Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in SC
Motorcyclists enjoy riding South Carolina roads and highways yearlong in our state’s beautifully warm climate. Riding motorcycles can certainly be fun and efficient, but the activity can also be dangerous. Motorcyclists all over South Carolina are exposed and vulnerable if they collide with other larger vehicles and are also vulnerable to single-vehicle accidents due to the safety conditions of the road.
All drivers should understand that they must safely share the road with motorcyclists to prevent accidents. But there are still negligent and dangerous drivers out there. Defective bikes, construction, and other dangerous road hazards also pose significant risks to motorcyclists, which can result in a collision or sometimes fatal accidents.
After a crash, an injured motorcyclist should protect their legal rights and discuss the accident with a South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney. Strom Law Firm has represented many victims injured in motorcycle, tractor-trailer, and other traffic-related accidents. We understand motorcyclist’s safety risks, and we work diligently to hold negligent parties accountable. Please contact one of our South Carolina personal injury attorneys if you would like to discuss possible representation for your accident claims.
Severe Damages Occur During Accidents
There are many types of safety gear designed to protect motorcyclists in South Carolina. However, even a motorcyclist wearing maximum safety gear is never fully shielded from the possibility of a serious injury if a crash occurs. Even a helmet cannot fully protect from head trauma one hundred percent of the time when a South Carolina motorcycle collision occurs.
Motorcyclists do not have the safety features of a car or truck to protect them in an accident, and instead, a car can collide directly with a motorcyclist’s body while on South Carolina’s roads. While a motorcyclist may be completely under control, it is never possible to control other vehicles or to ensure that vehicles can accurately identify motorcycles on South Carolina roadways.
The following are examples of injuries commonly resulting from motorcycle accidents:
Common Injuries
- Road Rash
- Death
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones and shattered bones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments
- Hemorrhaging
- Organ damage
It is rare that a motorcyclist will not require some amount of medical care following a collision, and they often need to be transported to a hospital by ambulance. Expenses can add up quickly following motorcycle crashes. Fortunately, South Carolina’s law provides a remedy for an injured accident victim to seek compensation from negligent, grossly negligent, or reckless parties. If you have been in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. With the help of a lawyer, you can then receive a settlement. Contact a South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer who will fight for your claims and the compensation you deserve for your damages.
Who Caused Your Crash?
In motorcycle cases, a liable party is often one of three types:
- Drivers– Whether they are driving while distracted, driving under the influence, failing to yield, or engaging in other negligent actions, drivers should be held accountable for causing injury to motorcyclists in a collision.
- Government entities– Government agencies maintain public roads and highways to help prevent accidents. They sometimes undertake this responsibility by engaging contractors, and they must do so in a reasonable manner. If roadwork is neglected or performed negligently, Strom Law Firm, the South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney, will work to hold them all at fault and accountable for their actions.
- Motorcycle manufacturers– Sometimes, manufacturers build motorcycles with defects or defective parts. If such defects are determined to be the cause of an accident, the motorcycle manufacturer can be held liable.
The process of filing and litigating a motorcycle accident claims is a legal process that will depend on the type of party from whom recovery is sought, the severity of injuries, and other factors. Our South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers understand the complex legal issues that arise in each type of personal injury case, and we want to help receive compensation.
Receive Compensation from Your Lawsuit with the Help of Attorneys
Careless driving is one of the most common causes of crashes in South Carolina. If you or your loved one is involved in a motorcycle accident, you’ll need a skilled lawyer to fight for your compensation. Here at Strom Law Firm, your future matters – from personal injury claims to criminal defense, a South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer is on your side and will fight for your claims. Each expert motorcycle accident lawyer has a thorough understanding of law and experience with motorcycle accident cases, so they will know how to help you with your specific case.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Contrary to popular belief, most motorcycle accidents result from car accidents. Here are a few causes of accidents to be aware of to ensure riders stay sharp while on the road:
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Negligent driving, including failing to yield to motorbikes and bicycles
- Blind spots
- Adverse weather conditions, such as black ice
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
While driving, you should pay close attention when there are riders on the road. Taking extra caution around riders goes a long way in preventing accidents. Strom Law’s highly trained lawyers have experience winning cases and negotiating settlements for various kinds of accidents, and we’ve helped clients receive major compensation for accidents where they were not at fault.
What Should I Do After a Crash in South Carolina?
There are several important things you need to do immediately after a motorcycle accident in South Carolina. First, you have to assess the accident and get help if necessary.
If you’re still conscious, check yourself for injuries and damages. Also, ask the other party if they’re injured. If they are, call an ambulance instantly and give them first aid as you wait for the ambulance.
Don’t remove your safety gear, including the helmet to avoid further injuries. Don’t remove your motorcycle or car from the scene of the accident until the police give you permission to do so.
Don’t accept liability for the accident. Gather as much evidence as possible and get contact details of eyewitnesses if you can. This will help you to file a strong personal injury claim.
Don’t flee the scene, even if you’re responsible for the accident. Instead, call the police and wait until they assess the situation and create a report. Get the contact details of the other driver or party involved in the motorcycle accident.
How Long After a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Can I Claim an Injury?
The Statute of limitations for accidents in South Carolina stipulates that you can only file a personal injury claim in a motorcycle accident within three years from the date of the accident.
If you file a personal injury claim after the three-year period, your claim will likely be disallowed. However, there are several exceptions to this legal schedule. For instance, your claim can be accepted after three years if the party responsible for the injury moves out of the state for one year or more before filing the claim.
If you can prove that you’ve been declared insane before this period elapses, or if the person filing the case is below 18 years of age, then you’re allowed to file your injury claim late.
What Kind of Personal Injury Claim Can I File with the Help of a Law Firm?
When you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, you must seek compensation for the personal damages you incur, especially if the other party is at fault. You can either agree with the other party to settle the case out of court or just file a lawsuit against the other driver.
The personal injury claim you file depends on the damage you’ve incurred. Two types of damages are likely to be injured in a motorbike crash: financial and non-financial. Financial damages are monetary losses incurred during and after a motorcycle accident, while non-financial damages are general damages that aren’t likely to affect you financially.
Examples of non-financial personal injury claims in a motorcycle accident include future pain, mental anguish, inability to socialize, physical and mental scars, disfigurement, diminishing quality of life, etc.
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you are entitled to claim additional personal compensations under the Wrongful Death Statutes, including grief, lost companionship and love, etc.
Examples of financial damages that you can include in your personal claim include current and future medical expenditures, motorbike repair and replacement costs, lost wages, inability to work and earn, and loss of valuable or irreplaceable items.
If the accident led to the death of a loved one, you’re entitled to claim personal compensation for burial and funeral expenditure and loss of personal services.
What Are the Different Types of Compensation for a Crash?
Compensation you may receive in winning your cases can include coverage of:
- In-patient medical bills, including the cost of medication
- Property damage
- Lost wages during recovery
- Funeral expenses, if the accident was fatal
What Are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
A motorcycle accident can result in life-long injuries and can leave the victim with emotional trauma, which often takes years to overcome. Some of the most common types of injuries riders receive include head injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue injuries, road rash, and even death.
It’s advisable to seek immediate medical attention following a motorcycle accident, even if you feel fine, as you may be suffering from internal injuries. Next, you should contact a lawyer to help preserve crucial evidence from the scene that will come in handy when arguing your case in court and negotiating a settlement. The lawyer, who has a thorough understanding of South Carolina Law, will help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you or your loved one is involved in a motorcycle accident, you should contact a personal injury attorney in South Carolina to help you secure adequate compensation. Call us or reach out through our firm website, and you’ll be matched with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney who will walk with you every step of the process toward getting the compensation you deserve.
Learn How Our Attorneys Can Assist You
Motorcycle accidents can leave devastating injuries in their wake, causing untold emotional, financial, and personal devastation to families and individuals. If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash in South Carolina, contact us. We offer free evaluations, and we do not collect a fee unless we recover compensation for you. Contact the experienced South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at Strom Law Firm in Columbia at 803-252-4800 or online and find out if we can help you.
