Cycling can be an enjoyable way to exercise, commute, explore the Grand Strand, or simply spend time outdoors. But when a bicycle and a motor vehicle collide, the consequences can be serious. Unlike people traveling inside a car, bicyclists have little protection between their bodies and the roadway or an approaching vehicle.
According to a report by nonprofit research firm TRIP, “Addressing America’s Traffic Safety Crisis: Examining the Causes of Increasing U.S. Traffic Fatalities and Identifying Solutions to Improve Traffic Safety”, there was an 8% increase in bicycle and pedestrian fatalities from 2020 to 2025, including a 29% increase in bicyclists killed and a 5% increase in pedestrian fatalities. Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities accounted for 21% of all traffic fatalities in 2025.
When a bicyclist is injured because another person’s negligence caused a crash, the injured cyclist may have a personal injury claim. However, bicycle accident cases can present issues that are different from those involved in a typical automobile collision.
Why Bicycle Accident Injuries Can Be Especially Serious
In an automobile, occupants have the benefit of a vehicle’s structure, seat belts, airbags, and other safety features. A bicyclist does not have those same protections. A collision with a vehicle can throw a cyclist onto the roadway, into another vehicle, or over the handlebars, potentially causing significant injuries. Bicycle crashes may result in broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and other serious or permanent conditions.
The severity of these injuries can lead to substantial medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and other financial and personal consequences. A bicycle accident claim therefore requires careful consideration not only of what caused the crash, but also of the full extent of the cyclist’s injuries and how those injuries may affect the person’s life in the future.
South Carolina Law Gives Bicyclists Rights on the Road
A common misconception is that bicyclists do not have the same rights as motorists. South Carolina law generally provides that a person riding a bicycle on a roadway is entitled to the rights and subject to the duties applicable to drivers of motor vehicles, except where specific bicycle provisions apply. South Carolina law also addresses where and how bicyclists should ride, bicycle lanes, riding two abreast, lighting and visibility, and the responsibilities of motorists around bicyclists.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety advises bicyclists to ride with traffic, follow applicable traffic laws, ride as far to the right as practical, use bicycle lanes when required, and use appropriate lights and reflectors after dark.
South Carolina’s 2026 “Stop-as-Yield” Changes
South Carolina’s bicycle laws changed in 2026. Act 173, signed by the Governor on May 18, 2026, created specific rules allowing bicyclists, under certain circumstances, to proceed through intersections controlled by stop signs without coming to a complete stop. The law also allows a cyclist who comes to a complete stop at a steady red light and yields to oncoming traffic that presents an immediate hazard to proceed through the intersection with caution. Certain right turns on red and left turns onto one-way roads are also addressed by the new law.
These provisions do not give bicyclists an unrestricted right to disregard traffic signals or signs. Cyclists must still exercise appropriate care and yield the right of way as required by law. Understanding the law that applied at the time of a crash can be important when determining whether a bicyclist or motorist violated a traffic rule and whether that violation contributed to the accident.
Insurance Companies May Focus on the Cyclist’s Conduct
One of the important differences in bicycle accident cases is the potential for disputes over the cyclist’s conduct before the crash. An insurance company may investigate whether the bicyclist was riding in the appropriate position on the roadway, using a bicycle lane when required, properly equipped for nighttime riding, or following applicable traffic laws. Questions about visibility, speed, lane position, traffic signals, and other circumstances may become part of the investigation.
Helmet use can also become an issue. Although wearing a properly fitted helmet is an important safety precaution, the question of whether a cyclist was wearing a helmet does not automatically determine who caused a collision. Liability depends on the facts and circumstances of the particular accident and the applicable law. It is also important to remember that a bicyclist’s legal rights do not disappear simply because the cyclist was injured while riding on a roadway. South Carolina law recognizes bicyclists as roadway users with specific rights and responsibilities.
Determining What Caused the Crash
A bicycle accident investigation may require more than simply reviewing the damage to two vehicles. There may be no vehicle damage on the cyclist’s side that tells the complete story, and important evidence can disappear quickly. Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve the police report, photographs of the accident scene and injuries, witness statements, traffic-camera or surveillance footage, vehicle damage, bicycle damage, roadway conditions, lighting and visibility, medical records, and other available evidence. The location and circumstances of a crash can also matter.
According to South Carolina’s 2025–2029 Strategic Highway Safety Plan, there were 362 bicycle crashes resulting in a fatality or serious injury between 2019 and 2023. During that period, South Carolina averaged approximately 23 fatal bicycle crashes and 49 serious-injury bicycle crashes each year. The same data shows that many fatal and serious-injury bicycle crashes occurred at night, emphasizing the importance of visibility for both cyclists and motorists.
If another party’s negligence caused a bicycle accident, an injured cyclist may be able to seek compensation for damages resulting from the injury.
Depending on the circumstances, damages may include:
- Medical expenses and future medical treatment
- Rehabilitation and related care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage, including damage to the bicycle and equipment
- Other losses related to the accident and resulting injuries
The appropriate damages depend on the specific facts of the case, the nature and severity of the injuries, and the available evidence.
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
Time is an important consideration following a bicycle accident. South Carolina law generally provides a three-year limitations period for an action involving an injury to a person, although the precise deadline can depend on the circumstances of the claim. Other deadlines or legal requirements may apply in particular cases, especially when a governmental entity or other special circumstance is involved. For that reason, it is wise to discuss a potential claim with an attorney as soon as reasonably possible rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.
If you are injured in a bicycle accident, your first priority should be obtaining appropriate medical attention. Once immediate medical needs have been addressed, preserving information about the accident can be important. If possible, photographs of the bicycle, vehicle, roadway, traffic signs, injuries, and surrounding area may help document what happened. Keep records of medical treatment and expenses, and preserve damaged bicycle equipment rather than repairing or discarding it before it can be properly documented. You should also be cautious about providing statements to an insurance company or accepting a settlement before you understand the nature and extent of your injuries and your legal rights.
Experienced Legal Guidance After a Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can leave an injured person facing much more than the immediate physical effects of a crash. Medical treatment, lost time from work, rehabilitation, property damage, and uncertainty about the future can quickly become overwhelming. At The Floyd Law Firm, we understand the challenges that can follow a serious bicycle accident. For more than 53 years, our firm has served individuals and families in Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach, and communities throughout South Carolina. Our attorneys can help investigate the circumstances of a bicycle accident, identify potentially responsible parties, work with insurance companies, evaluate the available evidence, and pursue appropriate compensation when a client has a valid personal injury claim. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, seeking legal guidance early can help you understand your rights and the options available to you.
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