Motorcycle accidents are an unfortunate cause of death and injury on the road in South Carolina and across the nation. Negligent motorists, hazardous road conditions, and defective equipment are all causes of motorcycle accidents. When you or a loved one falls victim to an accident, things change in the blink of an eye. A motorcycle crash can wreak havoc on you or your family’s emotional, physical, and mental health.
After a motorcycle accident, you may have many questions such as:
Should I get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident?
It is a good idea to consult a legal professional in most motorcycle accident cases. Minor accidents that are entirely the driver’s fault and involve no other parties, such as when a biker collides with a tree on their own property, may not need the help of a lawyer. However, in the scope of motorcycle accidents, these situations are rare.
Any time that an accident occurs as a result of hazardous road conditions, unsafe or unclear signage, or faulty traffic signals, a lawyer should assist with the case. Similarly, when accidents involve other parties, injuries, or damage to vehicles or property, it is wise to consult an attorney who has worked with motorcycle accident cases before.
Chappell, Chappell and Newman. is here to help with our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys. Our attorneys know how to build your motorcycle case and pursue justice for your injuries, pain, and suffering.
How long does a motorcycle accident lawsuit take?
Each client’s lawsuit is different, just like each client’s injuries are different. There is no universal answer to this question. The attorneys at Chappell, Chappell and Newman understand that motorcycle accidents often cause significant injuries, and we will investigate and litigate each client’s case according to the facts and injuries.
How long do you have to contact a lawyer after an accident?
You may contact a lawyer at any time after the accident, but be aware that the statute of limitations places a time limit on your ability to make a claim for the incident. In South Carolina, the limitation period is three years if your accident was caused by a private individual or entity, and two years if the collision was caused by governmental entities. It is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after the event so that critical evidence and details can be preserved.
What should you do after a motorcycle accident?
After a motorcycle accident, your first priority should be to seek any necessary medical attention. Second, you can begin to document the incident by taking photos and recounting information as much detail as you can remember. Third, it is also worthwhile to begin reviewing and consulting lawyers who could assist with your case.
Who’s at fault in a motorcycle accident?
Just because motorcycles are more commonly involved in accidents than cars does not mean that the motorcyclist is at fault. Each accident is judged on its individual facts. Often there are multiple causes of a single motorcycle crash. All motorists should keep a proper lookout, maintain a safe distance, and follow the posted speed limits.
Failure to follow the rules of the road can cause motorcycle accidents. Road conditions, such as potholes or bumps in the road can also cause motorcycle accidents. Moreover, a rider’s injuries can be aggravated if safety equipment malfunctions or is otherwise defective. The attorneys at Chappell, Chappell and Newman could investigate and pursue recovery from any parties that may have contributed to a motorcycle accident.
What happens when you get hit by a motorcycle?
A motorcyclist or another party can be injured when a collision occurs between a motorcycle and another vehicle or a pedestrian. Determining who is at fault can be a challenge, but it is important to remember that contrary to popular belief, pedestrians or other vehicles do not always have the right of way. As with any accident, documenting as much detail as you can remember as soon after the incident as possible is critical.
We understand just how challenging a motorcycle crash can be, both for you and your family. That’s why we provide quality legal services to help you protect your rights and advocate for the compensation you deserve. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you to:
- Build the strongest possible motorcycle accident case
- Pursue compensation for your damages such as medical expenses or lost wages or job income
- Establish negligence to hold responsible parties accountable
- Advocate for you and your family
- Restore your future by providing legal support you can count on
We fight for clients suffering from a range of injuries caused by their accident, including amputations, burn injuries, neck and back injuries, severe internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
Our attorneys can pursue justice against individuals, businesses, corporations, government, or others.
5 Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips For May, Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
With May serving as the gateway from spring to summer, far more motorcyclists are hitting the roads, taking advantage of the warming weather. That’s one of the main reasons that transportation safety authorities across the nation have designated May as National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
Looking to spread the word about riding safety and help prevent motorcycle crashes, authorities promoting this campaign are urging all travelers to share the road and remember that riders “have all the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle driver on the roadway.”
To back this effort, we are sharing some important riding safety tips that can help motorcyclists minimize their risk of accidents and injuries. While we invite you to share these safety tips with your fellow motorcycle riding enthusiasts, don’t hesitate to contact to a Columbia SC personal injury attorney at Chappell, Chappell and Newman. Attorneys at Law if you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle accident and you need answers about your recovery options.
- Always wear a DOT-approved safety helmet and other protective gear – If you get into a crash, wearing a DOT-approved safety helmet can reduce your risk of a catastrophic (if not fatal) head injury by nearly 50 percent. Similarly, other protective gear – like riding gloves, boots and jackets – can be crucial to protecting you in the event of a wreck.
- Make yourself as visible & predictable as possible when riding – This means trying to stay out of other motorists’ blind spots whenever possible and to always follow traffic laws so that other drivers’ can generally predict where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing next. This safety tips also involves wearing reflective gear when riding at night, in the fog or in other low-visibility conditions in order to make yourself as visible as possible to others sharing the road with you.
- Never ride if you are drunk, really tired or not ready to focus on the road – Riding when drunk, exhausted and/or distracted can all significantly compromise your ability to safely operate a motorcycle. That’s because any of these conditions can impair your perception, coordination and reaction times, substantially increasing your risk of crashing. In fact, transportation safety officials have found that, at BACs at 0.08 (the legal limit), motorists’ crash risk quadruples (at the very least). So, don’t ride if you aren’t sober, rested and ready to focus.
- Know & properly maintain your motorcycle – If you don’t know how to handle your bike (or how sensitive your bike is when it comes to braking or making other maneuvers), it’s going to be much more difficult for you to safely handle it. Similarly, if your motorcycle isn’t properly maintained the risk of an equipment failure can skyrocket, again increasing your crash risk. So make sure you are familiar with your motorcycle – and that you take care of – so that you and your bike are prepared for safe roadway operations.
- Always ride defensively – Or, put another way, don’t expect other motorists on the road to look out for you, to comply with traffic laws, to yield you the right-of-way, etc. If you are anticipating drivers to make unsafe or illegal maneuvers, you can stay prepared for potentially risky situations and immediately react to limit your crash risk.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today At Chappell, Chappell and Newman.
If you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact Chappell, Chappell and Newman. To begin, call our firm or contact us online to set up a free, fully confidential consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney today.
We have been serving clients for decades and can provide the legal experience you need to pursue justice. While compensation for your injuries may not solve everything, it can greatly ease your financial burden and help you heal.
From our office locations throughout South Carolina, our attorneys are proud to provide top-notch legal care and service for injured people and families.