Truck Accidents In Construction Zones In South Carolina

• The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) states that about 30% of all accidents in construction zones are those where heavy trucks are involved.
• Between 2019 and 2023, fatal and non-fatal accidents involving large trucks in construction zones have led to more than 1,000 deaths and roughly 18,000 injuries.
• The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that 2023 witnessed 898 fatalities and 40,170 injuries due to crashes in construction zones.

Construction zones aren’t rare in South Carolina—you’ll run into them on highways, backroads, and just about everywhere in between.

Sure, they’re necessary to keep roads in good shape, but they bring their own risks. Drivers are told to slow down, keep an eye on new signs, and basically stay sharp.

Now throw trucks into the mix. Those huge rigs? They’re harder to handle, take forever to stop, and eat up way more space than a normal car.

So when something goes wrong in a construction zone with a truck involved, it’s usually not just a fender bender—it’s bad.

Multiple cars, workers, equipment… everything’s suddenly at risk. That’s why knowing the dangers and what to do legally after one of these wrecks really matters.

If you want to know about your legal options related to truck accidents in construction zones, then you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out…

The Dangers Of Construction Zones On South Carolina Roads

Driving through a construction zone is just not the same as regular driving. Lanes are tighter, sometimes shifting with little warning.

Traffic stops and starts for no reason. Speed limits drop—though not everyone bothers to follow them. And when trucks don’t slow down? Recipe for disaster. This is why truck accidents in construction zones are very common.

Plus, you’ve got workers, big equipment, cones, and barriers all over the place. It can feel like you’re threading a needle just to stay in your lane. Half the time, you can’t even see clearly because signs or machinery block your view.

And here’s the kicker: trucks don’t handle sudden surprises well. They’re heavy, they’re slow to stop, and once momentum takes over, there’s not much room for error. If the driver messes up, everyone nearby pays the price—drivers, passengers, even the crew fixing the road.

Why Are Truck Accidents In Construction Zones More Severe?

Let’s be real—truck crashes are bad enough anywhere, but in a construction zone, they’re even worse.

A semi has so much weight behind it that even a “minor” crash can crush a car like a soda can. People in those cars don’t usually walk away unhurt.

Construction zones don’t help either. Tight lanes and sudden merges leave no breathing room. Trucks need extra space to move, and when they don’t get it, things spiral quickly. Picture traffic stopping in a split second—a car can brake hard.

But a semi? Not a chance. Which is why truck accidents in construction zones are more common!

Speeding’s another big problem. Some truckers just don’t slow down!

Maybe they’re distracted, maybe they think they can handle it. Add in phones, GPS, or even the distraction of the construction activity itself, and accidents happen fast.

One truck crash can set off a domino effect, too. A truck plows into a car, the car spins, another driver swerves, and before you know it, half the work zone is in chaos. Workers get hurt, more cars get hit, and the legal mess afterwards? It only gets uglier.

Who May Be Liable For Truck Accidents in Construction Zones?

Figuring out who’s responsible after one of these crashes isn’t simple. Sometimes it’s the truck driver—they were speeding, not paying attention, or just flat-out careless. But it doesn’t always stop there.

The trucking company could be on the hook, too. If they skipped proper training or ignored safety checks, that’s on them.

Then you’ve got the construction company. If the work zone wasn’t set up right—poor signs, bad lighting, barriers blocking views—that’s negligence.

Even government agencies or contractors can share blame. They’re supposed to make sure zones meet safety standards. If they didn’t, well, that opens another door.

And don’t forget vendors or workers in the zone. Leaving equipment in a dangerous spot or creating a hazard? That can pull them into the claim, too. Basically, liability in these cases can spread pretty wide.

What Factors Affect Compensation For Truck Accidents In Construction Zones?

In case you are hurt or your vehicle is damaged due to an accident like that, you can make a money claim to be compensated for the following things:

• Medical care.
• Vehicle repairs.
• Other losses.

The compensation amount for truck accidents in construction zones will be calculated based on the offender and the extent of the injury.

Here are some of the factors that directly impact the compensation amount in cases of truck accidents in construction zones:

• Liability: Identifying the guilty party is the first step in the solution process. The responsible party could be the trucking company, the construction company, a subcontractor, or even a public entity in charge of road maintenance.
• Severity of Injuries: The nature and the consequences of the injuries you suffered will largely affect the amount of money you will receive as a settlement. Severe injuries can lead to bigger settlements.
• Property Damage: Money can be used to fix the car or to replace it if it is beyond repair, as well as any other damaged property.
• Other Losses: The money lost due to inability to work, the pain and suffering that the victim has experienced, and a few other related items make up this category.

Legal Options For Victims Of Construction Zone Truck Accidents

If you’re injured in a construction zone truck wreck in South Carolina, you do have options. Victims can file claims for medical bills, lost pay, pain and suffering, and more. The catch is—you’ve got to prove someone else’s carelessness caused it.

Evidence becomes your best friend here. Dashcam footage, photos of the site, witness statements, and even data pulled from the truck itself can all tell the story. Police reports add another layer of proof.

But there’s a time limit. In South Carolina, you generally have three years to file a personal injury claim. If you miss that window, the case is dead.

This is why having a lawyer is so important. A truck accident lawsuit gets complicated fast—multiple parties, insurance companies, finger-pointing.

A good lawyer gathers the evidence, talks to witnesses, and deals with the back-and-forth so you don’t have to. They’ll push back against insurers and, if needed, take the case to court.

Bottom line? If you or someone you care about gets hurt in one of these crashes, don’t sit on it. Get medical help first, but once the dust settles, talk to a lawyer. They’ll focus on the messy legal stuff, while you focus on getting back on your feet.

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