Greenville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Greenville, SC Ready To Serve You
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reported 2,041 traffic collisions involving a motorcycle in 2019.
If you or a loved one are one of the hundreds of South Carolina bikers dealing with severe injury or death after a motorcycle accident, the Peace Law Firm can help.
A South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney can help you negotiate with your insurance company. We will work with you to secure financial recovery to pay for medical care or repair your bike.
Our firm has been helping people deal with the aftermath of traffic accidents since 2002. Youโve likely found our firm because youโre trying to deal with injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one. Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer wants you to know that you can recover compensation to help in this traumatic time, and you donโt have to fight alone.
Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents
Collisions are possible any time we drive, but bikers are particularly vulnerable to injuries because bikes lack many safety features found in other vehicles. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Motorcycle Driverโs Manual classifies motorcycle drivers as vulnerable roadway users.
Many motorcycle accidents occur because another motorist negligently:
- Failed to check their blind spots;
- Drove while distracted by texting, using a cell phone, or talking to passengers;
- Drove under the influence of alcohol;
- Failed to recognize that motorcyclists have the same right to the road as passenger vehicles; or
- Drove dangerously or over the speed limit.
A negligent driver is responsible for the results of their behavior. The legal system can help you recover the cost of medical bills, repair bills, lost wages, and more.
Common Injuries
Itโs essential to seek medical care immediately after an accident, even if you donโt feel seriously injured. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like whiplash often take a few days to develop.
Immediately going to the doctor establishes that your injuries were attributable to the accident, regardless of when they present themselves. Some common injuries from motorcycle accidents include:
- Terminal brain injury,
- Facial injuries,
- Spinal injuries,
- Whiplash, or
- Bone fractures.
These and other injuries can subject you to expensive surgery, persistent pain, and emotional trauma. A Greenville, SC motorcycle accident lawyer can help you document the costs of your medical care, so you get properly compensated.
Available Compensation After a Greenville Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, your injury can keep you from returning to work or working. You might need physical therapy or an extended hospital stay. Under the law, an injured person may recover for economic and non-economic damages caused by someone elseโs negligent driving.
- Economic damagesโcosts with a definite amount, like medical bills, repair bills, or therapy costs.
- Non-Economic damagesโnon-quantifiable costs, like emotional trauma or pain and suffering.
In rare cases where the responsible driverโs behavior was especially egregious, you may receive an additional award as punitive damages.
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Motorcycle Laws
Under South Carolina law, every motorcycle driver has the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicle drivers. However, there are some exceptions.
For example, while a motorcycle has the same right to use an entire lane as a passenger vehicle, two motorcycles may legally share one lane. On the other hand, motorcycles may follow the โtwo-minute rule,โ which allows them to proceed through a red light if they wait for more than two minutes. There is no such rule for other vehicles.
South Carolinaโs Helmet Law
South Carolina requires motorcycle drivers under 21 to wear a helmet and face shield or goggles. Wearing a helmet will reduce your chances of death by 37% and head injury by 69%. Nonetheless, any driver or passenger injured by someoneโs negligent or reckless driving has a right to recover damages. This is true regardless of age or helmet usage.
Proving Negligence in a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident
To successfully recover compensation from another driver, you will need evidence of the other personโs negligence.
Every driver owes others on the road a duty to drive carefully. To prove negligence, youโll need to prove that the other driver breached that duty, that the breach caused the accident, that you were injured from the accident, and your injuries led to financial and other losses.
Your South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney will help you collect evidence of the driverโs reckless driving, like a police report. To prove your damages, youโll need copies of all of your medical and repair bills.
Q&A with an SC Motorcycle Injury Lawyer
The costs of a motorcycle accident can be substantial. In 2010, motorcycle crashes resulted in $16 billion in direct costs like emergency services and rehabilitation. Many people use the legal system to recover their costs after someone injures them. As a motorcycle accident law firm in South Carolina, we commonly hear these questions from injured clients.
What Happens When I Call an Attorney?
First, weโll listen to your story and make an initial assessment of your case. Next, weโll start building the case through investigations and evidence collection.
When you leave your first meeting, youโll know what records and documents you need to keep as evidence. After a thorough investigation, weโll start negotiating with the other side. Whether thatโs your insurance company or the other driver, weโll work to secure fair compensation for you.
If I Was Partially at Fault, Do I Have a Case?
Yes, South Carolina recognizes the doctrine of comparative fault. So long as your portion of responsibility is less than 51%, you can recover damages.
What Is a Wrongful Death Case?
If your loved one was killed as a result of someoneโs negligent driving, you might have a right to recover compensation for your losses and your loved oneโs medical bills and funeral costs.
The Peace Law Firm: Working for You As Your Greenville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
As a motorcycle driver, you understand the dangers of the road more than anyone. Whether the crash was completely unexpected or you are partially at fault, you have a right to recover after an accident.
A Greenville motorcycle accident attorney at the Peace Law Firm will help you collect evidence of the other partyโs negligence, including fault and damages. We wonโt let anyoneโs insurance company steamroll you, and we will work until you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
No one can replace the time you lost after a collision. When you contact the Peace Law Firm, weโll meet you with compassion and professionalism to help you get your life back on track.