A car accident can suddenly change your plans, finances, and life. Our experienced Greenville car accident lawyer at Bobby Jones Law explains the most common car accidents in Greenville, SC.
How Does Greenville’s Traffic Compare to the Rest of South Carolina?
On average, a traffic accident occurs every 31.6 minutes in Greenville County, SC. Here’s how Greenville County compares to the rest of South Carolina:
- Greenville County has more traffic collisions than any other SC county, with 16,640 traffic accidents in 2023.
- In 2023, Greenville tied with Spartanburg County for the most fatal traffic collisions, with 71 each. Charleston County ranked third for fatal traffic collisions, with 70.
- More accidents occur at I-85 at S-492 than at any other location in Greenville County.
- For top intersections for pedestrian accidents in SC, Greenville County has only one intersection in the top 10. S-55 at S-1094 in Greenville County is one of the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in South Carolina.
- Charleston County had more injury collisions in 2023 than Greenville County. Charleston had 3,784 injury collisions, while Greenville had 3,551.
- In addition, Charleston also outranks Greenville for serious injury collisions, with 205 as compared to 179 in 2023.
There are approximately half a million (504,626) motor vehicles registered in Greenville County.
In Greenville County, accidents occur in significant numbers on all types of roads. Secondary roads have the greatest number of total collisions by road type, followed by SC primary, US primary, and county roads.
Note: As of the most recent data, 2023 SCDPS Traffic Fact Book.
Chart – Top Causes of Traffic Accidents in South Carolina, 2023
| Rank | Cause | Number of Collisions |
| 1 | Too fast for conditions | 37,890 |
| 2 | Fail to yield the right of way | 30,290 |
| 3 | Improper lane use/change | 13,549 |
| 4 | Following too closely | 9,069 |
| 5 | Distracted driving, inattention | 9,067 |
| 6 | Disregard the traffic sign or signal | 6,919 |
| 7 | Drunk driving | 4,814 |
| 8 | Improper turn | 3,149 |
| 9 | Wrong side, wrong way | 1,945 |
| 10 | Aggressive operation | 1,417 |
Note: 7,178 collisions were classified as “other.” An additional 3,876 accidents were attributed to an unknown cause.
Too Fast for Conditions: The Leading Cause of Accidents in Greenville, SC
Driving too fast for conditions is the leading cause of car accidents in Greenville County. In 2023, the county had 4,398 accidents attributed to driving too fast for conditions.
Driving too fast for conditions is also the leading cause of traffic accidents statewide, with 37,890 accidents in 2023.
Even if a driver follows the speed limit, they must also drive at a reasonable speed for the conditions. They must account for traffic, weather, road quality, visibility, construction projects, and any other relevant factor.
Failure to Yield: How Accidents Occur
The second-leading cause of accidents in Greenville County, SC, is failure to yield the right of way. In 2023, 3,543 accidents occurred in Greenville County because of failure to yield. It’s also the second-leading cause of accidents throughout SC, with 30,290 accidents in 2023.
A person may fail to yield because they aren’t paying attention. They may not understand traffic signs or traffic flow, especially in unfamiliar or unusual traffic patterns. A driver may be aggressive on the road or may fail to check their blind spot before maneuvering.
Improper Lane Usage/Lane Change
Improper lane use was the contributing factor for 1,825 traffic accidents in Greenville County in 2023. This factor also ranks third statewide, causing 13,549 traffic accidents. Improper lane changes include departing from the lane of travel, unsafe lane changes, and improper merging.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving on Greenville Roads
The faster a vehicle travels, the longer it takes to stop. Speeding also makes it harder for other drivers to judge the vehicle’s movement. Plus, speed differentials between vehicles increase danger for all motor vehicle traffic.
Drunk and Impaired Driving Accidents in Greenville, SC
Drunk driving reduces coordination and impairs judgment. In addition, a drunk driver may have blurred vision.
Even below the legal limit, a blood alcohol content can contribute to risk-taking behaviors.
Distracted Driving: A Contributor to Car Accidents in Greenville
Distracted driving can occur in several ways. A driver may be texting, entering information on a dashboard display, assisting others in the vehicle, or reaching for an object. Even a short distraction can delay reaction time.
Dangerous Intersections and Roads in Greenville That Cause the Most Accidents
The top five intersections for car accidents in Greenville, SC are:
- SC-72 @ S-108
- US-25 @ S-73
- US-25 @ SC-72
- S-58 @ SC-72
- US-25 @ S-39
In addition to these roads, US-22 and SC-34 are roads where car accidents frequently occur in Greenville County.
Weather-Related Car Accidents in Greenville, SC
Although weather-related collisions occur in Greenville, SC, they are infrequent. Law enforcement attributed only 113 collisions in South Carolina to weather in 2023. All environmental factors combined contributed to 211 traffic crashes in SC.
When weather is a factor, law enforcement may attribute the accident to a driving error caused by the weather, such as driving too fast for conditions.
Fatigued Driving: An Underreported Cause of Greenville Car Accidents
A person may become fatigued by driving long hours. In addition, fatigued driving may occur when a person is tired for other reasons. When a driver is fatigued, they may fall asleep or momentarily lose focus.
Defective Vehicles and Equipment as a Cause of Greenville Car Accidents
A broken tail light or turn signal may impair driver signaling. Bad brakes can lead to a rear-end collision. A sudden tire blowout or steering issue can lead to a loss of control.
How Does the Cause of Your Accident Affect Your Injury Claim in SC?
SC uses a modified comparative fault system for car accidents. This system determines who has the right to claim compensation based on the cause of the accident, specifically, who caused it. Any party that caused the accident by negligence or more serious misconduct may be liable. Fault is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Car Accident Lawyer
Bobby Jones Law understands the most common causes of car accidents in Greenville, SC. We can investigate and build your claim for compensation. Call or message us now.
