
Little River, SC (April 26, 2026) — On Friday, April 24, a two-vehicle collision involving a commercial vehicle left one person trapped. Horry County Fire Rescue (HCFR) was dispatched to the intersection of North Highway 57 and Frank Gore Road at 6:41 a.m.
Upon arrival, rescue crews found one of the vehicles overturned with an occupant pinned inside. Firefighters immediately deployed specialized extrication equipment to remove the entrapped individual.
One patient was treated on-site and transported to a regional hospital with serious injuries, while another individual involved in the crash signed a medical waiver refusing transport.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover from their injuries.
If you were involved in a collision in Little River, your case involves specific legal complexities due to the involvement of a commercial vehicle. In South Carolina, commercial drivers and their employers are held to higher safety standards than typical motorists, and a crash involving an overturned vehicle often points to issues with speed, load securement, or driver fatigue.
Unlike a standard car accident, a commercial vehicle crash may involve multiple responsible parties. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, the company that owns the truck is liable for the actions of its driver. Additionally, if the vehicle overturned because it was improperly loaded, the cargo-loading company could be held responsible.
If a mechanical failure, such as a tire blowout or brake failure, contributed to the impact, the maintenance provider or manufacturer might also be liable. Identifying these "third-party" defendants is crucial for ensuring there is enough insurance coverage to pay for catastrophic injuries.
Commercial vehicles must comply with strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These laws limit how many hours a driver can be on the road and require meticulous maintenance logs.
Following a serious crash, a legal team can secure the truck’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data and "black box" records. This data reveals exactly how fast the truck was going and whether the driver attempted to brake before the collision.
In South Carolina, if a trucking company is found to have willfully ignored safety laws, you may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering.
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. This means you can recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident.
However, your settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if a jury finds the truck driver was 80% responsible for the overturn, but you were 20% responsible for a minor lane infraction, you would receive 80% of your total damages.
Since trucking insurance companies have rapid-response teams to minimize their liability, it is essential to have your own representation to preserve evidence from the scene before it is cleared.
A truck accident lawyer can explain potential compensation, review insurance forms, and clarify what documentation is important. Legal guidance can help drivers understand what steps to take after a crash involving a commercial vehicle.
At The Arndt Law Firm, we have experience across a range of complex car accident cases. We can help clarify how medical records, insurance communication, and related documentation are commonly handled.
If you want straightforward information about your options, you can contact The Arndt Law Firm at 843-469-8777 to book a free consultation with a member of our team.
Note: This post has been prepared using information gathered from publicly available secondary sources. The details of the incident have not been independently verified. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact The Arndt Law Firm so we can promptly review and update the content to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. This content does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not constitute a solicitation for legal services. If you have been injured in an accident, you should seek immediate medical attention. Any photographs included in this post are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual scene of the accident.
