Local media are reporting about a Greenville SC car crash involving a deputy employed by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and a motorcyclist. According news reports, the sheriff’s deputy is fine-not sure if that means he was slightly injured or not injured at all; however it appears that condition of the motorcyclist was unknown.
This Greenville SC car crash occurred on South Academy street at the Trailside at Reedy Apartment complex that is locate within the city limits of Greenville. A highway patrol spokesman stated to news media that the motorcyclist was traveling south on South Academy street when the motorcycle was struck by the Sheriff’s Office deputy. There was no comment or statements about how exactly the Greenville SC car crash occurred. However, there was a statement that the deputy struck the motorcycle, without mention of any further detail or accident causation-related comments or facts. Its too early to know, based on media reports, who caused the car crash.
News reports also state that both the deputy’s cruiser and the motorcycle were badly burned in the crash.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol will investigate the accident and hopefully provide more details to the public.
Governmental car crash liability and immunity
What happens when an employee of the government-in this case a sheriff’s deputy who is an employee of Greenville County causes a car crash? A tort committed by a government employee is treated the same as any other tort committed by any other individual or company. The government agency is employee is liable for the torts committed by its employees and agents just like any other citizen or employee of a company would be liable. However, South Carolina law places caps on the amounts that are recoverable. That amount is $300,000.00 per occurrence. If there is a wrongful death, there may be another cap in the amount of $300,000 for a total of $600,000.00. So each case involving a governmental actor needs to be closely investigated to determine how many instances of negligence occurred, and thus how many caps are in place.
In addition to any governmental liability, the individual person/government employee may also have liability auto insurance that could potentially be a source of insurance coverage as well.
Furthermore, there may also be underinsured motorist coverage (UIM) coverage that the injured non-at fault person may have.
This fiery Greenville SC car crash involving a sheriff’s deputy and a motorcycle sounds serious. When vehicles burst out in flames in a car crash, serious injuries to at least one, if not both parties, to the crash usually result.