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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

SC Auto Insurance Premiums Are Up – Is Texting to Blame?

Data from the South Carolina Insurance Department show that, based on an aggregate of the state’s top 10 insurers, insurance rates in South Carolina jumped 8.9 percent in 2016, a much bigger increase than what we’ve seen in the previous three years.  The State reported that these increases may, at least in part, be attributed to an increase in accidents related to distracted driving. And what are drivers distracted by? Often, it’s their cell phones.

Russ Dubisky, executive director of the South Carolina Insurance Association, a lobbying group of insurance companies, indicated that not only are the motor vehicle accidents becoming more frequent, but they’re resulting in more serious injuries.  According to department records, distracted-driving collisions with injuries rose to a record 5,698 in 2016, up from 4,399 in 2011.

The Goings Law Firm, LLC encourages South Carolina drivers to be careful, stay focused, and avoid texting while driving.  Distracted driving leads to dangerous motor vehicle collisions and potentially serious personal injuries, and the simple fact is these kind of accidents are avoidable.

Auto Accident

Car Crashes Into Richland Library Northeast: Three Hospitalized

Around 6:30pm on Monday night, a car struck the Richland County Library’s Northeast branch, which resulted in three people being taken to the hospital.  According to WIS’s report, the vehicle that struck the library first struck two other vehicles in the library parking lot.  The only library patron who was injured was walking out the front door at the time of the accident; the other two individuals who went to the hospital were in the vehicles involved.  Thankfully, current reports indicate that no one was seriously injured.

Car collisions can occur in many different ways, but in any accident that results in injuries, people can find themselves in need of assistance.  If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and needs help navigating the legal minefield in order to be compensated, give the personal injury attorneys at the Goings Law Firm, LLC a call and see if we can help. (803) 350-9230.

Auto Accident

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Lexington Car Crash Has Fatal Result

Lexington County authorities have reported that Kathryn B. Ellison was killed in a car crash on Sunday. She was traveling on Corley Mill Road mid-day when her vehicle left the road and crashed into a tree. Two children in the back seat survived the crash but were taken to the hospital to be treated for personal injuries.

The personal injury attorneys at the Goings Law Firm, LLC understand how devastating it is to lose a friend or family member in a car accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the children involved, as well as with Ms. Ellison’s family.

Auto Accident

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