Out of nowhere, your life has changed due to a driver not paying attention to you on your bike. You have significant injuries and losses but may find it challenging to prove to the insurance company that you are owed compensation for your losses, and a Walterboro personal injury lawyer can help.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Walterboro motorcycle accident lawyer, who is heavily committed to the community, is poised to provide you with exceptional legal representation to help you maximize your damages.
The Benefits of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Walterboro
Motorcycle accidents can be intense, frightening, and life-changing. Like other motor vehicle accidents, they may occur for different reasons, lead to accumulating medical bills, and result in serious pain and injuries. However, Shelly Leeke Law Firm wants you to know that you do not have to handle these stresses and frustrations alone.
Motorcycle accidents can occur anywhere in Walterboro as well as the surrounding areas. That includes along I-95, Route 17, and Route 15, some of the busiest streets in the area. Yet, they can also happen in area neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Our top-rated legal representatives are here to help you. You can rest assured that your case will be handled with care, understanding, and professionalism.
Your Walterboro car accident lawyer is fluent in the laws surrounding motorcycle accidents, and we will advocate for your rights and the compensation you are entitled to recover.
When to Seek a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Walterboro
The state of South Carolina gives individuals three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against parties who caused their motorcycle accident under the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 15 §15-3-540.
This is because motorcycle accident claims can take a long time from start to finish, and our team would like to begin working on your claim sooner rather than later to ensure that you will have the compensation you need going forward.
Motorcycle accident cases can become tricky. Some people do not respect or want to share the road with motorcyclists. However, motorcyclists have a strong passion for riding their motorcycles and want to be treated like everyone else on the road.
You may also find yourself in need of legal counsel when negotiating with the insurance company. It is not unusual for insurance claims to initially be denied or for the negotiations process to drag on when the insurer refuses to see the true value of your claim.
With a powerful legal advocate in your corner, you can hold the insurance company accountable and show them you will not back down until you get the settlement you deserve.
Why Motorcycles Are More Dangerous than Other Vehicles
According to the State Department of Public Safety, there were 137 motorcycle fatalities in South Carolina during 2022, which was a 12% decrease compared to the previous year.
Motorcycles are more dangerous than other automobiles because they do not have the same level of protection. For example, an automobile is equipped with airbags, seatbelts, and a layer of enclosed protection.
On the other hand, a motorcycle does not come with these types of protections. Many people involved in motorcycle accidents do not survive, but when you do, you should get medical treatment as soon as possible.
After receiving medical treatment, you should seek out help from a trial-proven attorney to ensure you receive the proper compensation you are owed.
Keep in mind that motorcycle accident claims can be challenging for other reasons as well, including the stigma that often follows riders as being reckless.
Do not let those factors limit your ability to obtain the compensation you know you are owed in an accident like this. With our help, you will gain more insight into the various strategies you can use to reduce your claim risk and maximize your recovery.
Walterboro Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are Often Debilitating
Most of the injuries our clients have suffered from are serious, permanent, and have lasting effects. The following are several of the most common motorcycle accident injuries we have helped our clients with:
- Broken and fractured bones
- Amputations
- Road rash
- Burns
- Head and skull injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Concussions
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries (talk to a Walterboro catastrophic injury lawyer today)
When individuals experience these types of injuries, recovery is usually a long road or is simply impossible. However, physicians will recommend treatment plans to help you manage the pain and remain comfortable.
Our team will ensure we are taking into account the impact your injuries may have on your life in the future to ensure you are compensated fairly for your suffering.
Top Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks in Walterboro
The causes of motorcycle accidents in Walterboro and the surrounding area are numerous, and it is not just from the fast-moving highways like I-95 and Route 15 in the area.
More so, many times, we will find that motorcycle accidents occur in fully preventable situations, meaning that you may be suffering injuries brought on by the recklessness of others. You need to know who did this to you and why it happened.
Motorcycle accident victims often face intense and catastrophic injuries. This is why it becomes so important to seek out the help of an experienced lawyer. You cannot assume that what is on the police report is all there is to your accident or that any blame you are facing yourself on that accident report is justified.
Figuring out the cause of your motorcycle accident will be one of our top priorities. This way, we can uncover the identity of the at-fault party and demand they be held accountable for their negligence.
Do not be alarmed if multiple people or parties share blame for your accident, as this means you could have a greater chance of recovering the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Drunk Driving
Impaired driving is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in the state, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
In fact, in 2021 data, there were 5,932 reported motorcycle accidents involving drunk or impaired driving across the country, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2021 Data on Motorcycles.
When you are hit by a drunk driver, you may have the right to demand justice for your suffering in addition to the criminal charges they may be facing for operating a vehicle while under the influence.
Drunk drivers are unable to stop their vehicles quickly when road conditions change. They are unable to provide you with safety as you navigate the roads. Many times, these drivers are overconfident or may be aggressive behind the wheel.
Our Walterboro drunk driving accident lawyer will help you demonstrate the driver that hit you was intoxicated, either with alcohol or drugs. We can then build your case to show that you should receive full and fair compensation. Often, in these cases, punitive damages may also be applicable.
Negligent Driving
Negligent driving includes any type of unsafe driving. Any type of traffic violation could be considered negligence, whether the motorist was driving recklessly or made a mistake.
Some examples include:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Road rage
- Distracted driving (talk to a Walterboro distracted driving accident lawyer today)
- Driving while fatigued
- Failure to stop or yield
- Making unsafe lane changes or unlawful turns
- Failure to check blind spots
A negligent driver may make these mistakes out of intentional decisions or simply because they were unaware. Yet, every driver that gets on the road with you owes you a duty of care. Let us fight for your right to compensation when they compromise your safety.
Dangerous Roads
Dangerous road conditions often occur when the South Carolina Department of Transportation or the city of Walterboro fails to make necessary safety repairs.
This could be by failing to repair potholes or address complaints after a string of incidents at dangerous intersections. It could also include a lack of sufficient street lighting, missing signs, or a lack of bicycle lanes.
Dangerous roads may occur for various reasons. In some cases, they may be dangerous due to the city’s inability or unwillingness to repair and maintain them. Other times, the local property owner, if that is not the city, fails in a similar way.
We will uncover what happened and why. We will look at the opportunities property owners had to rectify the situation. Then, we go after those responsible with the full force of the law.
Defective Parts
Malfunctioning motor vehicle parts are often recalled. However, before these recalls occur, many people may suffer catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common motorcycle parts that are reported as defective after a motorcycle wreck could include:
- Brakes
- Tires
- Handlebars
- Fuel tank
- Frame
- Headlight defects
- The throttle
In some of these cases of defective product claims, we seek out compensation from the manufacturer or designer along with other people who suffered the same results.
We can help you build your case, even if you are the first to suffer these injuries and losses. We work with you to ensure you know what your rights are.
Expenses that Come from Motorcycle Accidents
It is not unusual for injury victims to never be able to work again and need continuous assistance from their family, friends, and loved ones to complete their daily tasks. Motorcyclists who have been injured in motorcycle accidents quickly notice that the expenses begin accumulating. Some examples could include:
- Hospital visits
- Doctor office visits
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Psychological therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Home modifications
- Hired services
On top of these expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and loss of benefits can also be recovered in a motorcycle accident claim with the help of an experienced Walterboro motorcycle accident attorney.
Not only is the recovery from a motorcycle accident financially exhausting, but it also can become physically and emotionally exhausting for the victim and their loved ones. Our team will make sure you receive reparations to cover your financial damages as well as your emotional damages.
Catastrophic Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents Are Common
One of the most important factors to consider when filing a claim after a motorcycle accident is the impact that accident will have on your future.
If you suffered catastrophic injuries and losses, your life could be impacted long-term, and that could mean you need financial compensation to help you meet your needs over a much longer period of time. Consider some of the types of losses you may incur due to injuries like these:
- Traumatic brain injury: These could impact your ability to think clearly, communicate well, and handle emotions properly. You may struggle to maintain a job.
- Spinal cord injuries: Even though you may still have hope of a full recovery, that may be difficult in some serious cases. Your life may require ongoing medical support and guidance from in-home care.
- Burns and complications: Burns and infections that follow can create disfiguring injuries, some of which may be challenging for you to overcome emotionally and mentally, especially if they impact relationships.
- Emotional trauma: Do not underestimate the impact of emotional trauma, which can influence the way you live your life, your mental health, and the relationships you are able to maintain over the long term.
- Chronic pain: The injury itself may cause serious and long-term chronic pain. It is very common for victims to face damage to nerves throughout their bodies, which may make it hard for them to navigate life without risk.
Catastrophic injuries may also include loss of vision or hearing. You may be faced with an amputation that makes it impossible for you to ride your bike any longer or work in the position you have worked in for years.
These losses are complex and benefit from a skilled Walterboro motorcycle accident lawyer calculating the compensation you deserve. Our client testimonial archive tells this story.
Wrongful Death in a Motorcycle Accident
As attorneys, one of the most challenging legal cases we take on are those involving the loss of a life of someone due to a negligent act of another.
Motorcycle accidents cause injuries that change lives, but they also have a high rate of fatalities. If your family member lost their life as a result of a motorcycle accident, we strongly encourage you to contact us now.
Let our attorneys go to work proving the losses you have, including that the other party is responsible for the death. To do this, we look at all available evidence and then use experts to help build out that data even further. This makes it challenging for anyone to refute your claims.
Wrongful death cases are challenging because there is so much on the line. Let our attorneys fight for you. Contact us today to get the guidance you need to learn what your specific rights are in these legal matters.
Reasons for Motorcycle Accidents in Walterboro
Even though there are various reasons that motorcycle accidents may occur, the main one we typically see is negligence. When individuals get on their motorcycles daily, they are at the mercy of truck drivers and other automobile drivers who do not wish to give them enough space on the roads. Although they must place their trust in other drivers, accidents still often happen.
Sometimes, a motorcyclist is given plenty of space, and everyone drives carefully around them, but there is something wrong with their motorcycle.
In cases like this, we will look at the manufacturer of your motorcycle and determine if there was any negligence on the manufacturer’s part. No matter the reason for your accident, our law firm will gather the required evidence to build a strong case against the defendant.
We believe in holding responsible individuals accountable for their negligent and wrongful actions. We will ensure that your side of the story will be told.
By the end of the case, we will have worked tirelessly to ensure that you get the best outcome possible and the compensation you deserve to pay for your medical bills, daily bills, and other increasing expenses, and our case results page paints that picture.
Set Up a Free Consultation to Get Guidance on Your Case
You may not be sure of what your injuries and losses are or if the motorcycle accident claim from the insurance company is all you can get. Through a free, no-obligation consultation, you can learn more about what your rights are and not have to pay anything to do so.
Our attorneys can help walk you through your losses and your right to pursue claims, including:
- The potential value of your claim, including any pain and suffering that you may be owed.
- All parties at fault in your case, including any claims against the city, commercial drivers, or third parties.
- The right to seek comprehensive medical care knowing that the insurance company will be responsible for paying for your losses.
- Help prove you are not at fault, even if the police report indicates that you have some of the blame in the case.
- Guidance on what to do if you have suffered long-term injuries that are not improving as you would like.
During your free consultation, you will also learn about our law firm and the fact that we do not seek compensation from you until and unless we win your case. That eliminates any risk you have of paying for legal fees and attorney costs when it is simply not fair for you to do so.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, or your loved one lost their life in one, seek out the guidance of our Walterboro motorcycle accident attorney now so that you can protect your future and your right to recovery. Read our FAQs to learn more.
Seek Out Help That You Deserve
If you have been involved in any motorcycle accident, our attorneys would be glad to hear about it. We know that it is common for motorcyclists to place the blame on themselves, but our team is aware of the stigma that surrounds motorcycles. We will stand up for you and make sure the parties who caused your accident are found liable.
Reach Out to Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today if You Have Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident
To proceed with the process, please fill out our contact form or call our office to schedule a free initial consultation. After you submit the form, we will contact you as soon as possible.
We look forward to alleviating your stress and assisting you during this challenging time.
