Columbia, South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer
Columbia’s roads present a unique mix of heavy traffic, construction, and potholes. Population growth, tourism, and congested downtown traffic around the university and government district add to the gridlock and the risk of accidents. As people discover our great city, we see more drivers and crashes. Even if you use extreme care, a careless driver can cause a devastating accident. When the unthinkable happens, our Columbia, South Carolina car accident lawyers are here for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Expertise
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Content written by Samuel Meirowitz
Samuel Meirowitz is “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” and an accomplished personal injury lawyer, trial attorney and relentless advocate for his clients. Previously, he served the State of New York for four years as a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s office. Mr. Meirowitz is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida State Courts.
Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Quick Links
- Compassionate Legal Help After a Car Accident in Columbia, SC
- How a Columbia, South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
- Meirowitz & Wasserberg Car Accident Settlements and Verdicts
- What Our Car Accident Clients Are Saying
- Factors That Influence a Car Accident Settlement Amount in Columbia, SC
- What Is the Time Limit To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?
- How Does the Hands-Free Driving Act Affect South Carolina Car Accidents?
- Contact Our Experienced Columbia, SC Car Accident Lawyers
Compassionate Legal Help After a Car Accident in Columbia, SC
When you choose our Columbia car crash lawyers, you get more than just outstanding legal representation—you get a caring team that will treat you like family and give you the personal attention and support you need during this difficult time. We understand the true cost of a serious car accident injury, and we are ready to fight for the maximum compensation available.
Most insurance companies are multi-million dollar corporations that would rather protect their bottom line than rightfully compensate injured people. You can trust that when you have chosen Meirowitz & Wasserberg, insurance companies know better than to play games with the compensation that is rightfully yours. We have won over $500 million in settlements and verdicts, and we know what it takes to win in court.
Our lawyers have received honors only given to the most successful lawyers in the country. Samuel Meirowitz is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and a Super Lawyer since 2016. Daniel Wasserberg has been a Super Lawyer since 2013 and is named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers.
How a Columbia, South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
When we take on your car accident claim, we will do all of the work on your legal claim so you can avoid the stress of dealing with the insurance company and focus on recovery. We will do the following and more:
- Investigate your accident to identify all of the responsible parties
- Instruct the insurance company to contact us rather than you
- Obtain forensic and medical expert witness testimony to prove your claim
- Interview eyewitness, review camera footage, and collect evidence
- Review your medical records and talk to your doctors about your injuries
- Calculate your damages and send the insurance companies a demand for full compensation
- Negotiate the settlement you deserve and refuse to accept less
- Take the responsible parties to court if the insurance company refuses to pay fair compensation
We will check up on you often while we work on your claim, and you will always be able to reach someone on your legal team. We are also here as a resource to help you find the best medical care and support for your needs. We charge no upfront fees, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call 800-726-6326, ext. 123, today for a free consultation.
Meirowitz & Wasserberg Car Accident Settlements and Verdicts
We are committed to doing whatever it takes to get you the maximum result possible. Here are just a few examples of our outstanding car accident settlements and verdicts:
- $1,175,000 for a client in a 3-car collision that resulted in a ruptured aorta and spinal paralysis.
- $790,000 for a client who was in a 3-car collision that resulted in Left Shoulder Supraspinatus Tendinopathy with infraspinatus and subscapularis.
- $725,000 for a pedestrian who was folding a tarp and was run over by a commercial truck, leading to a fracture of the lower leg and needing a cervical fusion surgery.
- $300,000 for a client who was in a rear-end accident that resulted in shoulder surgery. The client was in a small SUV and rear-ended by a commercial vehicle.
What Our Car Accident Clients Are Saying
Our client testimonials attest to the individualized attention we give our clients and the maximized results we get for them:
“This law firm is top-notch. They are compassionate, patient, knowledgeable, and competent. They helped me navigate through the most difficult time of my life after being seriously injured in a car accident. They assisted me so much and really cared about my case. Jonathan Alvarez worked with me personally, and I can't thank him enough for everything he did for me. He won my case, and my settlement was sizeable. I highly recommend them!!!”
“If you find yourself in need of legal assistance after a car accident, I highly recommend Meirowitz and Wasserberg. Their combination of legal prowess and compassionate care is truly unparalleled. Thank you to the entire team for your exceptional service and for making such a positive impact during a difficult time.”
“I found Meirowitz and Wasserberg after my car accident, and I’m so thankful I did. They made me feel like I was their number one priority, and they were ultimately able to settle my case. I can’t thank them enough.”
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Columbia, SC
According to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book, Richland County had the third-highest incidence of car accidents in the state in 2023 and the fifth-highest incidence of fatal crashes, at 58. All of the top five most dangerous roads in Richland County, as of 2023, are US highways and interstates. Here are the most dangerous intersections in Richland County based on 2023 car accident statistics:
- I-20 at US-176
- I-26 at US-176
- SC-12 at I-77
- I-20 at SC-215
- SC-48 at I-77
The number one cause of accidents was speeding, followed by failure to yield, improper lane changes, disobeying traffic signals, and tailgating. These behaviors often accompany other bad driving habits, including distracted driving, aggressive driving, reckless driving, and drunk driving. In 2023, drunk driving caused 21 fatalities in Richland County and 328 non-fatal collisions.
Driver error is usually the cause of accidents, but road conditions in Columbia also contribute. Potholes are a big problem throughout the city, and common weather conditions like heavy rain, flash flooding, and dense fog create dangerous conditions. Our knowledgeable Columbia personal injury lawyers can pinpoint the cause of your accident and hold all of the negligent parties accountable.
Factors That Influence a Car Accident Settlement Amount in Columbia, SC
You may be entitled to substantial compensation if a car accident leaves you with serious injuries. Your compensation could include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are compensation for your financial losses, while non-economic damages cover losses to your quality of life. When injuries are severe, your economic and non-economic damages may include the following:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Incidental expenses, such as childcare
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The amount you recover will vary based on the unique details of your case, as discussed below.
Severity of Injuries
When your injuries are severe, your recovery time is longer, and you could experience overwhelming suffering from pain, disability, and the loss of your quality of life. The cost of severe injuries can be insurmountable, both physically and emotionally, making severe injuries one of the most important factors that increase your settlement.
Medical Expenses
Car accident compensation covers all types of medical expenses now and in the future, including the following:
- Doctor bills
- Hospital bills
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Wheelchairs
- Home health
Medical expenses make up a large portion of your economic damages. The amount you recover in economic damages often influences non-economic damages.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
You may be entitled to recover all of the income you lost from missed work days or business opportunities. If you are unable to earn an income in the future or your earnings are reduced, your compensation may cover the amount you likely would have earned were it not for the accident. Lost earnings can include wages, salaries, benefits, bonuses, commissions, and promotions.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages are often calculated by multiplying economic damages by a number between one and five, which is selected based on the severity of your injuries. The more severe and longer-lasting your injuries, the higher the multiplier. This is just one method of calculating pain and suffering. We can determine the best method and help you prove how severely your injuries are affecting you.
Liability and Negligence
The identity of the liable parties plays a significant role in how much compensation you recover. If another driver is the only responsible party, your compensation may be limited to the driver’s insurance and resources. However, if multiple parties are liable, you have a larger pool of available compensation. The following parties are often liable for car accidents:
- Drivers
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Government entities
- Trucking companies
- Employers
If you are partly at fault for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Our investigative team can find all of the responsible parties and potentially overturn a finding of fault against you.
Insurance Policy Limits
Insurance companies are only obligated to pay up to the policy limits. If the at-fault driver only carries the minimum insurance required in South Carolina, you could recover up to $25,000 from their insurance. If this is not enough, you can file a claim with your underinsured motorist coverage, up to the limit you purchased. Our lawyers often find multiple responsible parties. Government and commercial defendants often hold higher limits.
What Is the Time Limit To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?
In most cases, you are required to file your car accident claim within three years of the accident or the date you discover your injuries. If your loved one has tragically died in a car accident, you generally have up to three years from the date of their death.
However, you do not have three years to collect evidence. Some evidence is only available for a short time. For example, video footage gets erased, eyewitnesses forget important details, and forensic evidence fades. Our car accident lawyers in Columbia will go right to work getting all this evidence for you, but it is important to contact us before it is too late.
How Does the Hands-Free Driving Act Affect South Carolina Car Accidents?
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act took effect on September 1, 2025. It is a long-overdue law that prohibits drivers from holding or using a cell phone or mobile device while driving. Violators can be fined $100 for the first offense and $200 for every subsequent offense within three years, but police can only issue warnings during the first 180 days after the law’s effective date.
We hope the hands-free law will reduce distracted driving in South Carolina. If you are injured in an accident caused by someone violating the hands-free law, the driver will likely receive a ticket for the offense. This can strengthen your personal injury claim.
Contact Our Experienced Columbia, SC Car Accident Lawyers
If you or your loved one is injured in a car accident in Columbia, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Our dedicated Columbia, South Carolina car accident lawyers will fight for the highest compensation available while treating you like a person, rather than a case. There is no upfront cost to let us handle your case, and we only get paid if you do. Contact us online or call 800-726-6326 ext. 123 today for a free consultation.
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Get Your Free Case ReviewWorkers Compensation Settlements
$373,644
Toxic Exposure
$233,000
Slip & Fall
$205,000
Construction Slip & Fall
$212,000
9/11 Toxic Exposure
The lawyers at Meirowitz and Wasserberg are very professional and stay true to their word. I got immediate help that was needed when I got into a severe construction accident that injured both my rotator cuffs. This firm knows and wants the best for you.
Daniel Choi