Why Hire Roden Law After a Columbia Car Accident
After a crash, the other driver’s insurer starts building its case right away. You should have someone building yours: gathering the crash report, video and medical records, and dealing with the adjusters so you can focus on getting better.
- No fee unless we win. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing up front.
- A South Carolina lawyer on your case. Your case is handled under South Carolina law by attorneys licensed here, from our office at 1545 Sumter Street in downtown Columbia.
- Evidence preserved early. We work to secure video, the crash report and witness accounts before they are lost.
- The full value of the claim. Medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and damage to your vehicle.
Where Car Accidents Happen in Columbia
Columbia sits where three interstates meet, and much of the Midlands’ commuter, freight and game-day traffic passes through the same few corridors. For a closer look, see the most dangerous intersections and roads in Columbia.
Malfunction Junction and the Carolina Crossroads work zones
The I-20 / I-26 interchange, known locally as Malfunction Junction, is being rebuilt under SCDOT’s Carolina Crossroads project, which is reworking the I-20, I-26 and I-126 corridors. Lane shifts and work zones change as the project moves along. See Bush River Road and I-26 and Carolina Crossroads construction zone accidents.
I-20 and I-77
I-20 carries traffic across the north side of the city, and I-77 runs toward Blythewood and Rock Hill. See I-20 accidents in the Columbia area and Blythewood and I-77.
Two Notch Road and Broad River Road
These busy commercial corridors have frequent signals, driveways and turning traffic. See Two Notch Road and Broad River Road.
Downtown and the university area
Around the State House and the University of South Carolina, drivers share the streets with pedestrians, cyclists and event traffic.
For what to do in the days after a crash, see our step-by-step guide after a car accident in Columbia. If a commercial truck was involved, see our truck accident lawyers.
South Carolina Rules That Shape a Columbia Claim
Crashes involving a city, county or state vehicle
If a City of Columbia, Richland County or SCDOT vehicle caused the crash, or a road defect did, the South Carolina Tort Claims Act applies. Suit must be filed within two years of when the loss was or should have been discovered (S.C. Code § 15-78-110). Filing a verified claim with the agency within one year is optional and extends that period to three years (S.C. Code § 15-78-80). Recovery against a government entity is capped at $300,000 per person and $600,000 per occurrence, with no punitive damages (S.C. Code § 15-78-120). See government vehicle accidents.
Insurance: minimum limits, UM and UIM
South Carolina drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability, plus $25,000 in property damage (S.C. Code § 38-77-140). A serious crash can exceed those limits quickly. Every South Carolina auto policy must include uninsured motorist coverage (S.C. Code § 38-77-150), and insurers must offer underinsured motorist coverage (S.C. Code § 38-77-160). After a hit-and-run with an unknown driver, UM claims require a prompt police report and corroboration that the other vehicle existed (S.C. Code § 38-77-170).
Where your case would be filed
Most Richland County car accident lawsuits are filed in the Court of Common Pleas at the Richland County Judicial Center, 1701 Main Street, near our Sumter Street office. A crash in Lexington County, such as in West Columbia, Cayce or Lexington, may be filed there instead. For how South Carolina settlements are valued, see South Carolina car accident settlement value.
