Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina

Many motorcycle accidents in South Carolina come down to preventable driver behavior, unsafe road conditions, or traffic violations. Riders face risks that drivers in enclosed vehicles simply don’t, and when a crash happens, understanding what caused it is often the first step toward holding the right party accountable.

Wyndham Law Firm LLC represents injured riders in motorcycle accident cases throughout Charleston and South Carolina. Below, we look at the most common causes behind these crashes and what that cause can mean for a compensation claim.

Driver Negligence Is a Leading Cause

Many motorcycle accidents in South Carolina happen because drivers fail to notice motorcycles or don’t share the road safely. A motorcycle’s smaller size makes it easier to overlook, but drivers still have a responsibility to watch for motorcycles before turning, changing lanes, or entering an intersection.

Common examples of driver negligence include:

• Failing to yield the right of way

• Turning left in front of an approaching motorcycle

• Changing lanes without checking blind spots

• Distracted driving

• Speeding

South Carolina’s motorcycle safety campaign reminds drivers to look twice at intersections, check blind spots before changing lanes, and avoid turning in front of an approaching motorcycle because these situations are among the most common causes of serious crashes. 

Road Conditions Can Increase the Risk of a Crash

Road hazards that most passenger vehicles can drive over safely may be enough to destabilize a motorcycle. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, road debris, and poorly maintained roads all increase the risk of losing control. Construction zones can create additional hazards, including grooved pavement, steel plates, and uneven lane surfaces. 

How Does the Cause of the Accident Affect Your Claim?

Determining what caused a motorcycle accident is one of the first steps in establishing liability. The evidence gathered during the investigation helps show how the crash happened, who was responsible, and whether more than one party contributed to the collision.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If an injured person is found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, they cannot recover damages. If they are 50% or less at fault, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.

To determine what happened, investigators often rely on:

• Police reports

• Witness statements

• Photographs and videos

• Vehicle damage

• Accident reconstruction, when necessary

Talk to a Charleston Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Identifying what caused a motorcycle accident is an important part of a personal injury claim. The evidence gathered after a crash helps establish liability and can affect whether an injured person is able to recover compensation under South Carolina law.

For decades, Wyndham Law Firm LLC has represented injured clients throughout Charleston and South Carolina. Led by Robert J. Wyndham, who has practiced law since 1990, our firm has extensive experience handling serious personal injury litigation. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, call 843-279-5312 or visit our contact page to discuss your case and your legal options.