FLORENCE, Florence County, S.C., Oct. 1, 2026 — Florence County Fire Rescue responded to a crash on Claussen Road in the Pee Dee region during Wednesday night, September 30. The collision injured two people.
Crews were called to Claussen Road near Brookhaven around 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, for a reported two-vehicle crash, Florence County Fire Rescue said. Two people were hurt, and Claussen Road was closed in both directions while firefighters worked the scene.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the collision. We hope those who were hurt recover fully.
Car Crashes in South Carolina by the Numbers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. That figure covers only vehicle occupants, not the pedestrians, cyclists, and others also hurt or killed on US roads each year, making the full toll even larger.
Most of those crashes, like the two reported in Florence County, involve ordinary vehicles on routine stretches of road rather than unusual circumstances. A two-car collision on a local road and a single-truck crash on an interstate both fall into the broad category of crashes that happen every day, often tied to factors like speed, distraction, fatigue, or road and weather conditions.
Commercial trucks add another layer of complexity when they're involved, since cargo, braking distance, and size can all affect how a crash unfolds and how long a road stays closed afterward. Local fire and rescue crews, along with state troopers, typically handle both the immediate scene and the follow-up investigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes are common on both local roads and highways, but factors like intersections, high speeds, and heavy traffic volume tend to concentrate risk on certain stretches, including interstates and rural two-lane roads.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Staying focused, following posted speed limits, maintaining safe following distance, and adjusting for weather or road conditions all play a role in avoiding collisions.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Common injuries include whiplash, cuts and bruises, broken bones, and head or neck injuries, with severity often tied to speed and the type of collision.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, and failure to yield are frequently cited causes, though specific causes are determined case by case through investigation.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Florence, SC
If you're involved in a crash in Florence, start by checking yourself and others for injuries and calling 911 if anyone needs medical help. Move to a safe location if possible, but avoid leaving the scene until law enforcement arrives and documents what happened.
Even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, it's worth getting checked out by a medical professional, since some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Exchange information with other drivers involved, take photos if it's safe to do so, and file a report with the South Carolina Highway Patrol or local law enforcement if they haven't already responded.
Keep records of any medical visits, repair estimates, or correspondence related to the crash. These details can matter later, even if everything seems resolved in the moment.
