North Charleston SC Multi-Car Accident Attorneys

Top-rated North Charleston Car Accident Attorneys Help Clients Seek Compensation After a Multi-Vehicle Crash

North Charleston is a busy place. As one of South Carolina’s largest cities, its location connecting Charleston with Goose Creek, Summerville, and surrounding areas makes it a popular destination and a regular commute zone. North Charleston also contains some of the state’s most dangerous roadways and intersections, including Interstate 26, Ashley Phosphate Road, Interstate 526, Rivers Avenue, and Dorchester Road.

Traveling in North Charleston can be necessary and even fun, but the risk of a crash, including a multi-vehicle crash, remains high. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving multiple vehicles, talk to our experienced North Charleston injury lawyers today. The attorneys at the Steinberg Law Firm are here to help. 

Multi-Vehicle Accidents in North Charleston and South Carolina

A “multi-vehicle accident” involves more than one vehicle. It’s also known as a “pileup” involving several vehicles. Pileups may involve dozens of cars, trucks, and other vehicles, especially on interstate highways. 

In 2022, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) recorded the types of vehicles involved in both single- and multi-vehicle crashes. The SCDPS found that:

• 554 fatal crashes involved cars.
• 350 fatal crashes involved SUVs.
• 292 fatal crashes involved pickup trucks. 
• 151 fatal crashes involved motorcycles.
• 88 fatal crashes involved tractor-trailers. 
• 24 fatal crashes involved minivans.
• 19 fatal crashes involved full-size vans. 

Many of these deaths occurred in multi-vehicle crashes. Over three thousand serious injuries occurred in vehicle crashes in 2022 as well. 

Dangerous Roadways in North Charleston

Several roads in North Charleston see statistically high accidents, including multi-vehicle crashes. These include Interstate 26, Interstate 526, and Ashley Phosphate Road. The Palmetto Commerce Interchange, currently under construction, is intended to alleviate some of these issues.

I-26 and I-526

I-26 and I-526 are regular sites of vehicle pile-ups in North Charleston. The interchange between these two freeways can be particularly dangerous. The I-26/I-526 interchange is complex, incorporating connections between the two freeways, on- and off-ramps, and local feeder roads to direct traffic from the freeways into surrounding areas. 

Nearby roads like Mall Drive, Montague Avenue, and State Road S-10-26 are frequently busy, connecting travelers to dozens of businesses, medical centers, and the North Charleston Municipal Court. High traffic volumes, including large trucks, increase the risk of a pile-up. 

Ashley Phosphate Road

Ashley Phosphate Road remains one of the most accident-heavy areas in North Charleston. The roadway’s faded lane markings, confusing intersections, and heavy traffic increase the risk of a multi-vehicle accident, particularly in bad weather. 

Backups at the I-26 intersection with Ashley Phosphate Road can cause multi-vehicle collisions, especially on the ramps. The speed limit on I-26 in this area is 60 miles per hour – too fast to stop in a sudden traffic slowdown or backup, especially if a driver is not paying attention well in advance. One driver can thus cause a chain reaction that leads to many preventable injuries. 

Rivers Avenue and Dorchester Road

Rivers Avenue and Dorchester Road are frequent sites of serious collisions, including multi-vehicle accidents. Heavy traffic congestion and vehicles turning in and out of businesses mean that one crash can easily trigger additional collisions.

In July 2022, for example, a five-vehicle pileup on Rivers Avenue caused two deaths. The collision occurred near the intersection of Rivers Avenue and Cosgrove Avenue. In May 2022, a three-vehicle collision on Dorchester Road at Bream Road left one person dead. 

Attempts to Improve Roadway Safety

Construction began on the Palmetto Commerce Interchange in August 2023. The interchange between University Boulevard and Ashley Phosphate Road seeks to reduce travel times, alleviate congestion, and reduce the risk of traffic crashes, including multi-vehicle collisions. 

When completed, the interchange will connect Weber Boulevard to I-26 via ramps and an overpass. Drivers can enter and exit the interstate at the interchange, using Weber Boulevard or Ingleside Boulevard to travel. 

The project seeks to alleviate traffic issues by giving drivers another option for entering and exiting the freeway – one that may offer better access to drivers’ destinations. However, adding new intersections increases the risk of accidents. The effects on crash statistics at the intersection of Weber and Ingleside Boulevards remain to be seen. 

What Causes Multi-Vehicle Accidents?

The SCDPS recorded several causes of multi-vehicle accidents, sorting them by the “most harmful event” triggering the crash. Common causes of crashes in 2022 included:

• Overturned or rolled-over vehicle. Overturns and rollovers were involved in 4,207 multi-vehicle accidents nationwide in 2022, causing 132 deaths and 234 serious injuries. Overturned and rolled-over vehicles were also involved in single-vehicle crashes that caused harm.
• Fires and explosions. A fire or explosion during a multi-vehicle crash can cause serious harm. The fire may spread to other vehicles. An explosion can easily harm others involved in the crash. Often, these events happen suddenly and without warning, giving those involved in a collision no time to escape. In 2022, fires and explosions in multi-vehicle crashes claimed 23 lives and caused 17 serious injuries. 
• Sudden vehicle movements. “Movement essentially straight ahead” was the most common recorded action before the multi-vehicle impact in 2022. However, sudden or unexpected vehicle movements like backing up, changing lanes, entering or exiting a traffic lane, passing, braking suddenly in traffic, or making a U-turn collectively accounted for hundreds of deaths and nearly a thousand serious injuries in 2022. 

Often, a pileup has multiple causes. For example, a vehicle may veer into the oncoming traffic lane, hitting a second vehicle. A third vehicle may skid as its driver attempts to stop and collide with the first two. Additional events can cause the collisions to pile up. For this reason, determining who caused what damage in a multi-vehicle pileup can be unusually challenging. These accidents can also cause multiple severe injuries. 

Frequent Injury Types in North Charleston Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Multi-vehicle accidents can cause the same types of serious and deadly injuries as other crashes. However, the risk of multiple injuries may be higher. A 2024 study of multi-vehicle accidents found that these accidents produce higher rates of death and serious injury than other types of roadway accidents.

Injuries that occur in many multi-vehicle accident situations include:

• Traumatic brain injuries include concussions and head injuries where an object pierces the skull or brain.
• Spinal cord and nervous system injuries can result in paralysis and other catastrophic conditions.
• “Whiplash,” also known as neck sprain or strain, can cause significant pain and mobility issues.
• Serious injuries to a person’s neck and back, such as fractured vertebrae or herniated discs.
• Broken or fractured bones.
• Damage to soft tissues and internal organs, which can include internal bleeding.
• Burns or electrocution.
• Amputations, scarring, and other forms of disfigurement.
• Psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress symptoms. 

It’s not uncommon to experience more than one injury in a multi-vehicle crash. If you’ve been injured, talk to an attorney at the Steinberg Law Firm for help navigating the unique challenges of a multi-vehicle crash. 

What To Do After A Multi-Vehicle Accident Occurs

The first step in any car accident is to protect safety and health. If possible, move to a safe place, but avoid moving a badly injured person. Vehicle lights, flares, and other tools can help warn oncoming traffic. Call 911 or have someone else make the call to receive emergency assistance. 

Many people injured in a multi-vehicle crash receive emergency care at the scene, in an emergency room at a hospital, or both. If you didn’t receive emergency medical care, contact a doctor and make an appointment today. Seeing a doctor helps document your injuries. The doctor will also provide you with a treatment plan. Keep your follow-up appointments and use medication and medical devices as your doctor instructs. Contact a doctor or go to the emergency room if you have new or worsening symptoms. 

Keep all your paperwork in the same place. Paperwork to keep includes:

• Medical bills, receipts, and notes from your doctor’s office,
• Bills or receipts for vehicle repairs, like towing receipts or paperwork from the shop,
• Any other notes and paperwork from the shop, like descriptions of how your vehicle was damaged or what was done to fix it,
• Copies of pay stubs, letters, or emails from your employer, if you have to miss work due to your injuries, 
• Any other costs you pay out of pocket because of the accident. For instance, if you have to use a ridesharing service to get to your doctor’s appointments, take a screenshot of what you paid for each ride and save it in a safe place. 
• If you were driving on a work-related task, keep copies of your workers’ compensation paperwork. 

This paperwork can help you and your attorney build a complete, fair claim for the compensation you deserve.

Common Challenges in a Multi-Vehicle Accident Claim

All vehicle accidents can pose legal challenges. Multi-vehicle accidents can be especially challenging. More insurance companies and claims may be involved with each vehicle involved in a crash. Questions about which event caused which injuries may cause a claim to become more complex.

For example, picture a multi-vehicle pileup on North Charleston’s Interstate 26. Insurance companies that might be involved in this claim include:

• An insurance company for each driver and vehicle involved in the pileup,
• An insurance company for the businesses that operate tractor-trailers, box trucks, or other commercial vehicles involved in the crash, or
• An insurance company for cargo on tractor-trailers, box trucks, or other commercial vehicles.

Even more parties might be involved when determining the cause of any collision or injury in the pileup. For instance:

• Each driver may be examined to see if their behavior caused a collision with any other vehicle. 
• If large trucks are involved, their equipment and cargo may be examined to see if the maintenance or loading teams failed to do their work safely and caused the crash. 
• Commercial drivers’ employers may be examined to see if negligent hiring practices, lack of training, or failed oversight caused or contributed to the crash. 
• Each vehicle may need to be examined to see if a hidden defect in its materials or parts caused a failure that resulted in a crash. 
• The condition of the roadway may also play a role in the pileup. 

It’s easy to assume that “more insurance companies” means more coverage. More insurance companies can mean more delays and denials. Insurers work hard to protect their bottom line. When multiple insurance companies are involved, each company will try to ensure the other company pays the bills. They argue with one another and point fingers while you’re left without the help and compensation you need.

The best way to navigate this complexity is with an experienced lawyer on your side. Your attorney will ensure your legal rights are respected and your claim is heard. 

Speak To Our Top-Rated North Charleston Multi-Vehicle Accident Attorneys Today

After a multi-vehicle crash, you may struggle with basic life activities, like walking or eating. You may fear you’ll never heal fully or return to the work or activities you once enjoyed. You may wonder how you will pay your medical bills or care for your family. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may be carrying the weight of grief as you try to pick up the pieces for your family.

You don’t have to fight alone. At the Steinberg Law Firm, our attorneys have helped many North Charleston residents and families get the compensation they need after a catastrophic accident. We’ll help you understand your legal options, protect your rights, and deal with insurance companies. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.