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There are roughly 150,000 registered motorcycles in South Carolina. Many of these bikers can safely enjoy what has become both a mode of transportation and their passion.
Unfortunately, South Carolina is also known as one of the most dangerous states in the country for motorcycle riders, with the eighth-highest fatality rate in the country. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have a legal case for financial compensation. Call the motorcycle accident attorneys at Schiller & Hamilton in Rock Hill to learn more about filing a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit.
Why Choose Us as Your Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Rock Hill?
At Schiller & Hamilton, we have over twenty years of experience fighting for injured clients like you.
Our law firm is recognized by many major national publications and directories that include only the top attorneys in the area. These rankings take into account our track record of success and the size of the settlements and verdicts that we have delivered for our clients.
We also strive to provide you with dedicated and personal service to make your life easier when you are going through a difficult period. We take the burden off you, so you and your family can focus your attention where it is needed while you recover from your injuries to the fullest extent possible.
How Motorcycle Crashes Differ from Car Accidents
Any type of motor vehicle crash can have serious consequences. On average, motorcycle accidents are more serious than car crashes. Motorcyclists have little to protect them from direct impact with either a car or the road. Motorcyclists are often ejected from their bikes in a crash, and they are often thrown a far distance because of the physics of the crash. The faster the motorcycle is traveling, the further the driver may be thrown.
Because the motorcyclist may be more seriously injured, it follows that their compensation may be higher than one would receive from a car accident. Motorcycle accident settlements are directly tied to the severity of your injuries.
Another major difference between car and motorcycle accidents is that the insurance company is far more likely to try to blame the biker for their injuries. They will try to take advantage of the perception that motorcyclists are more risky to save themselves money. Your lawyer’s job is every bit as much about defending you as it is proving fault.
Motorcycle Accidents Around Rock Hill
In 2021, the latest year for which full statistics were available, there were 105 motorcycle accidents in Rock Hill. This number is up 10% from 2019. Of these 105 accidents, 78 of the motorcyclists involved suffered some type of injury. There were 26 serious injuries and five fatalities. Most bikers will not walk away from an accident unharmed.
Overall, there were 2,215 motorcycle crashes in South Carolina. In 2021, 166 people lost their lives in these crashes. The fatality rate in the state has risen steeply in the past decade. Some of the increase can be attributed to a rise in the overall level of reckless driving. Motorists have less respect for the rules of the road and societal norms. The result is that more motorcyclists are paying for it with their health and lives.
All it takes is one driver miscalculation to cause the most critical motorcycle accident of all; the one that injured you or a family member. When that has happened, you may want to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to pursue full financial compensation on your behalf.
Frequent Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident
It is very rare for a motorcyclist to walk away from an accident completely unharmed. Roughly 6-7% of bikers die from their injuries in a crash. Also, roughly three-quarters of motorcyclists are hurt to some extent in an accident. Of course, the severity of the injuries will vary.
Motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Burns
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
Serious motorcycle injuries can lead to a lengthy rehabilitation period if the accident victim is even able to recover at all from their injuries. They can be looking at steep medical expenses at the same time that they are unable to work. Your costs can add up quickly, making it even more crucial to act now to begin work on filing a motorcycle accident claim.
Potentially Responsible Parties for Your Motorcycle Accident
To qualify for financial compensation, you will need to prove that someone else’s carelessness was what caused your injuries. Usually, you are filing a claim or lawsuit against the driver who was involved in the accident with you.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys can gather the evidence that you need to show exactly what the other driver did and argue why it was unreasonable under the circumstances. For example, a reasonable driver does not make an illegal left turn which cuts in front of the motorcyclist.
There may be other responsible parties for a motorcycle accident, which can include:
- Another driver who cut you off or otherwise did something that forced you off your bike
- The government failed to maintain the roadways in reasonable condition — should your accident have been caused by a pothole or poor roadway design
- The manufacturer of a defective motorcycle part failed and caused the accident
Our personal injury attorneys in Rock Hill can perform a full investigation of the crash to help determine who you may be able to sue.
Contact a Rock Hill Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you should contact an experienced lawyer at Schiller & Hamilton today. You cannot afford to be without legal representation for any time because the insurance company may already be at work, compromising your legal rights. They stop taking advantage of you when you bring an aggressive motorcycle accident lawyer into your case. You can speak to one of the motorcycle accident lawyers about your case in a free initial consultation by calling us today at 803-902-4583 or sending us a message online.