Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Other drivers' negligence often causes motorcycle accidents. When motorists fail to operate their vehicles safely and cause a crash, they can be liable for damages.
Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Left-Turn Accidents: A collision is almost inevitable when a motorist turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist. Left-turn accidents are one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Motorists must always check their blind spots before changing lanes. If they fail to do so, they can collide with an unseen motorcyclist.
- Speeding: Speeding reduces a motorist’s ability to react to adverse road conditions and other vehicles. When motorists travel over the speed limit, they may be unable to stop to avoid a collision with a motorcyclist.
- Distracted Driving: When a motorist is engaged in any activity that takes their attention away from the road, they are considered to be driving while distracted. This can include talking on the phone, texting, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and more.
- Drunk Driving: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are overrepresented in drunk driving accidents. When a drunk driver causes a motorcycle accident, they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcyclists do not have the same protections as passengers in passenger vehicles. As a result, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries in an accident.
Some common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Head Injuries: Motorcyclists who are not wearing a helmet are at a higher risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a crash. TBIs can cause long-term or permanent impairments and disabilities.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a motorcycle accident can cause motorcyclists to suffer broken bones in their arms, legs, and other body parts.
- Road Rash: Motorcyclists who are thrown from their bikes and skid across the pavement can suffer road rash. This painful condition occurs when the skin is scraped or torn away.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: The force of a motorcycle accident can cause motorcyclists to suffer spinal cord injuries. Depending on the severity of the damage, these injuries can cause long-term or permanent impairments.
- Soft tissue injuries: These injuries often involve damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They can be very painful and may require extensive medical treatment.
- Internal Injuries: Motorcyclists who are involved in an accident can suffer serious internal injuries. These injuries may not be immediately apparent, so it is essential to seek medical attention immediately.
Motorcycle accident injuries can require extensive medical treatment and long periods of rehabilitation. Victims sometimes cannot return to work and earn a living. Our Hilton Head motorcycle accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
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Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, the insurance company may contact you and offer a settlement. It is important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side. They want to protect their bottom line and will do everything they can to minimize your claim.
Before accepting a settlement offer, speaking to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Hilton Head is in your best interest. At Bauer & Metro, P.C., we can help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our lawyers can thoroughly investigate the accident and gather the evidence needed to prove liability.
Understanding Available Damages After a Motorcycle Accident
We can help you pursue compensation for the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
Our lawyers will take your case to court if the insurance company refuses a fair settlement. We have extensive trial experience and are unafraid to take on large insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
What is the Statute of Limitations For Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina?
After a motorcycle accident, it's crucial to take prompt legal action to protect your rights. Like most states, South Carolina has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which sets a deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries.
In addition to the legal time limits, early action allows your lawyer to gather key evidence while it’s still fresh. Accident scenes, witness memories, and medical records can be critical to proving liability and damages. Delaying your case can jeopardize your ability to collect important evidence, so it’s essential to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after an accident. At Bauer & Metro, P.C., we work quickly to ensure your case is handled with the urgency and care it deserves.
How to Prove Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident
In legal terms, negligence has four key elements that must be established:
Duty of Care
You will need to show that the other driver owed you a duty to manage their car safely and follow traffic laws.
Breach of Duty
Indicate that the driver failed to meet this duty. Examples include speeding, running a red light, distracted driving, or failing to yield.
Causation
You need to prove a direct link between the driver’s breach of duty and your accident. This includes showing that their actions directly caused your injuries.
Damages
Provide evidence of the harm you suffered, like medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, or long-term disability.
FAQs About Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina
What should I do after a motorcycle accident?
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for a motorcycle accident?
Do I need a motorcycle accident lawyer after a crash?
Does not wearing a helmet affect a motorcycle accident claim in South Carolina?
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Contact our Hilton Head motorcycle accident attorney today and protect your right to fair compensation!
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Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Hilton Head Today
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, it's crucial to have an experienced attorney by your side. At Bauer & Metro, P.C., we are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you're entitled to. Our team has the experience and resources to handle even the most challenging cases.
Contact Bauer & Metro, P.C. today for a free consultation with our Hilton Head motorcycle accident attorney! We are here to provide the legal support and guidance you need to get the justice you deserve.
