MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWSUITS IN MYRTLE BEACH

A man who was injured while riding his motorcycle during last year’s Bike Week is suing Horry County and two state agencies.

In the lawsuit, the motorcyclist says that he was following the signs that government agencies had placed to keep motorcyclists on the “bike loop,” which instead led him to a dirt road that was not safe for motorcycles.

Although there are times when government agencies are the negligent actor causing a motorcycle wreck, more often it is a careless driver or another motorcyclist that is at fault. Why are there so many motorcycle accidents in Myrtle Beach, and what should you do if you are hurt in a motorcycle wreck?

MOTORCYCLISTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT

Look twice and save a life…

People get hurt in all kinds of auto accidents, and no type of vehicle can guarantee your safety. But, motorcycle riders are more likely to be injured or killed in an accident for several reasons, including:

• Drivers of other kinds of vehicles often don’t see motorcycles until it’s too late … in fact, they often don’t even look;
• Motorcycles lack an enclosed space and offer little protection during a collision; and
• The size and weight disparity between a motorcycle and a car, SUV, or truck significantly increases the likelihood of serious injuries.

Despite these dangers, there are steps you can take to minimize your chances of being in a motorcycle accident and to limit your injuries if you do crash, including:

Be defensive: Approach intersections with vigilance, use your turn signals and remember that other drivers may not see you.

Stay sober: Alcohol is a factor in almost 50 percent of motorcycle crashes. Don’t do anything to compromise your reaction time when riding.

Wear a helmet: Federally-approved helmets really work – they drastically decrease the likelihood of brain injuries and death.

Take a class: State-approved safety training can teach you a lot about staying safe on a motorcycle.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

Of course, accidents can happen even when you follow all the rules and take every measure possible to ride safely. If you are in a motorcycle accident, you should do the following immediately:

• Call 911;
• Seek medical attention for your injuries;
• If it is safe to do so, gather evidence in the form of notes and photos of the scene and of all vehicles involved in the accident;
• If it is safe to do so, write down the names and contact information of the other drivers involved and any witnesses;
• Never volunteer any information about who was at fault or apologize to other drivers; and
• Contact your attorney before giving statements to any insurance company.

You should get checked out by a doctor after a motorcycle accident – not getting the care you need can lead to out-of-pocket costs later and can result in less compensation in a personal injury suit.

GOT AXELROD?

Your Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorney at Axelrod and Associates will investigate your case, gather the evidence that you need, negotiate maximum compensation from the insurance company, and take them to trial when they do not pay what you are entitled to.

Schedule a free consultation with a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer on the Axelrod team today. Call us at 843-353-3449 or fill out our contact form to set up a free initial consultation about your case.