Nothing beats the freedom of riding a motorcycle – especially in our region of South Carolina. The area is blessed with outstanding riding weather for most of the year. When you add those ideal riding conditions to the great terrain and attractions in and around Fort Mill, you can see why so many motorcyclists call the area home or come to visit the area each year.
Sadly, not everyone on the road appreciates or even acknowledges motorcycle riders. Many drivers seem to have a blind spot for two-wheel vehicles and may entirely disregard the rights of riders and their passengers. When this happens, terrible injuries and even fatalities can occur in motorcycle accidents.
At David Blackwell Law, we protect the rights of injured motorcyclists in Fort Mill and pursue compensation for the harm caused by negligent drivers. We believe in helping the right people for the right reasons. To discuss your motorcycle crash, contact our Fort Mill motorcycle accident lawyers today. We will review your case free of charge.
We serve clients across South Carolina, including Lancaster, Indian Land, and Rock Hill.
Compensation After a Fort Mill Motorcycle Accident
When someone injures you or damages your property, South Carolina law holds them accountable. But compensation isn’t automatic. You must take affirmative steps to protect your rights, or you could forever lose out on the ability to seek compensation for damages such as:
- Past medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress.
Other compensation may include punitive damages awards or money to compensate for permanent disfigurement or scarring. Contact David Blackwell Law to learn more about your specific rights.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes in Fort Mill
No two motorcycle crashes in Fort Mill are the same. Still, some common types tend to happen over and over again, including:
- Left turns in intersections – Drivers approach intersections expecting to see other large four-wheel vehicles approaching from the oncoming lanes. As the drivers get closer, they may turn left through the intersection, entirely ignoring or failing to see an oncoming motorcyclist.
- Rear-end crashes – When a car rear-ends another car, it can be serious. If the impact occurs at a low speed, occupants may escape with minor injuries. However, when a car strikes the back of a motorcycle, even at low speed, it can cause the motorcyclist to get trapped, dragged or knocked off the bike.
- Cut-offs – When drivers pull into traffic without noticing a motorcycle, it can leave the rider with a terrible choice – crash at a high rate of speed or lay down the bike and risk severe burns, road rash, and possibly worse.
In all of these common motorcycle accident scenarios, a negligent car driver may be mostly if not entirely to blame for the crash. Sadly, alcohol and drug impairment, as well as distracted driving, account for a large portion of all motorcycle deaths and injuries. We know these statistics all too well at David Blackwell Law. We frequently must counsel clients who have lost loved ones due to the carelessness of others.
Injuries from Fort Mill Motorcycle Accidents
Different types of motor vehicle crashes tend to cause different types of injuries. For example, in rear-end collisions between cars, whiplash and back pain are common. Motorcycle collisions tend to result in the most serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Disfiguring injuries
- Open wounds and lacerations
- Open fractures
- Blood loss
- Head traumas
- Brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Amputations
- Death
Attorney David Blackwell and our dedicated legal team are here to help when you suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash due to another’s fault. However, don’t wait too long to contact us. Time may be limited for seeking compensation. You only have three years from the date of an accident to bring a lawsuit to protect your rights after a motorcycle crash in South Carolina. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you have only three years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death action.
South Carolina Motorcycle Laws
A number of laws are in place in South Carolina to protect motorcycle riders. Examples are:
- Helmets – Adults 21 and older have the freedom and the right to go without a helmet or eye protection. Those under 21 must have a helmet and eye protection. Eye protection is optional if the motorcycle has a windshield. Of course, as a practical matter, helmets save lives, so it is very wise to wear one even if not required.
- Lane-splitting – Under South Carolina law, it is illegal for any other vehicle on the road to deprive a motorcycle rider of the full use of his or her lane. In other words, motorcyclists have the right to use a lane the same as any car. The exception is motorcyclists can share a lane with each other.
- Insurance – You must carry a minimum of $25,000 of liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. You must also carry at least $25,000 in property damage coverage. However, it’s important to note that all of these coverages are designed to pay for other people who you hurt or whose property you damage. Therefore, it’s wise to carry additional optional benefits like medical payment coverage and uninsured and underinsured coverage. Consider what a serious injury could cost and ask yourself if you have enough insurance to pay the bills if the other driver is uninsured.
An Experienced Fort Mill Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help You Now
At David Blackwell Law, we consider ourselves fortunate to be able to work one-on-one with our clients and provide outstanding service for each and every person we serve. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Fort Mill, and you now face obstacles and challenges, contact our experienced Fort Mill personal injury lawyers, we will give you the attention and assertive legal representation that you deserve.
We work with motorcycle accident clients on a contingency fee basis. So, you will pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. To speak with an attorney today, call or reach us online and receive a free consultation.