Florence Truck Accident Attorney

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Florence, South Carolina sits at one of the most heavily trafficked crossroads in the entire state, where I-95 and I-20 converge and tens of thousands of commercial trucks pass through every single day. When an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer, or other large commercial vehicle crashes into a passenger car on US-52, US-76, or the I-95 corridor near the Florence Regional Airport or downtown Florence, the results can be catastrophic. If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a truck wreck in the Florence area, you need a truck accident lawyer who knows South Carolina law and who will fight for every dollar you deserve.

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Why Florence, SC Is a High-Risk Zone for Truck Crashes

Florence County is one of South Carolina’s most active freight corridors. The county is known as a transportation hub, and its major highways include I-95, I-20, US-52, US-76, US-301, and SC-327. That combination of interstates and US routes makes Florence a natural pass-through point for long-haul truckers moving goods up and down the East Coast.

Florence County’s crash problem is not spread evenly across the map. Public records point again and again to the same road names: US-52, US-76, SC-51, I-95, and key secondary routes. These are not remote backroads. They are the corridors that carry freight trucks, commuters, and families every single day.

For 2023, extracted SCDPS Fact Book county-profile data showed Florence County with roughly 3,212 total collisions, 13 fatal collisions, about 30 serious-injury collisions, and an estimated economic loss of about $162.6 million. Florence County ranked around the top 10 statewide for total collisions and around the top dozen counties for fatal and serious-injury collisions.

The county’s top listed roadways were US-52, US-76, SC-51, I-95, and S-13, while the top listed intersections included I-95 at SC-327, SC-51 at US-52, S-29 at US-76, I-95 at SC-403, and S-29 at SC-51. If you drive any of these roads regularly, you already know how dangerous they can be when a fully loaded semi-truck is involved.

US-52 alone carries enormous daily traffic volume through the city. The SCDOT 2024 Florence County AADT sheet shows several US-52 segments carrying heavy daily traffic, with one segment estimated at 35,600 vehicles per day, one of the highest US-52 volumes in the county. That volume, combined with heavy commercial truck traffic, creates conditions where a single driver error or mechanical failure can turn deadly in seconds.

Federal and State Laws That Govern Truck Accident Claims in Florence

Truck crash claims in Florence are governed by both South Carolina state law and federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency that sets safety standards for commercial trucking companies operating across state lines.

At the federal level, commercial trucks operating in South Carolina must comply with FMCSA regulations covering Hours of Service (HOS), Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), vehicle maintenance requirements, driver qualification standards, and cargo securement rules. Violations of these rules can provide powerful evidence of negligence in a truck accident claim.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-38-15, an injured person can recover compensation only if they are less than 51 percent at fault for the crash. If a jury finds you 20 percent at fault, your total recovery is reduced by 20 percent. This rule makes it critical to build a strong liability case from the start, before the trucking company’s lawyers and insurers get to frame the narrative.

Under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1260, any driver involved in a crash resulting in injury or death must immediately report that crash. South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1220 also requires the driver to provide their name, address, and vehicle registration information to anyone injured, and to render reasonable assistance. Trucking companies are required by federal law to carry minimum liability insurance coverage, and multiple policies covering the driver, the motor carrier, and potentially cargo loaders may all apply to a single claim.

The FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) system allows anyone to look up a trucking company’s safety history, including prior violations, out-of-service orders, and crash records. This data becomes critical evidence when building your case. An attorney can pull this information quickly and use it to show a pattern of unsafe behavior by the carrier.

Common Causes of Truck Wrecks Near Florence, SC

Truck wrecks in Florence rarely happen by accident alone. Most involve a clear failure, either by the driver, the trucking company, or both. Understanding those failures is the foundation of any successful personal injury claim.

Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes. The FMCSA’s Hours of Service rules limit how long a commercial driver can operate a vehicle before taking a mandatory rest break. When carriers push drivers to meet tight delivery schedules, those rules get ignored. A drowsy driver operating a vehicle that weighs up to 80,000 pounds is one of the most dangerous hazards on I-95 through Florence County.

Distracted driving is another leading factor. Truck drivers who use handheld phones, eat, or adjust navigation systems while driving at highway speeds can travel the length of a football field in the time it takes to glance at a screen. Federal regulations prohibit commercial drivers from using handheld mobile devices while operating a commercial motor vehicle, but violations happen constantly.

Improper cargo loading is a serious problem on routes like US-52 and I-20 that serve industrial and agricultural shippers. When a load shifts or falls from an 18-wheeler, it can cause multi-vehicle pile-ups. Cargo securement failures fall under both FMCSA regulations and the negligence of whoever loaded the vehicle.

Poor vehicle maintenance rounds out the list. In about 4.7 percent of crashes involving large trucks, a vehicle-related factor was to blame. Something was wrong with the truck that caused a fatal crash. Most commonly, tire failure, brake failure, and failure of the trailer safety chain systems were responsible. When a trucking company skips required inspections, the consequences fall on innocent drivers sharing the road.

What to Do After a Truck Crash in Florence

The steps you take in the hours and days after a truck wreck in Florence directly affect the strength of your personal injury claim. Do not wait. Evidence disappears fast, and trucking companies send investigators to crash scenes quickly.

Call 911 immediately. Under South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1260, crashes resulting in injury or death must be reported right away. Get emergency medical care, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline masks pain, and injuries like spinal trauma, traumatic brain injury, and internal bleeding may not show symptoms for hours or days. McLeod Regional Medical Center, located in Florence, is equipped to handle serious trauma from major crashes.

Document everything you can at the scene. Photograph the truck, its license plate, the DOT number on the cab door, road conditions, skid marks, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If the truck has a dashcam, that footage could be crucial, but it can be overwritten quickly if not preserved through a legal hold request.

Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. Do not speak to your own insurance company either, until you have talked with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. The same rule applies whether the adjuster calls you the day of the crash or weeks later.

Contact Steinberg Law Firm as soon as possible. Our team can send a spoliation letter to the trucking company demanding that they preserve the truck’s Electronic Logging Device data, dashcam footage, maintenance records, and driver qualification files. Once that data is gone, it is gone. Acting fast protects your right to full compensation. Call us at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation.

Damages You Can Recover After a Florence Truck Crash

A successful truck accident claim in South Carolina can include compensation for a wide range of losses. Knowing what you are entitled to helps you understand the full value of your case, and why settling quickly for whatever the insurance company offers is almost never in your best interest.

Economic damages are the measurable financial losses caused by the crash. These include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity. A serious truck wreck can result in surgeries, long-term physical therapy, and permanent disability that prevents you from returning to work. All of those costs belong in your claim.

Non-economic damages compensate for the human toll of the crash. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (the impact on your relationship with your spouse) are all recoverable under South Carolina law. These damages are often the largest component of a truck accident settlement, and they require skilled legal advocacy to quantify and present effectively.

Punitive damages may be available when a trucking company’s conduct was especially reckless or willful. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-32-530, punitive damages are designed to punish defendants whose behavior goes beyond ordinary negligence. Examples include knowingly allowing a driver with a suspended CDL to operate a vehicle, or falsifying Hours of Service logs to hide violations.

Multiple policies covering the driver, the motor carrier, and potentially cargo loaders may apply to a single claim. A personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm will identify every available source of compensation and pursue each one aggressively on your behalf. Call 843-720-2800 today.

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 accidents and truck crashes across South Carolina, from the Pee Dee region to the Lowcountry. Our car accident results reflect our commitment to holding negligent drivers and trucking companies fully accountable for the harm they cause. Representative results include:

  • $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 value of your claim depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

Why Steinberg Law Firm Serves Florence Truck Accident Victims

For nearly 100 years the firm has stood beside injured South Carolinians and fought to hold negligent parties accountable. Steinberg Law Firm is based in Charleston and serves clients throughout South Carolina, including Florence and the broader Pee Dee region.

Truck accident cases are among the most complex personal injury claims. They involve federal regulations, multiple corporate defendants, large insurance policies, and aggressive defense teams hired by trucking companies. You need a legal team that is ready to match that effort and go to trial if necessary.

We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fee at all unless we recover compensation for you. The payment comes from the settlement proceeds, so there is no financial risk to you in calling us today.

Our team has handled cases involving crashes on I-95, US-52, and other Florence-area roads. We know how to investigate these cases, preserve critical evidence, and build arguments that hold trucking companies responsible. Whether your crash happened near the I-95 and I-20 interchange, along the US-52 corridor through downtown Florence, or on a rural route in Florence County, we are ready to help.

Call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights under South Carolina law, and tell you exactly what we believe your claim is worth.

FAQs About Florence Truck Accident Claims

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in South Carolina?

South Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck crash cases, is generally three years from the date of the crash under South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530. If you miss that deadline, you lose the right to sue entirely. However, certain exceptions can shorten that window, such as when a government entity owns the truck. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, in most cases. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are less than 51 percent at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury awards you $500,000 and finds you 10 percent at fault, you receive $450,000. An attorney can help minimize any fault attributed to you during the claims process.

What evidence is most important in a Florence truck accident case?

The most valuable evidence in a truck crash case includes the truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, which records hours of service compliance, dashcam footage from the truck cab, the driver’s qualification file and driving history, the truck’s maintenance and inspection records, the police crash report, witness statements, and any traffic camera footage from intersections near the crash site. This evidence must be preserved quickly, because trucking companies are not required to keep it indefinitely.

Who can be held liable for a truck crash in Florence, SC?

Liability in a truck crash case can extend beyond the driver. The motor carrier (the trucking company) can be held liable under a legal theory called respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees. The company that loaded the cargo can be liable if an improper load caused the crash. A truck manufacturer or parts supplier can be liable if a defective component, such as faulty brakes, contributed to the wreck. A thorough investigation often reveals multiple liable parties.

How much is my Florence truck accident case worth?

The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical expenses (past and future), lost income, the degree of the defendant’s negligence, and whether punitive damages apply. Truck accident cases often result in larger settlements than car crash cases because the injuries tend to be more severe and because trucking companies carry higher insurance policy limits under federal law. The only way to get an accurate picture of what your case is worth is to speak with an attorney who can review the specific facts of your situation. Call Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation.

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Steinberg attorneys have been awarded numerous distinctions, such as Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America by U.S. News & World Report, Gedney M. Howe, Jr. Award for Outstanding Public Service, the SC Leadership in Law award, and has been voted Best Workers’ Comp Firm in SC, among other distinctions.

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