counts of threatening the life of a public official and one count of having an open container of alcohol.
• Malik Kentrell Harrison, 25, of 299 Tyler Road, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.
Circuit Judge Heath P. Taylor sentenced him to 70 days in jail and gave him credit for time served.
St. Matthew Baptist Church, 749 Longtown Road in Lugoff, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Established in 1873 by former salves, members at that time gathered under a brush arbor for worship. Later that same year, Gordon and Grady Bell of Lugoff granted the members 2 acres of land for a church to be built.Services were held each Sunday with additional prayer services held during the week. The building was later destroyed by fire, and in March 1939, services continued in the Parker School building.On May 21, 1956, membe...
St. Matthew Baptist Church, 749 Longtown Road in Lugoff, recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. Established in 1873 by former salves, members at that time gathered under a brush arbor for worship. Later that same year, Gordon and Grady Bell of Lugoff granted the members 2 acres of land for a church to be built.
Services were held each Sunday with additional prayer services held during the week. The building was later destroyed by fire, and in March 1939, services continued in the Parker School building.
On May 21, 1956, members purchased land on S.C. 5 (Longtown Road) to build a new church. In 1958, the members moved into the new sanctuary. Old time hymns, accompanied by the clapping of hands and stomping of feet, along with shouts of praise echoed throughout each service.
Baptisms were held outdoors before an indoor baptismal pool was built. Members would fellowship with each other after services knowing that it would be a week or more before they could see or talk to each other again.
Electronic communication was not available. This building now serves as the church’s family life center.
Throughout its 150-year history, St Matthew has been under the leadership of several pastors, each providing spiritual guidance to the congregation, leadership and improvements to the physical structure of the church. Each pastor worked hard to achieve the goals established during his tenure. In the fall of 2006, construction began on the current sanctuary. It was dedicated in April 2007 during a morning service.
The congregation’s goals for the future of St. Matthew are to continue to provide services through the offering of programs of benefit to the members as well as the surrounding community.
These include educational programs and workshops that focus on health awareness, tutorial services, and parenting classes.
Providing recreational activities for senior citizens and youth, the development of an outreach ministry, seeing an increase in membership, offering a scholarship program for students to continue their education beyond high school, continuing its monthly foot giveaway, and increasing the involvement of youth in the functions of the church all remain a priority at St. Matthew.
The sesquicentennial culminated with a banquet held at the Bethlehem Family Life Center in Lugoff. Michael Cummings, Eugene Walker, and Russell Perkins provided music. State Sen. Penry Gustafson, along with former Kershaw County Council member Bobby Gary, presented the church with proclamations recognizing St. Matthew for its long history and contributions to the community. That Sunday’s church service concluded with dinner in the fellowship hall.
St. Matthew Baptist Church was built on God’s guidance, faith, the hard work of the congregation’s forefathers, and its dedicated church members. Its mission is to save souls by glorifying God, spreading His Holy Word, supporting fellow believers, and to be a guiding lot for the community.
“As we enter a new era in the history of St. Matthew, we trust that God will enable us to live out the true meaning of our mission statement,” congregants said.
“Thanks be to God! He has heard your prayers! He has answered your prayers!” With these words, the Rev. Janet Echols, Rector of St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte, announced on October 31, 2022, that her congregation will be allowed to buy back their church property. In April, the SC Supreme Court ruled that St. Matthew’s along with seven other parishes no longer belonged to the local congregations and that their deeds were to be handed over to the Episcopal Church.On October 29, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the Epi...
“Thanks be to God! He has heard your prayers! He has answered your prayers!” With these words, the Rev. Janet Echols, Rector of St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte, announced on October 31, 2022, that her congregation will be allowed to buy back their church property. In April, the SC Supreme Court ruled that St. Matthew’s along with seven other parishes no longer belonged to the local congregations and that their deeds were to be handed over to the Episcopal Church.
On October 29, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley and the Episcopal Standing committee of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, to sell the church property back to the Anglican congregation.
Echols called the opportunity miraculous. “I say miraculously because it really was an act of God that turned the tide for us. There were forces at work against us. Your prayers were effective! No other church in our Diocese has been given this opportunity to ‘redeem’ their property. Thanks be to God for answered prayers!”
In addition to thanking her congregation for praying the effort through, Echols thanked attorney Francis Mack, “who persevered through this 10-year journey and did an amazing job as our legal counsel,” as well as Mary Taber and Steve Pittman, (Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively) and their vestry “who have shown great leadership in this season.”
Echols also publicly thanked Bishop Woodliff-Stanley, Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina for “her courage, wisdom and grace,” and, in response to requests from her parishioners, provided them with the Episcopal Bishop’s address so they may write notes of appreciation. “In spite of letters and calls from people encouraging her not to sell to us, she made the call,” said Echols.
Bishop Chip Edgar, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina called it a “eucatastrophe.” “This was a classic Tolkienesque ‘eucatastrophe,’” he said, “where six months ago we thought all was lost when the properties had been lost, but St. Matthew’s has had the opportunity to purchase back their building at a price they can achieve. It also opens the door for them to fundraise both for this as well as other needs of their church and mission opportunities going forward. It’s my hope and prayer and even expectation that this starts yet another new day for St. Matthew’s as they look to a future where they can really live into the ministry to which God has called them.”
The church has 90 days to raise the agreed upon price for the property. In her message to the congregation Echols said, “The first thing we need to do is PRAY. Just as I asked you to pray for the meeting – three times a day for five minutes. I am going to ask you that at every meal when you thank God for your “daily bread,” His provision, you also pray for provision for our church. Thank Him for what He has already done, for what He is doing, and for what He will do to provide for us. People around the Anglican Diocese of SC and the world are joining us in prayer.”
The Jerusalem Fund sent an “encouragement gift” of $10,000 to St Matthew’s Parish this week. As a Diocese, we continue to stand together as we labor to build up the Body of Christ in this place.
To donate to the effort, give to the Jerusalem Fund, noting that your gift is for St. Matthew’s, Fort Motte.
The playground will be located at the corner of Butler Street and Richland Avenue. The land was formerly used for tennis courts that became dilapidated.ST MATTHEWS, S.C. — Construction of a new playground is underway in the Town of St. Matthews. The project is being spearheaded by the Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Department.“I think it’s ...
The playground will be located at the corner of Butler Street and Richland Avenue. The land was formerly used for tennis courts that became dilapidated.
ST MATTHEWS, S.C. — Construction of a new playground is underway in the Town of St. Matthews. The project is being spearheaded by the Calhoun County Parks and Recreation Department.
“I think it’s gonna be a great addition for us," said local parent Joseph Fairey.
There will be slides, monkey bars, and swing sets for children to enjoy, and picnic tables for families. According to the Calhoun County Department of Parks and Recreation, this project has been a few years in the making.
The playground will be located at the corner of Butler Street and Richland Avenue. The land was formerly used for tennis courts that became dilapidated over the years.
“You have a lot of people in this area, in St. Matthews that are looking for things to do with their kids. On a nice day like this, this would be a perfect day to bring your kids out, use the playground, get rid of all of that energy that these kids have after a long day of school," said parks and recreation director Zachary Tarrant.
Joseph Fairey is a local parent in St. Matthews. His daughters are active in Calhoun County sports programs.
"I remember growing up this was a tennis court and I had a lot of good memories out there," he said, "Over the years it had just kind of become not used and not functional for the community.”
He moved back to St. Matthews last year after living in Columbia for a while.
“This is a great family, friendly community but not having a playground is obviously something we needed. Just excited for my kids. I’ve got a one, a four, and a seven year old so obviously we’ll be using it a lot and lots of families that are out here will take advantage of it and it’ll bring the community together," said Fairey.
The park is being funded by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, in addition to money from the Calhoun County penny sales tax. It's expected to open at the end of May.