Bicycle Accidents in Charleston: When a Driver Is Responsible for a Cyclist’s Injuries

The Incident

On an August morning in 2026, a cyclist riding east on Calhoun Street toward the Ravenel Bridge was struck when a driver turned right across the marked bike lane without yielding. The cyclist landed on the hood and then the pavement, breaking a wrist and suffering a concussion. The driver told police he had not seen the bicycle. A nearby restaurant’s exterior camera captured the turn, the lane markings, and the cyclist’s position — evidence that became important when the driver’s insurer later argued that the cyclist had been riding unpredictably.

What South Carolina Law Says

South Carolina law gives bicyclists the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users. A driver must maintain a proper lookout, yield when turning, and provide a safe distance when passing. South Carolina’s comparative negligence rule can reduce recovery if a cyclist is found partly at fault, but a cyclist who is less than 51% responsible may still recover damages. Helmet use, lighting, and lane position are evaluated based on the facts rather than assumptions about bicycles.

Your Rights and Options

After a bicycle crash, call law enforcement, obtain the report number, photograph the bicycle and roadway, and identify every witness. Preserve the bicycle, helmet, clothing, and any bike-camera or phone data. Seek prompt medical treatment even when symptoms seem limited; concussion and orthopedic symptoms can develop later.

What I Look For When Evaluating These Cases

I examine turning movements, sight lines, traffic-signal timing, lane markings, vehicle damage, and available video. I also separate crash causation from injury severity so that an insurer cannot use a minor dispute about lane position to avoid responsibility for injuries it caused.

How Insurance Companies Will Fight Back

Insurers often describe cyclists as reckless, claim the rider appeared suddenly, or argue that a helmet would have prevented every injury. Those claims require evidence. Traffic footage, vehicle event data, a roadway inspection, and medical testimony can show what actually happened.

Related Practice Areas at Traywick Law Offices

This work overlaps with auto accidents, motorcycle crashes, and catastrophic injury claims. Property or roadway design issues may also create a separate premises liability or government claim.

My Final Thoughts

Cyclists do not give up their legal rights by choosing a bicycle. If a driver injured you in Charleston, preserve the evidence before repairs or roadway changes erase it and obtain advice before giving a recorded statement.

This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is based on publicly available legal information and may not reflect the most current developments. For advice specific to your situation, please contact Traywick Law Offices.