Highway 501 Truck Accidents: Conway to Myrtle Beach

Highway 501: The Grand Strand’s Most Dangerous Truck Corridor

Highway 501 is the primary commercial artery connecting Conway to Myrtle Beach and it is one of the most dangerous roads in Horry County for truck accidents. Every delivery truck, fuel tanker, and construction vehicle serving the Grand Strand’s tourism economy travels this corridor, sharing lanes with millions of tourists who are unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.

South Carolina recorded 3,167 large truck crashes statewide in 2024, with a 23% increase in fatal truck accidents over the prior year. Highway 501 and its major intersections account for a disproportionate share of those crashes in the Myrtle Beach market.

Highway 501 Crash Hotspots

Highway 501 & Four Mile Road (Conway)

This intersection was ranked the highest priority for safety improvements by the SCDOT Highway Improvement Safety Program. With 42 documented accidents since 2008, including 2 fatal crashes, this is ground zero for truck collisions on the 501 corridor.

Highway 501 & US-17 Bypass

Where Highway 501 meets the US-17 Bypass, high-volume tourist traffic merges with commercial truck traffic heading to and from the Grand Strand’s commercial districts. During peak season, severe congestion produces rear-end collisions.

Carolina Forest Blvd & Highway 501

The Carolina Forest community is one of the fastest-growing residential areas in Horry County. The intersection handles a volatile mix of residential commuter traffic, school buses, commercial deliveries, and through-truck traffic.

US 501 & Seaboard Street

This intersection is among the deadliest on the entire corridor, with 2 fatalities recorded.

Highway 501 Widening Project Dangers

SCDOT’s active Highway 501 widening project creates immediate hazards: narrowed lanes, lane shifts, construction equipment adjacent to live traffic, speed differentials, and uneven road surfaces. Construction zone truck crashes are among the most severe because concrete barriers eliminate escape routes.

FMCSA Regulations

Federal regulations govern every commercial truck on Highway 501. Violations constitute evidence of negligence in South Carolina courts:

• Hours of Service: Maximum 11 hours driving in a 14-hour window after 10 hours off-duty
• Electronic Logging Devices: Required digital recording of driving hours
• Vehicle maintenance: Pre-trip and post-trip inspections mandatory
• Cargo securement: 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I requirements
• Driver qualification: CDL requirements, drug and alcohol testing

Your Legal Rights

• Statute of limitations: 3 years from the date of injury (S.C. Code 15-3-530)
• Modified comparative fault: Recovery if less than 51% at fault
• Multiple liable parties: Truck driver, trucking company, cargo shipper, vehicle manufacturer, maintenance provider, construction contractor, or SCDOT
• Punitive damages: Available for willful, wanton, or reckless conduct

What to Do After a Truck Crash on Highway 501

1. Move to safety if possible
2. Call 911
3. Document the truck: Company name, USDOT number, trailer number, cargo type
4. Photograph everything
5. Get medical attention at Grand Strand Medical Center or Conway Medical Center
6. Contact a truck accident attorney within 24-48 hours

Free Consultation

Roden Law’s Myrtle Beach office at 631 Bellamy Ave., Suite C-B in Murrells Inlet serves the entire Grand Strand. We handle Highway 501 truck accident cases on contingency: no fees unless we recover compensation. Call (843) 612-1980 for a free consultation.

About the Author

Graeham C. Gillin

Partner, COO South Carolina Bar Association

Graeham C. Gillin serves as both attorney and Chief Operating Officer at Roden Law. He brings multifaceted expertise with a professional background spanning business management and commercial construction. His diverse experience positions him to lead the firm’s management, growth, and operational success. Education J.D., Charleston School of Law Bachelor’s Degree, Montana State University Bar Admission […]

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