South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Were you or a loved one recently involved in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina? If so, reach out to the reputable attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC today for a free case evaluation. We will discuss what happened, your options under South Carolina law, and how our team can help you secure compensation and justice for the best future possible. With decades of combined experience, hundreds of 5-star client reviews, and millions recovered for our clients, you can trust that we have your back. Simply call our office today at (803) 888-2200 or complete our quick and easy online contact form.

How a Lawyer Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in South Carolina

Our team is committed to ensuring every client gets the compensation they deserve for all past, present, and future damages related to the accident. We take the legal burden off of you so that you and your loved ones can focus on what matters most: healing.

With our team on your side, you can expect us to:

• Conduct a thorough investigation into the accident to understand who was at fault.
• Secure and preserve critical evidence such as witness testimony, security footage, black box data, and more.
• Use evidence to prove negligence, ensuring you are eligible for full compensation.
• Use our experience to properly value the physical, financial, and emotional damages caused by the accident.
• Prepare and handle all legal paperwork while keeping all records organized.
• Fully optimize your claim to ensure you get the entirety of what you deserve – we won’t settle for less.
• Protect you during negotiations with insurance companies.
• Fight for you in court if the insurance company fails to offer you a fair settlement amount.

Motorcycle accident cases differ from other accidents, so it’s critical you hire an attorney who has experience in this area of the law, the injuries that often result from these wrecks, and understand how to litigate these claims. To speak with a motorcycle accident attorney at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC today, simply contact our office. We are available for you via phone 24/7.

Common Injuries Resulting From Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists have minimal protection, especially compared to other vehicles on the road. In addition to minimal protection, motorcyclists are less visible to other drivers on the road. 

These factors, and others, make motorcyclists prone to serious injuries when accidents happen. While every case is unique, motorcycle accidents may lead to:

• Road Rash
• Broken Bones
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Back Injuries
• Neck Injuries
• Nerve Damage
• Concussions and Brain Injuries
• Paralysis
• Amputation
• Wrongful Death
• And More.

We understand that these accidents and the resulting injuries can be difficult for you and your loved ones to navigate. From the long recovery process and mounting medical bills to continuing pain and emotional trauma, the process can be overwhelming. We are here to seamlessly guide you through the legal process to ensure you and your case are getting the attention you deserve. Allow us to fight to get you fair compensation for the best future outcome possible.

South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there were 2,086 reported accidents involving a motorcyclist in 2022 alone. Of those, 151 were fatal, 1,131 resulted in injury, and 342 resulted in serious injury. 

Most motorcycle accidents in 2022 occurred during the months of May, June, September, April, and October. While most of these collisions occurred during the day and in clear conditions, there were also many accidents that occurred at night in cloudy conditions.

The report also highlights the collisions by route category. Collisions occurred on secondary roads, US primary roads, SC primary, county, interstate, and ramps in that order.

We are often asked about helmet laws in South Carolina. According to state law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate or ride upon a two-wheeled motorized vehicle without a Department of Public Safety-approved, protective helmet. Those over the age of 21 are not required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in South Carolina. However, all passengers must wear a helmet. Although it is required by law, failure to wear a helmet is not typically admissible at trial. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Many people assume that motorcyclists are the cause of accidents; yet, in South Carolina, that is more often than not: false. According to the most recent available data, in most cases (61%) the motorcycle driver did not contribute to the accident. 

However, even the most cautious and experienced motorcyclists are at risk of accidents. The size of these vehicles and fewer headlights tend to make motorcyclists less visible to cars. Pair that with a driver not fully paying attention to the road, and these accidents can be catastrophic. 

Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Dooring
• Unsafe Lane Changes
• Swerving Collisions
• Dangerous Road Conditions
• Driving Under the Influence
• Failure to Adhere to Traffic Signals
• Unsafe Turns
• Left-Hand Collisions
• Rear-End Collisions and Tailgating
• Side Collisions
• Head-On Collisions
• Vehicle Defects
• And More.

The cause of your accident is critical to understanding if you have a personal injury case under South Carolina law. The Palmetto State is an “at-fault” state, meaning that the at-fault party and their insurance company are responsible for compensating accident victims following a wreck. In order to prove who was at-fault, we will need to prove negligence.

Proving Fault in South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Claims

In many motorcycle accident cases that leave riders hurt, the motorcycle driver was not at fault for the accident. Most of the time, these wrecks boil down to driver error. Our lawyers will fight for you and prove negligence in your case, ensuring you get the entirety of the compensation you deserve. 

Depending on the specifics of your case, at-fault parties may include:

• The driver of the other vehicle(s) involved.
• Property owners.
• Manufacturers of defective parts.
• Government entities.
• And More.

Our lawyers will work with you, witnesses, sometimes even reconstruction experts, and more to gather the data necessary to prove who was truly at-fault for the accident pursuant to South Carolina law. 

What If They Are Trying to Blame Me For the Accident?

It is not uncommon for insurance companies to try to protect themselves and their insured by blaming someone else for the accident. As South Carolina personal injury lawyers with decades of experience handling these types of claims, we understand that insurance companies and defense attorneys may try to trick innocent accident victims into admitting fault or partial fault through various tactics: misleading questions, recorded statements, and more. 

We won’t let that happen. By hiring our law firm, we take on communication with the insurance companies to ensure you and your case are being taken seriously and protected. From there, we focus on optimizing your case to prove who was truly at fault for the accident by proving negligence.

In addition, even if you were partially at-fault for the accident, you may still recover compensation as long as you were found to be no more than 50% responsible. The percent you are found to be at-fault determines how much compensation you can recover.

For example, if you were found to be 15% at-fault for the accident, then you may qualify to recover up to 85% of the total compensation available. So, if a jury awarded you $500,000 in damages but found you to be 15% responsible, then your verdict would be reduced to $425,000.

If you believe you are being blamed for an accident or were involved in a motorcycle accident and want to protect your rights, call us today to see how we can help you.

Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident

Many motorcycle accidents lead to painful injuries, unexpected and expensive medical bills, financial stress, property damage, and long healing journeys.

The attorneys at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC understand the physical, financial, and emotional pains these accidents cause. We will fight to ensure you get the entirety of what you’re owed for damages related to the accident. We will work tirelessly inside and outside of the courtroom to ensure you are fairly compensated for:

• All medical bills including emergency room and hospital bills
• Any treatment costs associated with the injury such as in-home care, physical therapy, medical equipment, prescription medications, and more
• Permanent disfigurement and scarring
• Lost wages 
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Emotional distress, and more.

What To Know About Insurance Company Settlement Offers

After a motorcycle accident, it can be enticing to accept an offer from an insurance company without consulting a lawyer because it may seem like a lot of money. However, one thing that’s critical to keep in mind is that the settlement must cover all past, present, and future damages caused by the accident. 

A reputable South Carolina personal injury lawyer will help you understand if the first offer is sufficient and fair, as oftentimes it is not. Remember, once you accept a settlement offer, you cannot go back and seek more compensation down the line, so it is in your best interest to seek legal guidance before accepting the first offer. 

Whether you have already received a settlement offer and would like to review it with an attorney or haven’t started the legal process yet, we are here to help. Our lawyers will protect your best interests and keep you updated every step of the way. For a free case evaluation directly with a qualified South Carolina motorcycle accident attorney, contact our office today.

South Carolina Motorcycle Accidents Statute of Limitations

In South Carolina, you typically have three years to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for damages following a motorcycle accident. However, keep in mind that this timeframe may be reduced depending on the parties involved in the accident. 

It is helpful to you and your case to speak with a lawyer as soon as you can following an accident. There are many benefits to acting fast – we will be able to document the accident scene as close to how it was at the time of the accident, locate and preserve critical evidence such as security footage, get accurate accounts from witnesses, and much more. 

Speak With Our Experienced South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been hurt or worse in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, we are so sorry. We are here to take the legal burden off of you, fighting to secure you with the best outcome possible for your case and your future. With decades of experience, hundreds of 5-star reviews, and millions of dollars recovered for our clients, you can trust the team at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC will have your back every step of the way. 

For a free case evaluation with an award-winning lawyer in person or via the phone, call  us today at (803) 888-2200 or email info@ctlawsc.com and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.