South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycles offer riders a different experience when they are on the road. Many people in South Carolina love the feeling of freedom they get when riding their motorcycle and attending the twice-yearly Myrtle Beach Bike Weeks. However, riding motorcycles has considerably less physical protection than passenger vehicles when an accident occurs. When a motorcycle collides with a car, truck, fixed object, or any other roadway hazard, it is very possible for the rider to sustain serious or fatal injuries even when other people involved in the crash are not badly hurt.

Recently released South Carolina motorcycle accident statistics show that thousands of motorcycle crashes occur across the state every year. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s 2024 Traffic Collision Fact Book provides detailed information about motorcycle collisions, injuries, fatalities, roadway conditions, time of day, and other factors. Federal data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety provides another perspective on motorcycle fatalities in South Carolina.

At The Lovely Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys represent people who have been injured in motorcycle accidents and other motor vehicle accidents. Understanding statewide and Horry County crash data can provide useful context about the risks motorcyclists face on South Carolina roads.

South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Statistics for 2024

According to the 2024 Traffic Collision Fact Book published by SCDPS, 2,121 traffic accidents involving motorcycles occurred in South Carolina during 2024. The 2024 motorcycle crash totals included:

• 2,121 total motorcycle-involved collisions
• 132 fatal collisions
• 1,498 injury collisions
• 491 property-damage-only accidents
• 134 people killed
• 385 people seriously injured
• 1,427 people sustaining other injuries

SCDPS data also states that the persons killed and injured figures include everyone affected by motorcycle-involved collisions, rather than just motorcyclists alone.

How Many Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina Per Year

The number of motorcycle accidents that occurred in South Carolina in 2024 has remained above 2,000 during several recent years. SCDPS reported 2,121 motorcycle-involved accidents throughout the year, compared with 2,134 in 2023 and 2,032 in 2022.

The state’s recent motorcycle collision totals were:

• 2020 – 1,851 collisions
• 2021 – 2,146 collisions
• 2022 – 2,032 collisions
• 2023 – 2,134 collisions
• 2024 – 2,121 collisions

Although the 2024 total was slightly lower than the previous year’s, fatal motorcycle accidents increased from 125 in 2023 to 132 in 2024; the number of people who were killed in motorcycle-involved crashes also increased from 128 to 134.

The South Carolina motorcycle accident statistics highlight why changes in the overall number of collisions should be considered alongside injury and fatality data. A modest decline in total accidents does not necessarily correspond with fewer deadly incidents.

Motorcycle Fatalities in South Carolina

SCDPS’s motorcycle occupant data recorded 132 motorcyclist fatalities in 2024. Of those motorcyclists, 120 were male, and 12 were female. Male riders accounted for 84.4% of all motorcycle occupants in fatal collisions included in the agency’s injury-severity data.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2024 Fatality Facts report that there is a somewhat different number using federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System data. According to the IIHS, 154 motorcyclists died in South Carolina accidents in 2024, which amounts to 15% of the state’s 1,038 motor vehicle crash deaths reported to the IIHS.

The differences between the IIHS/FARS and SCDPS figures are due to differences between data systems, definitions, collection methods, and publication processes, which is important to note when comparing data. Statistics from separate agencies should therefore be identified by source rather than treated as interchangeable.

When Motorcycle Accidents Occur in South Carolina

Motorcycle accidents occurred throughout the day during 2024 in South Carolina, but the SCDPS data shows that crashes occur more often during afternoon and evening hours. Motorcycle crashes by time of day included:

• 12:01 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. – 127 collisions
• 3:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. – 75 collisions
• 6:01 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – 143 collisions
• 9:01 a.m. to noon – 195 collisions
• 12:01 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – 383 collisions
• 3:01 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. – 494 collisions
• 6:01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. – 463 collisions
• 9:01 p.m. to midnight – 241 collisions

According to these South Carolina motorcycle accident statistics, the evening period from 6:01 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. is the most dangerous time to be on the road with a motorcycle, with 36 fatal crashes.

Motorcycle Accidents by Day of the Week

When looking at the stats, weekend travel accounted for a substantial portion of South Carolina motorcycle collisions in 2024. Saturday recorded 439 total motorcycle-involved accidents, which is more than any other day of the week. Friday ranked second in the dataset with 344 collisions, followed by Sunday at third with 332. Saturday also saw the largest number of fatal motorcycle accidents:

• Saturday – 29 fatal collisions
• Friday – 22 fatal collisions
• Sunday – 21 fatal collisions
• Monday – 18 fatal collisions
• Tuesday – 18 fatal collisions
• Wednesday – 17 fatal collisions
• Thursday – 7 fatal collisions

Where Motorcycle Accidents Happen Most Often in South Carolina

Secondary routes were recorded to have more motorcycle-involved collisions than any other route category during 2024, according to SCDPS data. SCDPS reported 673 motorcycle crashes on secondary roads, including 38 fatal collisions and 468 injury collisions.

The statewide route breakdown included:

• Secondary routes – 673 collisions
• U.S. primary routes – 551 collisions
• South Carolina primary routes – 500 collisions
• County routes – 238 collisions
• Interstates – 109 collisions
• Ramps – 50 collisions

Secondary routes also recorded the largest number of fatal motorcycle accidents, with 38 fatalities. U.S. primary routes recorded 36 deaths, while South Carolina primary routes recorded 33 deaths.

Motorcycle Helmet Statistics in South Carolina

SCDPS also reports through their collected data that helmet use has protected many, but does not necessarily prevent fatalities. Among the 2,360 motorcycle occupants included in the 2024 dataset, 1,098 were recorded as helmeted, 1,034 as unhelmeted, and helmet status was unknown for 228. Among riders who suffered fatal injuries in motorcycle crashes:

• 75 were helmeted
• 51 were unhelmeted
• 6 had unknown helmet status

Among riders who suffered serious injuries, 179 were unhelmeted, and 165 were helmeted, while helmet use was unknown for 31 accidents. These figures show that while a helmet can be beneficial, it does not prevent a person from losing their life in a motorcycle accident. They should not be interpreted on their own as establishing the effectiveness of helmets because the SCDPS data does not take into account crash circumstances, impact severity, speed, motorcycle type, or other factors.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Myrtle Beach and Horry County

Horry County recorded a significant number of motorcycle crashes during 2024, which isn’t out of the ordinary as the county hosts motorcycle events throughout the year. According to the county-level SCDPS data, 336 motorcyclists were involved as victims in Horry County traffic accidents. Those motorcyclists included:

• 11 fatal injuries
• 52 suspected serious injuries
• 119 suspected minor injuries
• 77 possible injuries
• 77 riders with no apparent injury

Horry County also ranked among the counties in South Carolina’s with the highest rate of traffic crashes. The county recorded 11,103 total traffic accidents in 2024, ranking fourth statewide, and with 58 fatal motorcycle accidents.

What South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Statistics Mean for Injury Claims

Looking at statewide statistics can describe common patterns and occurrences, but they cannot determine liability in a specific motorcycle accident. A motorcycle accident claim in South Carolina may require reviewing:

• Police reports
• Witness accounts
• Vehicle damage
• Photographs or video
• Roadway conditions
• Medical records
• Other available evidence

Potential causes of motorcycle accidents can include:

• Unsafe lane changes
• Failure to yield
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Impairment
• Following too closely
• Other negligent driving behavior

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, responsibility may be determined to be on behalf of another driver, a motorcyclist, multiple roadway users, or another responsible party.

Motorcycle accidents can result in many financial hardships, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Longer-term physical limitations

The value and availability of compensation in a motorcycle accident claim depends on the circumstances of the collision, the injuries sustained, applicable insurance coverage, and South Carolina law.

Contact a Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at The Lovely Law Firm

The South Carolina motorcycle accident statistics from 2024 that are displayed in this article highlight the fact that motorcycle accidents continue to cause serious and fatal injuries throughout the state. At The Lovely Law Firm, our Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorneys represent motorcyclists and their families who have been affected by serious accidents. Our team can investigate how an accident occurred, identify potentially responsible parties, document accident-related losses, address insurance issues, and pursue compensation available under South Carolina law. Don’t hesitate to contact our team today for a free case consultation to learn morea bout your legal options.