Were You The Victim Of Another Driver’s Negligence?
Collisions between motorcycles and passenger cars, heavy semi-trucks and other vehicles occur far too often — and the results are often catastrophic. According to the CDC, more than 34,000 motorcycle riders were killed over a seven-year period. Nearly 1,222,000 more needed to be treated for injuries. A motorcycle rider is 26 times more likely to die in a traffic accident than a passenger of a car or truck, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
How Long Do I Have To File My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
In South Carolina the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim is three years. Consequences for missing this deadline will most likely mean you lose your right to compensation. Take action quickly and contact a motorcycle accident attorney if you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident.
Even sadder is the fact that the vast majority of such accidents are preventable. If you were harmed or if a loved one died as a result of the negligence of another driver, you have the right to seek financial compensation with a motorcycle accident attorney. John Price Law Firm, LLC is here to help you do exactly that. Our founding Charleston motorcycle accident lawyer has more than 25 years of experience that he will put to work for you.
You May Need Money To Cover Treatment
Trucks and cars encase their occupants in protective metal, but motorcycles offer no such protection. Riders involved in an accident are often thrown through the air, trapped under their bikes or subject to other serious trauma. The resulting injuries can be severe and frequently include:
Internal injuries– Internal bleeding and injury to internal organs can happen from something penetrating the skin during the accident or something hitting the body (blunt force trauma). The extent of these injuries are usually not realized immediately.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)– According to data collected by NHTSA, in a traffic accident 21% of helmeted riders and 15% of riders wearing a helmet suffered TBI. Fifty-four percent of riders who did not survive the accident had suffered traumatic brain injury.
Spinal cord injury– Partial or complete paralysis can result after injury to the spinal cord during impact in a collision. This horrific injury leaves a person permanently disabled for life.
“Road rash” or serious abrasions– These types of injuries are caused by a rider’s skin scraping across the ground in an accident. The severity of these abrasions can be mild to severe. They require immediate medical attention because of the risk of serious infection and scarring.
Broken bones– Serious motorcycle accidents can result in broken bones, which can require the insertion of screws, rods, pins and other hardware. These injuries often take extensive rehabilitation, multiple surgeries and have a long healing time.
Head injuries– head injuries can result in headaches, concussions, amnesia, skull fractures, and brain damage
Lower extremities– Injuries can be caused to a rider’s knees, ankles, calves and feet, and are common in motorcycle accidents.
Other common injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Wrongful death
Catastrophic injuries from motorcycle accidents usually require many months or even years of rehabilitation and treatment. This means that you need to obtain the money now that you will need down the road for any reconstructive surgeries, prosthetics, physical therapy sessions, etc. Our law firm will assist you in pursuing the full amount necessary to help you today and into the future.
What You Should Do And Not Do Following A Car Accident
Most people don’t consider how to prepare for a car accident because it happens without warning and is unplanned. You may believe that whatever happens you are covered by insurance, but there is much more involved. Your actions after a crash can determine whether you receive the compensation you deserve for what you have suffered.
Some things are common sense, but after the fact you are not always thinking clearly, and so it is important to know the right actions before an accident ever happens. Here are nine things you should do immediately following a motor vehicle accident.
1. Call 911 As Soon As You Are Able
After an accident you may not feel as though you have been injured, but some motor vehicle accident injuries take hours or days to become apparent. Even in the case of a minor accident, you should dial 911 to report the accident and ask for assistance.
It is actually your obligation to report the accident as soon as you are able to. A law enforcement professional will record the details of the crash, providing documentation for your insurance company and any potential lawsuit. Do not rely on the other driver to make the 911 call. Take this action yourself, as well, even if you believe they are doing the same.
Always remember your health comes first! If you have been seriously injured, the following steps should only be taken if they will not make your injuries worse.
2. Document The Accident Details
If you have not sustained serious injuries, document the accident scene by taking down notes detailing what happened in the accident and taking pictures. Take pictures of everyone involved in the crash, all vehicles involved, any obstacles involved and other elements of the scene. This documentation can help in the handling of your claim.
3. Secure The Scene
If possible, reduce hazards that can endanger other drivers by removing vehicles off of the road and moving individuals to a safe location.
4. Exchange Driver Information
Even though the other driver’s information will be on the police report, it is still a good idea to have this information for your records. If the other driver was at fault, you will need this information to pursue compensation for car repairs and medical bills. You will want to obtain the drivers name, phone number, address, insurance company name and policy number, and details of their vehicle.
5. Work With Law Enforcement
It’s very important to cooperate with law-enforcement on the scene. The officer who responds to the crash will take a report that will be very important in the aftermath of the accident. It is important to note that this report does not always determine the outcome of an accident injury case. This is why it is so crucial that you document every detail to prove your account of what happened in the accident.
6. Seek Medical Treatment
Even if you do not feel like your injuries are very serious, it is important to work with medical help when it arrives. You may simply need some first aid or a quick examination. Medical professionals are also trained to recognize more serious injuries, such as whiplash, concussion or the threat of internal bleeding, which is why seeking medical treatment is important.
7. Let Your Insurance Company Know Of The Accident
As soon as you are through with the details at the accident scene, it’s important to contact your insurance company and let them know you have been in an accident. You will have to provide them with the details of the accident and any documentation you have.
8. Speak With An Attorney
We suggest that you speak to an experienced attorney that will go over your case and inform you of your rights. At John Price Law Firm we offer a free case evaluation.
9. Keep All Records From The Accident And Everything Pertaining To It
Everything you have documented or received, including the police report, your notes and photos from the accident scene, every conversation you have with the insurance company, medical treatment received, vehicle repair estimates, and anything else pertaining to the accident, should be kept. If you end up pursuing a personal injury claim, this documentation will be important.
Most importantly, remember to report the accident right after it happens and do not leave the scene. You don’t want to end up being charged with a hit and run. Knowing the previous steps will start you in the right direction, especially if you are dealing with the aftermath of an accident that was not your fault. Following them can help strengthen your case for compensation.
Free Case Evaluation With Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Contact John Price Law Firm, LLC to schedule a free initial consultation about your motorcycle accident. Call us at (843) 632-5672 or send us an email. Our firm charges no attorneys’ fees unless we secure compensation for you. (Contingency fees are calculated before deducting expenses.)
