Strom Law Firm Columbia SC
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Accident Lawyers: Get Help from a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer

Benefits of a Columbia Auto Accident Attorney

After a car crash, you may not know what to do. Few experiences create the mix of stress, confusion, and anxiety that results from a car accident. So much happens in the moments and days that follow a car wreck in South Carolina; the victims find themselves in unique unfamiliar situations after a crash. Amidst the chaos of it all, you have to make certain significant decisions that can affect you mentally, physically, and financially for years to come.
What you do at the car crash scene and the days after can affect your ability to recover compensation for your damages. Figuring out the right course of action following a SC driving accident can overwhelm a person on the best of daysโ€”never mind a person who suffers from the pain of their injuries and the anxiety of how they will pay for the expenses headed their way.
Here’s the good news! If another partyโ€™s fault caused your car accident, you should not have to worry about bearing the burden of these costs. A Columbia car accident attorney can explain your legal rights and options for how to recover your losses. With the help of a car accident lawyer, you can fight and settle for the compensation you deserve. Our Columbia attorneys provide our clients with directions, support, and help when filing a case.
At the Strom Law Firm, LLC, we would love the opportunity to show you why so many injured Columbia, SC accident victims choose us to represent them after a serious car accident injury crash. To better assist you, our offers free initial consultations and reviews. Call us today atย ย 803-252-4800

Car Accident Lawyer in Columbia, SC

  • Did you get into a car accident on I-26 heading into West Columbia?
  • Perhaps you suffered an injury in a rear-end car crash near the Riverbanks Zoo?
  • Maybe you got into a car crash while driving to class at the University of South Carolina?
  • Were you injured in a car accident on I-20 in or around the Midlands?

No matter where your car accident occurred in Columbia, South Carolina, you need an auto accident attorney on your side that you can trust to handle your case. Insurance companies are in the business of reducing their own liabilities after an accident. As such, they may try to pressure victims to accept far less compensation than they need.

If you or a family member was injured in a car accident in Columbia, you need an attorney on your side from the start of your case. Contacting a Columbia car accident lawyer at the Strom Law Firm, who has experience litigating and resolving car accident cases may help you obtain the compensation you deserve. While you concentrate your energy and efforts on your recovery, your attorney can fight the insurance companies for you and prevent them from taking advantage after a life altering car accident. Let our SC firm take this burden off of your shoulders so you can focus on rebuilding your life after a serious car accident.

Can I get my DUI Accident Charge Reduced to Reckless Driving in Columbia?

The consequences of a DUI conviction are severe. A drunk driving conviction will affect your driving record, obligate you to obtain SR-22 auto insurance, and may cause you to lose your job, harm your career, or lose your professional license. Drunk driving accidents in South Carolina can also have serious consequences. If you have been involved in a drunk driving case, talk with an attorney to determine the best course of action.

Choose the Best Columbia Car Accident Attorney Near You

Why Choose Us as Your Columbia Car Accident Lawyers?

Choosing the best car accident attorney near you in SC is a personal decision and one that should not be made lightly. You deserve to have an experienced and compassionate attorney you can trust from the very start. Our auto accident lawyers pride themselves on open communication with clients and personal service to ensure you feel heard.

We also pride ourselves on our results. Our personal injury lawyers consistently strive to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients depending on the type of accident and injuries involved. Choosing our devoted team of auto accident attorneys and staff at the Strom Law Firm, LLC places you in a position to receive just compensation for your injuries following a claim.

The Columbia car accident lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC have successfully resolved auto accident cases across South Carolinaโ€”for significant value. From the time a crash occurs, our law firm works to secure the information and evidence necessary to provide you with the best financial recovery that the law allows.

At the Strom Law Firm, LLC, we would love the opportunity to show you why so many injured Columbia, SC accident victims choose us to represent them after a serious injury crash. To better assist you, our firm offers free initial consultations and reviews.

Contact our Columbia personal injury attorneys through this website or call us at 803-252-4800.

Over the past decade, the Columbia SC based Strom Law Firm LLC has recovered over $2 Billion in compensation on behalf of clients, including people with injuries in automobile accidents.

Columbia Car Accident Injuries and Case FAQ

To help you better understand what to expect from representation by an experienced Columbia car accident lawyer, below is a list of common questions we hear from SC clients.

How Much is My Columbia Car Accident Case Worth?

We Can Help You Collect the Compensation You Deserve

Injured auto accident victims may need money now to pay medical bills and household expenses. As such, it is common to wonder how much your car accident is truly worth. While valuing cases is not an exact science, compensation takes into account a number of factors. Some of these factors include:

  • The severity of the injury โ€“ does it include a head injury, a traumatic brain injury, or a spinal cord injury
  • Where the accident occurred in South Carolina
  • The underlying facts leading to the accident including whether the accident involved speed, failure to pay attention, or other potentially reckless conduct
  • The types of medical treatments required
  • The length of these medical treatments and potential for future medical care
  • Are the injuries permanent
  • Did the injuries result in a disability?
  • Did the accident result in lost income?
  • What is the victimโ€™s ability to work following a motor vehicle accident?
  • Are additional replacement services required following the motor vehicle accident, such as childcare?
  • What is the disruption to normal daily activities?
  • How credible are the evidence and witnesses?
  • How certain is the liability?

When you work with a knowledgeable car accident attorney from Strom Law Firm, LLC, we will determine which of these elements may affect your claim and, in response, prepare the best case to obtain maximum compensation.

By finding all liable parties following a motor vehicle accident, we can help you collect a variety of damages for your SC case.

What damages are available to me following a Columbia Car Accident?

Economic damages: These damages are compensation you receive as a result of monetary losses you suffer.

These South Carolina auto accident damages are generally quantifiable and include:

  • Medical bills, including past, current, and future medical expenses, such as ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, and prescription medications.
  • Lost income including past, current, and future earnings lost when your injury prevents you from working or returning to work
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Personal property damages such as damage to your car
  • At-home nursing care
  • Rehabilitative services including physical and vocational therapy
  • Household replacement services, such as cleaning services or child care services
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages: These are subjective losses resulting from your South Carolina accident but are no less important.

They include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life and activities
  • Loss of a limb
  • Loss of reputation
  • Loss of companionship
  • Loss of consortium
  • Disfigurement
  • Scarring
  • Humiliation

Punitive damages: Unlike economic and non-economic damages, which are intended to compensate the victim for their injuries, punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer for their actions and to deter them from committing the act again in the future. Punitive damages are not available in every case but may be applicable depending on the underlying conduct of the responsible driver or drivers.

What are common types of injuries suffered in car accidents?

Over the past decade, the Columbia SC based Strom Law Firm, LLC has recovered over $2 Billion in compensation on behalf of clients involved in automobile accidents, including on behalf of people with catastrophic injuries.

Internal bleeding

Internal bleeding is a life-threatening consequence of trauma. The condition can arise within most organs or blood vessels in the human body. Injuries including those in car crashes often involve blunt force trauma, when your body collides with another object at high speed. The most common areas of concern for internal bleeding injuries are:

Signs of internal bleeding will vary, depending on the injuryโ€™s severity and location, but some symptoms to keep an eye on include:

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Headaches
  • Deep Purple Color to Skin

Traumatic brain injuries

A sudden jolt from a crash can cause a skull fracture, contusion, or bleeding on the brain. Significantly, if you or a loved one experiences trauma to the head during a car accident, immediate signs of injury may not always arise. Instead, you could be suffering from a condition known colloquially as โ€œTalk and Die Syndrome.โ€

You or your loved one may seem fully lucid and able to functionally walk and talk, all while internally suffering from an epidural hemorrhage. Victims, unaware of a fractured skull or bleeding and swelling, might attempt to carry on with regular activities. Some symptoms might later include nausea, a severe headache, and sudden sleepiness.

โ€œTalk and Die Syndromeโ€ could be fatal; if you or a passenger suffered a blow to the head, seek medical attention even if you feel perfectly fine. Advise medical professionals that you struck your head and it may be injured. It is of the utmost importance that such conditions are treated immediately before the condition deteriorates.

Bone & Soft Tissue Injuries

The impact of a collision can put tremendous force on cervical and lumbar vertebrae. In some instances, a disc can be damaged, sometimes referred to as a herniation. In other situations, the impact can result in a spinal cord injury requiring ongoing medical care. Back and neck injuries are very common after a car accident. Whiplash is the most common type of neck injury following a rear-end collision.

Joint damage is also very common. Pain and stiffness are common complaints raised by many people following a crash. The underlying condition may be damage to a joint such as a hip or shoulder.

High impact and rollover collisions may exert incredible force on bones. This can cause multiple fractures, including breaks to the legs, arms, and rib cage.

Skin Injuries

Burns, abrasions, road rash, and other types of skin injuries can cause horrific disfigurement, as well as pain and suffering. Among other causes, burns may result from airbag injuries, battery explosions, and other chemicals released during a crash.

Injured victims suffering from serious skin issues may need years of skin graft surgeries, as well as therapies and medical care. They may also suffer from serious depression and PTSD.

What if I donโ€™t feel hurt immediately after an automobile accident?

Following a motor vehicle crash, the insurance company will be trying to contact you. However, before you start believing that the insurance company will work with you and get you the money you need, you need to think again. The insurance company, like any other business, wants to make a profit.

To achieve this goal, they will try to do anything they can to get you to admit fault so that they can deny or reduce the amount of your claim. That is why if the insurance adjuster is calling, you need to be careful. Avoid making any statements where you take fault for part of the accident or apologize for anything that happened. It is best to wait to talk to an adjuster until after you have talked to your Columbia car accident attorney.

Better yet, you should only provide the insurance adjuster with basic details of the accident and indicate that all future discussions will be through our Columbia car accident attorneys. Once your SC lawyer takes over, they can handle these discussions and ensure you do not say anything that can affect your case.

How long do I have to file a motor vehicle accident injury claim in Columbia?

Regardless of whether you think you have sustained serious injuries, or if you think you may simply be sore, consider seeking South Carolina medical care. Why? Often, it can take days for a serious injury to manifest, and delaying treatment can worsen the injury and lead to devastating outcomes. That is why following your Columbia motor vehicle crash, you need to get examined by a medical professional. These physicians can verify if you have any of these hidden injuries, such as brain trauma or internal bleeding, and provide you the treatments you need.

In addition, doctors write about your injuries in their medical report, including the cause and extent of such injuries. This report can be crucial for demonstrating the significance of your injuriesย in your case. Be sure to share these reports with your attorney so they know the extent of your damages.

What is the advantage of having a personal injury lawyer help me with my car accident case?

After a car accident, you may not know where to turn for help. Insurance companies may come calling, asking you to quickly accept an offer. Speaking to an experienced car accident attorney from Strom Law Firm, LLC before signing anything from an insurance company can better help you understand your legal rights, and the full scope of available compensation.

Our SC lawyers can:

  • Provide legal guidance. Our lawyers will answer the questions you have while also providing you with the legal options you can pursue after your driving accident.
  • Build your case. This includes Investigating your motor vehicle accident, gathering critical evidence and reports, and interviewing relevant witnesses that can help prove who was at fault.
  • Consider other avenues of liability – from product related cases, to potential defects in construction or maintenance, often there are multiple causes of a motor vehicle accident.
  • Explore the available coverage. Sometimes, more than one insurance policy may be used to provide relief for injuries suffered.
  • Negotiating your claim. Our legal experts will handle all negotiations and discussions with the insurance company, ensuring your case is treated with fairness and respect.
  • Litigate your case in court. Our team will take your case to trial if the other side is unwilling to negotiate and fight for maximum compensation.
Who else may be responsible for my car accident?

Sometimes a driving accident may have multiple sources who an injured victim can look to for relief. For example, a rollover may be the result of a defective design, an exploding airbag may cause catastrophic injury or even death in an otherwise low impact accident, and even the failure to maintain a roadway may occasionally contribute or cause an accident.

At Strom Law Firm, our investigation into the cause of an accident never stops at the surface.

I was involved in an accident and the other driver says they were not responsible. What happens next?

For you to recover maximum damages for your motor vehicle accident, we must find all liable parties and prove that they were at fault for your injuries. This includes either showing that the other individual(s) willfully or recklessly caused the accident, or your injuries resulted from their negligence.

To prove negligence, our auto accident attorneys must establish the following key elements:

  • The liable party owed you a duty of care. When driving a motor vehicle, motorists owe those on the road a duty of care to drive as a reasonable person would to avoid foreseeable injuries.
  • The liable party breached this duty. As a motorist, breaches of this duty in SC can include- driving under the influence, distracted driving, following too closely, speeding, or even texting and driving, among other practices.
  • This breach of duty caused your injuries. To prove this causation element, we must show that the liable partyโ€™s actions were the actual and proximate cause of your injuries.
  • There were damages. To detail these damages, you need to demonstrate relevant evidence of your injuries and your monetary losses. That is why you must keep complete and detailed records of your property damages, expenses, and injuries. Our lawyers will help you monitor these categories.

When you retain a skilled Columbia car accident attorney from Strom Law Firm, LLC, we can promptly get to work gathering the critical evidence needed to prove these necessary elements in your case.

The other driverโ€™s insurance company says I donโ€™t need a lawyer; how do I respond?

Following a motor vehicle crash, the โ€œat faultโ€ insurance company may try to contact you. However, before you start believing that the insurance company will work with you and get you the money you need, you need to think again. Insurance companies are in the business of decreasing exposure, which means paying as little as possible on claims.

To achieve this goal, they may try to contest liability, or even allege you were partially responsible for the driving accident, thereby reducing their fault. If the insurance adjuster is calling, be careful. Avoid making any statements where you take fault for part of the accident or apologize for anything that happened.

If you speak with the insurance company, provide the insurance adjuster with basic details of the accident and indicate that all future discussions will be through our Columbia car accident attorneys. Once our legal experts take over, we can handle these discussions so you donโ€™t have to feel pressure from an insurer while dealing with countless other issues related to your personal injury recovery.

Should I contact my own insurance company?

You may have an obligation to notify your insurer about any accidents in which you are involved. A personal injury lawyer at our firm can help you navigate putting your insurer on notice of the accident, as well as to identify various extra coverage that may be available to you through your policy including PIP, MedPay, or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.ย 

What should I do immediately after my Columbia car accident?

There is no way to prepare for an automobile accident! Unfortunately, the actions (or inactions) you take after a collision can impact the final outcome of your case. The following steps may help:ย 

Report Your Accident & Obtain a Copy of the Report

At the scene of your car accident, call the police. It is their job to secure the scene, get help for injured victims and fill out a police report. This report can later be requested and contains valuable information regarding your accident, including the names of drivers and passengers, the position of the vehicles upon police arrival, insurance information of the involved drivers, and whether anyone was ticketed.

The driver or owner of a vehicle who causes property damage, injury, or death or damage in excess of $1,000.00 must submit a report to the South Carolina DMV as soon as possible, and no later than ten days after the crash.

The individual people who own and/or operate the vehicle must also report crashes using the South Carolina DMV Website Report form. Additional information is available from the Division of Public Safety website on how to obtain and file the appropriate forms. Check out their website or contact our car accident lawyers at 803-252-4800, if you need more information.

It is important to obtain copies of any and all reports filed regarding your SC car accident. These reports will be critical to your case and to proving liability.

Follow All Medical Treatment Plans

Be sure that you follow all of your doctorโ€™s orders precisely. This includes attending all follow-up appointments, as well as filling all prescription medications promptly. Do not miss therapy sessions or fail to report for a scheduled medical test, and continue without treatment until discharged.ย 

Be Mindful of Social Media

It is also important to be mindful of what you post on social media. Health is a spectrum, and some days you may be feeling better than others. But insurance companies look to social media accounts to disprove your injuries. It is best to avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries to social media.

What if the other driver received a citation for the accident?ย 

It is important to monitor court dates for the other driverโ€™s citation related to the South Carolina accident. Sometimes, when the injured parties do not appear, citations may be subject to dismissal. Our team of car accident attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can help with this monitoring to make sure you are represented at appearances and hearings for the at-fault driverโ€™s citation.ย 

Do Not Delay

The statute of limitations is a law that establishes the maximum amount of time you have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense. This means in Columbia, you generally have three years from the date of the motor vehicle accident to file a claim, although numerous factors can reduce this timeframe. If you do not file a claim within the applicable deadline, whatever that may be, you could be barred from compensation for the injuries you sustained in your accident.

Regardless of your statute of limitations, it is often best to involve an auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. Over time memories can fade, witnesses may no longer be available to testify, and crucial evidence can disappear. That is why speaking to a car accident attorney as quickly as possible can ensure critical legal documents and motions are filed on time.

Contact a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Case Today

Columbia SC auto Accident Lawyer
Pete Strom, Columbia Auto Accident Lawyer

Our clients are the top priority at Strom Law Firm, LLC. We understand the complex difficulties of suffering from car accident injuries, and the wide array of physical and financial consequences that accompany such an accident. Our car accident attorneys are committed to fighting the at-fault driverโ€™s insurance company for you to get the damages to which you are entitled.
If you have been injured in a car crash in Columbia or in Richland County, contact us today. We offer free case evaluations and we do not collect any fees unless we recover for you or a loved one on your case. Contact our team of experienced Columbia accident lawyers by calling 803-252-4800 and find out if we are able to help you.


Client Review

Hereโ€™s what Jocelyn C. said about us on Google:
โ€œWe retained Atty Jessica Fickling to help us after a terrible car accident. She and her paralegal Mallory were wonderful! Professional, skilled, savvy – we couldnโ€™t have asked for a better legal team. Many thanks!!
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How this works

Step 1 - Welcome
In this step, you'll experience a warm welcome as you enter the Strom Law Firm.
1
Step 2 - Initial Meeting
You'll meet with professionals. They will go through the facts of your case, explain the entire process.
2
Step 3 - Preparations
We builds your case by interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, and hiring experts.
3
Step 4 - Trial
You'll learn that the firm is trial-ready. They've been preparing since day one and will guide you through the process.
4
Step 5 - Resolution
your case concludes with the firm hoping for a positive outcome. They assure enduring friendships and a commitment to being there for you, regardless of future legal needs.
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What Our Clients Say

They truly care
Mrs Vallery, who answered the phone took more care and attention to detail than any other law office, that I have called, in 2 years+. She diligently took notes to give to the lawyers and cared about my situation and let me actually tell everything without cutting me short. Out of over 100 law offices, this is rare treatment. Care. Consideration. That means more than anything going through this…
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Professional Representation, Satisfying Legal Outcome!
My wife and I retained Bakari Sellers to represent our son in a case in Richland County. We found Mr. Sellers, his assistant Stephanie, and the rest of the staff at Strom, extremely courteous and professional. We really appreciated Mr. Sellers’ straightforward and honest approach. We believe this is a very competent law firm, and are satisfied with the legal outcome they achieved. We would highly recommend them!
Bryan B.
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Exceptional Legal Team After Our Car Accident!
We retained Atty Jessica Fickling to help us after a terrible car accident. She and her paralegal Mallory were wonderful! Professional, skilled, savvy – we couldnโ€™t have asked for a better legal team. Many thanks!!
Jocelyn C.
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Strom Law Firm's Consistent Excellence
I have been a client with The Strom Law Firm for thirty years and have been incredibly blessed to have the assurance that they will do everything possible to provide excellent service to my needs. Ally Benevento is exceptional and represents the firm in a professional manner.
Timothy O.
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From Self-Representation to Victory in SSDI Case!
My experience with Mario and his staff was outstanding. When everyone said to give up my case with SSDI and after being poorly represented and losing. I had to file my own appeals and represent myself. I literally called every attorney in the book. Then I called Mario cold – I expected one more no! Well, this gentleman took my case and won. He knows the law and cares a lot. I am proud to call him my friend. If you need a professional to help you, call these guys.
Robert L.
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A Pleasure to Work With, Outstanding Case Outcome!
Thanks Olivia, It was a pleasure working with you. You were well prepared and presented our case in a very professional manner. I could not have ask for a better outcome. Working with everyone at the Strom Law Firm has always been a pleasure and I will be happy to recommend your Law Firm to anyone.
Nancy G.
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A Lifesaver in the Courtroom, Ensuring Freedom with A1 Professionalism
Needed a lifesaver. I had gotten myself into a bad situation and the possibility of going to prison. Through the diligence and hard work done by attorney Alley B., I was able to walk out of that courtroom a free man. No tricks just hard down attorney work. She was an A1 professional and knew every inch of the Law pertaining to my case. For that, I am forever grateful.
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A Winning Team at Strom Law Firm!
John Alphin was great. We basically worked together for 22 months. Bakari Sellers was also on the team and together those 2 guys were fabulous. Won the case and Iโ€™m still a client of Strom law firm. Thank you and awesome law firm.
Steve T.
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Excellence in Action for Workman's Comp Case!
Strom Law Firm was really great and professional. I had a great experience with Mario as my attorney and his paralegal, Brian. These two are amazing, they worked very hard on my husband’s workman’s comp case and we were very pleased with the services and results ๐Ÿ‘. Brian was so prompt at returning phone calls and getting things ready for the case. I strongly recommend this firm for any of your legal matters. If I had to use you guys again, I would be happy to do so.
Mary W.
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Mastering Complex Legal Issues with Care and Compassion
Mario Pacella at Strom Law Firm LLC in Brunswick, Georgia, is a masterful, no-nonsense lawyer. His caring and compassionate approach, along with prompt responsiveness, sets him apart. Mario and the firm exhibit exceptional professionalism and attention to detail, emphasizing genuine care for every client.
L. Gilder
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