Personal injury cases, especially motorcycle accidents, can be complicated and should be handled by a dedicated and skilled attorney. Obtaining legal representation from a skilled Charleston, South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney can give you the time you need to heal physically and emotionally while still ensuring that you will be able to receive just legal compensation for your losses, non-economic damages and financial damage. Whether you are on James Island, West Ashley, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, or downtown Charleston SC, contact us for a free, no obligation case review and consultation to begin taking legal action to commence with your personal injury lawsuit.
What to Expect from a Charleston Personal Injury Lawyer?
Being involved in a motorcycle accident and the accompanying serious injuries can be a terrifying experience, but the crash itself may be just the beginning. Those involved may suffer catastrophic injuries that require years of medical treatment and mounting medical costs. Motorcycle accident injury cases can be complex, involve accident reconstruction and questions about fault. It is extremely important to hire a skilled and aggressive Charleston motorcycle injury lawyer right away. In many cases, time is of the essence and an experienced attorney will immediately begin working on your case by:
- Your lawyer should see you in person, whether at the office, your home, or the hospital
- Gather evidence about the accident, how it happened, and who may be responsible
- Determine the party or parties who may be liable
- Figure out what your case is worth
- Negotiate with the liable parties, their attorneys, and the insurance company
- File a lawsuit if required
- Build a case for settlement or trial, depending on the case
MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS: WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES?
Every accident is unique each has its own particular set of facts and circumstances, but there are general common causes of most motorcycle accidents. Some of the most frequent causes of motorcycle involved accidents include:
UNSAFE LANE CHANGES
Motorcycles are smaller than passenger cars and trucks and sometimes other motorists loose them in a blind spot or fail to check at all. What could be a simple honk of the horn for another car could spell disaster for an unseen motorcyclist.
DISTRACTED DRIVERS
Like many auto accidents, distracted driving accounts for a significant percentage of motorcycle collisions. Distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating or drinking, interacting with others in the car, adjusting the radio, looking at a navigation system, or reaching for something.
OVERTAKING
Overtaking a motorcycle can often result in rear end collisions.
LANE-SPLITTING
This occurs when a motorcyclist operates between lanes, particularly in heavy traffic on the highway.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Bad road conditions and other road hazards are a fact of life in South Carolina. But potholes that may lead to flat tires in cars and trucks can lead to swerving, dismounting, or flying over the handlebars for motorcyclists.
CAR DOORS
Blindly opening a car door into the path of a motorcycle is bad for the car but oftentimes worse for the rider.
WEATHER
Riding in inclement weather can hinder visibility and traction and presents a hazard for any vehicle, particularly a motorcycle.
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication is a major cause of all accidents, including motorcycles.