FLORENCE, Florence County, S.C., Sept. 27, 2026 — Two people suffered minor injuries Saturday afternoon, September 26, when a car left the road and struck a home in Florence County. The crash happened on East Palmetto Street, across from Florence Regional Airport.
Florence County Fire Rescue said crews responded around 4:20 p.m. to a reported crash at the scene. Arriving crew members found that the vehicle had left the roadway and hit a house.
Both occupants of the car sustained minor injuries and were taken to EMS for further care. Two juveniles were inside the home at the time but were not hurt, the department said.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Florence County Sheriff's Office are investigating what caused the vehicle to leave the road. We wish those injured a swift and full recovery.
What Actually Reduces Cars Striking Homes and Buildings
Crashes where a vehicle leaves the roadway and hits a structure often trace back to how much control a driver has in the moment, and that control depends heavily on conditions. Wet pavement, poor lighting, or a driver going even slightly too fast for a curve can stretch stopping distance well beyond what a road was designed to handle. Once a car drifts off the travel lane, there is often little separating it from whatever sits along the shoulder, whether that is a ditch, a utility pole, or a house.
Road design plays a real role in preventing these outcomes. Rumble strips along the shoulder, better delineation of curves, and adequate lighting at intersections and driveways all give drivers more warning and more time to correct course. Where homes or businesses sit close to a roadway, barriers or simply increased setback distance can reduce the chance that a runoff crash becomes a crash into a structure.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 2,442,581 people were injured in traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those crashes involved a single vehicle losing control instead of a collision between two cars, which is part of why engineers increasingly focus on forgiving roadside design, not just intersection safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right after a car accident?
Check for injuries, call 911 if anyone needs medical attention, and move to a safe location if possible. Exchange information with anyone involved and take photos of the scene if you're able to safely do so.
Where do most traffic crashes happen?
A large share of crashes occur on ordinary roads close to home, not highways, often at intersections or where a vehicle leaves its lane. Local roads with driveways, curves, or nearby structures carry their own risks even at low speeds.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Slowing down for conditions such as rain or low visibility, staying attentive, and leaving extra following distance all help. Well-lit, well-marked roads with clear shoulders also give drivers more room to recover if they start to drift.
What injuries are common in car accidents?
Even in comparatively minor crashes, common injuries include bruising, whiplash, and cuts from broken glass or debris. Anyone involved in a crash should still be checked by medical professionals, since some injuries aren't obvious right away.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Florence, SC
Anyone involved in a crash, whether as a driver, passenger, or resident affected by one, should get checked out by a medical provider even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, and some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms.
It also helps to document the scene: photos of vehicle position, road conditions, and any damage to property can matter later. Filing a report with local authorities and following up with your insurance provider are both worth doing promptly. In Florence, residents dealing with property damage from a vehicle crash should also contact their homeowner's insurance to begin the claims process.
