South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney

How a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Aid You

The Goldwater Law Firm has been helping the injured for more than 20 years. Throughout our time serving, our primary goal has been our clients’ need for results. We know you’re scared, angry, and probably experiencing the hardest challenges of your life. On top of that, you have family and loved ones counting on you, which only adds pressure.

All of these factors inspire us to go further for clients so that they have the tools and resources they need to feel better. When we connect you with a South Carolina personal injury lawyer, they will proceed with the end in mind: getting the compensation you’re entitled to obtain. In doing so, they will perform these functions:

Gathering Evidence of the Motorcycle Crash and Your Injuries

Think of evidence as the foundation of your motorcycle accident claim. It will tell the story of what happened and how it has affected your life. The evidence your personal injury attorney may collect could include:

• The police report
• The damaged motorcycle and other involved vehicle(s)
• Pictures of the collision scene and visible injuries
• Traffic camera footage or other available videos
• Your medical records
• Eyewitness accounts
• Testimony from specialists and industry experts, like accident reconstruction specialists, physicians, and engineers

Write down what you remember from the crash, too. Your testimony is valuable, and it gives the opposing side insight into your experience then and now.

Managing Communication With the Insurance Company

If the insurance company calls you after the motorcycle accident in South Carolina, just give them your accident attorney’s contact information, and they’ll take all communication with them from there. You shouldn’t be preoccupied with handling correspondence with the insurer while recovering, as the stress and time you put in may only prolong it.

In addition, insurance companies sometimes use specific tactics to protect their bottom line. For instance, if they ask you how you’re doing and you say you’re doing well, they may assert that since you’re okay, it’s unnecessary for them to pay out your claim. Our network’s South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys are familiar with their ways and will safeguard your rights.

For decades, corporate greed and irresponsibility were left unchecked, and injured individuals lost money while the responsible parties got away scot-free. We refuse to allow injury victims to be further victimized by questionable insurance companies and corporations out to save their profit margins.

Settling Your Case During Negotiations or Civil Trial

After your South Carolina motorcycle wreck attorneys build a compelling case, they will submit it to the insurance company and demand a settlement. Initially, insurance companies don’t typically cooperate and will offer a lowball amount. The two sides can then negotiate until they reach an agreement.

However, if that’s not possible, they can take the case to court. Note that this route is atypical, but our law firm partners are ready to make this move if necessary.

Common Recoverable Losses in a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Case

Motorcycle riders suffer from all kinds of injuries in a crash, and they can all wreak havoc on their quality of life. As a victim of this type of accident, you may be entitled to go after compensation for your losses. It’s difficult to say how much you qualify for without reviewing your case first. When a South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer assesses your case, they may consider these factors:

• The extent of your injuries
• What your medical care entails
• Your new work situation
• How your family is dealing with the consequences of the crash
• How you’re doing emotionally and physically
• Your options for transportation

Generally, the more severe your injuries are and the more medical care you require, the more money you can request from the other party. The forms of compensation motorcycle accident victims can recoup vary, but they typically cover the following:

• Past and anticipated medical care costs
• Past income loss
• Future loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Property damage expenses
• Mental anguish

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), 161 motorcyclists died in accidents in the state in 2021. If this was how you lost your loved one, a South Carolina wrongful death lawyer can represent the surviving family members and request compensation on their behalf. This coverage may account for funeral and medical costs and the loss of support, companionship, and benefits.

You Don’t Have Forever to Seek Motorcycle Accident Damages in South Carolina

Don’t wait to contact us after a motorcycle collision in South Carolina. There’s only so much time to take legal action. In general, you have three years from the day of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, per S.C. Ann. Code § 15-3-530. If you’re suing for wrongful death, you’ll usually have three years from the day the decedent died to file suit.

If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to seek compensation from the liable party, which would make you responsible for covering your financial losses.

Call The Goldwater Law Firm today to get started. If your motorcycle accident lawyers have enough notice, they can work on your case immediately so that you can comply with the deadline.

A South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Name What Caused the Crash

Multiple factors could have contributed to your South Carolina motorcycle accident, some of which may include:

• Speeding
• Disregard for motorcyclists
• Opening the car door without checking for oncoming vehicles
• Distracted driving
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Impaired driving
• Running a traffic stop light or sign
• Fatigued driving
• Unsafe lane change

You’ll notice that all these causes stem from driver error. However, sometimes, that’s not always the cause. Maybe the other vehicle involved had a defect, like faulty brakes, and the driver was unable to come to a complete stop. Perhaps the local government failed to warn everyone about a dangerous road condition.

Whatever the case, a South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney will identify the at-fault party who caused the crash. Sometimes, there may be more than one party, and your attorney will seek compensation from all of them. You may qualify for financial recovery as long as your attorney can prove the parties owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused a motorcycle accident and your injuries.

Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in South Carolina

What you do after a motorcycle accident can affect your health and the strength of your legal case. Complete these steps to ensure you’re on track physically, emotionally, and financially.

• Get out of the way of oncoming traffic if you can.
• Call law enforcement.
• Accept medical attention if the paramedics have arrived.
• If no one calls 911, call them yourself or go to the hospital.
• Document the motorcycle crash scene by taking pictures of it, as well as your apparent injuries.
• Exchange contact information with the other party.
• Consider getting legal help from a personal injury law firm.

Once the situation and your condition have stabilized, keeping that momentum going is essential. As such, continue with your medical care. Take your medicine and attend all your appointments. Doing so will help ensure you’re on the road to recovery, as well as show the insurance company that the crash was a direct cause of your injuries. This will give them less of a reason to dispute your case.

A South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer can guide you on the next steps and consistently check in with you.