Aiken County has recorded 23 traffic deaths from January 1 through October 4, 2026, up from 17 during the same period in 2025, according to preliminary data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. This local increase contrasts with a statewide decline, where fatalities dropped from 729 to 667 over the same timeframe. The divergent trends raise questions about local road safety and underscore the importance of understanding legal rights after a crash.
Fatal crashes represent only a fraction of the harm on Aiken County roads. Many more collisions result in injuries that lead to medical expenses, lost wages, and prolonged recovery. For those affected, a car accident lawyer in Aiken, SC can clarify how South Carolina law applies to potential claims and the critical deadlines involved.
Following a crash, several steps are essential. Drivers involved in an injury crash must stop, exchange name, address, and registration number, and provide reasonable aid under S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1210 and 56-5-1230. Seeking prompt medical care creates a record linking injuries to the collision. Statements given to the other driver's insurer can later be used to argue shared fault, so caution is advised. Additionally, under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, most injury claims must be filed within three years, while for a wrongful death claim, that period begins on the date of death.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning an injured person can recover damages if their share of fault does not exceed the combined fault of the defendants, with any award reduced by that percentage. However, for claims arising after January 1, 2026, Act 42 allows juries to assign fault to people or businesses not named in the lawsuit. This change makes identifying every responsible party early more important than ever.
"When several drivers or companies share responsibility for a crash, the new rules can change how much an injured person is able to collect," said Brett Woron, an attorney with Woron and Dhillon, LLC. "We work to identify everyone involved, including employers and vehicle owners, from the start of a case."
Woron and Dhillon, LLC, a personal injury firm with offices in North Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston, serves clients across South Carolina. The firm handles car accident claims along with truck accident, drunk driving, and other personal injury matters in Aiken County. Attorneys can meet clients at home or in the hospital, and consultations can be requested online.
