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This page provides important information about car and truck accidents in South Carolina (SC). Learn the differences between a car crash and truck wreck along with data/statistics about the Palmetto State.



Virginia (VA) Truck Accident Injury Lawyers
Offices in VA Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC 

NC and SC states
On the surface, car and truck accidental injuries might seem similar. Another driver makes a mistake, there's a squeal of the breaks and shattering glass, and in mere seconds you are left shocked, confused, and suffering from injuries. You might think, "It shouldn't matter whether a truck or any other vehicle caused the accident and personal injuries." However, there are some key differences between a car accident and truck crash. Here are just a few:

1. Trucks (sometimes called "big rigs," semi's, 18 wheelers, or tractor-trailers) weigh considerably more than cars, and can therefore cause considerably more damage, and more serious personal injuries or deaths. While the average American car weighs just over 4,000 pounds, a fully loaded commercial tractor-trailer can weight up to 80,000 pounds. This means that they are harder to slow down, harder to control, and make a much bigger impact when they crash. You are more likely to become seriously injured or die in a truck-related collision.

2. Trucks are not driven by private individuals, but rather by employees. This makes it much more difficult to ascertain who was liable for the accident and whose insurance company should cover the damages. Often one company will hire the driver, another company will own the cab, and a third company will own the trailer and contents. Figuring out whose actions are to blame and who should compensate is very muddled and complicated. Commercial semis are like small rolling businesses - and it can be much harder to go into a legal battle with a company than with an individual.

3. Trucks have large blind spots that can cause serious accidents when the vehicles are turning, backing up, or changing lanes.

4. Trucker and truck operators are subject to a number of strict state and federal regulations. Trucks must be inspected frequently since truck brakes wear out quickly and other mechanical malfunctions are common. Truckers must keep detailed logs and cannot drive for long stretches of time. If you have a knowledgably attorney, you can use this information and evidence to you advantage.

5. Given their occupation, big rig and semi drivers are susceptible to fatigue, prescription drug use, non-prescription drug use, carelessness, and reckless driving. Truck driving can be a high-pressure job with tight deadlines, and the cost of those pressures is often accidents and injuries.


Major Highways, Interstates, and Roadways in South Carolina (SC)

The major interstate highways in South Carolina (SC) include I-20, I-26, I-77, I-85, and I-95.
Interstate 20 in South Carolina (SC) is one of the most important roads, which acts as a link between many of the largest cities in the south. In South Carolina (SC), it begins by crossing the Savannah River from Augusta, Georgia and heads northeast through Aiken, Lexington, and Columbia, where it crosses both the Saluda and Broad Rivers. It then passes Fort Jackson, Camden, Arcadia Lakes, and Florence.

Interstate 26 passes through Landrum, Campobello, Chesnee, Inman, Spartanburg, Wellford, Sigsbee, Greenville, Roebuck, Laurens, Newberry, Lexington, Richland, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Dorchester, Berkley and Charleston. Although the northwest route begins in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it turns into mostly flat plains in rural areas by the time it reaches North Charleston.

Interstate 77 Traveling from South Carolina (SC) to Cleveland, Ohio, I-77 is a diverse and well-traveled highway that is considered the best route through the mountainous Appalachians. The road originates in Columbia, South Carolina (SC), as a six lane interstate that begins at the head of I-26 and forms a beltway around the state's capital. The road then narrows to four lanes and weaves through Rock Hill and the state line. Currently, there is a project in the works to expand much of I-77 to eight lanes.

Interstate 85 Following the corridor of US Route 29, I-85 runs northeast-southwest through Greenville and Spartanburg. It has four to six lanes and passes through Anderson, Powdersville, Gaffney, and Peachoid. Two large factories can be seen on this route: the Michelin Tires headquarters and a BMW plant. The road also crosses Lake Hartwell and the Saluda River.

Interstate 95 in South Carolina (SC) runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean 50 miles into the coast. US 17, US 15, and US 301 all run concurrent with the large interstate from time to time. The road passes through Jasper, Hampton, Colleton, Dorchester, Orangeburg, Clarendon, Sumter, Florence, Marlboro, and Dillon. Part of the road is known as the Mark H. Coates Highway.

South Carolina (SC) Summary and Facts

Part of the beautiful Sun Belt and rich in culture and history, South Carolina (SC) is a favorite vacation spot on the East Coast, with millions of travelers each year visiting the beaches, rivers, and lakes of the state. However the state also takes tradition very seriously, with 80 percent of the residents life-long members of their state community. Whether you pick a state park or sandy beach as your destination, you will always be surrounded with the smiling faces, comforting southern food, and warm southern hospitality that is so important to South Carolina (SC).

Capitol: Columbia. Other major cities: Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Florence, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Charleston, Rock Hill, Spartanburg, Sumter, Abbeville, Camden, Cayce, Easley, Forest Acres, Gaffney, Greenwood, Hilton Head Island, Isle of Palms, Lexington, Mauldin, Mount Pleasant, North Augusta, North Myrtle beach, Orangeburg, Simpsonville, Summerville, West Columbia, and York.

Population: South Carolina (SC) has a population of 4,320,000, with a strong 7.7% growth rate over the last six years.

State Slogan: Smiling Faces. Beautiful Places.

History: South Carolina (SC)'s history began in 1514, when Spaniards explored the new land and built Fort San Felipe on Parris Island a few decades later. Later the English also settled there and the region settled into the plantation economy of the south at that time with exports of rice and indigo. Soon, cotton became the most popular crop. South Carolina (SC) was the eighth state to ratify the constitution and join the United States. Years later, the Civil was begun in Charleston, and the state seceded from the nation. After the Civil War ended, South Carolina (SC) launched itself into the textile industry. The economy struggled with a boll weevil infestation, racial strife, and the Great Depression, but South Carolina (SC) survived and now thrives.

Climate: South Carolina (SC) has a humid subtropical climate. However, the weather varies as you leave the coast and head upstate. Though most of the state sees very mild winters, with an average of just 2.5 inches of snow during any given year, the summers are exceedingly hot and humid. Summer temperatures hover between 80 ad 100 degrees during the day with lows between 70 and 80 degrees at night. Although the state does not see much snow, it is prone to freezing rain during the colder months. During the summer, they often see tropical cyclones, although hurricanes only hit the state very occasionally.


The Counties, Cities, and Towns of South Carolina (SC)

Abbeville County includes the cities, towns, and communities of Abbeville, Antreville, Calhoun Falls, Donalds, Due West, Lake Secession, Lowndesville, and Ware Shoals.

Aiken County includes the cities, towns, and communities of Aiken, Bath, Beech Island, Belvedere, Burnettown, Clearwater, Cloverville, Graniteville, Jackson, Langley, Monetta, New Ellenton, North Augusta, Perry, Salley, Vaucluse, Wagener, Warrenville, and Windsor.

Allendale County includes the towns of Allendale, Fairfax, Sycamore, and Ulmer.

Anderson County includes the cities, towns, and communities of Anderson, Belton, Centerville, Clemson, Homeland Park, Honea Path, INC, Northlake, Pelzer, Pendleton, Piedmont, Powdersville, Sandy Springs, Starr, West Peizer, and Williamston.

Bamberg County includes the cities and towns of Bamberg, Denmark, Ehrhardt, Govann, and Olar.

 Barnwell County includes the cities and towns of Barnwell, Backville, Elko, Hilda, Kline, Snelling, and Williston.

Beaufort County includes the cities and towns of Beaufort, Bluffton, Burton, Hardeeville, Hilton Head Island, Laurel Bay, Parris Island, Port Royal, Shell Point, and Yemassee.

Berkeley County includes the cities and towns of Bonneau, Charleston, Cross, Goose Creek, Gumville, Hanahan, Huger, Jamestown, Ladson, Moncks Corner, St. Stephen, and Summerville.

Calhoun County includes the cities and towns of Cameron, Creston, Fort Motte, Lone Stare, St. Matthews, and Sandy Run.

Charleston County includes the cities and towns of Awendaw, Charleston, Folly Beach, Goose Creek, Hollywood, Isle of Palms, James Island, Kiawah Island, Ladson, Lincolnville, McClallanville, Megget, Mount Pleasant, North Carleston, Ravenel, Rockville, Seabrook Island, Sullivan's Island, Summerville, and Wadmalaw Island.

Cherokee County includes the cities and towns of Blacksburg, Draytonville, East Gaffney, Gaffney, and Thicketty.

Chester County includes the cities and towns of Bascomville, Chester, Eureka Mill, Fort Lawn, Gayle Mill, Great Falls, Lowrys, and Richburg.

Chesterfield County includes the towns of Cheraw, Chesterfield, Jefferson, McBee, Mount Croghan, Pageland, Patrick, and Ruby.

Clarendon County includes the cities and towns of Manning, Paxville, Summerton, and Turbeville.

Colleton County includes the cities and towns of Cottageville, Round O, Lodge, Edisto beach, Ruffin, Smoaks, Walterboro, and Williams.

Darlington County includes the cities and towns of Darlington, Hartsville, Lamar, North Hartsville, and Society Hill.

Dillon County includes the cities and towns of Dillon, Floydale, Kemper, Lake View, and Latta.

Dorchester County includes the cities and towns of Harleyville, North Charleston, Reevesville, Ridgeville, St. George, and Summerville.

Edgefield County includes the towns and communities of Edgefield, Johnson, Murphy's Estates, and Trenton.

Fairfield County includes the cities and towns of Ridgeway, Winnsboro, and Winnsboro Mills.

Florence County includes the cities and towns of Coward, Florence, Johnsonville, Lake City, Olanta, Pamplico, Quinby, Scranton, and Timmonsville.

 Georgetown County includes the cities and towns of Andrews, Georgetown, Murrell's Inlet, and Pawley's Island.

Greenville County including the cities and towns of Fountain Inn, Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Travelers Rest.

Greenwood County includes the cities and towns of Bradley, Cokesbury, Coronaca, Greenwood, Hodges, Kirksey, Ninety Six, Pittsburg, Promised Land, Tory, and Ware Shoals.

Hampton County includes the towns and communities of Brunson, Estill, Furman, Gifford, Hampton, Luray, McPhersonville, Scotia, Varnville, and Yemassee.

Horry County includes the cities and towns of Conway, Myrtle beach, North Myrtle Beach, Aynor, Bucksport, Garden City Loris, Socastee, Surfside Beach, Atlantic Beach, Burgess, Cherry Grove, Little River, Longs, Pine Island, Red Hill, and Springmaid Beach.

Jasper County includes the city of Hardeeville and the town of Ridgeland.

Kershaw County includes the cities and towns of Antioch, Bethune, Boykin, Camden, Cassatt, Elgin, Liberty Hill, Lugoff, and Westville.

Lancaster County includes the cities and towns of Buford, Elgin, heath Springs, Indian Land, Irwin, Kershaw, Lancaster Mill, Lancaster, Springdale, Taxahaw, and Van Wyck.

Laurens County includes the cities and towns of Clinton, Cross Hill, Fountain Inn, Gray Court, Joanna, Laurens, Mountville, Princeton, Ware Shoals, Waterloo, and Watts Mills.

Lee County includes the towns of Bishopville and Lynchburg.

Lexington County includes the cities and towns of Batesburg-Leesville, Cayce, Chapin, Columbia, Gaston, Gilbert, Irmo, Lexington, Oak Grove, Pelion, Pine Ridge, Red Bank, Ven Oaks, South Congaree, Springdale, Summit, Swansea, and West Columbia.

Marion County includes the cities and towns of Marion, Mullins, Nichols, Sellers, and Temperance Hill.

Marlboro County includes the cities and towns of Bennettsville, Blenheim, Clio, McColl, and Tatum.

McCormick County includes the cities and towns of Clarks Kill, McCormick, Modoc, Mount Carmel, Parksville, Plum Branch, and Willington.

Newberry County includes the towns of Little Mountain, Newberry, Peak, Pomaria, Prosperity, Silverstreet, and Whitmire.




Best Virginia Injury Attorneys Virginia Super Lawyers   

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by another person's carelessness. 

Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick and Jim have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010, making them among the 5 percent of lawyers so honored. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our Virginia Beach accident injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. 

We alsooffer free special reports and edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard blog sites as a public information service.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemaul and we will get back to you shortly. 

 Virginia injury lawyer    Best Lawyers in Virginia



About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling truck wreck cases. Check out our truck accident case results and our free consumer guide on what to do if you get involved in an accident with a commercial truck.

We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Newport News, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009 and included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Jim and Rick have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of practicing lawyers receive this honor.

In addition, our VA injury law firm was the first in the commonwealth to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms, and we have the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization. The rating indicates we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential consultations. Call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a message so we can get back to you.

Best Injury Lawyers in Virginiainjury, lawyer