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Car and Truck Accidents/Personal Injury Law in South Carolina (SC)

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 breaks and shattering glass, and in mere seconds you are left shocked, confused, and suffering from personal injuries. It shouldn't matter when it comes to my case, you might think, whether a truck or any other vehicle/car/SUV caused the accident and personal injuries. Here are just a few ways in which a truck accident is different from a car accident: 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'

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.

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.

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.

Oconee County includes the cities and towns of Salem, Seneca, Utica, Walhalla, West Union, Westminster, Oakway, and Fairplay.

Orangeburg County includes the cities, towns, and communities of Bowman, Branchville, Brookdale, Cope, Cordova, Elloree, Eutawville, Holly Hill, Livingston, Neeses, North, Norway, Orangeburg, Rowesville, Santee, Springfield, Vance, Wilkinson Heights, and Woodford.

Pickens County includes the cities and towns of Arial, Central, Clemson, Easley, Liberty, Norris, Pickens, and Six Mile.

Richland County includes the cities and towns of Arcadia Lakes, Ballentine, Blythewood, Cayce, Columbia, Eastover, Forest Acres, and Irmo.

Saluda County includes the towns of Batesburg-Leesville, Ridge Spring, Saluda, and Ward.

Spartanburg County includes the cities and towns of Boiling Springs, Campebello, Central Pacolet, Chesnee, Clifton, Cowpens, Duncan, Enoree, Glenn Springs, Greer, Inman, Inman Mills, Landrum, Lyman, Mayo, Moore, Pacolet, Pauline, Reidville, Roebuck, Saxon, Spartanburg, Startex, Switzer, Valley Falls, Wellford, and Woodruff.

Sumter County includes the cities and towns of Cane Savannah, Cherryvale, Dazell, East Sumter, Horatio, Lakewood, Mayesville, Millwood, Mulberry, Oakland, Oswego, Pinewood, Privateer, Rembert, Shiloh, South Sumter, Statesburg, Sumter, Wedgefield, and Wedgewood.

Union County includes the cities and towns of Buffalo, Carlisle, Jonesville, Lockhart, Monarch Mill, and Union.

Williamsburg County includes the towns of Andrews, Cades, Greeleyville, Hemingway, Kingstree, Lane, and Stuckey.

York County includes the cities and towns of Clover, Fort Mill, Hickory Grove, Holy Islamville, India Hook, Lake Wylie, Lesslie, McConnells, Newport, Riverview, Rock Hill, Sharon, Smyrna, Tega Cay, and York.

The Law Firm of Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is made up of a team of experienced personal injury attorneys and investigators that understand the complexities of a truck accidental injury case and that can use those complexities to your advantage.

Although there are many truck accident injury lawyers in North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC), very few have the specific knowledge and courtroom expertise that we pride ourselves on. We have a winning record and solid relationships with multiple experts who have studied such accidents and their injuries for decades. Don't take a risk on just any law firm or just any attorney - be confident with your choice of a law firm that has consistent proven results.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an accident involving a commercial truck, 18-wheeler, or tractor trailer, contact our offices today for a free legal consultation today.

Truck Accident Resource Websites

American Trucking Associations
The ATA represents the trucking industry on a national scale. Their website includes a list of safety hot topics, safety publications, safety statistics, and safety committees.

Truck Safety Coalition
This is a coalition between the Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation and Parents Against Tired truckers (PATT). It offers truck safety issues, facts and figures, the latest news, and a related newsletter.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
CVSA is a not-for-profit organization that promotes commercial truck safety and security. Their website shares news, events, committees, and members information as well as tips and advice on how truck drivers can reduce accident rates.

Institute of Drive Behavior
This site is a collection of safety videos for truck drivers - both new and experienced - aimed at reducing and preventing accidents.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
The NHTSA is a government-run website that offers the public the latest news, research, and safety advice in relation to car and truck accident prevention.

FMCSA's Share the Road Safely Program
This website is run by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and strives to minimize the number of car and truck crashes through educating all drivers and, in the case of accidents that do happen, to minimize the consequences of such collisions.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Since 1947, this non-profit organization has funded over 170 research projects designed to discover the causes of traffic accidents. The website includes traffic safety news, research results, and much more.

US Department of Transportation
The website itself will inform the reader of the latest news, research, tips, programs, and statistics generated by the government agency.

National Safety Council
This is the nation's leading resource on the development of strategies for advancing safety programs and practices. Their website offers statistics, tips, advice, news, and information related to car and truck accidents.

Insurance Information Institute
This website answers many frequently asked questions concerning car and truck crashes. Learn about choosing the right insurance coverage, filing a claim, and how the entire insurance process works.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety & Highway Loss Data Institute
While IIHS conducts research into the three factors in motor vehicle crashes (humans, their vehicles, and the environment), HLDI publishes insurance loss statistics on cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycle models common in the United States.

American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
The website includes a knowledge center, news outlet, and training opportunities.

FMCSA Analysis and Information Online
This website is a vital resource for those seeking track accident statistics.

Learn More About Car and Truck Accidents in North Carolina (NC)



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