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 Summerville, 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 Summerville, 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 Summerville, 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 Summerville today.
Summerville designer Gray Benko and her family are on a quest to bring color and life back to historic spaces in the Charleston area. It’s a feat they are accomplishing head-on in a new TV series called “Happy to be Home with the Benkos.”In six episodes, Gray Benko teams up with her craftsman husband, Mike Benko, and her father, Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith, to renovate portions of six historic Charleston-area homes.Each episode features a different house that dates back at least 100 years. The idea is t...
Summerville designer Gray Benko and her family are on a quest to bring color and life back to historic spaces in the Charleston area. It’s a feat they are accomplishing head-on in a new TV series called “Happy to be Home with the Benkos.”
In six episodes, Gray Benko teams up with her craftsman husband, Mike Benko, and her father, Joe “Grumpy” Highsmith, to renovate portions of six historic Charleston-area homes.
Each episode features a different house that dates back at least 100 years. The idea is to add color, texture and fun to each one while breaking away from the “stereotypical farmhouse concept that has been so popular for so long,” said Mike Benko.
Most of the renovated spaces are ones the homeowners were unhappy with. They were either looking for a change, or the space needed some sort of structural or construction work.
The crew works to salvage the integrity of each home’s history while adding the flair of Gray Benko’s designs. Once complete, most of the spaces are revived from floor to ceiling with brand new construction, vibrant colors and patterns, antique furniture and fixtures from local shops.
Each member of the trio has their own rule in the renovations. Gray, who is also a photographer, is responsible for the designs. Highsmith, a general contractor from Hilton Head Island, oversees the construction. And Gray describes her husband, Mike, as a renaissance man who’s “like a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.” He completes a personalized, special project for each homeowner.
Gray, a Lowcountry native, said her family’s passion for this work likely stems from living in historic homes for so many years. They’ve renovated their own homes, “and that’s kind of how this whole things started,” she said.
“I did our houses, people saw it on my Instagram, loved it and then started asking me for help with their house,” she said. “And then it all turned into this whole TV show thing, and here we are.”
“Happy to be Home with the Benkos” airs on the Magnolia Network, which features original shows curated by Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars of the hit home renovation TV series “Fixer Upper” and owners of the Magnolia home brand. The show can be streamed on HBO Max and Discovery+, too.
Since the Benkos utilize local businesses to help with the renovations, many Lowcountry faces are seen on the show, too, like Charleston upholsterer Kelvin Moultrie of Carolina Auto Trim, seamstress Elizabeth Wheaton of Wheaton Whaley Home and designer Sally Bennet of Mirth Studio, among other South Carolinians.
The Benkos are currently taking on new projects in the Summerville and Charleston areas. Homes that are built in the 1920s or earlier are preferred.
“We are looking for people who are not afraid of color, obviously, and who have renovations that they already want to do,” Gray said.
Those who are interested should send an email to info.graybenko@gmail.com.
Enrollment is officially open for interested parents and families to sign up for a new private preschool opening up in the summer of 2024.SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Enrollment is officially open for interested parents and families to sign up for a new private preschool opening up in the summer of 2024.Goddard Schools Summerville is a unique program focused on behavioral health and well-being through play and inquiry-based training.“Our mission is kindergarten readiness for all of our students,” Goddard School...
Enrollment is officially open for interested parents and families to sign up for a new private preschool opening up in the summer of 2024.
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Enrollment is officially open for interested parents and families to sign up for a new private preschool opening up in the summer of 2024.
Goddard Schools Summerville is a unique program focused on behavioral health and well-being through play and inquiry-based training.
“Our mission is kindergarten readiness for all of our students,” Goddard Schools Summerville Co-owner Amy Strickland said. “And we serve families with little ones from 6 weeks up til right before kindergarten starts.”
The curriculum gives kids a chance to learn their own way by using their senses and minds to make early education more engaging and exciting.
“It empowers children to find their voices, ask questions,” Strickland said.
There are hundreds of these programs across the nation, Nexton’s new location being the eighth in South Carolina.
Tuition will vary depending on the age of your children, how many you hope to enroll and what schedules you would prefer.
The school needs final approval before it can begin building the facility. Officials hope to start construction next week.
The school will be located in a developing shopping center on Nexton Parkway and Brighton Park Boulevard.
The area is being built up and occupied by young families.
Some tell me that’s why it is the perfect spot.
One local parent with a former Goddard student says it’s been hard for young families to find childcare resources in the area.
“The Charleston childcare scene is absolutely in a deficit, we really need more and more,” Parent Katie Olejniczak said. “I know a lot of families there that desperately need daycare or desperately need an early childhood development program. And these waitlists are absolutely absurd.”
Olejniczak says the program made a remarkable impact on her daughter’s lifestyle.
“Cam in general loves being around people, loves playing, and she was just in such a positive environment.”
Strickland says it’s the most fulfilling experience she’s had.
“To be able to send 40 kids year after year to kindergarten not scared, not anxious, but happy and confident and ready to take on the world and so excited about school,” Strickland said. If they’re excited about school when they start kindergarten, that really maintains.”
Owners hope to kickstart an office space so that interested families can meet in person and ask questions.
For now, if you’re interested in joining the program as family or staff, you can find out more here.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Charleston gained one restaurant and lost another during the past few days while two new dining venues are coming to the S...
Charleston gained one restaurant and lost another during the past few days while two new dining venues are coming to the Summerville area.
Charleston Hospitality Group opened Republic of Pizza at 451 King St. on May 31 next door to sister restaurant Toast! on King. Salad-server Verde at 347 King closed its doors on May 26.
The pizzeria is the group’s 11th property in South Carolina, joining several Toast! All Day locations, Queology, Eli’s Table, John King Grill & Bar and Honkytonk.
The new restaurant offers appetizers, small plates, salads and Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas. It’s open from 3 p.m. until midnight daily. Beer, wine, cocktails as well as cappuccino and espresso drinks also are available.
A second pizza location is planned for Savannah later this year, according to Eric Parker, chief operating officer.
A couple of blocks north of the pizzeria, a restaurant that launched a dozen years ago shuttered its flagship venue.
Verde closed after the owners decided not to renew their lease, according to a Facebook post. The owners hinted that they might not go away completely from the peninsula.
“We will continue to focus on our smaller footprint locations (keep your eyes peeled downtown),” according to the posting.
Verde has other restaurants on Coleman Boulevard and Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant and on Magnolia Road in West Ashley. It also offers On the Go locations at Charleston International Airport and the Medical University of South Carolina.
What’s cooking?
Another restaurant tenant has signed onto a new retail development near Summerville.
Mexican venture Catrinas recently leased 4,567 square feet in the One Nexton development at One Nexton Boulevard off Nexton Parkway. The site will be anchored by Publix supermarket.
Hannah Kamba and Brent Case of Coldwell Banker Commercial Atlantic represented the tenant. Jeff Yurfest of The Shopping Center Group represented the landlord, C4 Nexton PLX LLC, an affiliate of Charlotte-based developer Crosland Southeast, which bought the 24-acre site in 2021 for $12 million.
Sweet shop Dulce and Woodhaven Pizza recently signed leases in One Nexton as well.
Also in the works is a new restaurant venture in Summerville by the owners of a nearby dining venue.
Ginny and Chris VanZile, who own Lowcountry Fish Camp at 903 Central Ave., will open a pub-style diner called Lowcountry Public House at 1426 Central Ave. by late summer. It’s the former location of Ledyard Bar B Que Co.
A clothing retailer with stores in several major U.S. cities and abroad is coming to downtown Charleston.
Reformation plans to open in the summer in the 3,000-square-foot space vacated by retailer Steve Madden earlier this year at 287 King St., according to Wade Allen, president of the commercial real estate firm Lee & Associates, which handled the lease for the landlord.
The Los Angeles-based retailer’s website shows it is looking for a store manager in Charleston. Interior renovation is underway.
In addition to its home base, the company has shops in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Honolulu, Miami, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and sites outside the U.S. in Toronto and London.
A company representative did not immediately respond for comment.
A downtown Charleston restaurant plans to add a sipping lounge and private salon where an ice cream shop once operated.
Felix Cocktails et Cuisine at 550 King St. will add La Cave at Felix later this year in the 1,650-square-foot space left vacant in February when Odd Fellows Ice Cream Shop closed after 15 months in business.
A new brewery is inching closer to opening in the Charleston area.
High Score Brewing Co. recently applied for a state license to sell beer and wine for on-site use at 8210 Windsor Hill Blvd. near Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston.
Last fall, the brewery leased 5,000 square feet with a target of opening this summer. The new business also will offer arcade games and consoles from the 1970s through the 1990s.
It’s still in the construction phase but look for an opening by late summer, according to a company representative.
Several new commercial tenants are coming to a large housing development on the edge of Summerville.Lombardi’s Pizza Kitchen, The Co-op Frosé & Eatery, The Backyard Biergarten, Lowcountry Yoga and children’s gym KidStro...
Several new commercial tenants are coming to a large housing development on the edge of Summerville.
Lombardi’s Pizza Kitchen, The Co-op Frosé & Eatery, The Backyard Biergarten, Lowcountry Yoga and children’s gym KidStrong are all lined up to be a part of The Hub in Nexton.
The restaurants and fitness sites are expected to move in by late June or early July, according to Nexton spokeswoman Cassie Cataline.
The Hub is a collection of office and commercial buildings under development on Nexton Parkway and Brighton Park Boulevard near Home Telecom and Refuel convenience store.
Office tenants include Coastal Vascular & Vein Center, Charleston Wound Care, Palmetto Primary and Specialty Care Physicians, Derrington Dermatology and Holliday Ingram law firm.
A new pair of two-story office buildings is expected to be completed in 2024 and 2025. They will be 30,000 square feet and 20,000 square feet, respectively, and be built beside Nexton Parkway.
Nexton is a 5,000-acre, mixed-use development next to Summerville between Interstate 26 and U.S. Highway 176 in Berkeley County. With more than 2,500 homes already sold, the development is expected to have 7,500 residential units at full build-out.
It also could house as many residents as the current populations of Clemson, North Myrtle Beach or West Columbia, roughly between 16,000 and 20,000. That would make it as big as Moncks Corner and Georgetown combined.
A new pizza restaurant is now open in Mount Pleasant.
BarPizza opened May 12 at 656-G Long Point Road in the revamped former Kiki & Rye space.
It’s part of Free Reign Restaurants owned by Ryan and Kelleanne Jones. They also operate the recently opened Southbound on the Charleston peninsula and Community Table in Mount Pleasant.
A new retail shop that incorporates a clothing item in all of its wares is close to opening in downtown Charleston.
Respoke hopes to open by the weekend at 377 King St. in the former location of Simply J Boutique.
The shop will offer shoes, clothing and other items that are made in part by repurposing different sections of scarves. Hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, but they could change after the shop opens, according to store manager Joseph Fennell.
Also, coming to downtown Charleston is a new women’s clothing store, now with a shop in Asheville.
Hazel Twenty owner Lexi DiYeso plans to open in August at 73 Wentworth St., formerly part of 269 King St. that was used as back-of-house storage for the former Gap store. The front section houses Aerie, also a clothing shop.
The 3,641-square-foot space is currently under construction behind clothing store Collared Greens and next to The Port Mercantile, part of The Restoration Hotel, according to Blair Hines Gearhart of Oswald Cooke & Associates, who represented the tenant. Charles Constant with Constant Properties represented the landlord.
Ruke’s Produce Stand returns to Mount Pleasant on May 24. Operated by Arthur Brown, the vegetable and fruit vendor will operate 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday through Dec. 31. It’s at 378 Mathis Ferry Road next to Holy Trinity AME Church.
That Big Book Sale returns for its 41st run May 19-21 at Omar Shrine Auditorium at 176 Patriots Point Road in Mount Pleasant.
More than 60,000 books in all categories will be on sale, starting at $1. Sponsored by Charleston Friends of the Library, the event helps support Charleston County Public Library System.
A pre-sale event for members is 5-8 p.m. May 18. The event is open to the public 9 a.m.-7 p.m. May 19, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 20, and 10 a.m-3 p.m. May 21.
Checks, cash, major credit cards and electronic payments, such as ApplePay, will be accepted.
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Some businesses say prioritizing a sense of place in the town of Summerville is most important and sometimes that means new development, despite what some people might think.Dorchester County has a proposed plan to turn 500 N. Main St., also...
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCSC) - Some businesses say prioritizing a sense of place in the town of Summerville is most important and sometimes that means new development, despite what some people might think.
Dorchester County has a proposed plan to turn 500 N. Main St., also known as their main county building, into a hotel, retail spaces, a parking garage and more.
Some businesses located in the heart of Summerville, like Eva’s Restaurant, think change is about time.
“If we don’t have growth, we don’t have a future,” general manager Tina Howard said.
Eva’s Restaurant has been serving the town since 1944. With the proposed development, Howard says she’s not worried about competition.
“I think it would benefit us as a small business with, you know, bringing in tourists,” Howard said. “...I don’t feel it would hurt us personally because we have such a strong, established business.”
Diane Frankenberger, the owner of People, Places & Quilts, says she’s watched Summerville grow for over 30 years. She says with the old post office as the new public works art center, the old Coca-Cola company as the new YMCA and an old hardware store as her own business, she believes both the county and town councils prioritize preservation.
“You have to go forward with the future,” Frankenberger said. “We still can’t have the same houses around here and the old town hall and no computers and blah blah blah. And so, it’s keeping a sense of place, but moving forward with an eye towards the future.”
The county has already approved plans to preserve part of the county building, which once was the old hospital, and improve the current Veteran’s monument.
“I think when people are calling names or say, ‘Don’t do something,’ let’s wait and see and work together and make the best use of what we’ve got there,” Frankenberger said.
Howard says she wants her 6-year-old grandson to be able to experience a flourishing Summerville, just like she has all her life.
“A lot of people complain about the growth and ‘People will stop coming here, we’re full, don’t come here,’” Howard said. “Without growth, we don’t have a future. The future is growth.”
Frankenberger says she’s ready to move forward.
“No more gas on the fire,” Frankenberger said. “Let’s put water on the fire.”
Dorchester County provided the following statement about the proposed plan:
Dorchester County is looking forward to having greater capacity and flexibility to complete the following projects from fee revenues of the redevelopment:
Funding to preserve the façade of the old hospital building.
A new civic park and improvements to the Veterans Memorial.
An additional $8 Million in funding to DD2 schools to supplement $2 Million from the TIF.
Provide $20 Million in funding for a Community Recreation Facility in the Summerville area.
Provide $2 Million in additional funding for streetscaping and improvements to Main Street and Cedar Street.
Provide credits for workforce housing for teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders within the multi-family development for at least 15 years.
A modern County office building and additional Class A Office Space in the downtown area.
A new downtown hotel and restaurant to provide much-needed retail and hospitality amenities in the downtown area.
Create additional parking by providing for the construction of a parking garage in the downtown area.
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.