Aiken County has recorded 23 traffic deaths from Jan. 1 through Oct. 4, 2026, up from 17 during the same period in 2025, according to preliminary figures from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The local spike runs counter to a statewide decline, with deaths falling from 729 to 667 over the same stretch. The data, highlighted by the personal injury firm Woron and Dhillon, LLC, underscores a troubling trend for Aiken County residents and raises questions about what is driving the increase.
Fatal crashes are only part of the picture. Many more collisions leave drivers and passengers with injuries, medical bills, and time away from work. For those affected, understanding legal rights and deadlines is critical. A car accident lawyer in Aiken, SC can explain how South Carolina law applies to claims and the time limits that apply.
After a crash, several steps matter. At the scene, drivers in an injury crash must stop, share their name, address, and registration number, and give reasonable aid under S.C. Code §§ 56-5-1210 and 56-5-1230. Seeking prompt medical care creates a record that ties injuries to the collision. Statements given to the other driver's insurer can later be used to argue shared fault. And under S.C. Code § 15-3-530, most injury claims must be filed within three years; for a wrongful death claim, that period begins on the date of death.
How fault is divided has also changed. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person can recover damages if their share of fault does not exceed the combined fault of the defendants, and any award is reduced by that percentage. For claims arising after Jan. 1, 2026, Act 42 allows juries to assign fault to people or businesses not named in the lawsuit. This 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."
The implications for Aiken County residents are significant. With local fatalities rising while statewide numbers fall, the need for experienced legal guidance is clear. The firm, which serves clients from offices in North Augusta, Columbia, and Charleston, handles car accident claims along with truck accident, drunk driving, and other personal injury matters in Aiken County. Consultations can be requested online.
