Hitting the road on your motorcycle is a thrilling experience. Unfortunately, that thrill comes at a cost for many bikers. Motorcyclists have very little protection when they are on the road. With little more than a helmet, and sometimes not even that, bikers are very vulnerable, particularly when a larger vehicle crashes into them. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash, do not go through the claims process alone. Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers will work tirelessly to represent your best interests and help you obtain the full compensation you deserve.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Greenville?
It may seem as though motorcycle accidents are an inherent risk of riding. This is not true, though.
The majority of motorcycle accidents are entirely preventable and they only happen because others are negligent when they are on the road. That negligence results in many injuries to bikers. The most common causes of crashes involving motorcyclists are as follows:
- Distracted driving: Texting while driving is illegal in South Carolina, but this is not the only distraction drivers in Greenville face. Eating, drinking, helping children in the back seat, and loud music are just a few distractions that prevent drivers from paying full attention to the road.
- Aggressive driving: Many motorists do not believe that bikers have the same rights on the road even though they do. They may drive aggressively around motorcyclists, such as following them too closely, cutting them off, and speeding around bikes.
- Improper lane changes: When drivers change lanes, they check their blind spots to ensure the path is clear and there are no vehicles beside them. Unfortunately, motorists may fail to see a motorcycle, which is much smaller than other vehicles. They then make the lane change, crashing into the bike.
- Left turns: Drivers who make left turns pose a significant threat to approaching motorcycles. Like when changing lanes, drivers may look ahead to ensure they can turn safely and fail to see a motorcycle. As the biker makes their way through the intersection and the driver turns left at the same time, it results in a very serious motorcycle accident.
- Defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts: It is not always negligent drivers who cause motorcycle accidents. Manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure the products they manufacture do not contain any defects or flaws. When a manufacturer of a motorcycle or motorcycle part releases a defective product, they can be held liable.
Damages Available After a Motorcycle Accident
Our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers can help you obtain many different types of compensation after a crash. The most common of these include:
- The cost of your current and future medical bills and medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the same line of work in the future
- The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages, if you have lost a loved one during the crash
- Punitive damages, if the negligent party acted egregiously
Motorcycle Laws in Greenville
There are a number of motorcycle laws in Greenville that are meant to ensure bikes are operated safely throughout the state. South Carolina does not have a universal helmet law. Instead, only people under the age of 21 are required to wear a motorcycle helmet. Still, it is recommended that all riders wear a motorcycle helmet to protect them from serious injuries.
Many drivers think that after a motorcycle accident, they can use the lack of a helmet as a defense.
They may argue that if the biker had been wearing a helmet, they could have mitigated their injuries.
Even if this is true, it does not serve as a defense in motorcycle accident cases. Due to the fact that motorcyclists are not required to wear a helmet in the state, the fact that they do not cannot be used against them in a legal case.
Other important motorcycle laws are as follows:
- Like other vehicles, all motorcycles in the state must have a license plate.
- All motorcycles should be equipped with proper lighting.
- Riders must face forward with one leg on each side.
- Riders cannot carry anything in their hands that prevents them from placing both hands on the handlebars.
- Motorcycles are entitled to the full use of a lane, but lane splitting is not allowed.
It is important that all riders understand and comply with the motorcycle laws in the state. When the laws are not followed, a motorcyclist may be held partially liable for a crash.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Again, due to the fact that motorcyclists have such little protection on the road, they suffer some of the most serious injuries. The most common of these are as follows:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
- Burns
- Facial trauma
Important Evidence in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Unfortunately, you cannot simply state that another person was negligent and that you suffered serious injuries as a result. You need strong evidence to prove your claim and the most common types include:
- The driver’s information such as their name, contact information, and insurance information
- Information regarding the vehicles involved including the make, model, license plate number, and color
- Information regarding the location of the accident, including potholes, road conditions, traffic lights, and road signs
- Photographs and video footage of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries
When to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim
The statute of limitations, or time limit, on motorcycle accident claims in South Carolina is three years from the date of the crash. If you do not file your claim within this time, you will likely be barred from receiving any compensation at all. There are some exceptions to the law, but they are very limited. It is always recommended that after any crash, you speak to a Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Before filing your claim, your attorney will need to investigate the accident, collect evidence, and perform other tasks necessary to build you a strong case.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Greenville for a Free Consultation
At McCravy, Newlon, Sturkie, & Clardy, our Greenville motorcycle accident lawyers understand that you will suffer serious physical injuries after a crash, as well as emotional trauma. We are dedicated to helping accident victims obtain the full compensation they deserve, and we will put our expertise to work for you, too. Call us now at 866-MCCRAVY or contact us online to schedule a free review of your case and to get the sound legal advice you need.