When people search for the best personal injury lawyer in Columbia, they may find pages that claim to have rankings of firms and attorneys based on their skill, experience, and track record.
However, most of these pages actually have no clue about the skills of the injury lawyers they list. They rarely give insightful testimonials about the kinds of cases these personal injury attorneys have handled, or how their work stands out from the rest.
In fact, many of these pages are little more than paid advertisements. This is why I decided to do something different that would actually give someone a better idea of whom to hire – I listed people whom I believe are the best personal injury attorneys in the city.
I’m recommending each attorney because I know them personally and have worked with them. Unlike those rating pages, my staff and I have actually studied the work of these lawyers. I’ve associated them on cases and worked with them side by side so I can vouch for their sterling reputations, work ethic, and abilities.
We hope that you’ll consult us in the event of a car accident, malpractice suit, or any other personal injury case. However, even if you choose to get legal representation elsewhere, we still want you to find the best Columbia personal injury lawyer, and these are the lawyers we consider among the best in Columbia, South Carolina. We’ve also listed important information about Columbia that can help injury victims, such as nearby hospitals, court contact details, and accident statistics.
Some of The Best Personal Injury Attorneys In Columbia
Bert Louthian – Louthian Law Firm
The Louthian Law Firm is headed by Bert Louthian, a personal injury attorney with nearly 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Columbia. The firm has been recognized by Top Trial Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers – The World’s Premier Guide. We’ve also been peer-review rated for ethical standards and legal professionalism by Martindale-Hubbell.
An example of one of the most notable cases that I’ve handled took place early in the morning on January 6, 2005 in Graniteville, SC, when two trains collided as a result of a misaligned railroad switch releasing 60 tons of chlorine gas. Nine people were killed and 250 people were treated for chlorine gas exposure. My client was a young truck driver who arrived 15 minutes late to deliver his load to Avondale Mills the day before so he spent the night in the cab of his truck. As a result of the massive amount of chlorine gas that was released at 2:40 am, my client died in his sleep from chlorine gas inhalation. I represented the young man’s estate to secure compensation for his family.
Victims of negligence and accidents can trust me to fight for their interests and work hard to obtain the absolutely best outcome. I understand that when it comes to attorney-client relationships, communication is key and a lawyer must employ skill, diligence, and compassion to help their clients navigate the intricacies of the legal system. If you’re a victim of a motorcycle or truck accident, slip-and-fall case, or any other personal injury, I hope you’ll give us a phone call or send an email for a free consultation.
Robert Goings – Goings Law Firm
Robert Goings began his legal career at the notable South Carolina firm Collins and Lacy, P.C., gaining valuable courtroom experience before he established his own law firm.
Robert almost exclusively handles personal injury matters. He’s earned both personal and professional trust from his colleagues, as evidenced by his election in 2012 to serve as a member of the South Carolina Bar’s House of Delegates for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. He was re-elected to this position in 2016, showing how much his peers trust him with the Bar’s directives and policies.
Robert also has individual awards recognizing his legal aptitude and skill in the practice of law, such as “Emerging Legal Leader” from the South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Magazine in 2011 and “Compleat Lawyer” from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2016. The latter is especially notable as it is the law school’s highest honor for a lawyer with exemplary achievements both in their community and their legal career. Most recently, Robert was named Trial Lawyer of the Year by the South Carolina chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates. I consider Robert one of the best trial lawyers in South Carolina, and I was proud to associate with him in a recent natural gas exposure case.
Christopher Kenney – Richard A. Harpootlian Law Firm
Christopher “Chris” Kenney is an attorney with Richard A. Harpootlian Law Firm whose practice includes complex personal injury litigation, whistleblower and false claims act cases, and class actions.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chris on many cases and I can personally vouch for his legal acumen, research and writing, and courtroom skills. He’s argued several cases before the South Carolina Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and I can confidently say that accident victims and their families are in good hands with Chris.
Jerry Reardon – The Law Office of Jerry Reardon
Admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1997, Jerry Reardon has been helping accident victims obtain compensation for their injuries for over two decades. Jerry was a partner in another firm in Columbia before starting his own firm.
Jerry’s expertise lies primarily in injury cases such as car and truck accidents and workers’ compensation. One of the things that impresses me most about Jerry is his energy and dogged determination. Dealing with insurance companies can be daunting and he works tirelessly to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients. I’ve referred many cases to Jerry and, time and again, I’ve been impressed with his tenacity and skill.
Brady Thomas – Richardson Thomas
If you’re looking for a personal injury lawyer in Columbia, SC who can handle your medical malpractice suit, Brady Thomas is your man. Brady’s warm and thoughtful approach has helped many people through a variety of personal injury cases, including catastrophic injuries, burn injuries, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. It’s for this last kind of suit that we most recommend him, and we’ve referred many such cases to him because we are confident in his knowledge and work ethic.
A notable highlight of Brady’s legal career was his representation of burn victims in well over 60 cases nationwide involving exploding gas cans. Because of his tireless efforts, the gas can industry was spurred to add flame arrestors as a safety feature to all new plastic gas cans starting in 2017. This safety measure has benefited consumers across the country and has undoubtedly saved countless people from suffering serious burns from exploding gas cans. Brady’s peers agree with us, as he has earned recognition in “Super Lawyers,” “The Best Lawyers in America” and a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating.
Bill Nettles – The Law Office of Bill Nettles
I’m confident that many South Carolina lawyers will agree with me when I say that Bill Nettles has the depth and breadth of experience that every plaintiff looks for in a lawyer. As a former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Bill Nettles was known for his exhaustive efforts in fighting white-collar crime, fraud, and public corruption. He was instrumental in obtaining more resources for the false claims whistleblower division and earned national recognition for his office’s approach to drug crimes during his service.
As the longest-serving U.S. Attorney since the 1960s, Bill has had an incredible impact on the office and has helped shape policy in the state for well over five years. Bill and I worked closely together when he associated me on a tragic wrongful death case and we’ve worked together on several false claims act whistleblower cases so I’ve witnessed his legal prowess and work ethic firsthand. One of Bill’s many strengths is his ability to think outside-of-the-box.A Brief History Of Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital of South Carolina, and it is the state’s second-largest city. Its name is derived from the explorer Christopher Columbus, though its name has often been shortened to “Cola” – hence its nickname of “Soda City”. Columbia houses the state’s center of government, the South Carolina State House. It’s also the home of the University of South Carolina, the state’s largest university and its flagship public university.
Columbia is also the site of several military installations, most notably Fort Jackson, which is the largest U.S. Army installation for Basic Combat Training. Just 20 miles east of Columbia is the Air Force-operated McEntire Joint National Guard Base, which is used to train the South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing. The city has a diverse economy and has several urban redevelopment projects in the works. Notably, the historic Congaree Vista has been revitalized, and many hotels, mixed-use buildings, and high-end condominium developments have been completed in this bustling metropolis.
Things To Do In Columbia
Columbia is known for its Southern charm, hospitality, and historical attractions. Here are a variety of must-sees and dos if you’re in the state capital.
- Visit the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden.
- Admire the galleries at the Columbia Museum of Art.
- Learn Southern history at the South Carolina State Museum.
- Find out about the Civil War at the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.
- Stargaze at Melton Memorial Observatory.
- Get in touch with Mother Nature at Harbison State Forest.
- Go paddle boarding or kayaking at Saluda Shoals Park.
Columbia, South Carolina Accident Statistics
Curious about the rate of car crashes and traffic accidents in Columbia? We’ve compiled recent statistics so you can get a better picture.
Fatal Car Crash And Road Traffic Accident Statistics For 2019
- Fatal accident count: 14
- Vehicles involved in fatal accidents: 21
- Fatalities: 15
- Fatal accidents involving drunk persons: 6
- Pedestrians involved in fatal accidents: 7
- Persons involved in fatal accidents: 33
Average EMS response time (2019): 8.4 minutes, based on 319 reports
Estimated percentage of personal injury cases settled out of court: 98%, as of 2016 according to the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book
Columbia Courts And Contact Details
Need a handy guide to Columbia’s different courts and how to reach them? We’ve listed their addresses and details here.
Columbia Municipal Court
Address: 811 Washington St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803-545-3150
Forest Acres Municipal Court
Address: 5205 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29206
Phone: +1 803-790-5947
Richland County Circuit Court
Address: 1701 Main St #205, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803-576-1999
U.S. District Court
Address: 901 Richland St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803-765-5816
Court Of Appeals
Address: 1220 Senate St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803-734-1890
Supreme Court Of South Carolina
Address: 1231 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: +1 803-734-1080
Nearby Columbia Hospitals
If you’re the victim of an accident, you’ll need immediate medical care as well as follow-up treatment during your recovery. Here are some nearby hospitals in Columbia that you can go to for medical services.
Prisma Health Richland Hospital
Address: 5 Richland Medical Park Dr, Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: +1 803-434-7000
Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital
Address: 400 Palmetto Health Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29212
Phone: +1 803-907-7000
Prisma Health Heart Hospital
Address: 6 Richland Medical Park Dr, Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: +1 803-296-5010
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Columbia
Address: 2935 Colonial Dr, Columbia, SC 29203
Phone: +1 803-254-7777
MUSC Health Emergency Room – Columbia Medical Center Downtown
Address: 2435 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29204
Phone: +1 803-256-5725
Bert Louthian has been practicing law in Columbia with his father, Herb, since 1985. After receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina, Bert launched his legal career in his father’s firm. With 80 years of legal experience between them, Louthian Law, P.A. remains Family-Owned and Family-Focused.
Bert understands that when life goes wrong – when you or someone you love gets hurt or suffers a loss, it can feel like nothing will ever be right or fair again. He gets up and goes to work every day to prove that feeling wrong – and does everything in his power to make things right again.
