The short answer: South Carolina’s hands-free law makes it illegal to hold or support a phone while driving, or to text, scroll social media, or watch video behind the wheel. If a distracted driver hurt you, you can seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A citation can strengthen your claim. Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm has represented injured clients across South Carolina for more than 30 years. Experienced Greenville car accident attorney Dan Pruitt personally works every case, and your consultation is free with no money up front. Call (864) 721-6885 anytime, 24/7.
One glance at a phone. That’s all it takes to turn an ordinary drive into a life-changing crash. If a distracted driver hit you in Greenville, you’re probably hurting, staring at medical bills, and wondering where you stand. Here’s how South Carolina’s hands-free law works and what it means for your injury claim.
What Does South Carolina’s Hands-Free Law Prohibit?
South Carolina’s hands-free law (Section 56-5-3890) took effect September 1, 2025. It bans holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of your body while driving, reading, composing, or sending texts, emails, and app or website content, and watching video behind the wheel. You can still use an earpiece or a wrist-worn device for voice-based calls. A first offense brings a $100 fine. A second brings a $200 fine plus two points on your driving record.
What Are the Three Types of Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving comes in three forms: visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel), and cognitive (mind off driving). Texting ranks among the most dangerous distractions because it hits all three at once. Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration note that sending or reading a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road long enough to cover the length of a football field at 55 mph. Essentially, driving blind.
How Common Are Distracted Driving Accidents in South Carolina?
Distracted driving is a serious problem on South Carolina roads. State lawmakers reported that 1,048 South Carolinians lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2023, and the state continues to have the highest number of fatalities in the United States per mile driven. Nationally, driver distraction is estimated to contribute to about 10% of fatal crashes.
What Injuries Do Distracted Driving Accidents Cause?
Distracted driving crashes often leave lasting damage. A driver staring at a screen may rear-end stopped traffic, causing whiplash and neck or back injuries, or drift across a center line into a head-on collision at an intersection. Distracted drivers also strike pedestrians and cyclists they never saw coming. The result? Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and worse.
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was Distracted?
Proving distraction takes evidence, and a lawyer knows where to look. Cell phone records obtained through discovery can show a call or text at the moment of impact. Witness statements, dashcam or traffic-camera footage, the police report, and the driver’s own admissions at the scene all help build your case. A citation or conviction under the hands-free law is strong proof that can strengthen your civil claim.
Call (864) 721-6885 for a free consultation. There’s no upfront payment, and we’re available 24/7.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Distracted Driving Accident?
You can generally recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the at-fault driver was especially reckless, you may also be able to recover punitive damages to punish that conduct. Keep in mind that under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rule, if you’re less than 51% at fault in a car accident, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Accident in Greenville
A few key steps protect both your health and your claim. Call 911 so officers can create a police report, and get medical care right away, even at a Greenville emergency room like Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, because some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately. Photograph the scene, collect witness information, and don’t admit fault or give a recorded statement to the insurance company. Then call a lawyer, because South Carolina generally gives you three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim.
How a Greenville Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
The right lawyer takes the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. Dan Pruitt has fought for injured clients for more than 30 years and personally handles every case. No handing you off to a junior associate. Our firm investigates the crash, secures phone records and other evidence, deals with the insurance company, and aggressively pursues the full value of your claim, all with no money up front. If you need a dedicated Greenville car accident lawyer, we’re ready.
Contact Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm Today
If a distracted driver injured you, Dan Pruitt Injury Law Firm is here to help. Attorney Dan Pruitt personally handles every case, backed by 30 years of success, and your consultation is always free. Call (864) 721-6885 now, 24/7, with no money up front. From our office at 300 Pettigru St #100 in Greenville, we serve Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, Greenwood, Laurens, and clients throughout South Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina’s Hands-Free Law
How long do I have to file a distracted driving claim in South Carolina?
Under South Carolina law, you generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530). Some situations can change that deadline, so call as soon as possible, before evidence disappears and memories fade.
What if the insurance company says I was distracted too?
Insurers often try to shift blame to reduce what they pay. South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover as long as you’re less than 51% at fault, though your award is reduced by your share. That’s exactly why having a lawyer who can prove the other driver’s fault matters. Call (864) 721-6885 for a free consultation anytime, 24/7.