When Your Back Is Against The Wall

Myrtle Beach Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a commercial truck can leave you reeling—physically, emotionally, and financially. In Myrtle Beach, where major routes like Highway 501 and U.S. 17 are packed with freight traffic, serious accidents happen far too often. Whether you’re heading to work, out running errands, or taking the family to the beach, the risk is real, and the consequences can be life-changing.

Truck accidents don’t just result in vehicle damage. They often involve catastrophic injuries, extended time off work, and an uphill battle with aggressive insurance carriers. When your world has been turned upside down, you need a team that knows how to set it right. That’s where Lanier Law Group comes in. We’re prepared to guide you through every step of your recovery, from your first medical appointment to the final settlement or trial.

What Makes Truck Accident Cases So Challenging?

Truck crashes aren’t just bigger—they’re more legally complex. These cases often involve multiple layers of responsibility and legal protections for trucking companies, which make them harder to navigate than standard car accidents. To hold the right parties accountable, you need legal representation with the resources and experience to take on powerful opponents.

Regulatory Complexity

Commercial trucks are governed by both federal and South Carolina state laws. These include rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that cover driver rest requirements, maintenance schedules, and cargo limits. Violations of these rules often play a major role in determining fault, but proving that a violation occurred requires fast, strategic action.

High-Stakes Insurance Defense

Trucking companies typically carry high-dollar insurance policies, and that means their insurers fight harder. These companies deploy rapid-response teams immediately after a crash to control the narrative and reduce their liability. If you’re unrepresented, you’re at a serious disadvantage.

Corporate Legal Teams

Unlike the average driver, commercial truckers and their employers often have a fleet of attorneys at their disposal. They know how to delay, deflect, and dispute claims. At Lanier Law Group, we’re not intimidated by their size or tactics. We match their resources and exceed their intensity.

To get started, call 919-342-1368 today.

The Most Common Trucking Hazards in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s tourism-driven traffic and coastal infrastructure present unique challenges for truck drivers and everyday motorists alike.

Congested Roadways

During peak tourist seasons, traffic on Highway 501, Kings Highway, and Grissom Parkway can back up for miles. With stop-and-go traffic, lane changes, and pedestrian activity, one wrong move from a truck driver can result in tragedy.

Construction Zones and Narrow Lanes

Ongoing development along major corridors often creates sudden lane shifts, uneven pavement, and reduced speed zones. For an 18-wheeler, maneuvering through these conditions is difficult and dangerous.

Poor Visibility and Weather

Fog, rain, and nighttime conditions are all common along the coast. A truck traveling too fast for conditions can easily lose control, especially if the driver is fatigued or distracted.

Understanding Who’s Liable in a Truck Accident

Determining who is legally responsible is often the most important—and most complex—part of a truck accident case. It’s rarely as simple as blaming the driver.

Driver Negligence

Truck drivers are human, and like any driver, they can make mistakes. Some may speed to meet tight delivery deadlines, drive while drowsy or in violation of hours-of-service limits, text or use GPS while operating the vehicle, or fail to yield or properly check blind spots. Any of these behaviors can contribute to a serious crash.

Company and Contractor Responsibility

Trucking companies may also bear responsibility, particularly if they fail to properly vet or train drivers, pressure employees to exceed legal limits, or neglect routine vehicle maintenance. Third-party contractors involved in cargo loading or truck repairs can be held liable if their actions contributed to unsafe conditions or equipment failures that caused the crash.

Equipment and Manufacturing Defects

When a truck crash is caused by faulty brakes, defective tires, or malfunctioning coupling systems, the responsibility may extend to manufacturers or maintenance providers. These parties can be held accountable under product liability laws if a mechanical defect played a role in the collision.

How Our Attorneys Build a Strong Truck Accident Claim

Winning a truck accident case requires strategy, speed, and thorough investigation. At Lanier Law Group, we start building your case the moment you contact us.

Immediate Evidence Preservation

We take immediate steps to preserve all crucial evidence. This includes sending spoliation letters to prevent the destruction of black box data, securing maintenance logs, reviewing inspection records, and obtaining dispatch logs and GPS tracking information. All of this helps establish what happened and why.

Accident Reconstruction and Expert Testimony

Our firm works closely with accident reconstruction professionals, mechanical engineers, and forensic experts to determine how the crash occurred and to establish liability. Their insight can be instrumental in proving your case.

Medical Documentation and Financial Projections

We consult with your medical team, economists, and life care planners to document the full scope of your injuries and calculate the future impact on your ability to work and live your life. This includes not only past expenses, but projected costs for rehabilitation, assistive devices, therapy, and lost earning capacity.

Serious Injuries Caused by Commercial Truck Accidents

Collisions involving commercial trucks often result in some of the most devastating injuries seen on South Carolina roads. Because of their size and weight, these vehicles generate tremendous force during impact, leaving those in smaller vehicles at high risk for life-altering harm. The nature of these injuries often demands extensive and ongoing medical care, and the road to recovery can span months or even years. In the worst cases, victims are left permanently disabled and unable to resume their normal lives.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Truck crashes frequently cause head trauma, especially when the victim’s vehicle is struck at high speed or crushed in the impact. TBIs can lead to memory loss, impaired motor skills, cognitive decline, personality changes, and difficulty speaking or processing information. Some individuals require long-term therapy or in-home care. Even a moderate concussion can disrupt everyday life for weeks, while severe brain injuries can result in permanent disability or a reduced lifespan.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spine are among the most serious and life-changing outcomes of a truck crash. These can lead to partial or full paralysis, including paraplegia or quadriplegia. Beyond physical limitations, spinal cord injuries often require expensive adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs, home modifications, and full-time care. Victims must also cope with chronic pain, reduced independence, and the psychological toll that comes with such a sudden shift in lifestyle.

Multiple Fractures and Orthopedic Trauma

Truck collisions commonly cause multiple or compound fractures that involve several bones breaking at once. Crushed limbs, dislocations, and complex orthopedic injuries can leave victims bedridden or immobile for long periods. Recovery may require multiple surgeries, bone grafts, pins, or screws—and even then, full mobility is not always regained. The healing process often includes months of physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Internal Organ Damage

The violent nature of a truck crash can lead to internal bleeding or injuries to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, or spleen. These injuries may not be immediately apparent but can quickly become life-threatening if left untreated. Immediate emergency care is often required, and the long-term effects can range from chronic health complications to permanent organ dysfunction.

Amputations and Disfigurement

Some injuries are so severe that a limb cannot be saved. In those cases, surgical amputation becomes necessary. These injuries are traumatic both physically and emotionally. Victims face a future that includes prosthetic fittings, lifestyle adjustments, and deep emotional trauma. Disfigurement can also occur from burns, lacerations, or crushed facial structures, leading to lasting psychological scars.

At Lanier Law Group, we understand the wide-ranging impact of these injuries. We work with medical professionals, vocational experts, and life care planners to make sure every consequence, now and in the future, is considered when pursuing your claim.

The Full Scope of Compensation After a Truck Crash

A truck accident can affect nearly every part of your life, and the compensation you pursue should reflect that. At Lanier Law Group, we fight for full and fair recovery.

Economic Damages

Economic damages typically include medical expenses associated with emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and any required long-term care. Victims may also recover compensation for lost income due to missed work, as well as the loss of future earning capacity if they are no longer able to return to their previous occupation. Property damage, such as repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal belongings affected by the crash, is also included.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages focus on how the accident has affected your well-being. Pain and suffering includes the physical discomfort and limitations resulting from your injuries. Loss of enjoyment of life applies when your ability to participate in hobbies, travel, or everyday activities is disrupted. Emotional distress can manifest as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological conditions that develop as a result of the trauma.

Punitive Damages

In rare but egregious cases, South Carolina law allows for punitive damages. These are awarded when the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional, such as when a trucking company knowingly ignored safety violations, or a driver was operating under the influence. These damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and send a message to deter similar conduct in the future.

What to Do—and What to Avoid—After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents are life-changing events. It’s understandable that you have questions about what you should and shouldn’t do in the aftermath of one. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Do Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Prompt medical attention is critical, even if you don’t feel injured right away. Internal injuries or brain trauma may not be immediately visible but can worsen quickly without treatment. Early care also helps establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries.

Do Report the Crash and Request a Police Report

Calling law enforcement to the scene is essential. The official police report will include the officer’s observations, witness statements, and an initial assessment of fault—valuable information when building your claim.

Don’t Admit Fault or Speculate

It’s important to avoid making statements that could be interpreted as taking blame. Stick to the facts when speaking with officers, other drivers, or insurers. Admitting fault prematurely can weaken your legal position, even if you weren’t primarily responsible.

Don’t Sign Anything From the Insurance Company

Insurance adjusters often offer quick settlements in hopes of minimizing payouts. These offers rarely reflect the full extent of your injuries and losses. Before signing any documents or accepting a settlement, speak with a qualified attorney.

Do Call Lanier Law Group

The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights. Our team will handle communications with insurers, investigate the accident thoroughly, and ensure your case is positioned for the best possible outcome.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

Now that you know what’s at stake, don’t wait to take action. Trucking companies have legal teams on standby, working from the moment a crash occurs to protect their bottom line. You deserve that same level of urgency and firepower on your side.

At Lanier Law Group, we offer free consultations, and we’ll meet you wherever you are—whether that’s in our office, your home, or your hospital room. We’ll listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your legal options clearly and compassionately.

Call us today at 919-342-1368 or contact us online to schedule your free case review. Let us shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing. We’re ready to step into the ring for you—and we don’t stop swinging until the bell rings.

Your road to recovery starts now. Call 919-342-1368 or contact us online for a free consultation. Let us take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

We Won't Back Down

Lanier Law Group is Here When Results Matter Most

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Myrtle Beach

We Fight for Our Clients

*Featured Case Results, Settlements, & Trial Wins From Our Attorneys

$4.8 Million

Settlement

A case with multiple plaintiffs who were potentially exposed to a deadly disease while in the hospital.

$3.1 Million

Birth Injury/Hypoxic Brain Injury

The OB doctor’s negligence caused a delay in the baby’s birth which resulted in the baby suffering of a severe hypoxic brain injury.

$1.375 Million

Medication Overdose/Hospital Negligence

Our client died following an overdose of medication that occurred as a result of the negligence of the nursery staff while they were in the hospital.

$1.2 Million

Birth Injury/Developmental Delay

Our client suffers from a severe developmental delay following a birth injury when there were signs of fetal distress that were not responded to.

$500,000

Botched Gall Bladder Surgery

Our client suffered an injury to their common bile duct during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

$425,000

Surgical Error

A client had their bowel perforated during a ventral hernia repair.

We Never Back Down From a Fight

Featured Reviews, Testimonials & Results

"20 out of 10 stars."

There are times in your life you are so hurt and feel life has a grudge against you. Nothing in your life is going right. I lost the most important person in my life to death, of which I knew mistakes were made because I witnessed it with my own eyes. When you contact a law group you most of the time get all business and a matter of fact conversation. I want all to know that from the first phone call they listened to my lengthy story, sobbing most of the time with so much compassion. They never made any promises but offered assurances that no stone would be unturned. They fulfilled every word they said. They restored faith that I had lost. Until you are in a position like mine you can never know how invaluable Lanier Law Group is. They were wonderful while maintaining their professionalism. They treated me like a family member. They really do care about their clients. But most of all they are the best at what they do. I worked in the court system for years so I knew how attorneys and law firms basically operated. Understanding the law and it’s interpretation is the ultimate key to winning any case. Also know that if an attorney/attorneys study and review your case and know that you don’t have a chance in a court of law and are big enough to tell you that instead of giving you false hope, you then my friend have a group with valuable shared values. I have so much respect for everyone in this Law Group. I recommend Lanier Law Group, P.A. to anyone who needs representation, they are in your corner. 20 out of 10 stars.

- Diane W.

"Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members"

I started working with Lanier Law Group in 2020 on my Social Security Disability case. They from start to finish were awesome. My case manager Janet Hanks and attorney, Ashley Sappenfield were always available to answer all my questions. I did not have to do much but sit back and let them handle whatever was needed. My case took too long (2 years) and if I did not have Janet and Ashley My case would still not be approved. I would recommend Lanier to anyone to get the job done and approved. Do not go to another firm with your case, who promise the world and do not see it to completion and do not think another firms would have worked as hard as they did on my case. Lanier Law Group will always be the choice for me and all my family members to handle any cases of this type and other legal services they provide. They went above and beyond!

- Phillip J.

"So thankful for your expertise and professionalism"

Mrs. Gonzalez did an awesome job of explaining everything in detail and keeping me informed on the status of my case. Despite poor customer service with the insurance company, Mrs. Gonzalez was able to fix what they could not. Mrs. Gonzalez was very helpful with helping me understand things that I was not aware of when dealing with insurance claims. I am so thankful for her expertise and professionalism.

- Mario H.

"Always ready to answer any questions I may have"

The staff kept me well informed in a more than timely manner and was always ready to answer any questions I may have.

- Timothy M.

"The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service!"

The Lanier Law Group provided excellent customer service! My main contact was Denise.

- Malinda P.

Respect. Integrity. Passion.

Our Commitment to Our Clients

We Come Prepared

After an injury, every second counts. We are available to meet with you in person, virtually, or at your location to provide the highest quality legal counsel.

We're In Your Corner

Every case we take on has a team of dedicated professionals assigned to make sure that we're delivering the best possible service and results.

We're Here For You 24/7

Regardless of when you contact our firm, we're here to make sure that you get the answers you need. We also offer weekend appointments and consultations.

We Never Back Down

Our attorneys are confident taking cases to trial and will always seek to maximize your compensation.