Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Our Rock Hill Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Offer Free Consults

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,286 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads in 2016 – a 5.1% increase from 2015. In South Carolina, 185 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents and 72% of bikers killed in accidents that year weren’t wearing a helmet. These statistics may seem shocking, however, motorcyclists have always been at an increased risk for sustaining serious and fatal injuries in an accident. After all, unlike passenger vehicles, motorcyclists aren’t protected from accident forces by a reinforced steel cage, airbags, and seat belts. This is why per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are 28x more likely to die in a traffic crash than passenger car occupants.

If you are fortunate enough to survive your motorcycle accident, you will likely have sustained serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, or fractures. These injuries often result in significant hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, and extensive time in rehabilitation after the accident. As such, any settlement you receive should adequately reflect the full impact your injuries will have on your life – both now and in the future. Motorcycle accident victims are often surprised to learn that their injuries never fully heal properly, resulting in a lifetime of pain and disability. However, our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys may be able to help crash survivors and their family members.

Accident where a motorcycle accident attorney can help

Motorcyclists Not Usually To Blame

Sadly, the vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers who simply fail to recognize the motorcyclist on the road. In fact, two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents are caused by the driver of the other vehicle violating the motorcyclist’s right of way. Yet, when injured motorcycle accident victims try to collect the money they need to put their lives back together again, they often face an uphill battle. This is largely because insurance adjusters and even police officers have numerous biases against motorcyclists. They often erroneously view bikers as reckless, and as such they don’t always get the benefit of the doubt they deserve after an accident. To combat motorcycle biases, our Rock Hill motorcycle accident attorneys emphasize prompt investigation to preserve evidence.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents are far more likely to result in serious injuries. Riders have almost no protection against the massive impact forces during a collision with other vehicles or objects. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries. Motorcycle helmets can help prevent the most serious types of brain injuries. Unfortunately, motorcycle helmets may not prevent a concussion, which can be caused by whiplash.
  • Spinal cord injuries. A high-speed impact with another object or vehicle can very easily cause a spinal cord injury. Accident survivors may suffer from paralysis following a spinal cord injury.
  • Burns. Burns are possible in any type of collision involving vehicles, as vehicles use flammable materials.
  • Internal bleeding. Blunt force trauma from a serious collision can rupture organs or cause internal bleeding.
  • Broken bones and lacerations. Even with protective equipment, riders may suffer from broken bones and lacerations.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are numerous ways a motorcyclist could be injured in a car accident, however, the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

  • Cars pulling out or turning left into a biker who has the right of way
  • Motorcyclists hit while parked on the shoulder
  • Riders sideswiped or forced off the road
  • Drivers following too close to stop
  • Roadway defects
  • Items falling from vehicles causing a crash
  • Rear end accidents at stoplights
  • Drunk driving crashes
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding drivers

At the Law Offices of Wilkerson, Jones & Wilkerson, our personal injury attorneys have represented hundreds of injured South Carolina motorcyclists after an accident. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help you too. Our lawyers are skilled negotiators and litigators who aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies.

How Much Is a Good Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident?

Many motorcycle accident cases settle, although some may go before a jury if necessary. A good motorcycle accident settlement adequately covers your damages. Motorcycle accidents are far, far more likely to result in death or serious injury.

It is not uncommon for motorcycle accident survivors or their family members to incur medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost income, loss of future earnings, and other economic damages. Many survivors also go through an enormous amount of pain and suffering. A “good” settlement would cover these damages in full.

What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Cause?

Let’s be honest – many motorists in South Carolina and across the country have a bad habit of not looking when changing lanes, or generally just ignoring their surroundings. This is bad news for motorcyclists, who are much more difficult to spot. The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is driver inattention.

Contact Our Rock Hill Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, Lancaster, or anywhere in the state of South Carolina, you need an experienced and skilled motorcycle accident law firm on your side from the start. At the Law Offices of Wilkerson, Jones & Wilkerson, our Rock Hill motorcycle accident attorneys know how traumatic these accidents can be and that victims often need considerable amounts of compensation to recover. That’s why we fight aggressively for all our motorcycle accident clients. Call us today at (803) 324-7200 (Rock Hill), (803) 289-7202 (Lancaster), (803) 396-5200 (Fort Mill), or fill out our confidential contact form. With offices conveniently located in Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Lancaster, we are here when you need us. Call us today for a free case evaluation.