A four-car accident on Interstate 26 in North Charleston left one person dead and four others injured on May 17. The accident was a tragic reminder of the risk of chain-reaction accidents in areas of heavy traffic.

The collision happened when a driver sideswiped another vehicle while attempting to exit the interstate at Remount Road. The driver lost control and crashed into a retaining wall. The motorist whose vehicle hit the wall was killed.

Three other vehicles traveling on the interstate were involved in the crash, injuring occupants and resulting in four other motorists being taken to the hospital. Charleston County Dispatch said that one of the motorists involved was trapped in her car, and emergency crews had to pull her from the vehicle.

The accident closed the westbound lanes of I-26 for several hours as law enforcement and emergency crews worked to treat those involved and clear the scene.

The crash happened on a stretch of I-26 in Charleston County that was recently identified by the South Carolina Highway Patrol as having a serious problem with aggressive driving. Earlier this year, Senior Trooper Bridget Wyant told WCSC that I-26 between Exit 199 in Summerville and Dorchester Road in Charleston was like “a NASCAR race.”

A study showed that more than 600 crashes occurred on the 15-mile segment of I-26 during the first 10 months of 2013. Troopers attributed many of the hazards to three kinds of dangerous driving:

  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Unsafe lane changes

For more details, read our Jan. 20 blog post titled “Danger Zone: Hundreds of Car Accidents along 15-Mile Stretch of Interstate-26 Near Charleston.”

Chain-reaction accidents such as the one that happened on May 17 are all too common in heavy traffic on highways throughout the Charleston area. They are especially dangerous when vehicles travel at high speeds on highways where there are few options for getting out of the way. When one driver loses control, other vehicles may be unable to get out of the path of the vehicle or stop in time to avoid a collision.

The best ways to avoid a chain-reaction accident include leaving a sufficient following distance between cars, remaining watchful and alert in traffic at all times and obeying the speed limit.

Victims of chain-reaction accidents may be entitled to compensation from the insurance company of the driver at fault for the collision. Compensation may include money to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

About the Author

Since 1968, the South Carolina personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys of Joye Law Firm have been committed to securing compensation for accident and injury victims. Our compassionate and dedicated lawyers have over 300 years of combined litigation experience, and many of them have been recognized as South Carolina Super Lawyers. For many years, our South Carolina personal injury law firm has been listed with an AV rating in the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell legal directory.

Recent Blog Post
What to do in South Carolina? Events for the week of November 26-December 2, 2024 in Charleston, Summerville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Upstate SC.
What to Do in South Carolina: Joye Law Firm Staff Picks 11/26/24 – 12/2/24

  As Thanksgiving week unfolds, South Carolina has plenty of exciting events to enjoy, from turkey trots to holiday lights and even a Friendsgiving party. Whether you’re looking to stay active, sip wine, or jumpstart your holiday shopping, there’s something…

What to do in South Carolina? Events for the week of November 19-25, 2024 in Charleston, Summerville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Upstate SC.
What to Do in South Carolina: Joye Law Firm Staff Picks 11/19/24 – 11/25/24

  South Carolina is brimming with festive events, cozy workshops, and exciting sports action this week! Whether you’re looking to kick off the holiday season, enjoy some creative activities, or dance the night away, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a…

Midsection Of Physical Therapist Assisting Patient In Exercising
How Physical Therapy Affects Your Car Accident Settlement

Car accident injuries can range from minor to life-changing. Even seemingly minor car wrecks can cause chronic pain and discomfort, leaving lasting impacts on your mobility, comfort, and overall well-being. To regain mobility and increase quality of life, many car…

Ethan at Joye Law Firm
Want To Build A Successful Law Firm? Hire Happy People

As Managing Partner of Joye Law Firm, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing our growth over the last 30 years. During that span, we’ve seen tremendous growth at our law firm from four lawyers in one office to 21 lawyers across…

Awards & Recognition
Media
ABC
NBC
Fox
CBS News
ESPN Radio logo