South Carolina Distracted Driving Accident Statistics
Distracted driving continues to cause serious injuries and fatal crashes across the state each year, especially with the increasing use of cell phones. Reviewing South Carolina’s annual distracted driving statistics helps illustrate how common these preventable collisions are and how injured victims may have the right to pursue compensation after another driver’s negligence.
At Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, our Greenville car accident attorneys have decades of experience helping injured clients seek financial recovery after devastating motor vehicle accidents. We work closely with every client to help explain their rights as a resident of South Carolina.
What South Carolina Crash Data Shows
In South Carolina, there is an average of two crashes per hour due to distracted driving. Each year, there are over 20,000 car accidents throughout the state involving a distracted driver. State and national crash data consistently demonstrate that distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents. Common forms of distracted driving include:
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Texting or using a cellphone while driving
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Adjusting navigation or entertainment systems
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Eating or drinking behind the wheel
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Talking with passengers
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Reaching for objects inside the vehicle
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Grooming while driving
Most people don’t fully understand the dangers involved with distracted driving. Looking down at your phone for five seconds while driving at 55 mph is the same as driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Even a momentary distraction can leave a driver unable to react to changing traffic conditions, pedestrians, stopped vehicles, or road hazards.
South Carolina Laws on Distracted Driving
South Carolina has enacted laws intended to reduce distracted driving and improve roadway safety. Under the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, found in S.C. Code § 56-5-3890, drivers are not allowed to hold a cellphone or other mobile electronic device while driving on public roads. They also cannot:
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Read or send text messages or emails
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Use apps
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Browse websites
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Watch videos
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Make video calls
Drivers may still use hands-free features for phone calls, navigation, music, or traffic updates, as long as they do not hold the device. Despite this law, distracted driving remains prevalent and continues to be a leading cause of car accidents. If a driver is involved in a crash and is found to have been distracted while driving, it can increase their liability in the accident.
To understand the full extent of your claim and how fault may be affected by distracted driving, it’s vital to seek legal counsel.
Discuss Your Case With a Trusted Car Accident Attorney in Greenville, SC
A distracted driving accident can leave victims facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. At Parham Smith & Archenhold, LLC, our attorneys are committed to helping injured people pursue the compensation they deserve while providing trusted guidance through every stage of the legal process.
Contact one of our Greenville car accident lawyers by calling 864-242-9008 or through our online contact form. We offer free case evaluations to new clients who have suffered due to the negligent conduct of another party.