Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Rock Hill

Each year, motorbike accidents are responsible for multiple deaths and injuries in Rock Hill. Motorcycles offer little protection in the event of a collision, so crashes often leave riders with severe injuries. Because they often suffer the brunt of the damage in traffic crashes, bikers must exercise extreme caution and practice defensive driving at all times when on the roads.

Unfortunately, many drivers endanger motorcyclists without even realizing it. In the event of a biking crash, seek immediate help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Although collisions are sometimes unavoidable when other motorists act recklessly, understanding the common causes of motorcycle accidents in Rock Hill can help bikers prepare for and prevent serious damage.

Road Hazards for Rock Hill Motorcyclists

Due to their relatively low profile and small size, motorcycles are easily missed by drivers. Despite being more agile than most other vehicles, riders may be at risk of the following common causes of motorbike crashes.

Opening Doors

When a car door opens suddenly into a lane of traffic, bikers may be injured in collisions with the door or other vehicles swerving to avoid it. These accidents are almost always the fault of the vehicle driver and their lack of attention to oncoming traffic.

Left Turns

Drivers often do not see motorcycles approaching, especially if they are behind a large vehicle such as a truck or SUV. As such, a driver may begin a left-hand turn as soon as larger vehicles pass without noticing an oncoming motorcycle. Even if the motorcyclist manages to avoid a collision, they often lose control of the bike and could sustain severe injuries.

Right Turns

Additionally, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to right-turn accidents. Because they often ride beside or near other vehicles, a driver turning right could cut off or collide with any nearby riders. In these types of accidents, either or both parties could be at fault. Drivers must avoid blocking the paths of other motorists before making turns, but bikers must also make efforts to stay out of other vehicles’ blind spots.

Lane Sharing

It is important to note that South Carolina Code §56-5-3640(c) prohibits motorcycles from lane-splitting. A motorcyclist in a right-turn accident could be found responsible if they did not permit the turning vehicle to have full use of its lane. The biker could also be found liable due to lane splitting violations they were moving between two vehicles abreast when a collision occurred.

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Negligent Drivers in Motorbiking Crashes

Drivers have a responsibility to be alert, cautious, and reasonably careful toward other people on the road. Those who violate these principles pose an increased risk to bikers, who are harder to see and less protected than other motorists. If a driver causes a motorcycle accident due to the following common negligent behaviors, a dedicated attorney could present evidence to establish their fault for the collision and pursue compensation on behalf of the injured Rock Hill biker.

Inattentiveness

Motorists often engage in various forms of distracted driving, all of which could constitute negligence in the event of a traffic wreck. In particular, texting or using a cell phone while driving is illegal. However, a skilled legal team could also cite other common forms of inattentiveness in a motorcycle injury claim, such as adjusting a vehicle’s sound or video system, applying makeup, talking to passengers, smoking, or eating while driving.

Driving Under the Influence

Alcohol or drugs can significantly decrease a driver’s reaction time, and those who drive while impaired endanger everyone on the road. Sadly, many drunk driving accidents result in permanent injury or even death for impacted motorcyclists in Rock Hill.

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Common Damages in Rock Hill Motorcycle Accident Claims

When a motorcyclist suffers injuries due to other drivers, the negligent parties might be liable for damages. Seasoned motorcycle accident attorneys often litigate for the following common damages:

• Medical expenses
• Reimbursement for lost time at work
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement
• Loss of companionship

If an injury causes permanent damage, legal counsel in the area could also help a biker pursue compensation for lost future earnings, costs of rehabilitation and retraining, and other expenses necessary to help them adapt to their changed circumstances.

If a motorist was driving under the influence, drag racing, or using a cell phone, a jury might decide to award punitive damages to the victim. For this, the injured motorcyclist and their local attorney must show that the driver acted intentionally or with willful disregard for the risk of injury their behavior presented. Although South Carolina caps some punitive damages awards, these limits do not apply to motorcycle accidents caused by drivers who were under the influence.

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Ask a Rock Hill Attorney about Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

At Schiller & Hamilton, our legal team has handled motorbike collision cases caused by a wide variety of factors. If you experienced one of these common causes of motorcycle accidents in Rock Hill or sustained injuries from any kind of biking incident, speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Call for a free case review today to discuss your claim for compensation.

Call or text 1-803-366-0333 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form