ClickCease

Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer

Call Our Team Of Experienced Lawyers Today

In a collision, motorcyclists are four times more likely to be injured and 28 times more likely to die than passenger car occupants.

But the bad news doesn’t end there –  investigations are often conducted without the biker getting the opportunity to explain what happened to police officers and emergency personnel. This means the motorcyclist is often marked as being at fault in the wreck when they did nothing wrong, and the other driver’s insurance company often refuses to pay for the motorcyclist’s injuries.

If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle wreck, you need an experienced Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer to deal with the insurance companies and any personal injuries you’ve sustained in order to ensure you get everything you’re entitled to under South Carolina law.

greenville motorcycle accident lawyer

Motorcycle accident statistics

Alarming statistics about local motorcycle accidents can be found in the South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book. These stats, in particular, illustrate the devastation of local motorcycle crashes:

  • In 2019, motorcycle accidents accounted for 125 of 927 total traffic collision fatalities in South Carolina.
  • In addition to these fatalities, 451 South Carolina motorcycle collisions in 2019 involved serious injuries.
  • A total of 2,041 motorcycle collisions occurred in South Carolina in 2019.
  • In over half of South Carolina motorcycle collisions, helmets are not used. This makes serious injuries or fatalities far more likely.
  • In 62 percent of multi-vehicle accidents, South Carolina motorcyclists are not responsible for the collision.

What are South Carolina motorcycle laws?

South Carolina promotes motorcycle safety through detailed legislation targeting motorcyclists and other motorists. These are highlighted in Section 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Noteworthy requirements are detailed below:

  • Motorcyclists and their passengers can only ride while sitting on permanent seats.
  • Helmets are required for minors who operate motorcycles, but they are not mandated after motorcyclists reach 21 years of age.
  • Those under 21 must also wear goggles or face shields while operating motorcycles.
  • Motorcycles should not be operated while carrying items or packages that prevent using handlebars with both hands.
  • Riders or motorcycles should never be attached to other vehicles.

Additionally, South Carolina motorcyclists are expected to abide by other road rules, such as speed limits and rules regarding blood alcohol content.

What are steps to take after being in a crash?

The steps you take in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash can greatly affect your potential personal injury case. To protect your right to compensation, the Smith Jordan team recommends the following steps.

1. Get to a safer location

Staying on the road as a motorcyclist can put you at risk of further harm. If you’re able to, move yourself and your bike away from traffic, such as the shoulder of the road or a nearby parking lot.

2. Keep on your safety gear

Don’t remove your helmet or other safety gear until the police arrive. Keeping your helmet on can protect you from additional injuries and prevent other drivers from claiming that your injuries were caused by a lack of a helmet.

3. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance

It’s wise to call 911 even if you don’t feel injured. The responding police officer can provide details about your accident in an official report. Additionally, EMS professionals may be able to identify hidden injuries and ensure that you receive prompt care.

4. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer

When speaking with the police officer, remain calm and provide a factual account of how the accident unfolded. Avoid admitting fault or blaming others; simply explain your version of the events in a straightforward manner.

5. Gather evidence at the scene

Taking photos of the accident scene, damage to vehicles, and your injuries can help bolster your case. You should also get contact information from any bystanders who witnessed the accident.

6. Notify your insurance company

You are required to notify your insurance company of the accident. However, you should avoid discussing fault and wait to speak with an attorney before offering a recorded statement.

7. Visit urgent care or your primary care physician

If you weren’t transported to the hospital at the accident scene, you should still seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t manifest immediately, and a physician can promptly identify them, which establishes a link between the motorcycle accident and your injuries.

8. Meet with a motorcycle accident attorney to understand your legal options

A Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a case and advise you on the best way to pursue compensation. If you decide to move forward with a claim, they can guide you through the process.

Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer

What are common causes of motorcycle accidents?

In many cases, motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers. Examples include:

  • Failure to yield to the right-of-way
  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Speeding
  • Tailgating
  • Failing to signal lane changes or turns
  • Failing to check blind spots

Road conditions such as potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris can also contribute to motorcycle accidents. Faulty bike parts or inadequate maintenance can also lead to accidents in some instances.

What are common motorcycle accident injuries?

Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable to a variety of injuries. Severity depends greatly on the other vehicles involved in the accident, plus circumstances such as speed or road conditions. The following injuries are especially common:

  • Abrasions also known as road rash
  • Broken bones, including arms and legs
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Burns from fires or exposure to chemicals
  • ACL or MCL tears
  • Spinal cord injuries

Make sure you file a claim on time

If you’ve suffered any of the above injuries in a motorcycle accident, you have limited time to file a claim for compensation. Most personal injury claims in South Carolina are subject to a strict three-year deadline, known as the statute of limitations.

In most cases, the clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. If you fail to file your claim before the statute of limitations expires, you may be unable to seek compensation for your injuries. By consulting a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after the crash, you can ensure that you have plenty of time to build a strong case.

What are possible damages you can claim?

The main goal of a Greenville motorcycle accident claim is to recover compensation for the losses you sustained as a result of the other party’s negligence. Known as damages in legal speak, these losses may include economic damages, non-economic damages, or punitive damages.

Economic damages

Any damages that have a quantifiable monetary value should be categorized as economic damages. Examples of this type of financial loss may include medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity.

Non-economic damages

Less tangible losses — or the non-financial impacts of the injury on the victim’s life — are generally categorized as non-economic damages. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are a few of the most common examples of these damages.

Punitive damages

In some cases, the court may award punitive damages. This type of compensation is intended to punish particularly egregious misconduct on the part of the negligent party. These damages are rarely awarded, but when they are, they can add up to a substantial amount.

What parties may be liable for your injury?

Before our team can start pursuing compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries, we must identify the liable parties. Depending on the circumstances of your case, parties may include:

  • The driver(s) of one or more other vehicles
  • Employers, in certain cases involving commercial vehicles
  • The motorcycle or parts manufacturers
  • Government entities responsible for road maintenance

In some cases, multiple parties may be liable. Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers will explore every potential avenue of compensation on your behalf to maximize your odds of obtaining fair compensation.

How our Greenville attorneys prove negligence

After we’ve determined who may be liable for your accident, our attorneys must prove that they acted negligently. This requires us to show that the liable parties owed you a duty of care, that they breached this duty, and that their actions were responsible for your injuries.

To do this, we’ll review and compile a variety of evidence. This may include police reports, medical records, photographs of the accident scene, surveillance footage, witness statements, maintenance records, and more.

We fight the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation

Insurance companies are often quick to blame motorcyclists for their accidents, even when the motorcyclist wasn’t at fault. Our attorneys don’t let insurance companies get away with this behavior.

At Smith Jordan, we don’t just seek adequate compensation for motorcycle accident victims — we strive for maximum compensation. This means a comprehensive settlement or award that accounts for the full extent of the damages you suffered.

What are common motorcycle accident injuries?

Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to injury, and the following are especially common:

  • Skin abrasions, also known as road rash
  • Broken bones
  • Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Ligament tears

These injuries may have lasting impacts on the victim’s life, with long-term disability and chronic pain often resulting.

“Dos” and “don’ts” of dealing with insurance after a crash

Our personal injury lawyers in Greenville, SC will be responsible for communicating with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. However, the insurer may still attempt to contact you directly. If this happens, be sure to keep the following guidance in mind.

Do:

  • Stay calm and respectful.
  • Refer all questions and requests to your attorney.
  • Keep a record of all correspondence with the insurance company.

Don’t:

  • Sign any documents or accept a settlement offer without consulting your attorney.
  • Agree to give a recorded statement to the insurance company.
  • Speculate about what happened or admit fault for the accident.

When in doubt about the insurance company’s motives, contact your lawyer. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

What is the cost of hiring a Grenville motorcycle accident attorney?

You’re dealing with enough stress after a motorcycle accident. You don’t need to worry about the cost of representation when you hire Smith Jordan Attorneys at Law. Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers offer free, no-obligation consultations for prospective clients.

We also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you’ll pay nothing until we have successfully recovered compensation on your behalf. You’ll only pay a fee if we win, and that fee is taken from the compensation amount rather than your pocket.

Why work with Smith Jordan Attorneys at Law

As you seek a motorcycle accident lawyer in Greenville, SC or Easley, SC, look no further than Smith Jordan. Boasting a strong reputation throughout South Carolina, our team fights passionately on behalf of the state’s equally passionate motorcyclists.

At Smith Jordan, we strongly believe that you should be able to ride without fear on South Carolina roads. When negligence gets in the way, we’ll help you fight back. Call us today.

Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer is ready to help

If you’ve suffered any of the injuries described above as a result of a motorcycle accident, you face a long recovery process — and alarming medical bills. Relief may be within reach if you work with a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer.

Your attorney can guide you through the complications of local insurance claims. Additionally, your lawyer will act as a strong advocate as you seek to hold negligent drivers accountable.

With targeted representation and a proactive approach, it may be possible to obtain compensation for medical bills and lost wages. Lawyers also fight to ensure that motorcycle accident victims secure damages for pain and suffering. Contact us today at (864) 343-2222 to get started.

Do you have a legal question? Not sure what your next step is?

Let us help you! Call Us: 864.343.2222

Available 24 Hours
es_MXSpanish