If you or a loved one have been injured or have suffered a severe loss from a motorcycle accident in Easley, South Carolina, the accident attorneys with Smith Jordan Law are available to discuss the details of your case. Our skilled Easley personal injury lawyer is prepared to defend your legal rights and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
People often call motorcycle accident attorneys at their worst times, after being severely injured in a car crash or after losing a loved one to another driver’s negligence. A confident and compassionate law firm should offer free case evaluations to discuss the details of the accident.
Your attorney should work on a contingency fee basis where any fees they receive would come from the settlement amount they fought for you to receive.
The term accident means that the event was not foreseen or expected. However, in many cases, the crash could have been prevented with a small ounce of prevention. Drivers of larger vehicles often tend to be dismissive towards motorcyclists, not driving cautiously in their surroundings.
Distracted or intoxicated drivers can cause severe harm to a motorcyclist they are sharing the roadways with. Local dram shops (any commercial venue that sells alcohol, such as clubs or bars) that over-serve their customers can also cause severe harm to a motorcyclist who has to share the road with their intoxicated customers.
Motorcycle collisions are often more serious than automobile accidents due to their open design, unlike enclosed vehicles, which create a lack of protection for the rider. In addition, the motorcycle’s lower mass and lack of safety mechanisms, such as airbags, cause a further likelihood of injury.
Motorcycle accidents occur every day from a variety of causes in Easley, SC. Safety on South Carolina roadways is of utmost importance.
Lane-change accidents can be the fault of the other driver or the motorcyclist. Some of the common causes of this type of accident include:
Motorcycle crashes occur often at intersections. Knowing who has the right-of-way and paying attention to other vehicles when entering and exiting intersections is crucial. Intersections with multiple left or right turn lanes create vulnerability to motorcyclists.
The low profile of motorcycles can create difficulty for drivers to notice them in their blind spots easily. If a driver fails to check their blind spots or do so too quickly, they can hit the motorcyclist or cause them to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the road, both of which can result in devastation for the motorcyclist.
Vehicles that have come to a complete stop at an intersection and are waiting for a green light to turn left can be hazardous to oncoming motorcyclists. If a driver does not check traffic from the other side, they may turn left directly in the path of a motorcycle approaching straight through the intersection.
Corner turns can be especially dangerous due to the debris that collects in the road, which creates a slick surface that can cause motorcyclists to lose control. Entering a corner can be hazardous for a motorcycle, especially if it enters the corner at a high speed. Paying attention to road signs and familiarizing yourself with how to recognize upcoming sharp turns can protect all drivers.
Drivers of larger vehicles attempting to pass another vehicle often miss the low profile of motorcyclists in the oncoming lane. A motorcyclist has limited time to swerve out of the way of an oncoming vehicle. In these types of crashes, swerving off the road to avoid a head-on collision can be just as fatal.
Rear-end collisions can occur at intersections or if a driver is traveling too closely behind a motorcyclist. If a motorcycle rider is at a stop light or sign, the impact of a rear-end accident leaves them incredibly vulnerable to severe injuries. The lack of vehicle protection can cause a rider to be sent flying off their motorcycle into further danger of oncoming traffic.
The attorneys at Smith Jordan Law understand the difficulty you are currently facing, and you matter to us. Our law firm has decades of combined legal experience handling insurance companies and courts to help our clients seek the highest possible compensation for their injuries. We work tirelessly to help our clients recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
Being involved in a motorcycle crash is overwhelming and disorienting, but it’s important to remain calm and follow these steps to prevent yourself from further injury.
Your main focus is moving yourself to a safe location, moving out of the way of oncoming traffic. Leave your motorcycle in the position of the crash. Attempting to move your bike could worsen your injuries.
Check yourself for any visible injuries. Keep all safety gear on, including your helmet. If you have minimal injuries, assess the well-being of anyone else involved in the crash.
It is crucial that you contact the authorities by calling 911. First responders will assist with injuries, and police will conduct an investigation. The official accident report can later help. Cooperate with law enforcement and give them accurate details of the accident.
If you are safely able to walk around, use your phone to take video or photographic evidence. Capture images of visible damage, any injuries, the position of the vehicles at the time of the accident, relevant signals or road signs, and the road conditions. If possible, you should get contact information for any witnesses of the crash.
You will want to report the crash to your insurance company as soon as you can. Share detailed information about the accident and provide any documentation you were able to obtain. This will help in streamlining the claims process.
Consulting with an Easley, SC motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial if the accident involves major injuries, a dispute with insurance companies, or significant damage to your property. An accident lawyer can protect your legal rights, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and help guide you through the legal process.
For most cases, South Carolina provides personal injury victims three years to file a claim. The clock begins ticking three years from the day the victim is injured. If the injury was due to the negligence of a government entity, a personal injury claim must be filed within two years.
An Easley, SC motorcycle accident attorney will help you seek economic and non-economic damages for your losses:
At Smith Jordan, we understand how traumatic motorcycle accidents can be, so we work tirelessly to ensure our clients recover full compensation for their injuries.
The following lists those who may be held liable for your motorcycle accident injuries:
Another driver could be held liable if they were driving distracted or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A manufacturer could be held liable for a crash if a defective part caused the accident.
Roadways that are clearly unkempt and unsafe are the responsibility of the government entity in charge of it.
The motor carrier’s agents, representatives, and officers could be liable for a crash involving a motor carrier.
Your Easley motorcycle accident lawyer will need to prove the following four elements in order for your claim to be successful.
Your attorney will prove that the responsible party had a duty of care for their fellow drivers.
The liable party breached their duty, which caused you damages.
Your attorney will prove direct causation between the breach and your damages.
Your motorcycle lawyer will prove the extent of your damages caused by the liable party.
Insurance companies will not offer a fair settlement without a fight. We will go up against them to ensure you receive the highest compensation possible.
Riders under the age of 21 are required to wear helmets with face shields or goggles.
South Carolina requires motorcyclists to carry insurance that meets the minimum state coverage.
Motorcycle injuries often include:
After a motorcycle accident, you will be contacted by an insurance adjuster. The following are some “dos” and “don’ts” of dealing with the insurance adjuster.
Provide them with accurate information to the best of your ability.
Answer simple questions such as name, date of birth, and license information.
If asked anything that may point blame towards you, refer them to your attorney immediately.
Do not provide more information than necessary. Do not create false details, and never accept blame.
You should avoid any posts involving the accident or your injuries.
If asked to provide a written or recorded statement, never do so without an attorney present.
Using the word accident makes it sound like the accident was avoidable and that no one was to blame. Use the word, collision or crash.
Smith Jordan cares for its clients, and our motorcycle attorneys are dedicated to getting you the compensation you rightfully deserve.
Call us today at (864) 343-2222, or contact us online via our secure online form.
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