Rangeley Bailey | Car Accidents |
red traffic light with green arrow light up allow by law to turn right

Intersection accidents are among the most common collisions in South Carolina. Many of these crashes occur when drivers attempt to turn right at a red light, raising a fundamental question: When can you make a right turn on red in South Carolina?

South Carolina Traffic Regulations for Right Turns on Red

South Carolina law states that drivers may turn on red as long as there is no sign prohibiting it. However, they must take the following steps before turning:

  • Stop completely and wait behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection before turning right on red.
  • Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within or adjacent to the crosswalk.
  • Yield to other traffic using the intersection.

Dangers of Right Turns on Red for Pedestrians and Other Road Users

Drivers who ignore the rules for turning right on red put other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and road users in danger. Illegal or unsafe right turns at red lights can lead to:

  • Pedestrian accidents – Pedestrians with the right-of-way may suffer serious injuries from drivers who turn right on red without looking for people on foot.
  • Bicycle crashes – Cyclists using bike lanes or sharing the road near intersections can sustain injuries from vehicles illegally turning right on red, especially if the driver fails to check for approaching bikes from the right or behind.
  • Sideswipes – Drivers lawfully proceeding through the intersection from different directions may be sideswiped by a vehicle making an unsafe right on red.
  • Blocked crosswalks – Vehicles making illegal right turns may block crosswalks while waiting to turn, posing risks for pedestrians trying to cross, especially those with disabilities or mobility issues.
  • Confusion – Illegal right turns on red can create uncertainty among other road users, leading to hesitation, sudden stops, and erratic movements that increase the risk of car accidents.

Legal Options for People Hurt in Right-on-Red Crashes

If you sustained injuries in an accident because a driver made an illegal or unsafe right turn at a red light, talk to an attorney immediately. A South Carolina car accident lawyer can gather evidence to support your claim, file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your behalf, handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company, or represent you in court if necessary. Working with a skilled and experienced attorney means you can rest and focus on healing while a dedicated advocate protects your rights and interests.

Talk to Our SC Car Accident Attorneys Now

Jebaily Law Firm can handle all your legal needs if you sustained injuries in a South Carolina right-on-red accident. With over 100 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys will provide hard-hitting legal representation and demand maximum compensation for your losses. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

Rangeley Bailey
Rangeley C. Bailey, Esq.

Partner Rangeley Bailey

Rangeley Bailey is a South Carolina attorney with a heart for people and a passion for justice. A partner at Jebaily Law Firm in Florence, she represents individuals in Personal Injury and Social Security Disability cases—clients who are often facing some of the hardest moments of their lives. Rangeley brings not just legal experience, but empathy, grit, and a belief that everyone deserves to be heard.

Dillon Native, Lifelong Florence Resident, South Carolina Law School Graduate

Born in Dillon and raised in Florence, Rangeley is a proud product of small-town roots and strong community values. She graduated cum laude from Columbia College with a degree in history and a minor in Leadership. She went on to earn her law degree from the University of South Carolina. After law school, she began her legal career clerking for Circuit Court Judge John Milling before moving into civil litigation and ultimately dedicating her practice to helping injured individuals and those denied the benefits they deserve.

Rangeley is a former municipal judge for the City of Florence. She also served as President of the Florence County Bar and was appointed to the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission, reflecting her commitment to making the legal system more accessible to all.  She also recently completed the McLeod Fellows program, where she learned in depth about how McLeod Hospital is run.

Outside of work, Rangeley is a mom to two college students at USC and dog mom to Lexie and Sandy. She enjoys strong coffee, Gamecock football, and a good laugh with friends. Her approach to law—and life—is grounded in compassion, common sense, and an unwavering belief in doing the right thing.

Volunteer Awards from the American Heart Association

Representing injured workers means that Rangeley must keep up to date on medical developments. That is a requirement she particularly enjoys. Her legal work has also sparked her interest in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and led to extensive involvement in the American Heart Association. That association has bestowed numerous volunteer fundraising awards on her.

She’s active in the Florence County Bar Association and has held several offices, culminating in the presidency in 2010. She was a Commissioner for the South Carolina Access to Justice Commission.

 

Admitted to South Carolina Bar: 2002

Years of Legal Experience: 24

Connect on LinkedIn