Bicycle Accidents in South Carolina

According to South Carolina’s Department of Public Safety 2024 Triennial Highway Safety Plan, the top three counties with the highest bike fatalities and serious injuries were Charleston, Horry, and Greenville. A US News Report ranked South Carolina number two for being the most dangerous city for cyclists. In 2021, there were approximately 23 bicycle fatalities in South Carolina, representing a 35.29% increase since 2017. The NHTSA’s Traffic Safety Facts report also revealed 1,105 pedalcyclists traffic fatalities involved children. Unfortunately, ninety-five percent of these occurrences involved a cyclist and a single vehicle. A majority of these crashes occurred in broad daylight.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Most fatal crashes between bicycles and other vehicles happen in urban areas and may involve the following factors:

• Driver failing to allow for a safe distance between a car/bicycle lane
• Driver opening their door as cyclist passes
• Driver tailgating a cyclist too closely
• Driver making an unsafe right or left turn.
• Driver rear-ending a cyclist
• Driver failing to yield to a cyclist who has the right-of-way
• Cyclist traveling on the wrong side of the road
• Cyclist making unsafe turns
• Cycling weaving in-and-out of traffic

Know the State Bicycle Laws

In South Carolina, an individual riding a bicycle has all of the same rights and is subject to the same duties that drivers must follow.

Cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as is possible. They may ride on the shoulder of the road and may ride in another lane if only one is open.

Motor vehicle drivers must exercise due care and caution to avoid a collision with a pedestrian, must keep a safe distance between their vehicle and the cyclist and must not harass cyclists. According to the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, South Carolina has a law specifically stating that it is “unlawful to harass, taunt or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle.”

Even with such laws in place, there are too many accidents involving cyclists occurring in the state that usually end with serious injuries or death for the cyclist. According to the National Safety Council, the total cost of cyclist injuries and death is more than $4 billion a year. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, the first priority is to get medical treatment for any injuries. See your doctor, as sometimes injuries do not manifest themselves until later.

If you have been involved in an accident, seek competent legal advice and find out what your rights are and what to expect if you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit.