Murrells Inlet Truck Accident Lawyer

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Murrells Inlet sits along the South Carolina coast in Horry County, just south of Myrtle Beach, where US Highway 17 carries a steady stream of commercial trucks through the Lowcountry. When one of those massive vehicles crashes into a passenger car, the consequences can be life-altering. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a truck wreck near Murrells Inlet, a personal injury lawyer at Steinberg Law Firm is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 843-720-2800.

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Why Truck Crashes in Murrells Inlet Are So Dangerous

Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded under federal limits, and that mass creates a massive force difference between a large truck and a typical passenger vehicle. When a crash happens on US 17 near the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, on the US 17 Bypass, or along the busy commercial corridors heading toward Garden City, the people in the smaller vehicle almost always suffer the most severe injuries.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) estimates the average cost of a truck crash involving injuries at $200,000, a figure that can double or triple when fatalities occur. Those numbers reflect medical bills, lost wages, and long-term rehabilitation, but they don’t capture the full human toll of a serious wreck.

According to the most recent FMCSA data, South Carolina recorded 3,167 large truck crashes in 2024, a figure higher than both 2022 and 2023. Horry County, which includes Murrells Inlet, sees heavy truck traffic year-round because US 17 serves as a primary commercial route connecting the Grand Strand to Charleston and points south. Tourist season brings even more congestion, and distracted or fatigued truck drivers are a constant risk on this corridor.

Common injuries from truck crashes include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal organ damage, and severe lacerations. These injuries often require surgeries, extended hospital stays, physical therapy, and long-term care. The financial pressure on injured families is enormous, which is exactly why having a skilled legal team on your side matters so much from day one.

South Carolina Laws That Apply to Murrells Inlet Truck Accident Claims

Several state and federal laws govern truck crash claims in South Carolina, and knowing which ones apply to your situation can make or break your case. Federal regulations set the baseline for how commercial carriers must operate, and South Carolina law determines how fault and compensation are calculated.

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 crash claim. When a truck driver logs more hours than legally allowed, or when a carrier skips required vehicle inspections, those failures can establish liability.

South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1270 requires that any crash resulting in injury or death, or property damage of $1,000 or more, be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days if law enforcement did not investigate the scene. Law enforcement officers must also file their own written reports within 24 hours of completing an investigation. These reports become critical evidence in your claim.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person may recover compensation only if they are less than 51% at fault, and any recovery is reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault. This means that even if you were partially at fault for the crash, you may still recover damages as long as your share of fault stays below that threshold. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-38-15, defendants whose conduct is determined to be willful, wanton, reckless, or grossly negligent are not entitled to the protections of proportional liability, meaning they can face full joint and several liability for your losses.

South Carolina Code Section 56-5-1520 also requires all drivers, including commercial truck operators, to drive at a reasonable and prudent speed given road conditions. Speeding or driving too fast for conditions on busy stretches of US 17 near Murrells Inlet can itself constitute negligence.

Who Can Be Held Liable After a Murrells Inlet Truck Wreck

One of the most important things to understand about truck crash claims is that liability rarely falls on just one party. Multiple defendants can share responsibility, and identifying all of them is critical to recovering full compensation.

The truck driver is often the starting point. Driver fatigue, distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding are among the most common causes of serious truck wrecks. Sub-topics closely tied to commercial truck crashes include driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations, inadequate vehicle maintenance, cargo securement failures, and the role of distracted or impaired driving. Each of these failures can point to a specific responsible party.

The trucking company that employs the driver can also be held liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for the negligent acts of their employees while on the job. If the company hired an unqualified driver, failed to conduct proper background checks, or pressured drivers to skip rest breaks to meet delivery schedules, the company itself bears direct liability.

Third parties can also be responsible. A cargo loading company that improperly secured freight can be liable if shifting cargo caused the crash. A truck manufacturer or parts supplier can face liability if a defective component, such as a faulty brake system, contributed to the wreck. Even a maintenance contractor who failed to properly service the vehicle can be named as a defendant.

Pursuing all potentially liable parties matters because it increases the pool of insurance coverage available to compensate your losses. Multiple policies, covering the driver, the motor carrier, and potentially cargo loaders, may apply to a single claim. An experienced legal team will investigate every angle to make sure no responsible party escapes accountability.

What to Do After a Truck Crash Near Murrells Inlet

The steps you take immediately after a truck crash on US 17, the US 17 Bypass, or any other road in the Murrells Inlet area can directly affect the strength of your claim. Acting quickly and carefully protects both your health and your legal rights.

Call 911 immediately. South Carolina law requires that any crash involving injury or death be reported to local police or the South Carolina Highway Patrol right away. Get medical attention even if you feel fine at the scene. Some serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding, do not produce obvious symptoms immediately after impact.

Document everything you can safely photograph at the scene. Take pictures of the vehicles, the road, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Collect the names and contact information of witnesses. If you can, note the truck’s license plate, DOT number, and the name of the carrier on the side of the vehicle. This information helps your attorney identify the responsible parties quickly.

Do not speak to any insurance company, including your own, before talking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Truck carriers often send investigators to crash scenes within hours of a serious wreck, so the sooner you have legal representation, the better.

Contact Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 as soon as possible. Our team can begin preserving evidence, including the truck’s electronic logging device data, black box records, and surveillance footage from nearby businesses along US 17, before that evidence disappears. If you are looking for a dedicated truck accident lawyer who understands the local roads and the legal system in South Carolina, we are here to help.

Damages You Can Recover in a South Carolina Truck Accident Case

South Carolina law allows injured victims to pursue two broad categories of compensation after a truck crash: economic damages and non-economic damages. Understanding what you can claim helps you see the full value of your case.

Economic damages cover your measurable financial losses. These include past and future medical expenses, lost wages from time missed at work, reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job, and the cost of ongoing rehabilitation or in-home care. After a serious truck wreck, these costs can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.

Non-economic damages address the personal suffering caused by the crash. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for your spouse or family members are all compensable under South Carolina law. These damages are harder to quantify, but they are real and courts take them seriously.

If a loved one died in a truck crash near Murrells Inlet, the family may have a wrongful death claim. South Carolina’s wrongful death statute allows surviving family members to recover for mental anguish, loss of the deceased’s society and companionship, and financial losses caused by the death. Under South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530(6), a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of death.

South Carolina Code Section 15-3-530 sets the general three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck crash cases. The law provides that actions for injury to the person must be brought within three years, and all such actions must be commenced within three years after the person knew or by the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known that they had a cause of action. Missing this deadline almost always means losing your right to recover anything at all, so do not wait to get legal help.

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

Steinberg Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for people injured in car and truck crashes across South Carolina. Our car accident results reflect our commitment to fighting hard for every client, and the representative outcomes below show what is possible when you have a dedicated legal team in your corner.

  • $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 unique, and the outcome depends on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

Why Choose Steinberg Law Firm for Your Murrells Inlet Truck Accident Case

For nearly 100 years, the firm has stood beside injured people across South Carolina, fighting for the compensation they need to rebuild their lives. That history of advocacy means we have seen virtually every type of truck crash claim, and we know how to build a strong case from the ground up.

Steinberg Law Firm handles cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no upfront cost to hire us, and your first consultation is free. We understand that after a serious truck wreck near the Murrells Inlet area, the last thing you need is financial pressure from your own legal team.

Our attorneys investigate every claim thoroughly. We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and trucking industry consultants to build the strongest possible case. We gather black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and witness statements. When insurance companies try to lowball our clients or deny valid claims, we are prepared to take the case to the Georgetown County Courthouse or wherever justice requires.

We serve clients throughout the Lowcountry, including Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Garden City, Litchfield Beach, and the surrounding communities. If you were hurt in a truck crash anywhere along the US 17 corridor or the Murrells Inlet area, call us at 843-720-2800 today. You deserve answers, and we are here to provide them.

FAQs About Murrells Inlet Truck Accident Lawyers

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

Under South Carolina Code Section 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 clock starts from the date of death. If the responsible party is a government entity, a shorter two-year deadline may apply under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim, so contact Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 as soon as possible after your crash.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster after a crash?

No. You should not speak to any insurance company, including your own, before consulting with an attorney. Adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Let Steinberg Law Firm handle all communications with insurers on your behalf from the start.

What if I was partially at fault for the truck crash in Murrells Inlet?

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you are found to be less than 51% at fault for the crash. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $500,000, you would recover $400,000. An attorney can help gather evidence to minimize any finding of fault against you.

What types of evidence are most important in a Murrells Inlet truck accident case?

Key evidence includes the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, the truck’s black box or event data recorder, driver qualification files, maintenance records, cargo loading records, police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage from businesses along US 17, and your medical records. Much of this evidence can be lost or destroyed quickly, which is why it is critical to contact an attorney right away so that preservation letters can be sent to the carrier before data is overwritten.

How does Steinberg Law Firm charge for truck accident cases?

Steinberg Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees unless and until we recover compensation for you. If we do recover money on your behalf, our fee comes from the settlement proceeds. There is no upfront cost and no out-of-pocket expense to get started. Call us at 843-720-2800 for a free consultation.

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Leaders in the Legal Industry

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.

Steinberg Law Firm 2025 The Post and Courier Charleston's Choice Winner
2025 Best of the Holy City Winner - Charleston Living Magazine
Steinberg Law Firm Best Law Firms 2026 Ranked by Best Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyer - Trucking Top 10 Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers - Top 40 Under 40
2024 Reader's Choice Winner - Summerville Journal Scene
2024 Lowcountry Parent - Mom's Choice
Recognized by SuperLawyers
Better Business Bureau A+ Rating
AV Preeminent 5 Stars
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates
Top 10 Attorney and Practice Magazine's Top 10 Workers' Compensation Law Firm
Best Lawyers | Best Law Firms
2022 Logo Winner for Best of Berkeley (1)
AVVO 10/10
Listed in Best Lawyers
National Top 1 Percent
10 Best Client Satisfaction
Best of the Best Lawyers

What Our Clients Say

I would highly recommend them.

I would highly recommend them. Enjoyed the fact that every time I called, someone called me back. It made me feel like my case mattered, and that I mattered. They answered all of my questions and concerns in a timely manner.

- Paula

I am very pleased with my experience.

I am very pleased with my experience. I have and will continue to recommend the Steinberg Law Firm. They have worked very hard on my behalf.

- Sharon

Received a significant settlement.

Received a significant settlement. Ms. Andrews is very communicative and will fight for your case.

- Tiera Green

Taylor and his team did an amazing job

I was involved in an auto accident in 2021, and chose Steinberg Law Firm to represent my case. Taylor and his team did an amazing job representing me in my case. They were super nice, kept me up-to-date, answered any questions in a timely manner, and settled my case quickly. I highly recommend Taylor Grooms and his team.

- Mary Lowe

He didn't give up.

We work hard through the pandemic to get the case solved and it was a tuff fight but in all he didn’t give up. I definitely would call Lawrence Grooms again if I need him

- Shannon

Mr. Taylor Grooms is very professional...

Mr. Taylor Grooms is very professional and have great customer service. He made everything so easy.

- Kimberly

A team who exemplify extraordinary integrity, value, and work ethic.

Immediately after my auto accident. Mr. Taylor Grooms, Attorney and Ms. Glenis Haynes, Paralegal were compassionate and responsive to my inquiry. They are available by phone, text, and email proactively letting me know the status of my case. Mr. Grooms was direct letting me know the pros and cons concerning my outcome. Ms. Glenis was a phone call or text away when I had question. A team who exemplify extraordinary integrity, value, and work ethic. I am highly recommending Taylor and Glenis for their commitment to excellence.

- Dr. M. Frazier

Elliotte Quinn is a definite go-to for construction issues.

After a long suit over my home, we prevailed. Elliotte Quinn is a definite go-to for construction issues. Extremely detailed and easy to work with toward the goal. Highly suggested.

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Elliott and his assistant, Monica, were both amazing!

Elliott and his assistant, Monica, were both amazing! They explained exactly what to expect and when, and got us a great settlement. I highly recommend this law firm!

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