Garden City Truck Accident Lawyer

Garden City Beach sits along the Grand Strand just south of Myrtle Beach, and the roads leading in and out of it carry a steady mix of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks. US-17 Business, SC-544, and the Waccamaw Neck corridor funnel freight traffic through the area year-round, and that traffic only grows heavier during peak tourist season. When a fully loaded commercial truck collides with a smaller vehicle on those roads, the results can be catastrophic. If you or someone you love was seriously hurt in a truck wreck near Garden City, you need a personal injury lawyer who understands both state and federal law and who will fight to hold every responsible party accountable. Steinberg Law Firm has been doing exactly that for the people of South Carolina for nearly 100 years, and we are ready to help you.

Why Truck Crashes Near Garden City Are So Dangerous
Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in the Garden City Area
South Carolina Laws That Govern Truck Accident Claims
What to Do After a Truck Crash Near Garden City
Steinberg Law Firm’s Car Accident Case Results in South Carolina
Why Garden City Residents Trust Steinberg Law Firm
FAQs About Garden City Truck Accident Lawyer

Why Truck Crashes Near Garden City Are So Dangerous

Garden City Beach is a tight-knit Lowcountry community, but the roads surrounding it are anything but quiet. US-17 carries a constant flow of 18-wheelers moving goods between Florida and the Northeast. SC-544 connects the area to I-95, one of the busiest freight corridors in the country. When a loaded semitrailer, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds under federal weight limits, strikes a passenger car, the size difference alone makes severe injury almost inevitable.

Nationally, 5,218 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2024, and 120,724 large trucks were involved in crashes resulting in an injury that same year, a 5.4% increase from 2023. South Carolina is not immune to these trends. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), South Carolina recorded 3,167 large truck crashes in 2024, a figure higher than both 2022 and 2023, with large trucks involved in approximately 3,000 crashes each year from 2021 to 2023, causing around 1,800 injuries annually.

A total of 5,340 people died in large-truck crashes in the United States in 2024. The number of deaths decreased 2.5% from 2023 but is up 30% over the last 10 years. The majority of deaths in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles, at 70%, followed by truck occupants at 17%, and non-occupants, primarily pedestrians and bicyclists, at 13%.

The Garden City area sees additional risk because resort traffic and commercial traffic share the same two-lane stretches. Trucks making deliveries to the Murrells Inlet area, heading toward the Garden City Pier, or passing through on US-17 toward Pawleys Island must share roads with cyclists, pedestrians, and vacationers who may not be familiar with local driving patterns. That combination raises the stakes for everyone on the road.

Trucking companies are under continuous pressure to deliver cargo quickly. To keep up with time demands, fatigued truck drivers, improperly loaded and secured trucks, and poorly maintained trucks end up on American roads and highways. When those trucks pass through Garden City and a wreck occurs, the injury toll can be severe and the legal picture complex.

Common Causes of Truck Wrecks in the Garden City Area

Most truck crashes near Garden City are not random events. They happen because someone, whether a driver, a trucking company, or a third party, failed to follow the rules designed to keep everyone safe. Identifying that failure is the foundation of every truck injury claim.

Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes. The FMCSA imposes strict hours-of-service rules to prevent fatigued driving, limiting most truck drivers to a maximum of 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Under 49 CFR Part 395, violations of those limits must be recorded on an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). When a carrier pressures drivers to exceed those limits or falsify records, the consequences can be deadly. An NHTSA study found that driver fatigue is considered a factor in 30 to 40 percent of all truck crashes.

Improper cargo loading is another major factor. Under South Carolina Code § 56-5-4190, commercial vehicles are subject to strict weight limits. A semitrailer, as defined under SC Code § 56-5-250, is a vehicle constructed so that part of its weight and load rests upon the towing vehicle. When that load shifts or is secured improperly, the truck can become unstable at highway speeds, making a rollover or jackknife crash far more likely.

Distracted driving, impaired driving, and inadequate vehicle maintenance round out the most common causes. 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, and violations of those rules can provide powerful evidence of negligence in a truck injury claim.

Negligent hiring is a cause that often goes unnoticed. Under 49 CFR Part 391, carriers must verify a driver’s Commercial Driver’s License, employment history, motor vehicle record, and medical certification before putting that driver behind the wheel. When a company skips those steps and an unqualified driver causes a wreck, the company shares liability for every injury that results.

South Carolina Laws That Govern Truck Accident Claims

South Carolina law gives injured victims a clear legal path to pursue compensation after a truck wreck, but that path has rules and deadlines that matter from day one.

The state follows a modified comparative negligence rule under S.C. Code § 15-38-15. South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule means you can still recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the crash, but if you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovery. Any share of fault under 50% simply reduces your compensation proportionally. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault and the trucking company 80% at fault, you could still recover 80% of your damages. Trucking companies know this rule well and will work aggressively to shift blame onto you. Having strong legal representation is the best way to counter that tactic.

Under South Carolina Code § 15-3-530, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash. Three years can feel like a long time, but critical evidence disappears fast. Federal regulations require carriers to retain ELD data for only six months and DVIRs for only three months. Black box data can be overwritten within 30 days. Waiting too long can mean losing the very evidence that proves your case.

Federal law under 49 CFR § 387.9 requires minimum liability insurance of $750,000 for most commercial motor carriers, significantly higher than South Carolina’s $25,000 minimum for passenger vehicles. That higher coverage limit matters when injuries are catastrophic and medical costs are high. But it also means trucking companies come to the table with experienced defense teams and well-funded insurance carriers. You need a truck accident lawyer who knows how to match that firepower.

When a truck driver or motor carrier breaks FMCSA regulations, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence. For example, if a driver ignores hours-of-service rules and falls asleep at the wheel, the violation helps show they were at fault. In civil cases, courts may consider these actions careless or reckless, which can increase the damages owed to injured people.

What to Do After a Truck Crash Near Garden City

The steps you take in the hours and days after a truck wreck near Garden City Beach can make or break your claim. Trucking companies deploy rapid response teams almost immediately after a serious crash. Those teams are there to protect the company, not you.

Call 911 right away and get medical attention, even if you feel okay. Internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries often have delayed symptoms. A documented medical record from the scene ties your injuries directly to the crash, which is critical when building your case later.

If you can do so safely, document the scene. Photograph the truck’s USDOT number, the license plate, the damage to both vehicles, road conditions, and any skid marks. Note the location, whether that is near the Garden City Pier, along US-17 Business, or on SC-544 near the Socastee area. That geographic detail matters when reconstructing what happened.

Do not speak to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster before you have spoken to an attorney. Do not speak to your own insurance company either, until you have had that conversation. Adjusters are trained to gather information that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Anything you say can be used against you, and a quick settlement offer is almost never in your best interest.

Contact Steinberg Law Firm as soon as possible. Our team can send a preservation demand to the trucking company immediately, requiring them to retain the ELD data, black box data, driver qualification files, maintenance records, and dashcam footage that may prove what happened. That demand goes out the day we take your case.

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

Steinberg Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for people seriously injured in crashes across South Carolina, including cases involving large commercial vehicles on the state’s most dangerous roads. These car accident results represent the firm’s commitment to fighting for full and fair compensation for every client we serve in South Carolina.

$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, the severity of your injuries, and the evidence available. What these results do show is that Steinberg Law Firm takes truck injury cases seriously and pursues every dollar our clients deserve.

Why Garden City Residents Trust Steinberg Law Firm

For nearly 100 years the firm has stood alongside injured South Carolinians, from the Lowcountry coast to the Upstate, fighting for the compensation they deserve after serious crashes. That history is not just a number. It reflects decades of courtroom experience, thousands of clients served, and a deep understanding of how South Carolina courts handle complex truck injury cases.

Steinberg Law Firm handles truck injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Any payment to you comes from the settlement proceeds, so you never have to come up with money out of pocket to get started. That structure lets Garden City families focus on recovery while we focus on their case.

Our team investigates every angle. We obtain black box data, ELD records, driver qualification files, and maintenance logs. We work with accident reconstruction professionals when needed. We identify every potentially liable party, which in a truck crash can include the driver, the motor carrier, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or even a parts manufacturer. Truck accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties, which makes fault allocation more complex than a typical car crash. The driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance provider, or even a parts manufacturer could each bear a share of responsibility.

Garden City residents also benefit from our proximity. Our Charleston office is well positioned to serve the Grand Strand and the broader Lowcountry region. We know the local roads, we know the courts in Horry County, and we understand the unique challenges that come with crashes along the coastal corridor between Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island.

Call us today at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation. There is no obligation, and no fee unless we win your case.

FAQs About Garden City Truck Accident Lawyer

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

Under South Carolina Code § 15-3-530, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the three-year period typically runs from the date of death. While three years may seem like plenty of time, critical evidence like ELD data and black box recordings can disappear within weeks. The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of preserving the evidence you need.

Who can be held liable after a truck wreck near Garden City?

Liability in a truck crash can extend well beyond the driver. The motor carrier, a cargo loading company, a third-party maintenance contractor, a parts manufacturer, or even a freight broker may share responsibility. South Carolina law allows injured victims to pursue claims against every party whose negligence contributed to the crash. Identifying all of those parties early is one of the most important things an attorney does in these cases.

What if the trucking company says I was partly at fault?

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule under S.C. Code § 15-38-15. As long as you are found to be 50% or less at fault, you can still recover compensation. Your total award is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies and their insurers routinely try to shift blame onto victims to reduce their payout. A strong evidentiary record, including ELD data, dashcam footage, and accident reconstruction analysis, is the best counter to that tactic.

Should I accept a quick settlement offer from the trucking company’s insurer?

No. Quick settlement offers from trucking company insurers are almost always far below the full value of your claim. Once you accept a settlement, you give up the right to pursue additional compensation, even if your medical costs turn out to be much higher than expected. Before speaking to any insurance company, including your own, contact an attorney. Any payment you receive will come from the settlement proceeds negotiated on your behalf.

What types of compensation can I pursue after a truck crash in South Carolina?

South Carolina law allows injured victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving willful, wanton, or grossly negligent conduct, such as a carrier that knowingly put an unqualified driver on the road, punitive damages may also be available under South Carolina Code § 15-32-520.

Attorney responsible for this content: Steinberg Law Firm, 1500 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC 29407. Phone: 843-720-2800. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page.

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