Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina (2024)

If you get into a motorcycle accident, a Myrtle Beach, South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney can help you seek restitution for your costs. The party or parties responsible for the accident should also compensate you for your medical bills, property damage (including the damage to your bike), lost wages, and even the psychological or emotional costs brought on by the incident.

However, it’s better to avoid getting into an accident in the first place. That’s why you may want to be aware and remain cautious of some of the more common types of motorcycle accidents.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

The kinds of accidents that motorcycles are involved in are generally similar to those that involve larger vehicles. There are, though, a few accidents that could be more likely because of the difficulty in seeing the motorcycle, compared to the larger presence of a car. Some of the more common types of motorcycle accidents are:

• Rear-End Collisions: A failure to stop on time could lead to a vehicle colliding with the rear of a motorcycle. Even minor taps can lead to significant danger for a rider because of the risk of being thrown from their bike.
• Intersection Accidents: Intersections are where many car accidents occur because of the number of cars entering and exiting the flow of traffic. Additionally, there is the risk of someone failing to stop for a sign or light.
• Distracted Driving Accidents: Distracted driving accidents are on the rise, as people are not paying enough attention to the road and focusing on something else, like their phones.
• Speeding Accidents: High speeds can make a vehicle more difficult to control and harder to stop, which can lead to accidents. These crashes are often more serious when someone is going faster than they should.
• Sideswipe Accidents: These accidents occur when a driver fails to see a motorcycle rider and tries to turn or merge into a new lane. This can be especially dangerous for riders who, being on a much lighter vehicle, can end up easily being pushed aside.
• Door Collisions: In places where there is street parking, such as in more urban areas, it’s important to watch out for vehicle occupants who fail to take proper precautions before opening their car doors.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, there are a few things that you should do if you can. These can help protect your opportunity to seek restitution for the injuries that you incurred. Such actions include:

• Seek Medical Help: The first thing that you should always do after an accident is get proper medical treatment. Letting paramedics at the scene look for injuries, as well as obtaining a full examination from your own doctor, is a good idea so that you have a full accounting of your injuries.
• Document the Scene: If your injuries will allow you to move around, it can be helpful to get pictures and videos of the scene of the accident.
• Don’t Admit Fault: When discussing the accident, it’s important that you don’t say anything that could be misconstrued as admitting fault, as that could later be used against you.

FAQs

Q: How Can You Avoid a Motorcycle Accident?

A: There are some times when an accident is entirely unavoidable but, in many situations, you can take a few precautions to avoid an accident. In South Carolina, keeping away from high-traffic areas and situations with low visibility can help you avoid some of the higher-risk situations that exist on the road. Additionally, not spending any significant time in other driver’s blind spots can help ensure that they are aware of your presence.

Q: What If Someone Dies in a Motorcycle Accident?

A: When someone dies as a result of a motorcycle accident, the surviving family members or a representative of the estate may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the liable party. These are similar to personal injury claims, but they also cover a few additional costs, such as funeral and burial expenses.

Q: Should You Settle a Motorcycle Accident Claim or Go to Court?

A: While it may be possible to receive maximum compensation by taking a claim to court, there are some advantages to negotiating a settlement instead. One of these is that a settlement avoids the risks involved in taking a claim to court. A ruling that is not in your favor could result in significantly less compensation than you hoped for. A settlement also tends to be resolved months or even years sooner than a court case could be.

Q: When Do I Need to File a Claim for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: The deadline for filing a motorcycle accident claim is set by the statute of limitations on personal injury claims. In most situations, this will be three years, but there are some factors that could extend or even shorten the deadline. Some of these include the injuries being discovered later or the government bearing liability for the accident. It’s important to talk with a personal injury lawyer soon after your accident so that they can help you understand the deadline in your situation.

Seeking Restitution After a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, there are likely a number of costs that you’ve incurred. You probably have medical bills, damage to the bike, and maybe even lost wages from having to miss work. On top of that, there are the psychological costs, such as pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment in life, to consider as well. All these costs are the responsibility of whatever negligent party caused your accident.

Getting fair compensation for your injuries can be challenging, and you may benefit from the help of a South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney, like those at Axelrod & Associates. P.A. Whether through negotiating a strong settlement or presenting a formidable case in court, we’re prepared to do what we can to get our clients the restitution that they’re owed. Contact us today to discuss how we might help after your motorcycle accident.