South Carolina Fatal Crash Statistics
In 2015, South Carolina was named by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) as the worst state in the nation for drunk driving deaths. They based this on crash data provided by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) which showed that alcohol-related fatalities made up 44 percent of all traffic deaths in 2013, higher than any other state in the nation.
In 2014, NHTSA data shows that 824 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on South Carolina roads. About 568 of those fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, 275 of these passengers were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The government agency estimates that an additional 70 lives could have been saved if all vehicle occupants wore their seatbelts 100 percent of the time they traveled.
In 2014, alcohol-involved fatalities decreased to a ten-year low of 279 deaths, down from 240 in 2013, and a high of 464 in 2007. While this is a significant decrease, it is still above the national average. Of the 1,092 motorcycle and vehicle drivers who were involved in fatal accidents, 484 had blood alcohol results reported.
Speeding is another negligent behavior that takes the lives of far too many innocent people each year. In South Carolina, speed-related deaths reached 481 in 2005 before gradually falling to 278 in 2011 before rising again 305 in 2014.
We only have a partial helmet law, which is evident by the high number of unhelmeted motorcycle fatalities that occur every year. From a high of 100 unhelmeted fatalities to 95 in in 2014, it is very important that the state do more to protect our riders. Mandatory helmet laws protect countless lives every year and protect riders from serious brain trauma and head injuries.
While the state has adopted the Graduated Driver’s License program, fatal accidents involving young drivers jumped from a ten-year low of 99 in 2013 to 119 in 2014. The program gives new operators more time to develop safe skills before getting an unrestricted license and unlimited access to the road. Still, the state may need to consider lengthening the duration of the program to further reduce these types of fatalities.
Pedestrian deaths actually increased from a ten year low of 89 in 2009 to 107 in 2014. Motor vehicle accidents involving walkers and joggers are often fatal, yet our state still isn’t doing enough to separate shared roadways and spaces from traffic dangers. Bicyclists face the same type of vulnerability and because of it, we lose more than ten riders every year. In fact, aside from a spike to 21 cyclists in 2006, the state sees between 13 and 16 cyclist’s deaths every year, with 14 being killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2014.
Rhode Island’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.