Dangers of Semi-Trucks on South Carolina Highways
Numerous semi-trucks move through Myrtle Beach daily, carrying goods that keep stores stocked and businesses running. Their momentum and massive size, however, leave little room for error. When a car collides with another vehicle, drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles are almost always the ones who suffer the most significant harm.
In major highways in and around Myrtle Beach, including the US-501, Kings Highway, US-17 Bypass, Grissom Parkway, and Highway 31, our legal team at John Price Law has handled truck accident cases where victims faced catastrophic injuries because a fatigued or distracted driver couldn’t brake in time.
These accidents aren’t like standard car crashes because they involve multiple liable parties, federal trucking regulations, and commercial insurance policies worth millions. Understanding liability early can mean the difference between partial compensation and a full recovery. That’s why it’s in your best interest to connect with our truck accident attorneys as early as possible if you’ve been injured in a truck crash.
What Makes Semi-Trucks on Highways So Dangerous?
The danger comes from physics and human error. A semi-truck traveling 65 mph can take twice as long to stop as a car, and the blind spots around the cab, called no-zones, can hide entire vehicles. When weather, fatigue, or speeding come into play, the results can be life-changing or fatal. That risk increases where tourism and freight traffic intersect along coastal routes near Myrtle Beach.
Liability After a Truck Accident in Myrtle Beach
Truck accident cases rarely stop with the driver. Liability can extend to the trucking company that pressured the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines or the freight broker or shipper that hired an unsafe carrier. Other potentially liable parties can likewise include the maintenance provider that failed to service the brakes or tires, or the manufacturer of defective truck parts.
What Damages Can You Recover?
Truck crashes usually result in long-term or permanent injuries, meaning the compensation you pursue must account for both immediate and future losses. In South Carolina, victims can recover:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity for time missed or permanent disability.
- Compensation for the physical pain and the emotional toll, and how the crash has changed your daily life and enjoyment.
- Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your car and any personal items ruined in the crash.
The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that about 70% of people injured in large-truck crashes in recent years were occupants of other vehicles. This number reflects just how catastrophic these collisions can be and why pursuing full compensation is immensely vital.
How Our Law Firm Can Assist You
Truck accident investigations require immediate and detailed work. Evidence such as driver logs, black-box data, and vehicle inspection reports can quickly disappear or be altered. To secure maximum compensation for your truck crash-related losses, we can:
- Obtain and interpret crucial evidence, such as electronic logging device (ELD) data, to verify driver fatigue.
- Subpoena the company’s safety and maintenance records.
- Give an accurate estimate of the damages you’re entitled to.
- Work with technical experts to reconstruct the collision so the evidence clearly shows who caused it.
- Handle communications with multiple insurers and defendants.
Seek Legal Guidance from Our Truck Accident Lawyers
Schedule your case review with our truck accident attorneys online or call 843-552-6011. Consultations are free, and we are ready to help.