A motorcycle accident can lead to severe injuries including spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, amputations, fractures and serious skin abrasions. There is a common belief that helmets can prevent all serious injuries in the event of a motorcycle collision, but while a helmet may save your life, it does not eliminate the possibility that your brain may be traumatized nonetheless due to the violent nature of a motor bike accident. If you have been injured either while motorcycling or driving, contact the Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about 18 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motorcycle accident and about three times more likely to be injured. Because they lack the physical protection of a car and are often difficult to see in the rearview mirror of a car or truck, motorcyclists are more susceptible to injuries from other vehicles on the road, debris from road construction and potholes, inclement weather and manufacturer defects.
South Carolina does have a helmet law, so riders under 21 must wear an approved helmet at all times when riding or driving a motorcycle. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety states that the number of people over the age of 35 killed on a motorcycle is trending upward and is overwhelmingly male.
Statewide, auto accidents are the most common cause of serious personal injuries, and alcohol is the most frequent cause of auto accidents. In 2003, 6 percent of alcohol-related crash fatalities were motorcyclists; 79 percent of those motorcyclists were not wearing a helmet.
While bike wrecks have occurred all over the state, some South Carolina highways are more dangerous than others. Interstate 85 is the most traveled and has more accidents, but some of the most dangerous roads in the state are two-lane undivided highways, including Highway 76, Highway 178, Highway 187 and Highway 8.
Joe Griffith Law Firm understands that after such an accident, you have unexpected bills to pay, staggering medical expenses, lost wages, serious injuries, and pain and suffering. It is often a challenge to combat prejudices that many people have against motorcyclists when an accident occurs. Joe Griffith Law Firm will not give up the fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries. As a motorcyclist, you are all too aware of the lack of respect for motorcycles on the road. Likewise, Joe Griffith Law Firm is aware of the lack of respect of motorcyclists in many legal contexts. A standard approach if you are in a motorcycle accident is as follows:
- Say nothing to third parties about the accident
- Respond to the police about the accident, if questioned, and tell the truth
- Report the accident, even if you are afraid you will be blamed
- Gather information from the other driver – name, driver’s license, insurance information, etc.
- See a doctor for a physical evaluation
- Notify your insurance company about the accident
- Contact an attorney
Call the Joe Griffith Law Firm, LLC, to help you prepare a comprehensive, compelling case for your right to receive monetary compensation for any injuries you or your loved ones may have suffered due to a motorcycle injury. JGLF will investigate the facts, assess your claim, determine which parties and insurance companies are to be held responsible, organize all of the details of your case and pursue it vigorously in settlement negotiations or at trial. Joe Griffith Law Firm stands ready and capable to provide our clients the highest caliber of professional service, with a personal touch and a friendly attitude.
Call JGLF today, at 843-CALL-JOE (843-225-5563), or contact the firm via the online form.
