Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina

In 2022, there were 2,086 motorcycles involved in traffic accidents in South Carolina. These collisions resulted in 1,831 motorcyclist injuries and deaths. If you own one of the 122,547 motorcycles registered in South Carolina, you need to know how to protect yourself.

Jordan Law Center explains the top causes of motorcycle accidents and what you need to know.

(Source: South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Traffic Collision Fact Book, 2022).

10 Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina

1. Speeding

Twenty-nine percent of traffic deaths cite speeding as a contributing cause. Speed limits are set based on several factors, including the amount and types of traffic, accidents that have occurred, and features of the road. Speeding can reduce a driver’s ability to react to a dangerous situation. It can also result in greater forces upon impact when an accident occurs.

Driving too fast for the conditions is a type of speeding. Drivers must reduce their speed for traffic, including when motorcyclists are present. Even if a driver is going less than the posted speed limit, they may be going too fast if they don’t take traffic, weather, and other circumstances into account.

2. Careless and reckless driving

Careless driving is operating without reasonable care and caution. Reckless driving is the willful disregard for the safety of others. Glancing at a phone is an example of careless driving while weaving through traffic at high speeds is reckless driving. A driver may not intend to hurt anyone, but these behaviors can greatly increase the risk of a collision.

3. Improper lane changes

Even though a motorcycle is harder to see than a passenger car or a truck, a driver must make sure they have room to change lanes. Cutting into a motorcycle’s lane of travel can be devastating. It can cause a direct impact or a chain reaction as the rider swerves or takes other evasive action.

4. Disregarding signs, violation of right of way

Stop signs and stop lights facilitate the safe flow of traffic. When a driver enters an intersection without the right of way or if they fail to yield at a point of entry, a devastating collision can occur.

These accidents are often side impacts and with serious injuries.

5. Following too closely

Following distance gives you time to slow down or stop if the vehicle in front of you slows or stops. It allows you to react if an object falls from a moving vehicle or adjust for a shift in traffic flow, such as in a construction zone.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that the amount of space you should leave depends on how fast you’re traveling. Even at speeds below 40 mph, drivers should leave four seconds of space between their vehicle and a typical semi-truck. Drivers should leave more space in poor conditions or when traveling at higher speeds.

6. Car doors, driver harassment

A person in a passenger vehicle may open a car door not realizing there is a motorcyclist headed their way. Sometimes, others on the road simply want to be menacing to motorcyclists.

They may not respect your use of a lane, swerving in your direction or cutting you off. These aggressive behaviors can cause motorcycle accidents in South Carolina.

7. Road conditions

A variety of road conditions can cause issues. Rain or debris can make a road slippery. The road may be broken, have holes, or be littered with rocks.

A wild animal may not pose a significant hazard for a passenger vehicle, but it can be a dangerous encounter for a motorcyclist. The result may be a motorcycle accident, including single- and multi-vehicle accidents.

8. Driver skill, inexperience

A driver who lacks skill or experience may not react well to an unfamiliar situation. They may have a slowed reaction time or hesitate when they need to react quickly. Inexperience can lead to poor driving maneuvers or bad judgment that contributes to a collision.

9. Departing from the lane of travel

Departing from the lane of travel can cause a head-on collision on a two-lane road. These are some of the most serious accidents because the vehicles are often both traveling at high speeds on impact.

In addition, a driver may depart from the lane of travel and run off the road, striking a fixed object or rolling their vehicle.

10. Driving under the influence

In 4.34% of non-fatal motorcycle accidents in South Carolina, one or more drivers were under the influence of alcohol or drugs. DUI reduces the driver’s ability to manage multiple tasks and process information. The result can be driving errors and motorcycle accidents.

South Carolina Motorcycle Accidents

Is it more dangerous to ride a motorcycle at certain times of the year? Maybe. There are indeed fewer motorcycle accidents in the winter.

But that might be because many motorcyclists take a break from riding.

Month No. of Motorcycle Collisions
January 61
February 115
March 152
April 212
May 266
June 216
July 188
August 185
September 212
October 200
November 136
December 89

Although motorcycle accidents happen most often in the spring and fall, this may be explained by more motorcyclists riding during these months. However, summer driving can mean heavier traffic or heat and glare, which are factors that may contribute to accidents.

If You’ve Been in an Accident

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, you may deserve financial compensation. A motorcyclist or passenger may receive a payment when someone else is at fault. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you evaluate your case and pursue your compensation.

What Caused Your Motorcycle Accident? Talk to a Lawyer

Have you been in a motorcycle accident? Please contact us. Jordan Law Center is a team of motorcycle accident lawyers who represent injured people in compensation claims.

We’ll evaluate the cause of your motorcycle accident in South Carolina and get the justice you deserve. Call or message us now.

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