You can suffer an injury in a motorcycle crash in St. Andrews, SC. If a negligent motorist causes your collision, you can sue for damages. To do so, you can partner with a St. Andrews personal injury lawyer.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has more than a decade of experience in personal injury cases. Our St. Andrews motorcycle accident lawyer will help you get the most compensation possible. To learn more, please get in touch with us.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Happen in St. Andrews
In the United States, motorcycles make up 3% of all registered vehicles, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Most motorcyclists take precautions before they ride. Regardless, motorcycle crashes are reported every day, and they happen for many reasons, such as:
Distracted Driving
If a motorist is driving while distracted, they can crash into a rider. The driver can claim the accident happened due to no fault of their own. No matter what the driver says, the rider can sue the driver as part of a personal injury claim.
Intoxicated Driving
South Carolina has laws in place relating to impaired driving. If a motorist chooses to get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated, they can crash their vehicle into a motorcyclist. The negligent driver can face criminal and civil penalties for their actions.
Speeding
A driver can speed in spite of the fact that they are well aware of the posted speed limit. In this instance, the motorist can cause an accident that injures a motorcyclist. At this point, the rider can sue the at-fault driver for compensation to cover the costs of any injuries that they have incurred.
Turning Left
It is a driver’s responsibility to look both ways for oncoming traffic before they turn. If a motorist turns left and does not see a motorcyclist headed their way, they can crash their car into this rider. Following the left-turn accident, the rider can hire a personal injury lawyer who can help them seek damages from the at-fault motorist.
Switching Lanes
A motorist can turn on their vehicle’s direction and make the switch from one lane to another. They must account for their vehicle’s blind spots. Otherwise, the motorist can get into an accident with a motorcyclist.
Vehicle Issues
If a motorist does not take care of their car, issues can come up that make the vehicle unsafe to drive. For instance, a motorist may notice that their car’s brakes are squeaking but do nothing about the issue. If the car’s brakes stop working, the motorist may not be able to stop quickly enough to prevent the vehicle from crashing into a motorcyclist.
Poor Weather or Road Conditions
Rain or other inclement weather conditions can make it tricky to travel on St. Andrews roads. The same is true for bumps, potholes, and other road hazards. If a driver slams their vehicle into a motorcycle rider and claims that poor weather or road conditions contributed to the crash, this motorist can still be held responsible for the incident.
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm has achieved outstanding case results in motorcycle crash lawsuits relating to these reasons and many others. Our St. Andrews motorcycle accident attorney is available to review your case and help you decide if now is the best time to file your lawsuit. To get started, please reach out to us.
How Much Time You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in St. Andrews
In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years. If you get hurt in a motorcycle collision in St. Andrews caused by a negligent motorist, there is a three-year window to file a claim. Those who wait more than three years lose the right to pursue damages from the motorist responsible for their crash.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in St. Andrews is proactive. They will submit your motorcycle crash claim as soon as they can. On top of this, the lawyer will encourage their client to pursue the maximum amount of economic and non-economic damages.
There is no cap on economic and non-economic compensation in most South Carolina personal injury cases. You can request economic compensation for damage to your motorcycle, your medical bills, and other quantifiable losses. Non-economic damages can be awarded for your suffering, pain, and other subjective harm that you have incurred.
How Long It Takes to Resolve a Motorcycle Accident Case
Many people believe the personal injury myth that it takes years to get money once you file a lawsuit. This is simply untrue. In most personal injury cases, the plaintiff and defendant reach a settlement within one year of when the lawsuit is filed.
Of course, just because you can settle your motorcycle accident claim does not mean you should always forgo a trial. A motorcycle accident attorney in St. Andrews wants their client to get fair compensation. If you receive a settlement offer, your lawyer will encourage you to accept it only if the proposal accounts for all of the damages associated with your motorcycle accident.
You are under no obligation to approve a settlement offer, even if the defendant in your case or their attorney pressures you to do so. If you are not 100% satisfied with a settlement proposal, decline the offer. You and your attorney can keep negotiating with the defendant and their lawyer until your case goes to trial.
What to Expect if Your Motorcycle Collision Case Goes to Trial
Your lawyer provides you with legal resources leading up to your trial date. They discuss the best- and worst-possible case scenarios. Your attorney helps you establish realistic expectations for your proceedings.
Once your case goes to trial, you and your attorney present your case. Your lawyer will share evidence to support your request for compensation. On the other hand, the defendant’s lawyer will dispute claims by your attorney and attempt to raise doubts about your case.
A judge or jury treats every motorcycle collision case as its own entity. They will review all of the facts relating to your case and consider the ramifications of any possible outcome. If a judge or jury believes you deserve damages, they will award you compensation.
Hire a St. Andrews Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The Shelly Leeke Law Firm will take on your motorcycle accident case for free. If you get compensation for your lawsuit, only then are you required to pay us for our legal services. To find out more or request a free case consultation, please contact us today.
