Key Takeaways

  • Distracted driving and speeding are some leading factors in South Carolina accidents.
  • Speeding contributed to 29 percent of traffic deaths nationwide in 2024, according to federal data.
  • Impaired driving caused more than 4,700 crashes and 257 deaths statewide, according to SC’s most recent data.
  • Nearly 19,800 South Carolina collisions occurred on wet roadways, according to the same state data.
  • Charleston’s frequent rain and coastal humidity increase weather-related crash risks for drivers.
  • Requesting an official collision report is an important step after a crash.

South Carolina recorded more than 143,800 traffic collisions in 2024, and many of them trace back to the same handful of preventable causes. If you were hurt in an accident, understanding the common causes of car accidents in Charleston can help you make sense of what happened, who may be responsible, and your legal options under state law. Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC’s car accident lawyers have represented Charleston-area clients hurt by distracted, speeding, impaired and other negligent drivers for years, and we have seen how fast a routine drive can turn into a serious injury claim. This article walks through what actually causes these crashes in Charleston, South Carolina, and what to do if another driver caused yours.

South Carolina Crash Data at a Glance

Factor / Statistic 2024 Data
South Carolina traffic collisions 143,800+
Driving too fast for conditions — South Carolina 35,000+ collisions
Distracted/inattention — South Carolina 9,000+ collisions
Driver under influence — South Carolina 4,700+ collisions
Distracted driving — Charleston County 2,965 accidents
Too fast for conditions — Charleston County 1,795 accidents
Wet-roadway collisions — South Carolina Nearly 19,800

What Causes Most Car Accidents in Charleston?

Many collisions trace back to driver error, often a form of negligence. Common examples of driver negligence contributing to Charleston County car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and reckless maneuvers like failing to yield, following too closely, improper lane usage, and improper lane changes.

Distracted Driving

Distracted or inattentive driving is one of the leading causes of South Carolina crashes. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, it contributed to more than 9,000 traffic collisions statewide in the most recent year with full data.

In Charleston County, distracted driving contributed to 2,965 accidents.

Texting is an obvious example, but eating behind the wheel, watching videos, and even reaching for the radio pulls a driver’s focus away just as easily. Charleston’s traffic tends to bunch up near intersections and shopping districts, and a two-second glance away from the road is often all it takes to cause a rear-end collision or a crash where a driver fails to yield the right of way.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speeding also plays a major role in South Carolina crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that speeding was a factor in 29 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. One category tracked by South Carolina, called driving too fast for conditions, means a driver was going at or under the speed limit but still too fast for rain, traffic, poor visibility, and other conditional hazards. That factor alone contributed to more than 35,000 collisions statewide that year and 1,795 Charleston County accidents.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving still injures and kills people across South Carolina every year, even after decades of public awareness campaigns.

The state’s most recent data shows that one person is killed in a DUI collision involving a driver with a blood alcohol content of .08+ every 21.1 hours here in South Carolina. That same data shows that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 40% of the state’s total fatal collisions. In Charleston County alone in 2024, there were 25 fatalities and 282 non-fatal accidents reported involving a driver with a BAC of over .08.

Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time, cloud judgment, and make it harder to keep control of the vehicle.

Poor Weather and Road Conditions

South Carolina Department of Public Safety data from 2024 shows nearly 19,800 collisions happened on rain-slicked roadways statewide. Standing water and glare off a slick surface can catch even an experienced driver off guard, and that risk can be higher on Charleston’s low-lying, flood-prone streets. Slowing down and leaving extra space between cars goes a long way toward preventing these crashes.

What to Do After an Accident Caused by Another Driver

If another driver caused your accident, protecting your health and your legal rights should come first. Here are some steps to take:

  • Call 911: Officers can respond to the scene and direct traffic safely.
  • Get Medical Attention: Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked out, since some symptoms can take days to show up.
  • Document the Scene: If you are able to, take photos of the vehicles involved, the roadway, and any visible damage.
  • Exchange Information: Collect contact and insurance details from every driver involved.
  • Talk to Witnesses: Get contact details from anyone who saw what happened.
  • Request the Collision Report: You can obtain an official copy directly from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

Contacting a car accident attorney as soon as possible is one of the most important steps you can take after a crash to protect your rights. An experienced Charleston car accident lawyer can deal with the insurance company on your behalf, protect you from tactics designed to minimize your claim, and make sure you never sign away your right to fair compensation before understanding the full impact of the accident.

Get Help from a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer Today

Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC has spent years helping injured drivers across Charleston and the Lowcountry get the justice and compensation they deserve after an unexpected accident. We’ve recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured clients throughout South Carolina, including a $750,000 DUI car accident and a $675,000 car accident settlement.* You can read more about our firm’s results here: https://www.ctlawsc.com/our-law-firm/results/.

As car accident attorneys with decades of combined experience, we see these common causes of car accidents every single day. Our team has the experience and resources needed to thoroughly investigate what happened, why the crash happened, and build a strong claim on behalf of our clients.

Call 843-888-9000 today for a free case evaluation with an award-winning Charleston car accident attorney.

*Disclaimers: Any result the endorsed lawyer or law firm may achieve on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients. This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Author: William H. Yaborough, Jr

My name is Will Yarborough, and I am a partner and personal injury attorney at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. My practice primarily focuses on car and truck accident cases, and I represent injured people across the state of South Carolina.

I’m committed to ensuring that every single client gets the compensation and justice they deserve following serious and unexpected accidents.

You don’t have to go through the aftermath of an accident on your own. If you have any questions about the information in this article or are interested in becoming a client at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, give me a call today. I’d be honored to help.