Left-Turn Motorcycle Crashes and Fault in SC
Posted October 07, 2026 in Car Accident
A motorcyclist died last month after colliding with a pickup truck on Clemson Road in northeast Richland County. The crash involved a vehicle turning left across oncoming traffic, a scenario that raises recurring questions about right-of-way and fault in South Carolina.
What Troopers Reported
The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. on Friday, August 14, near the intersection of Clemson Road and Rhame Road. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, a GMC Sierra traveling east was turning left onto Rhame Road when a westbound Harley-Davidson struck the right side of the truck.
The rider was taken to a hospital and later died, while the truck’s driver was not hurt, according to local news reports. The investigation remains open. No findings on fault have been released.
Who Has the Right-of-Way in a Left Turn
Under South Carolina’s traffic laws, a driver turning left at an intersection or into a driveway must yield to oncoming vehicles that are within the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard. This rule appears in Section 56-5-2320.
That rule matters in motorcycle cases. It does not settle fault by itself, though. Investigators and insurers typically consider:
- Whether the turning driver had a clear view of oncoming traffic
- The motorcycle’s speed and lane position
- Lighting conditions, especially after dark
- Signals or signs controlling the intersection
- Witness statements and any available video
Motorcycles have a narrow profile. At night, a single headlight can make distance hard to judge, and insurers sometimes use that fact to argue the rider was speeding or simply not visible. Those arguments deserve scrutiny, since the statute places the duty to yield on the turning driver.
How Shared Fault Affects a Claim
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person can recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed the other party’s. Any award is then reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault.
This is why the details of an investigation carry so much weight. A few percentage points can change the outcome.
Claims After a Fatal Motorcycle Crash
When a rider dies, the state’s wrongful death statute allows the personal representative of the estate to bring a claim on behalf of certain family members. Families may also pursue a related survival action for losses the rider suffered before death.
Evidence fades quickly. Vehicle damage, roadway marks, and video from nearby businesses may be gone within weeks.
Legal Help in Richland County
A Columbia, SC motorcycle accident lawyer can obtain the Highway Patrol’s collision report, consult reconstruction professionals, and respond to fault arguments before they shape the claim.
If you were injured or lost a family member in a motorcycle crash, Woron and Dhillon, LLC can explain your options. Contact our office to speak with a Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer.