Since last month, there have been multiple motorcyclists killed in crashes across the state of SC, including single-motorcycle crashes, crashes that were most likely caused by drivers making left turns without first looking for motorcycles, and a tragic death that may have been caused by a semi-truck turning left in front of a motorcyclist.

Look twice, save a life – this is too many lives lost in such a short time in preventable crashes, and families are grieving across the state for the loss of their loved ones.

Motorcyclist Killed in West Ashley, Charleston, SC

In the City of Charleston’s sixth fatal traffic collision so far this year, a man was killed Sunday night when his trike crashed on Old Charleston Road in West Ashley:

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Charleston County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the 64-year-old man killed late Sunday night in a crash on Savannah Highway.

Jospeph Horton Jr., of Charleston, died at the scene from injuries he suffered in the crash at 11:28 p.m., Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal said.

The crash happened at 11:21 p.m. Sunday on Old Charleston Road just east of Main Road, Sgt. Elisabeth Wolfsen said.

A three-wheeled motorcycle traveling east on Old Charleston Road lost control, she said. Horton was ejected in the crash, police said.

Main Road between Savannah Highway and River Road was closed while the Charleston Police accident reconstruction team investigated the crash. The roadway was reopened at approximately 2 a.m.

Wolfsen said the crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

Wolfsen said this is the sixth fatal collision Charleston Police have investigated this year.

Motorcyclist Killed in James Island Crash

A car struck and killed a motorcyclist on Folly Road in James Island earlier this month:

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) – The Charleston County Coroner’s Office released the name of a motorcyclist killed in a Wednesday afternoon crash.

Kenneth Howard, 67, of Charleston, died on the scene from his injuries, according to Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal.

Charleston County deputies responded around 2:50 p.m. to Folly Road at the Sol Legare Road intersection.

The sheriff’s office’s traffic services determined a Honda sedan was turning left from Folly Road toward Sol Legare Road when it entered the motorcyclist’s path and hit the motorcycle, according to spokesperson Andrew Knapp.

The motorcyclist, who Knapp says was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead on the scene. No one inside the sedan was hurt.

While deputies investigated, lanes of Folly Road were closed for more than two hours.

The crash remains under investigation.

Note that, although media reports often comment on whether a motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, this has no bearing on the crash victim’s family’s ability to collect full and fair compensation from the responsible parties.

If you are 21 years of age or older, there is no requirement to wear a helmet, failure to wear a helmet is not considered comparative negligence, it is not a defense for the insurance company, and it is not a fact that will be admissible in court.

Motorcyclist Killed in Conway, SC Crash

A 20-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a two-vehicle collision in Conway, SC last month:

CONWAY, S.C. (WMBF) – A 20-year-old was killed after a crash involving a motorcycle in Conway on Friday.

The Conway Police Department said the two-vehicle wreck happened on the 2900 block of Church Street/Highway 501 at around 2 p.m.

Horry County Deputy Coroner Patty Bellamy later confirmed that 20-year-old Gavin Lamb-Choberka, of Myrtle Beach, was killed in the crash.

Bellamy added that Choberka was driving the motorcycle when it collided with a stopped vehicle.

An investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Fatal Motorcycle Crash in Beaufort County, SC

Another motorcyclist was killed last month in a collision with a car at an intersection in Beaufort County near Bluffton, SC:

BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash in Beaufort County Sunday night.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on SC 170 approximately 3.7 miles north of Bluffton, according to Master Trooper Brandon Bolt.

Troopers say a 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling east on SC 170 when it collided with a 2020 Ford SUV that was heading north at an intersection.

The driver of the motorcycle died in the crash, according to Bolt. The driver of the SUV was not hurt.

The Beaufort County Coroner has not identified the victim of the crash.

Although the media reports do not give sufficient detail to determine who was at fault, it is common for drivers of cars, trucks, or other vehicles to fail to keep a proper lookout and fail to yield the right-of-way in intersections, causing fatal collisions with motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

The crash victim’s family should immediately contact an experienced motorcycle crash attorney who can begin an investigation to determine who was at fault and to begin the process of recovering full and fair compensation from the at-fault parties.

High-Speed Motorcycle Chase on Rivers Avenue in North Charleston, SC

A high-speed motorcycle chase by Charleston County Deputies on Rivers Avenue ended in the motorcyclist crashing into a ditch before being arrested:

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Authorities have reported a high-speed chase led to a crash with injuries on Rivers Avenue at the 52 connector Wednesday morning.

Just before 10 a.m., a Charleston County Deputy tried to stop a motorcycle that was traveling at high speeds near I-26 and the Highway 52 connector, according to a CCSO spokesperson.

The driver of the motorcycle did not stop, leading to a short pursuit over the connector.

The driver reportedly went off the road and hit a ditch near Rivers Avenue. The motorcyclist was arrested, and charges are pending.

Motorcyclist Killed in Taylors, SC, Greenville County Crash

A motorcyclist was killed last month after running off the road and colliding with a tree on Groce Meadow Road in Greenville County, SC:

TAYLORS, S.C. —

A motorcyclist has died from a crash in Greenville County, according to Greenville County Coroner’s Office.

The coroner says that the crash happened a little after 2:25 p.m. on Groce Meadow Road in Greenville County.

According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist was headed east on Gross Meadow Road when he went off the right side of the road and struck a tree.

The motorcyclist has been identified as Christopher Huffman, 24, of Greer, according to the coroner.

The coroner says that Huffman was wearing a helmet during the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

This is an active investigation for the GCCO and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Fatal Motorcycle Collision in Indian Land, SC

Another motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a car in Indian Land, SC last month:

INDIAN LAND, S.C. (WBTV) – A man was killed Thursday after a crash between a motorcycle and a car in Indian Land, S.C.

The crash happened around 4:15 p.m. at the intersection of Highways 521 and 160.

The motorcyclist, later identified as 53-year-old Robert Srnovrsnik, was seriously injured and taken to a Charlotte hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.

Again, depending on the details of the crash and how it happened, the crash victim’s family may have a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver or drivers and should contact a motorcycle crash attorney immediately to begin an investigation.

Motorcyclist Killed by Semi-Truck in Aiken, SC

A motorcyclist was killed after colliding with a semi-truck trailer in Aiken, SC, that, according to media reports, turned left in front of the motorcycle:

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) – A collision between a semi-truck and motorcycle killed one Aiken man on Thursday.

According to South Carolina Highway Patrol, the crash happened around 11:05 a.m. on Columbia Highway North near Rodgers Road.

According to the Aiken County Coroner’s Office, a 1998 Honda motorcycle was traveling north on Columbia Highway when it ran into the side of a southbound semi-truck trailer as it turned left on a private driveway.

The motorcyclist, Chance D. St. Clair, 37, was pronounced dead on the scene and will be autopsied in Newberry.

The coroner’s office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are continuing with the investigation.

Depending on the details of how the crash happened (the media report is unclear – was the motorcyclist making a left turn into a driveway or the truck?), there may be multiple defendants who are liable for the motorcyclist’s wrongful death, including the truck driver, the truck driver’s employer, and any other motorist or third party whose negligence contributed to the crash.

Motorcycle Crash Lawyers in Charleston, SC, Greenville, Walhalla, and Walterboro, SC

The motorcycle crash lawyers at the Boles Law Firm can help you investigate your crash, gather the evidence you will need in court, negotiate with the insurance companies, and recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to for your injuries under the facts of your case and SC law.

Call us at 843-576-5775 to schedule an appointment for a free consultation at our North Charleston, Walterboro, Greenville, or Walhalla offices, or send us a message through our website.

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