Awendaw sits along U.S. Highway 17 in Charleston County, tucked between the Francis Marion National Forest and the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. It is a community of winding two-lane roads, rural intersections, and a stretch of US-17 that sees heavy commercial truck traffic moving between Charleston and Myrtle Beach. If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a car crash on Highway 17, Seewee Road, Halfway Creek Road, or any of the surrounding roads in this part of the Lowcountry, you need a legal team that knows South Carolina law and knows how to fight for everything you deserve. Steinberg Law Firm is here to help. Call us today at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer who will take your case seriously from day one.

Table of Contents

• Why Awendaw Roads Create Serious Crash Risks
• What South Carolina Law Says About Your Right to Recover Damages
• Steps to Take After a Car Crash in Awendaw
• What Damages Can You Recover After an Awendaw Car Crash?
• Commercial Truck Crashes on Highway 17 in Awendaw
• Steinberg Law Firm’s Car Accident Case Results in South Carolina
• FAQs About Awendaw Car Accident Attorneys

Why Awendaw Roads Create Serious Crash Risks

Highway 17 through Awendaw is one of the more dangerous stretches of road in the Charleston area. The corridor runs through largely undeveloped land, with long straightaways that invite speeding and limited lighting at night. Commercial trucks, logging vehicles, and delivery traffic share the road with local commuters and tourists heading to the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge or passing through to Myrtle Beach. The result is a road environment where crashes happen often, and when they do, they tend to be serious.

Serious crashes involving large trucks have shut down Highway 17 in the Awendaw area, with emergency crews responding to collisions between semi-trucks that caused fuel leaks and lane closures. These are not minor fender-benders. They are high-impact events that leave people with broken bones, spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and worse.

Multi-vehicle crashes with injuries have closed lanes on Highway 17 North in Awendaw, and crashes have also been reported near intersections like Gadsdenville Road. Intersections along this corridor are particularly dangerous because drivers traveling at highway speeds often encounter cross-traffic with little warning. Side roads like Murrell Road, Beehive Road, and Bulls Bay Boulevard feed directly onto US-17, creating conflict points that demand careful attention.

Emergency crews have also responded to deadly crashes on Halfway Creek Road in the Awendaw area. Rural roads like these often lack shoulders, guardrails, and adequate signage, which increases the severity of crashes when they occur. If you were hurt on any of these roads, the cause of your crash matters, and so does the evidence. Steinberg Law Firm moves quickly to gather crash reports, witness statements, and any available camera or dashcam footage before it disappears. Call 843-720-2800 today.

What South Carolina Law Says About Your Right to Recover Damages

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which governs how fault is assigned in car crash cases. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-38-15, joint and several liability does not apply to any defendant whose conduct is determined to be less than fifty percent of the total fault for indivisible damages, as compared with the fault of all defendants and the comparative negligence of the plaintiff.

What that means for you in plain terms: South Carolina Code of Laws Section 15-38-15 is the comparative negligence law. It says that a claimant’s damages are reduced by their relative share of fault. If the claimant’s total fault is 51% or greater, they receive no compensation. So if you were partially at fault for a crash, you can still recover damages, as long as your share of the blame stays below 51%.

There is an important exception worth knowing. Under Section 15-38-15, the apportionment of fault compares the negligence of all defendants against the fault of the plaintiff. However, under Section 15-38-15(F), this section does not apply when a defendant’s conduct is determined to be willful, wanton, reckless, grossly negligent, or intentional, or when the conduct involves the use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs. That means a drunk driver who causes a crash on Highway 17 near the Francis Marion National Forest faces full liability, regardless of any shared fault arguments.

South Carolina also requires prompt action after a crash. Under S.C. Code Section 56-5-1260, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in injury or death must immediately notify the local police department or, if outside a municipality, the county sheriff or the nearest South Carolina Highway Patrol office. Under Section 56-5-1270, if law enforcement does not investigate the crash, the owner or operator must file a written report with the Department of Motor Vehicles within fifteen days. These deadlines matter. Failing to meet them can complicate your claim. Talk to a car accident lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm before you do anything else.

Steps to Take After a Car Crash in Awendaw

The actions you take in the hours and days after a crash in Awendaw can directly affect the outcome of your injury claim. Most people do not realize how quickly evidence disappears or how fast insurance companies begin building a defense. Here is what you should do.

First, call 911. Get law enforcement and medical help to the scene immediately. A police report from the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office or the South Carolina Highway Patrol creates an official record of what happened. Do not leave the scene without that report being filed. Under S.C. Code Section 56-5-1260, you are legally required to report any crash involving injury or death.

Second, get medical attention right away, even if you feel okay. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage often do not produce obvious symptoms at the scene. A medical evaluation creates a documented link between the crash and your injuries, which is critical to your claim.

Third, document everything you can. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, any skid marks, traffic signs, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If the crash happened near a landmark like the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center or along Bulls Bay Boulevard, note that as well.

Fourth, and this is critical: do not speak to any insurance company, including your own, until you have spoken with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to gather information that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. A single statement made without legal guidance can cost you thousands of dollars. Contact a car accident attorney at Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 before you take any calls.

What Damages Can You Recover After an Awendaw Car Crash?

A serious crash on Highway 17 or the surrounding Awendaw roads can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and lasting physical pain. South Carolina law allows injured victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Understanding what is available helps you make sure nothing is left on the table.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses tied directly to your crash. These include emergency room costs, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, prescription medications, and future medical care if your injuries require ongoing treatment. They also include lost wages from time you missed at work, and loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job.

Non-economic damages cover losses that do not come with a receipt but are just as real. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship for your family are all compensable under South Carolina law. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover damages for mental anguish and loss of society, as recognized under South Carolina’s wrongful death statutes.

In cases involving drunk drivers, distracted drivers, or commercial trucking companies that ignored federal safety regulations, punitive damages may also be available. Punitive damages are not tied to your losses. They are designed to punish the at-fault party for especially reckless or intentional conduct. South Carolina courts have awarded significant punitive damages in cases involving impaired drivers and companies that failed to properly train their drivers. If you were hurt by someone whose conduct was clearly reckless, talk to a car accident lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm about whether punitive damages apply to your situation.

You have three years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under S.C. Code Ann. Section 15-3-530. That clock starts running on the day of the crash. Waiting too long can mean losing your right to recover anything at all. Call 843-720-2800 today.

Commercial Truck Crashes on Highway 17 in Awendaw

Highway 17 through Awendaw carries a significant volume of commercial truck traffic. Tractor-trailers, logging trucks, and delivery vehicles use this corridor daily, and when one of them is involved in a crash, the consequences for other drivers are often catastrophic. Trucks weighing tens of thousands of pounds do not stop quickly, and the force they generate in a collision is far beyond what a passenger vehicle can absorb.

A collision involving two tractor-trailers closed both southbound lanes on Highway 17 just south of Geurins Bridge Road, according to the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. This type of crash is not unusual for this stretch of road. Commercial trucks traveling between the Port of Charleston and points north pass through Awendaw regularly, and driver fatigue, improper loading, and equipment failures all create serious crash risks.

When a commercial truck is involved in a crash, the legal case is more complex than a standard two-car collision. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern how trucking companies must maintain their vehicles, train their drivers, and manage driver hours of service. A trucking company that puts an undertrained or fatigued driver behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle on Highway 17 may face liability not just for the driver’s negligence, but for its own failures as an employer. Under S.C. Code Section 56-5-4190, commercial vehicles operating on South Carolina roads are also subject to state weight limits, and violations of those limits can be evidence of negligence.

Trucking companies carry large insurance policies, and their insurers move fast after a crash to protect their interests. You need someone moving just as fast on your side. Steinberg Law Firm has handled commercial truck crash cases across South Carolina and knows how to hold these companies accountable. If you were hurt by a commercial truck on Highway 17 near Awendaw, call us at 843-720-2800. Our car accident lawyer team serves clients throughout the Charleston area, including Goose Creek, Ladson, and the surrounding Lowcountry communities.

Steinberg Law Firm’s Car Accident Case Results in South Carolina

Steinberg Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for people seriously injured in car crashes across South Carolina. Our car accident results reflect decades of fighting for clients who were hurt by negligent drivers, reckless trucking companies, and impaired motorists on roads throughout the state. The following are representative results from South Carolina car accident cases we have handled.

• $10,000,000 in a fatal large vehicle accident case
• $3,150,000 in a large vehicle accident case involving an 18-wheeler
• $2,500,000 in a commercial vehicle crash on Highway 52
• $2,000,000 in a large vehicle accident case caused by an improperly trained driver
• $1,600,000 rear-ended by a pickup on Hwy. 61
• $1,500,000 in a large vehicle accident
• $1,450,000 in a fatal automobile collision
• $1,300,000 in a car crash case caused by a drunk driver overserved at a restaurant
• $1,200,000 in a collision between two large vehicles
• $1,150,000 in an I-26 commercial large vehicle accident case
• $1,000,000 in a commercial large vehicle accident on I-26 where our client was initially cited at-fault
• $1,000,000 in a case where a pedestrian was run over by an 18-wheeler
• $1,000,000 in a pedestrian hit by a large vehicle accident
• $925,000 in a motorcycle t-bone collision
• $835,000 settlement for a rear-end car accident during work

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Every case is different, and the facts and circumstances of your specific situation will determine what recovery is possible. What we can tell you is that we take every case seriously and fight hard for every client. Call 843-720-2800 to speak with our team today.

FAQs About Awendaw Car Accident Attorneys

How long do I have to file a car accident injury claim in South Carolina?

Under S.C. Code Ann. Section 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina. If you miss that deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is. Some situations, such as crashes involving a government vehicle or a minor victim, can affect that timeline. Do not wait to find out which rules apply to your case. Call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 as soon as possible after your crash.

What if I was partially at fault for the crash in Awendaw?

You can still recover damages under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule, found in S.C. Code Section 15-38-15. As long as your share of the fault is less than 51%, you remain eligible for compensation. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and awards $100,000 in damages, you would receive $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of the blame to reduce what they owe. Having an attorney on your side helps prevent that.

Should I talk to the insurance company after a crash on Highway 17?

No. Do not speak to any insurance company, including your own, until you have consulted with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are skilled at gathering statements that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Even a brief, casual conversation can be used against you. Call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 first. We will handle all communications with the insurance companies on your behalf and make sure your rights are protected from the start.

What types of compensation are available after a serious car crash?

South Carolina law allows injured crash victims to pursue economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and future medical costs, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving especially reckless conduct, such as a drunk driver or a trucking company that ignored federal safety regulations, punitive damages may also be available. The specific damages available in your case depend on the facts, your injuries, and the evidence. A consultation with Steinberg Law Firm is free and gives you a clear picture of what you may be able to recover.

Does Steinberg Law Firm handle crashes in Awendaw and the surrounding Lowcountry area?

Yes. Steinberg Law Firm handles car crash cases throughout Charleston County and the surrounding Lowcountry, including Awendaw, McClellanville, Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Ladson, and beyond. For nearly 100 years, the firm has been representing injured South Carolinians and their families. We are familiar with the roads, the courts, and the legal process that applies to crashes in this part of the state. Call us at 843-720-2800 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

Attorney responsible for this content: Steinberg Law Firm, 1 Poston Road, Suite 235, Charleston, SC 29407. Phone: 843-720-2800.

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