Michael Lang Killed in Longs Motorcycle Accident
The 58-year-old rider was struck by a left-turning SUV on East Highway 9
Michael Lang, 58, of North Myrtle Beach, died after being struck by an SUV on East Highway 9 at Charter Drive and Sun Colony Boulevard in Longs on Tuesday, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
The northbound 1993 Harley-Davidson rider laid his bike down to avoid a 2021 Nissan SUV that was making a left turn. The rider separated from the motorcycle and was then hit by the Nissan, investigators said.
Paramedics transported Lang to a nearby hospital, where the Horry County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead. The driver of the SUV was not injured.
Lanes of Loris-bound traffic were blocked for an extended period while emergency crews cleared the scene.
No charges have been announced.
The Highway Patrol is investigating the collision with assistance from the Horry County Police Department, adding to the 15% of all traffic death nationwide that involve motorcycles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Why did the SUV turn into the motorcycle's path on Highway 9?
Left-turn collisions at intersections frequently challenge driver perception, especially when smaller profiles like motorcycles are involved. While the State Patrol investigates the exact sequence of events that forced the rider to lay his bike down, independent safety reviews often examine intersection sightlines and right-of-way violations.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Misjudging a motorcycle's speed or distance is a pattern that appears frequently in serious left-turn crash investigations, and the consequences for riders are almost always severe."
Attorneys representing injured riders or surviving relatives understand how important it is to document that perception failure early. They coordinate with reconstruction specialists who can model vehicle speeds and sight angles. This work is done before insurance carriers begin developing their own version of the facts, added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How common are fatal motorcycle collisions in South Carolina?
The state has seen a sharp increase in rider deaths, with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety reporting 161 motorcyclist death in 2021, up from 116 the previous year. These incidents highlight the extreme vulnerability of riders when larger passenger vehicles fail to yield.
"An attorney may carefully investigate the collision, preserve critical evidence and advocate for injured riders or surviving families, helping protect important legal rights while insurance reviews and liability questions are evaluated," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
South Carolina wrongful death statute
Under S.C. Code § 15-51-10, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. South Carolina applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and mental shock and suffering.