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Alcohol-Impaired Driving Results in Fatalities or Serious Injuries in South Carolina

South Carolina ranks as the 2nd worst in DUI related fatalities in the nation based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Drunk drivers kill innocent people, or result in serious injuries that have devastating effects on families.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle in South Carolina with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher. In fact, all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have by law set a threshold making it illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.

In 2017 there were 10,874 people killed in alcohol-impaired- driving crashes, an average of 1 alcohol-impaired-driving fatality every 48 minutes. These alcohol- impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 29 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States in 2017. Of the 10,874 people who died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in 2017, there were 6,618 drivers (61%) who had BACs of .08 g/dL or higher. The remaining fatalities consisted of 3,075 motor vehicle occupants (28%) and 1,181 nonoccupants (11%). 

Based on national data related to alcohol impaired driving in 2017, the NHTSA has set forth the following “key findings:

-Key Findings-

  • In 2017 there were 10,874 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher. This totaled 29 percent of all traffic fatalities for the year. (Note: It is illegal in every State to drive with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.)
  • An average of 1 alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 48 minutes in 2017.
  • The estimated economic cost of all alcohol-impaired crashes (involving alcohol-impaired drivers or alcohol- impaired nonoccupants) in the United States in 2010 (the most recent year for which cost data is available) was $44 billion.
  • Of the traffic fatalities in 2017 among chil- dren 14 and younger, 19 percent occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
  • The 21- to 24-year-old age group had the highest percentage (27%) of drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher in fatal crashes compared to other age groups in 2017.
  • The percentage of drivers with BACs
    of .08 g/dL or higher in fatal crashes in 2017 was highest for fatalities involving motorcycle riders (27%), comparedto passenger cars (21%), light trucks (20%), and large trucks (3%).
  • The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2017 was 3.6 times higher at night than during the day.
  • In 2017 among the 10,874 alcohol- impaired-driving fatalities, 68 percent (7,368) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher.

There is some good new too — Fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes decreased by 1.1 percent (10,996 to 10,874 fatalities) from 2016 to 2017. Alcohol- impaired-driving fatalities in the past 10 years have declined by 7 percent from 11,711 in 2008 to 10,874 in 2017. The national rate of alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in 2017 was 0.34 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), down from 0.35 in 2016. The alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate in the past 10 years has declined by 13 percent, from 0.39 in 2008 to 0.34 in 2017.

At the Goings Law Firm, we believe that one DUI related fatality is one too many. Drinking and driving have consequences, and it’s our mission to make sure at the drunk driver pays for the injuries and harm they inflict on the innocent. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a drunk driver related motor vehicle crash, call us today for a free, no obligation, consultation– the number is 803-350-9230.

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2018, November). Alcohol- impaired driving: 2017 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 812 630). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812630

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Drunk Driving Collision, Personal Injury, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death

SC ranks second highest for DUI deaths amid New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve rings in more than the dawn of a new year—it’s also one of the deadliest nights on our nation’s roads. It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities, but one too many toasts before getting behind the wheel can turn revelry into tragedy.

South Carolina ranks second highest for DUI deaths amid New Year’s Eve based on a Study from Safewise.com. South Carolina’s statistics show that 6.22 per 100,000 people due to Impaired Driving. This is the second highest in the nation, only behind Wyoming. Last year , nearly 22,000 people were arrested for DUI and more than 300 died in incidents involving drunk driving. In 2017, drunk driving accounted for 29% of all traffic fatalities nationwide, and nearly sixty percent (60%) of alcohol-involved fatal crashes involved drivers that registered very high blood alcohol content.

Drunk and impaired driving is a deadly problem in our state, and innocent lives are effected everyday. The Goings Law Firm fights drunk drivers in court. If you or a family member has been injured due to a drunk driver, call us today at 803-350-9230. We will get you the justice that you deserve, and we make DRUNK DRIVERS PAY!

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Personal Injury, Truck Accident

Columbia ranks in top 10 most accident-prone cities

Columbia has been ranked among cities with the highest rate of car crashes.

In a new study conducted by QuoteWizard, Columbia has been ranked among cities with the highest rate of car crashes. This is a fact that our firm already knew to be true.

In 2017, more than 40,000 people nationwide died in car crashes. And that number is on the rise, with a six percent increase in traffic deaths since 2015. No matter what part of the country you live in, being on the road is always a risk. But driving is apparently more dangerous in some places than others.

QuoteWizard analyzed self-reported driving infractions data from site users, which includes accidents. These rankings account for more than one million data points on accidents from 2017. Cities ranked ‘most accident-prone’ have the highest rate of accidents per driver. “Car crashes are, sadly, all too common across the country. But crash rates vary quite a bit from city to city. Whether it’s distracted driving, lousy roads, bad drivers, or a combination of all three, drivers in some cities seem to crash more often than others,” says Adam Johnson, QuoteWizard content manager. “QuoteWizard analyzed over a million datapoints on drivers in America to find out where people are getting into accidents at the highest rates.”

From the most accidents to the least, these are the 25 most car accident-prone cities in the US:

1. Columbus, OH

2. St. Louis, MO

3. Los Angeles, CA

4. Sacramento, CA

5. New Orleans, LA

6. Charlotte, SC

7. Columbia, SC

8. Washington DC

9. Baltimore, MD

10. Greenville, SC

The study reveals that Charlotte, NC, Columbia, SC, and Greenville, SC all rank in the top 10 most car accident prone cities in the country. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car collision, please contact our firm immediately. We have the ability to ensure that you receive all the compensation that you are entitled under the law. We hold reckless drivers, and their insurance companies accountable. For a free consultation, call us today at (803) 350-9230.

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Truck Accident, Uncategorized

What are the 10 most dangerous intersections in Columbia?

Many of Our Clients Are Injured in the Worst Intersections in Columbia and Richland County by Reckless Drivers

The Most Dangerous Intersection in the entire State of South Carolina is located in Columbia.  A study performed by The State Newspaper in Columbia determined that the most intersection collisions in the entire state of South Carolina occurred in Columbia a I-20 and U.S. 176 (Columbia), with a total of 669 collision from 2011-2015.

In this study, the State Newspaper also analyzed the most dangerous intersections based on reports of collisions that occurred in Columbia and Richland County during 2016.  The data was obtained from incident investigated by the Columbia Police Department and S.C. Highway Patrol.

The State compiled the following list of intersections in Columbia and Richland County with the highest number of crashes:

INSIDE COLUMBIA CITY LIMITS

1. Assembly Street and Elmwood Avenue: 50 collisions, 10 with injuries

2. Taylor Street and Huger Street: 49 collisions, nine with injuries

3. Devine Street/Garners Ferry Road and Rosewood Drive: 45 collisions, 10 with injuries

4. Main Street and Elmwood Avenue: 38 collisions, four with injuries, one fatal

5. Gervais Street and Huger Street: 37 collisions, nine with injuries

Investigated by Columbia Police Department

JUST OUTSIDE COLUMBIA IN RICHLAND COUNTY

1. I-20 and Broad River Road: 142 collisions, 26 with injuries

2. I-20 and I-26: 84 collisions, 15 with injuries

3. I-26 and Broad River Road: 78 collisions, nine with injuries

4. Killian Road and I-77: 75 collisions, 10 with injuries

5. Two Notch Road and Sparkleberry Lane: 64 collisions, eight with injuries

Read more here: https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article153453474
Please contact us today if you were injured in a collision in Columbia or its surrounding counties in South Carolina.  Many of the cases that we handle have involved collisions in the dangerous intersections that are listed in this study.  We offer compassion, aggressive, and experienced representation to victims of car and truck accidents — call us at 803-350-9230 today for a free consultation.

Auto Accident, Personal Injury, Truck Accident

South Carolina Ranked 3rd Worst State for Dangerous Roads

The Highways in South Carolina are Among the Most Dangerous in the Nation

Wall Street 24/7 has released its latest study of United States Roadways, ranking the safest and most unsafe by state.   In ranking the safest and most dangerous states to drive in the United States, data of roadway fatalities from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Federal Highway Administration was reviewed.  The state with the safest roads was Rhode Island.  The state with the most unsafe road was Mississippi.  Surprisingly, 9 of the 10 safest states were in the Northeast.  Six of the top ten worst regionally fall in the Southeast with South Carolina coming in this year’s survey as the 3rd worst state for roadway safety.  As the number 3 dangerous state, South Carolina has the following statistics:

South Carolina  (#3 most dangerous roads in America)

Road deaths per 100,000: 20.5

2016 roadway fatalities: 1,015 (13th most)

Seat belt use: 94%

Deadliest holiday in 2016: Martin Luther King’s Birthday (16 fatal crashes)

Fatal crashes on rural roads: 60%

If you or a loved one have been injured or suffered death as as result of a collision in South Carolina, you need to hire an honest, aggressive, and experienced attorney that can help you get the compensation that you deserve.  You need a Real Lawyer, with Real Results.  Contact the Goings Law Firm today at 803-350-9230 to see how we can help you.

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Motorcycle accident, Personal Injury, Truck Accident

Drivers in Columbia SC are Speeders, 2018 Study Shows

We find that car collision are often caused by drivers who are breaking the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of car accidents in Columbia, South Carolina, and a new study may explain why–  Columbia drivers are heavy-footed Speeders!

A new study ranks drivers in Columbia, South Carolina as among the fastest drivers in the United States.  Columbia ranked 6th in the top 25, with drivers who break the speed limit.  Charleston ranked 9th and Greenville, SC ranked 11th in the study.  The study was published by QuoteWizard, an online insurance comparison website.  QuoteWizard analyzed self-reported data from users on driving infractions, which includes speeding tickets. These rankings are based on over one million data points on speeding infractions from 2017. Cities ranked ‘speediest’ have the highest rate of speeding tickets per driver.  A more detailed look at the study can be found here:  more detailed looks at the fastest specific markets is available here: https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/fastest-driving-cities-2018

From faster to slower, these are the top 25 fastest driving cities in the US:

1. Wichita
2. Omaha
3. Boise
4. Portland
5. Richmond
6. Columbia, SC
7. Salt Lake City
8. Minneapolis
9. Charleston, SC
10. Virginia Beach
11. Greenville, SC
12. Charlotte
13. Durham
14. Columbus
15. Kansas City
16. Bay Area
17. Riverside

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Personal Injury, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Katie Arrington – fatal collision in Charleston

Our thoughts and prayers are with Rep. Katie Arrington, and the family of the deceased driver in a fatal collision that occurred in Charleston County on Friday night, June 22, 2018

Katie Arrington, a representative in the State House for the Lowcountry and a U.S. congressional candidate, was seriously injured in a fatal car wreck Friday night.   The driver of the vehicle that collided with Arrington’s car was killed on the scene, according to Mount Pleasant’s WCBD.  Reportedly, the collision occurred when the driver that was killed was driving on the wrong side of the road, striking Arrington.

Arrington won the Republican primary for the House of Representative (1st District) seat, defeating incumbent Mark Sanford.  She was traveling with a friend on U.S. Highway 17 when a driver traveling in the wrong lane collided with the vehicle Arrington was in.

Arrington “sustained a fracture in her back and several broken ribs, as well as injuries that required Katie to undergo major surgery including the removal of a portion of her small intestine and a portion of her colon,” according to a statement released Saturday morning via her Twitter account. She is expected to remain in the hospital for at least two weeks, according to the statement, which read:

“Last night, Katie Arrington and her friend were traveling to Hilton Head, where Katie was scheduled to receive an award from a state medical organization this morning. Katie was the passenger in the car traveling southbound on Highway 17, when a vehicle traveling in the wrong direction — northbound in the southbound lanes of Highway 17 — struck the vehicle containing Katie and her friend. Katie sustained a fracture in her back and several broken ribs, as well as injuries that required Katie to undergo major surgery including the removal of a portion of her small intestine and a portion of her colon. Additionally, the main artery in her legs has a partial collapse and will require a (stent). Additional surgeries will be required including one likely today; and it is likely that Katie will remain hospitalized for the next two weeks.  As we all know, Katie Arrington is an extremely strong woman and has tremendous faith and an incredibly supportive family. And it is from her strong faith, the support of her family, the prayers and support of our community, and the incredible doctors and staff at the hospital that she is certain she will be back to work for our state soon. As her family asked last night, Katie asks for your continued prayers for the deceased and the deceased’s family, as well as prayers for a quick recovery for Katie and her friend.”

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Personal Injury, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death

Indiana man was tragically killed when a tractor trailer struck the construction lift he was operating on I-77 in Columbia, South Carolina

Photo of Tractor Trailer Truck

On Wednesday morning June 20, 2018, a 40-year-old Indiana man was tragically killed when a tractor trailer struck the construction lift he was operating on I-77 South in Columbia.  The crash happened just after 5 a.m. on I-77 South near the Blythewood Road exit, according to the S.C. Highway Patrol.

The collision involved a tractor-trailer and a piece of construction lift equipment, according to Lance Cpl. David Jones of the Highway Patrol. The tractor-trailer was traveling south on I-77 when it hit the construction equipment, which was moving in the southbound lanes, Jones said.  It was reported that the driver of the construction equipment was trying to cross from the median to the shoulder of the road, Jones said. When he was hit by the truck, he was thrown from the bucket of his equipment and killed.

Officials have identified the worker killed in an accident on I-77 as Nathaniel B. Deaton, 40, of Martinsburg, Indiana. Deaton was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy indicated the cause of death to be blunt force injuries suffered in the collision, says Richland County coroner Gary Watts.

I-77 South in Columbia was closed for more than 6 hours following the accident as S.C. Highway Patrol investigators reconstructed the scene. WLTX News 19 in Columbia spoke with Trooper David Jones who wants to share a reminder with drivers on the road. He says, “Make sure you limit your distractions. Slow down in construction zones, make sure you put your cell phone down and pay attention to your surroundings because again a lot of times these are active work zones.”

Tragic collision on the interstates are preventable if drivers are exercising care and not distracted while driving.  It’s important to slow down in construction zones and be mindful of workers that are making our roadways safer.  If you are a loved one has been injured or tragically killed in a collision in South Carolina, please contact the Goings Law Firm at (803) 350-9230 today to learn about your rights.

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Personal Injury, Truck Accident, Workers Compensation, Wrongful Death

Have you been involved in a truck accident in South Carolina?


An experienced trucking accident attorney must be consulted following a collision that results in serious injuries. Negligent and reckless truck drivers are a threat on South Carolina’s highway, particularly on the Interstates. Large trucks commonly haul heavy loads, the drivers are distracted, and the trucking companies force its drivers to complete demanding trips across the United States. The most common causes of trucking collisions are the following:

  • Distracted driving
  • Using the Phone While Driving
  • Driver fatigue
  • Lack of driver training
  • Unsecured cargo
  • Improper maintenance
  • Improper trailer connection
  • Speeding
  • Overloaded cargo
  • Drug/alcohol abuse
  • Failure to maintain proper distance

While distraction and fatigue top the list, there is a growing pattern of truck drivers operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs, especially drugs to assist in keeping drivers awake on the road such as methamphetaimes.

What to Do If You Were Involved in a Collision with a Truck or Commercial Vehicle?

Large medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning potential, surgeries, disability, permanent impairment—- this can be the reality following a trucking accident that involves a large commercial vehicle. In order to recover for your injuries, the law requires proof that the truck driver was negligent or careless in the operation and that a reasonable person would not have caused the collision. The negligence can also be rooted in improper maintenance, inadequate training, or a failure to monitor drug use, or failure to comply with customary safety standards. It is important that you contact an experience trucking accident attorney if you were involved in a collision with a truck or a large commercial vehicle.

The Goings Law Firm, LLC is dedicated to improving the safety of South Carolina’s highways and ensuring that victims of trucking accidents are reasonably compensated for their injuries. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by the a 18 wheeler, large truck, or a commercial vehicle, you need to contact the Goings Law Firm, LLC today at (803) 350-9230 for a free and confidential consultation. Attorney Robert Goings was voted the best in Columbia– the 2017 “Top Personal Injury Attorney” in Columbia, South Carolina by the Columbia Business Monthly. Let us put our experience to work for you today!

Auto Accident, Car Accident Fatality, Truck Accident, Wrongful Death

Statistics show that South Carolina is one of the most dangerous states to ride a motorcycle

In South Carolina, motorcyclists are in more danger than in almost any other state in the Southeast, statistics show. The state’s 2015 fatality rate was its highest since 2007, and the 135 motorcyclists who died on South Carolina roads last year were the most this century.  The cause has been attributed to poorly maintained road, potholes and pea gravel, inexperienced riders and distracted drivers.  South Carolina law also allows riders to obtain motorcycle licenses with no training and minimum evidence of road proficiency.

Among nine Southeast states, South Carolina’s average annual fatality rate from 2011 to 2015 is approximately 10 deaths per 10,000 registered motorcycles.  The annual fatality rate is second worse, only to Mississippi, which has the least number of registered motorcycles in the region.  The road skills test in South Carolina is taken on a closed course where requires riders to perform turns, stops and weaves.  In fact, the most of the exercises of the Department of Motor Vehicles involve speeds of approximately 15 m.p.h.

The Goings Law Firm, LLC wants to remind South Carolina motorcycle drivers to be safe and vigilant on the roads.  Watch out for other drivers who may not be operating their vehicle as carefully as you.  The personal injury lawyers at the Goings Law Firm know all too well the life-altering injuries that can occur when drivers are not driving carefully

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, trucking accident, or motorcycle collision, please call us at (803) 350-9230 to see if we can help.  Our personal injury attorneys may be able to assist you with the applicable legal process and help you obtain the compensation you need.

Auto Accident, Motorcycle accident, Personal Injury, Truck Accident

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