Few things feel quite as freeing as riding a motorcycle on the roads of South Carolina. With that freedom, however, comes the potential for danger, especially at the hands of other drivers on the roads.
Motorcycle drivers do not have the same protection as drivers of motor vehicles or trucks, which have airbags and the vehicle cage to keep them safer in an accident. If a car strikes your motorcycle, it is possible that the vehicle driver will have minimal or no injuries, while you could suffer significant injuries.
For a free review of your case, contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, at (864) 582-1310. Our team is ready to work tirelessly on your behalf as soon as you hire us. We have seen the devastation a crash like this can have on you and your family. A Spartanburg motorcycle accident lawyer from our team is ready to help you receive a fair settlement.
Dangers of Driving a Motorcycle
Even though the majority of motorcycle riders operate their vehicles in a responsible and safe manner, the drivers with whom they share the road may not be as cautious. The negligence or recklessness of a motor vehicle operator could place the motorcyclist in danger through a devastating crash.
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), 117 fatal collisions involving motorcyclists occurred on the state’s roadways in 2017. Another 1,693 injury accidents involved a motorcyclist.
Determining Fault in a Crash
SCDPS says that in a little more than half of all motorcycle collisions in the state during 2017, the motorcyclist’s actions contributed at least partially to the cause of the accident. Motorcycle riders can play a role in the accident by violating any of South Carolina’s motorcycle laws, such as not keeping both hands on the handlebars or violating traffic laws.
In about 46% of accidents involving motorcycles, though, the cyclist’s actions were determined to play no role in the crash. This means the actions of another driver alone caused many crashes in which a motorcyclist was injured or killed.
In a case like this or in a case where the cyclist only played a partial role in the accident, the injured party has the right to bring a lawsuit against the negligent party, seeking compensation.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
For a cyclist who suffered an injury in a motorcycle crash with a negligent driver, filing a personal injury lawsuit is a possibility. In a personal injury lawsuit, you could recover damages for items including:
- Medical bills
- Surgery costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Physical therapy costs
- Awards for disfigurement
- Awards for disability
- Recovery of lost wages
- Awards for pain and suffering
Additionally, as the injured party, you may be able to recover the estimated costs of future medical bills and future earning power, should the accident leave you unable to continue working at the same level you did before the crash.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Should the other driver have struck your loved one’s motorcycle and caused a fatality, family members of the decedent have the right to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. Through this type of action, the surviving family members may attempt to recover damages for things like medical bills, lost wages, burial costs, and loss of companionship.
According to the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 15-51-20, those who may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit include:
- Spouse
- Children
- Parents
- Other heirs
We know how insurers attempt to treat victims and their families in these types of accidents. A Spartanburg motorcycle accident lawyer from our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, is ready to defend you against these tactics, helping you receive the fairest possible settlement. Call us today at (864) 582-1310 for a free consultation.
For a legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Spartanburg, call 828.286.3866
How an Attorney May Be Able to Help Your Case
When you hear from the negligent driver’s insurance company after a motorcycle crash in which you suffered an injury, the insurer may attempt to convince you that he or she has your best interests in mind and will work on your behalf to help you receive a quick settlement.
However, you should remember that the insurer is not working for you. He or she is working for the insurance company, where the primary goal is to wrap up the injury settlement as quickly as possible. This may or may not truly compensate you for your injuries, medical bills, and reduction in quality of life.
Job of the Personal Injury Lawyer
A motorcycle crash lawyer will perform a number of tasks on your behalf. Should you choose to hire an attorney, the attorney will be working for you, rather than for the insurance company, which means the attorney truly does have your best interests in mind.
Some of the ways in which an attorney may help with your case include:
- Studying police reports
- Studying medical reports
- Interviewing witnesses to the crash
- Interviewing law enforcement and doctors
- Reviewing video of the crash, if any is available
- Speaking with accident reconstruction experts
Through this information, the attorney can determine how the accident unfolded, using those facts to show how the negligence of the other driver played a role in the crash leading to your injuries.
The insurance company probably will attempt to show that you may have played a role in the accident, which could reduce your compensation. Your attorney will use facts to counteract this technique if possible, giving you the best chance to receive a satisfactory settlement.
Spartanburg Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 828.286.3866
We Will Work Hard to Potentially Help You Receive a Fair Settlement
A motorcycle accident often results in serious injuries to the cyclist and any passenger. Not only do you have to recover from the physical results of your injuries, but you also need to recover from the mental trauma you have suffered in the crash.
You may not feel like dealing with the insurance company for the driver who was at fault, yet the insurer continues to call you, trying to settle the case as quickly as possible. This is where a Spartanburg motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help.
Contact the team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, at (864) 582-1310. Once you hire us, we will be ready to negotiate with the insurer for you. Should the insurer refuse to come to a fair settlement, we will continue to stand by your side during a court trial.
Call or text 828.286.3866 or complete a Case Evaluation form