Horse-and-Carriage Crash in Charleston Highlights Tour Injury Risks

A horse-and-carriage accident in Charleston, South Carolina, involving 11 passengers, serves as a reminder of the potential dangers local residents and tourists can face. The incident occurred on South Battery Street, with a horse carriage crashing into a parked car after the operator fell off. While only two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, such accidents can have much more severe consequences. Whether you are enjoying a carriage ride, a boat tour, or even a bike taxi, tour-related injuries are more common than you might think.

Understanding your legal rights if you’re injured during a tour is essential for seeking compensation. Charleston’s popular tours, while enjoyable, come with serious risks that every participant should be aware of.

Charleston’s Popular Tours and Associated Risks

Charleston offers a variety of tours that showcase its rich history and scenic beauty, including walking tours, dungeon tours, ghost tours, horse-and-carriage rides, and water activities such as SUP and kayak tours in Charleston Harbor. While these tours are an exciting way to explore the city, they present various injury risks.

Some common hazards on Charleston tours include the following:

• Carriage Accidents— Although horses are trained, they are still animals and can be unpredictable. They can be spooked and cause a horseback or carriage rider to fall off and injure their head, back, or other body parts. They can become nervous or aggressive, fleeing the scene by trying to run off. Also, carriage riders may collide with other vehicles, as seen in the recent South Battery Street crash. 
• Bike Taxis (Pedicabs)—While taking a ride on a pedicab may seem fun and convenient at the moment, its small size, low alignment, and lack of lighting put passengers at high risk of injury. Not only does this make it hard for other drivers to see them, but pedicab drivers may play loud music, which could be distracting to others on the road. 
• Bus Tours— Passengers could suffer injuries in bus accidents involving other vehicles or while boarding, en route, or disembarking.
• Cobblestone Streets— Walking tours may lead to slip-and-fall injuries on uneven pavement. If walking at night, dimly lit streets combined with cobblestone may cause pedestrians to twist their ankle, trip, and fall hard, resulting in severe injuries. Some known cobblestone streets in South Carolina include Philadelphia Alley, Gillon Street, Longitude Way, Chalmer’s Street, and Adger’s Wharf. 

Hitting the town and taking a tour may seem like a fun weekend activity, but there are risks that residents and visitors should keep in mind. 

Injuries on Charleston Horse-and-Carriage Tours

Horse-and-carriage tours are iconic in Charleston but pose a unique set of dangers. In the recent crash on South Battery Street, the operator lost control of the horse, colliding with a parked car. Horses, as living animals, can be unpredictable in busy urban environments. Even under normal conditions, carriages are vulnerable to being hit by other vehicles, and the lack of modern safety features like seat belts makes passengers more susceptible to injury.

If you were injured in a horse-and-carriage accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Documenting the accident scene and seeking immediate medical attention are critical steps in strengthening your case.

Pedi-Cabs and Bus Tours: Risks of Traffic-Related Accidents

In Charleston, bike taxis, also known as pedicabs, are another popular way to see the city. However, these vehicles are vulnerable to being hit by cars, especially in heavy traffic. Since pedicabs offer little protection for passengers, even minor collisions can result in serious neck, spinal, and head injuries. Similarly, bus tours can pose risks to passengers, whether through accidents with other vehicles or slip-and-fall injuries while boarding or exiting the bus.

Tour operators must follow strict safety protocols, but accidents can happen due to driver negligence or equipment failure. If you’ve been injured on a pedicab or bus tour, working with a Charleston personal injury lawyer can help ensure you receive fair compensation.

Water Tours: Accidents on Boats, SUPs, and Kayaks

Water accidents, including SUP and kayak tours in busy areas like Shem Creek, also pose a risk of collisions with motorboats. Charleston’s proximity to the water makes boat, SUP, and kayak tours popular. These activities are risky, particularly in busy waterways like Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek. Kayakers and paddleboarders can quickly be struck by motorboats, which is especially dangerous in crowded areas. Additionally, large harbor boats that serve alcohol can become hazardous if passengers become intoxicated or lose their balance in rocky waters.

Tour operators are responsible for providing proper safety equipment, including life jackets, and ensuring that passengers are not put at undue risk. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries if you’re injured on a boat or during a water-based tour.

Steps to Take After a Charleston Tour-Related Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured during a tour in Charleston, taking immediate action is essential to protect your rights and build a strong personal injury case. Here’s what you should do:

• Seek medical attention. Even if you believe your injuries are minor, getting checked out by a healthcare provider is essential. Some injuries may not show symptoms immediately, but early documentation is crucial for your case.
• Document the accident. Take photographs of the accident scene, any injuries, and damaged property. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the incident. Note if there are cameras that may have captured the incident.
• Get a police report. Ensure that the accident is reported to the appropriate authorities, whether it’s the tour company, police, or harbor master.

Taking these steps can help strengthen your personal injury claim. Every detail, from medical records to eyewitness statements, can be important in securing compensation for your injuries.

Legal Liability for Tour Injuries in Charleston

Determining liability in tour-related accidents can be complex, especially in cases involving horse-drawn carriages, bike taxis, or boats. Tour operators are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers, but accidents often occur due to negligence. In the case of the Charleston horse-and-carriage accident, the operator may be held responsible if it is found that proper safety protocols weren’t followed. The negligent party may be another driver or boater as well.

An attorney can help you investigate the accident and determine liability. Some common questions include the following:

• Was the tour operator properly trained?
• Did the company regularly inspect and maintain equipment, such as carriages, bikes, or boats?
• Were safety measures in place, like life jackets on boat tours or proper restraints on horses?

If negligence is proven, victims can pursue compensation for their injuries. A South Carolina personal injury lawyer can help gather evidence and build a case to hold the tour operator or other negligent party accountable.

Tour Companies’ Responsibility to Keep Passengers Safe

Tour companies in Charleston are required by law to ensure the safety of their passengers. Whether riding in a horse-drawn carriage, a pedicab, or participating in a water-based tour, the operator must take every precaution to minimize risks. When they fail to do so, they may be held responsible for any injuries that occur as a result.

This responsibility extends to equipment maintenance, tour guide training, and adherence to safety regulations. If the tour company fails to meet these obligations, victims may be able to file personal injury claims to seek compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other related costs.

By working with a skilled Charleston personal injury lawyer, you can ensure that you have the legal support to hold negligent tour operators accountable and recover the damages you deserve.

Were You Injured While Taking a Tour in Charleston?

If you or someone in your family was recently injured while on a horseback riding tour, carriage ride, bus tour, walking tour, ghost tour, or any other tourist attraction, the operator of the tour may be liable for your injuries. At the Steinberg Law Firm, our dedicated team of lawyers has years of experience handling cases just like this. We take pride in representing accident victims and helping them overcome their injuries, get back on their feet, and be on the road to recovery. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Charleston car accident lawyer today, call the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.