Columbia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hitting the highway on your motorcycle can give you an exhilarating sense of freedom. Your motorcycle is mechanically sound, you wear protective gear, and you check weather reports before your ride. Sometimes it is not enough to take precautions when reckless drivers share the road with you.
If you are embroiled in a road accident through no fault of your own, a Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer could construct the best case possible. Your proactive personal injury attorney could use evidence to fight to recover compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial harm done to you.
Devastating Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Collisions
Motorcyclists are not protected when involved in road accidents like other motorists on the road. Therefore, the harm done when a vehicle smashes into them is usually catastrophic and often deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die than auto passengers involved in crashes.
Common injuries motorcyclists incur include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that can require a lifetime of rehabilitative care
- Spinal cord injuries that often lead to paralysis, rehabilitative care, and specially equipped housing and transportation
- Multiple broken bones
- Severe road rash to the point of disfigurement
- Sprained and torn muscles and ligaments
- Damage to internal organs
- Death
A compassionate attorney in Columbia understands that recovering from injuries after a motorcycle crash can be lengthy and expensive. Injured parties will need substantial financial support from reckless drivers that cause accidents and their insurance companies.
Proving Negligence after a Motorcycle Crash
Personal injury claims are fueled by negligence, which a plaintiff must prove before being awarded any damages. Some accidents are just that, and unless the elements of negligence are proven, the plaintiff may not be entitled to compensation.
For instance, a motorist driving cautiously who swerves to miss hitting a child darting into the street may not be liable if a parked motorcycle is hit and damaged while the motorist avoids the child. However, a drunk driver exceeding the speed limit is breaching the duty to drive safely if a motorcyclist is hit and injured when the motorist crashes into him.
If a knowledgeable lawyer could establish the motorist’s duty, breach, and that the breach caused an accident injuring a motorcyclist, they may recommend filing a negligence claim.
Statute of Limitations in Columbia
The Statute of Limitations is the amount of time South Carolina gives an injured motorcyclist to file a personal injury claim. It is in society’s interest to keep that timeline short because evidence and witnesses are harder to pin down as time passes, and people should not have the threat of lawsuits hanging over their heads indefinitely. Generally, the South Carolina Code of Laws Annotated Section 15-3-530 gives plaintiffs three years to file motorcycle accident claims. Talk to a well-versed attorney to discuss the specific circumstances of a motorcycle wreck case.
When the Reckless Motorist’s Insurance Company Presses for a Settlement
Insurance adjusters work in the best interests of the companies that ensure motorists and pay out claims if those motorists are in accidents. Motorcyclists should beware of sharing information with adjusters who will try to lay some blame on motorcyclists to reduce the claims their bosses will have to pay.
Experienced attorneys could work with individuals in the Columbia area who were hurt in a motorcycle accident to negotiate insurance settlements based on the evidence they collect.
Evidence as Proof of Negligence
When negotiating with insurance companies or gathering information after an accident, a motorcycling injury attorney will review many factors that lend credence to a negligence claim. Medical records, police reports, eyewitness accounts, photos, videos, and any other data contributing to how and why the motorcycle accident happened will be scrutinized.
Call a Columbia Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Help
If you are a vigilant motorcyclist, the benefits outweigh the problems that might ensue from owning and operating a motorcycle. Perhaps the biggest drawback is putting yourself at the mercy of motorists who might be careless.
If a negligent motorist crashes into you, a Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer could work tirelessly to get you the compensation you will need for extensive rehabilitation and property damage. Reach out today to schedule your initial consultation.
