Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Key Takeaways
- Every city in South Carolina carries some risk of being in a car accident. But, where do most car accidents happen? On the city’s interstates and secondary roadways, you have the highest risk of being hurt.
- Some of the most common areas for car accidents include I-85 and I-385, but rural roads are also highly risky.
- If you were in a car accident, for any reason, seek the legal guidance of an attorney to protect your rights.
By working with a skilled legal team like HawkLaw after a South Carolina car accident, you can hold those who hurt you accountable.
As anyone with a traffic tracking app can attest, knowing where an accident has occurred can save a lot of time and aggravation. Knowing in general where most car accidents happen in South Carolina can also be helpful – for planning routes, for avoiding potential hot spots, and for being prepared in the event you do have to travel that way. If you sustain an injury in a car accident, an attorney from HawkLaw, P.A. may be able to help.
Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in South Carolina?
Serious wrecks can happen anywhere, but certain roads in South Carolina see collisions again and again. High speeds, distracted drivers, and reckless behavior make some stretches far more dangerous than others.
- Highway 22: Known for heavy speeding and aggressive drivers, this route consistently ranks among the state’s most hazardous.
- Interstate 26: As one of South Carolina’s busiest interstates, I-26 (and nearby I-95) sees a steady flow of crashes. Distracted drivers, truckers running long hours, and high-speed traffic create constant risk.
- Highway 17: Running along the coast and through Myrtle Beach, this corridor is notorious for car and motorcycle crashes alike.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, secondary roads actually account for the largest share of deadly collisions. Key findings include:
- 103 fatal crashes at four-way intersections and 97 at T-intersections, compared to 89 at non-junction locations.
- 100 fatal crashes on interstates, plus another 8 on entrance and exit ramps.
- Rural two-lane roads contributed to 45 of the state’s 976 traffic fatalities.
In short, South Carolina’s deadliest accidents often happen on familiar roads close to home, not just on highways. Drivers should treat every intersection and secondary road with caution, especially in high-risk corridors like I-26, Highway 22, and Highway 17.
Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Anderson, SC?
Anderson continues to grow, and with that growth comes heavier traffic and more collisions. Wrecks occur throughout the city, but some stretches stand out for frequent crashes.
- Route 178 and Route 81 are two of the most accident-prone corridors. These busy commuter routes funnel drivers into congested intersections where high speeds and turning traffic often collide.
- Highway 76 / Clemson Boulevard is one of the busiest roads in Anderson. Packed with restaurants, shops, and big box stores, it sees a constant mix of local drivers, out-of-towners, and delivery trucks. Heavy stop-and-go traffic and sudden lane changes make it a common crash site.
- Highway 28 Bypass (Pearman Boulevard) serves as a major route through the city and is notorious for rear-end and side-impact crashes. Its intersections with Whitehall Road and Shockley Ferry Road are particularly dangerous.
- Downtown Anderson intersections, especially near Main Street and Greenville Street, can be chaotic during peak hours, with pedestrian activity adding another layer of risk.
- I-85 through Anderson County contributes to many serious wrecks, particularly near Exits 19–27, where heavy tractor-trailer traffic mixes with commuters.
Anderson isn’t immune to the dangers of rural South Carolina driving, either. Two-lane country roads outside the city, with blind hills and sharp curves, are the backdrop for many deadly wrecks, especially after dark or in poor weather. No matter where your car crash happened in Anderson, HawkLaw is ready to help.

Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Greenville, SC?
Accidents happen across Greenville, but some roads and corridors stand out for the sheer number of collisions reported every year.
- Interstates I-385 and I-85 remain hotspots, especially at on- and off-ramps where merging traffic and tractor-trailers collide. The I-85/I-385 interchange, one of the busiest in South Carolina, sees a steady flow of serious wrecks.
- Route 29 / Wade Hampton Boulevard is heavily traveled, often congested, and prone to rear-end and side-impact crashes.
- I-185 carries heavy truck traffic and is another stretch where high-speed collisions are common.
- Laurens Road (US-276) between I-385 and Woodruff Road has long been recognized as one of Greenville’s most dangerous stretches, with a mix of commercial traffic and shoppers entering and exiting businesses.
- Woodruff Road itself is infamous in Greenville. Constant congestion, aggressive lane changes, and impatient drivers make it one of the most crash-prone roads in the Upstate.
- W. Pleasantburg Drive (SC-291) from Lowndes Hill Road to Wade Hampton Boulevard is another corridor with a high concentration of accidents.
- US-25 (Augusta Road and White Horse Road) — especially near Frontage Road to Farrs Bridge Road — has frequent high-speed crashes.
Greenville’s residential neighborhoods also have risks. Slow-speed fender-benders and intersection collisions happen throughout the city, particularly where narrow streets meet heavy commuter traffic.
Our Greenville, SC car accident lawyer has handled cases from nearly every one of these high-risk corridors, from pile-ups on I-85 to serious injuries on Woodruff Road. If you’ve been hurt, we’re ready to sort through the evidence and hold the right parties accountable.
Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Spartanburg, SC?
Spartanburg ranks among the top five counties in South Carolina for traffic collisions, and anyone driving its highways and surface streets can see why. Heavy interstate traffic, fast-moving corridors, and busy local roads create a constant risk of serious crashes. Some of the more dangerous roads include:
- I-85 is the county’s most dangerous stretch. Interchanges at SC-290 and S-57 (Fairforest Road) see frequent pileups as merging traffic collides with high-speed drivers and commercial trucks.
- US-29 (Reidville Road / Main Street) is another high-crash corridor, particularly around shopping areas and intersections with heavy cross-traffic.
- East Main Street (SC-9) carries a heavy volume of commuters and has a history of serious collisions, including fatal pedestrian accidents.
- Church Street (US-221), John B. White Sr. Boulevard (SC-296), and Pine Street (SC-56) are consistently listed among the most dangerous roads in the city. Narrow lanes, high speeds, and heavy turning traffic combine to make these corridors accident-prone.
- Residential and secondary roads in Spartanburg add their own hazards. Blind hills, limited shoulders, and poorly lit intersections contribute to a steady number of wrecks outside the main arteries.
With so many high-risk routes, collisions in Spartanburg are rarely simple. A Spartanburg car accident lawyer from HawkLaw, P.A. knows how to investigate these crash scenes, from reconstructing wrecks at complex interstate interchanges to uncovering municipal failures on unsafe local roads.
Common Factors Behind South Carolina Accidents
Some of the most common factors that contribute to South Carolina car accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Unfamiliarity with the roads
- Low visibility
- Poor weather
As car accident lawyers in South Carolina, we know that no matter how severe your accident is, you have the right to pursue fair compensation under the law. We can help you do that.

Preventing Car Accidents in South Carolina
Not all accidents are preventable, but there are steps you can take that could reduce your risk of a collision or life-threatening injury:
- Maintain a safe distance between you and other vehicles.
- Follow the speed limit, including reduced limits from bad weather or in construction zones.
- Don’t travel if you’re impaired by alcohol, drugs, or your own fatigue.
- Adjust for road conditions and wait the bad weather out when you can.
- Leave early in case of unexpected traffic.
- Keep your cellphone on “do not disturb” and make sure your radio stations are set before you take the car out of park.
Speak With a South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer Today
Knowing where most car accidents occur gives you the ability to be more vigilant in those areas. Yet, even then, you may find yourself hurt because of a dangerous or negligent driver. Contact the South Carolina car accident lawyers at HawkLaw now for a free consultation*. Serving Greenville, Columbia, Spartanburg, Charleston, and Anderson. The Anderson office is by appointment only, and most clients will be served from the Greenville office.
John D. Hawkins
John Hawkins is the Founder and CEO of HawkLaw He has been licensed to practice law in South Carolina since his graduation with honors in 1994 from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was on the Law Review and Order of Wig and Robe.
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