South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Unlike car passengers, motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, which significantly increases their vulnerability in an accident. When collisions occur, the force of impact can catapult riders from their bikes, potentially leading to serious physical trauma.

Our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney are ready to represent you if you suffered any type of injury in a collision, including:

• Road rash. This term refers to the skin and tissue damage that occurs when a rider is thrown off their motorcycle and skids across the pavement. While it might seem like a minor injury, severe cases can lead to permanent skin damage, infection, and nerve damage.
• Broken bones. The force of an impact during a motorcycle accident often throws riders from their bikes, causing them to land hard on the road or other hard surfaces. As a result, broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs, are common.
• Spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be particularly devastating, as they may result in partial or total paralysis. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting messages between the brain and the rest of the body, and damage to this essential system can disrupt this communication, affecting mobility and sensation.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Even with a helmet, a motorcyclist can still suffer a TBI if they are thrown from their bike and their head hits the pavement or another vehicle. Symptoms can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, leading to cognitive issues, memory loss, and even changes in personality.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina?

While some motorcycle accidents result from the inherent risks of riding, a significant number occur due to driver negligence. When a driver’s negligence causes a motorcycle collision, they become liable for the resulting damages.

Many South Carolina motorcycle accidents are caused by:

• Distracted driving. When drivers are distracted – by a cell phone, a GPS, eating, or even just daydreaming – they are not fully focused on the road, which can increase the risk of collisions.
• Speeding. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to navigate curves or avoid objects in the roadway. Traveling at unsafe speeds also extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.
• Driving under the influence. Alcohol and drugs (both legal and illegal) can impair a driver’s ability to operate their vehicle safely. The effects of impairment include reduced reaction times, poor coordination, and risky decision-making.
• Failure to yield. Drivers failing to yield the right of way to motorcyclists is a common cause of accidents. This often happens at intersections, when making left-hand turns, or when changing lanes.
• Aggressive driving. This can include rapid lane changes, tailgating, and running red lights. Such reckless behavior puts all road users at risk, including motorcyclists.
• Failure to check blind spots. Because of their smaller size, motorcycles can easily get into a car’s blind spots. If drivers do not check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning, they can cause a crash.

Can I Recover Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries If I Was Lane Splitting in South Carolina?

“Lane splitting” involves a motorcyclist riding between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. This practice is explicitly banned in South Carolina. So, if you were lane splitting at the time of an accident, you may be wondering if you still have the right to recover compensation for damages. 

The answer depends on the scope of the other driver’s negligence. Because you were breaking a traffic law when lane splitting, the other driver will almost certainly argue that you share some or all of the blame for causing the accident, and they may even be right. If the other driver did not engage in any type of negligent behavior, it will be difficult to prove fault and obtain compensation. If the other driver’s negligence caused an accident and your lane splitting contributed to the crash, however, you may still be able to recover some compensation under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rules.