Various factors contribute to the amount and severity of motorcycle accidents in South Carolina. Most traffic collisions occur on dry roads, during clear weather, and in daylight. While the majority of collisions were not primarily caused by environmental factors, weather, nighttime, and slick roads can contribute to many accidents.
A major safety issue that adds to the severity of an accident is whether or not the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. In about 68 percent of fatalities, the rider was unhelmeted. In over 61 percent of serious injuries, the rider was not wearing a helmet, and in over half of all other injuries the rider was unhelmeted.