There have been several serious motorcycle crashes in the Charleston, SC area in July and August of 2022, including:
- A hit and run death on I-26 where a driver killed a motorcyclist who had been thrown from his bike,
- A fatal collision in Beaufort County,
- A motorcyclist killed in a crash on I-26,
- A crash in the parking lot of Old Richard’s in Mount Pleasant, and
- A man has been charged with reckless vehicular homicide after rear-ending and killing a motorcyclist and his passenger on the James Island Connector.
As always, some of these tragedies could have been avoided if the drivers involved had exercised due care and respect for motorcyclists.
Please, “look twice, save a life,” and remember that you are sharing the road with motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who are vulnerable in a collision with your truck or automobile – your negligence can mean the end of a person’s life, the loss of a child’s father, and irreversible devastation to a family.
Motorcyclist Killed in Hit and Run on I-26
A motorcyclist who lost control on I-26 in Charleston was then killed by a hit-and-run driver:
A motorcyclist fell onto a South Carolina road before being killed in a hit-and-run crash, officials said. The motorcycle was going east on Interstate 26 when the rider lost control and was thrown from the bike on Thursday, July 21, according to S.C. Highway Patrol. The person was lying on the pavement at about 11:50 p.m. when a vehicle ran into the rider, state troopers said in a news release.
The driver reportedly didn’t stop at the site of the crash, in Charleston County near mile marker 213.
The rider was rushed to a hospital and died of crash-related injuries.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Beaufort County, SC
A motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a pickup truck on US 278 last month in Beaufort County:
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly motorcycle crash that happened Tuesday in Beaufort County.
According to Lance Cpl. Nick Pye, the accident happened Tuesday afternoon around just before 4 p.m. along US-278 near Pinckney Colony Road.
The driver of a Toyota pickup truck was headed southbound on Pinckney Colony Road before turning on US-278 and colliding with a motorcyclist headed west on US-278.
The motorcyclist died at the scene.
An investigation into the crash is underway by troopers.
Fatal Motorcycle Collision on I-26
Another motorcyclist was killed in a fatal collision on I-26 in Charleston last month:
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A man killed in a motorcycle versus vehicle crash on I-26 Thursday morning was identified by the Charleston County Coroner.
Coroner Bobbi O’Neal releases the name of Joshua Hutto III (26), of St. George, who was the motorcyclist involved in the deadly accident.
Hutton died at the scene from blunt force injuries around 8 a.m. on I-26 eastbound, O’Neal said.
The accident caused eastbound traffic to be backed up for hours and prompted motorists to be redirected by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Troopers are investigating the accident.
Motorcycle Crash in Mount Pleasant
There was another motorcycle crash last month at Old Richard’s on Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant:
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Authorities have closed one lane on Highway 17 following a motorcycle crash Saturday morning.
According to Awendaw-McClellanville Fire District, a motorcycle crash happened in the parking lot of Old Richard’s around 10:15 a.m.
Old Richard’s is located on Highway 17 near Long Point Road.
AMFD says one person received minor injuries.
One lane of Highway 17 is closed.
Man Charged with Reckless Vehicular Homicide After Killing Two Motorcyclists in Charleston
A motorcyclist and his passenger were rear-ended by a box truck last month on the James Island Connector near Calhoun Street, then collided with a Tesla that was stopped in traffic. The driver of the box truck, who is from Georgia, has now been charged with reckless vehicular homicide:
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A man was granted bond after being accused of hitting two and killing Patrick Marrah and Taylor Lee Flowers on a motorcycle on the James Island Connector.
Officials with the Charleston Police Department (CPD) announced Tuesday that Richard Reed of Glennville, Georgia was taken into custody by detectives and charged with two counts of reckless vehicular homicide…
CPD says Marrah and Flowers were traveling towards Calhoun Street when they were rear-ended by Reed’s Chevrolet box truck, then collided with a Tesla that was stopped in traffic.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits: When is an At-Fault Driver Liable for a Motorcycle Crash?
How does an injured motorcyclist or the family of a deceased motorcyclist, know when they have a case against the other driver?
Every case is different, and the questions of 1) liability, 2) punitive damages, and 3) the defendant’s ability to pay will be based on the unique facts of each crash or collision.
For example:
- If the other driver was at fault (or more than 50% at fault under the rules of comparative negligence), they are liable for the damages they caused, including wrongful death damages,
- If the other driver left the scene, they may still be held liable once they are located, which could take weeks, months, or even years,
- If the other driver left the scene and cannot be located, the injured motorcyclist or the family of a deceased motorcyclist may still be able to recover damages from the motorcyclist’s uninsured policies, may be able to “stack” multiple policies, or may be able to file a claim against other drivers or third parties who were responsible for the crash,
- When the at-fault driver’s conduct was “willful, wanton, or in reckless disregard” of the motorcyclist’s rights – including intentional conduct, reckless conduct, or gross negligence, the motorcyclist may be entitled to punitive damages as well as compensatory damages, and
- When the at-fault driver is convicted of a felony – like reckless vehicular homicide or felony DUI, there is no cap on punitive damages in SC.
Motorcycle Crash Lawyers in Charleston, SC
Charleston motorcycle crash lawyer Dan Boles devotes a significant amount of his time to helping injured motorcyclists and has the experience that you need to investigate your motorcycle crash, negotiate with difficult insurance carriers, and try your case to a jury if you aren’t paid the full and fair value of your claim.
Call us at 843-576-5775 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation at our North Charleston or Walterboro offices or send us a message through our website.
