North Charleston Bike Accident Attorneys

North Charleston is a popular place for bicycling. The area offers several paved bike paths and rides along public streets. Many of North Charleston’s most popular bikeways connect to other Charleston neighborhoods, including West Ashley. 

Bicycling is a popular form of recreation and exercise. It also offers a low-cost, environmentally friendly way to commute. Yet bicycling can be risky. Bicyclists face a higher risk of death or serious injury in roadway crashes than motor vehicle occupants. 

If you’ve been in a bike crash in North Charleston, reach out to an experienced North Charleston bicycle accident attorney today.

Bicycle Accident Statistics in North Charleston

In 2024, South Carolina’s overall roadway death rates dropped, reaching their lowest level in four years. Yet bicyclist deaths on the state’s roads spiked 50 percent. In 2023, 23 bicyclists died on South Carolina roads; in 2024, the number rose to 34. (2021 and 2022 saw 21 bicyclist deaths each, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.)

Bicyclist deaths in the 2020s are on the rise – but fatal bicycle crashes occurred in earlier decades as well. In a 2022 safety report, SCDOT identified multiple sites of fatal bicycle accidents in North Charleston between 2015 and 2019. Approximately 500 bicycle crashes occur in South Carolina each year; over 90 percent result in injuries.

In North Charleston, fatal bicycle crashes have included:

• An April 2025 collision on Rivers Avenue near Eagle Drive that killed a 49-year-old North Charleston woman,
• An October 2024 crash on Ladson Road that claimed the life of a 35-year-old man,
• A 2021 collision that killed a 47-year-old North Charleston resident on Highway 52.

South Carolina’s roads pose major challenges for motorists and bicyclists alike. A recent report from WalletHub ranked states by factors like the cost of owning a vehicle, traffic congestion, roadway infrastructure, and safety. South Carolina ranked 27th of 50 states for traffic congestion and infrastructure. Only eight states had lower safety scores: South Carolina ranked 42nd of 50 for safety nationwide. A similar study ranked South Carolina 41st of 50 for safest states overall, placing the state 46th of 50 for roadway safety.

Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes

In 2020, “South Carolina’s bicycle and pedestrian death rates were again among the worst in the nation,” according to SCDOT. The state’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan, released in 2022, seeks to address key risks to bicyclists in North Charleston and other areas.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan identifies several factors that make roadways more dangerous for bicyclists.

Speed of Traffic

The speed of traffic is directly correlated to the number and severity of bicycle injury collisions. The faster traffic goes, the more likely bicyclists are to be struck – and the higher the likelihood of serious or fatal injuries.

Even on roads with low speed limits, speeding traffic can play a role in a bicycle crash. A driver exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions may be unable to stop in time to prevent a bicycle collision. Long, straight roads with multiple wide lanes encourage drivers to go faster, which can put bicyclists at risk.

Intersections

The design of intersections affects both driver and bicyclist behavior. Intersections that are not designed with separate bike lanes, for instance, place bicyclists at a higher risk of harm from a crash. Crashes involving a motorist making a left or right turn without checking for bicyclists are especially common at these intersections, according to one study.

Inadequate lighting at intersections can also cause significant issues. Drivers who rely on spotting other cars by their headlights may not take the time to scan more closely for bicyclists at darker intersections – increasing the risk of a crash.

Space for Bicyclists

The SCDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan identifies “paved shoulder width” as a safety factor for bicyclists: the wider the paved shoulder, the more space bicyclists have to travel, and the easier it is for drivers to navigate around the bicyclist. 

Additional studies indicate that separating bicyclists from motor vehicle traffic by placing them in protected bike lanes or on dedicated bike trails can also benefit them. Crash rates in one study were lowest when bicyclists had protected, dedicated pathways on which to travel.

Common Injuries in North Charleston Bicycle Accidents

Compared to vehicle occupants, bicyclists are unprotected on the roads. When a crash occurs, a bicyclist is more likely to die or suffer fatal injuries than those in a vehicle. 

Common injuries in North Charleston bicycle accidents include:

• Head and brain injuries. Head injuries are among the most common bicyclist injuries among all cyclist age groups.
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries. The forces generated in a bicycle crash can cause serious injuries to the neck, back, and spinal cord.
• Broken bones, strains, and sprains. One study found that bicyclists suffered arm injuries more often than leg injuries; however, broken bones, strains, and sprains are common in bicycle accidents.
• Organ damage and internal bleeding. Blunt force trauma from being hit by a vehicle can cause serious or fatal internal injuries. 
• Lacerations and scrapes. “Road rash” can affect bicyclists thrown to the pavement, causing permanent skin damage and increasing the risk of serious infection.

Other serious injuries can occur as well.

North Charleston Bike Accident Case FAQ

Bicycle accident claims are a type of personal injury claim. While all personal injury cases follow state laws and court rules, each case’s outcome is unique because the facts of each case are unique. It’s essential to consult an attorney to understand how the rules may apply in your case. 

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

You cannot always prevent a bicycle crash. You may be unaware of the danger until it’s too late. After a crash occurs, however, you can take steps to protect your health and your legal rights.

• Put safety first at the accident scene. Move out of traffic if you can. Call 911 or have someone else do so. If you don’t get emergency medical help at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible. 
• Gather evidence. Take photos or a video of the scene. Make written or voice notes to record what you saw, heard, or felt as the crash happened. Collect contact information from any witnesses if possible. 
• Speak to an attorney. A lawyer can help you with insurance claims, investigate the crash, hold any negligent parties accountable for your injuries, and protect your legal rights. 

Speak to an Experienced North Charleston Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

After a bicycle accident, you may struggle to recover from serious injuries. Your life may be forever changed by the harm you endured. Families that lose a loved one in a bike crash find their lives permanently altered as they bear the weight of grief. 

You don’t have to face the days after a bicycle accident alone. Talk to an experienced North Charleston bicycle accident lawyer. An attorney can help you investigate what happened, negotiate for compensation, and protect your legal rights. To learn more, reach out to the team at the Steinberg Law Firm today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with one of our North Charleston bicycle accident lawyers.