South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Why Hire Stewart Law Offices?

At Stewart Law Offices, we believe in the power of results. Our team’s proven track record speaks volumes about our dedication and skill in handling complex accident cases. While every case is unique, we have successfully secured significant settlements and verdicts for our clients, including $1.6 million and $1.5 million in motorcycle accident cases.* Our results demonstrate our commitment to fighting aggressively for the compensation our clients need to rebuild their lives.

Stewart Law Offices prioritizes our clients’ needs and maintaining an unwavering commitment to excellent service. Here’s what you can expect when you work with our law firm:

• We answer calls and return messages promptly, ensuring you’re never left wondering about the status of your case.
• We are available 24/7, ready to assist whenever you need us most.
• Our attorneys can personally visit you at home or in the hospital, so you don’t have to worry about travel during your recovery.
• You will always meet with a qualified attorney, not just a staff member, to discuss your case.
• We maintain regular communication as your claim progresses, keeping you informed every step of the way.
• Our attorneys fight aggressively to maximize your compensation, seeking the best possible outcome for your situation.
• We treat you with the respect and compassion you deserve, recognizing the hardships you’ve endured.
• You won’t pay any fees unless we win money for you, meaning you can focus on your recovery without added financial stress.*

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you don’t have to go through it alone. Let Stewart Law Offices guide you through the legal process, fight for your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

Types of Financial Compensation in a Motorcycle Claim

Our motorcycle accident attorneys have worked extensively with people injured in motorcycle accidents. We know that the injuries they suffer are often severe and, in some cases, may cause permanent disabilities.

Depending on the circumstances of your crash and the extent of the injuries you’ve suffered, you could be eligible for compensation for the following:

• Costs of medical treatment – The medical costs associated with motorcycle accident injuries can be exorbitant. Your motorcycle accident claim can demand compensation for past, present, and future medical expenses.
• Loss of income – You may be able to recover compensation for your lost wages and any impact the accident had on your future earning ability.
• Property damage – This includes repairs or replacement of your damaged vehicle, clothing, and other personal belongings.
• Pain and suffering – You can seek compensation for your physical and emotional pain and suffering.
• Loss of enjoyment of life – If the accident leaves you unable to do things that you once enjoyed doing, like hobbies, sports, exercise, and other activities, you could be owed specific damages for those losses.
• Loss of consortium – If the accident impacts your relationship with your spouse, compensation could be awarded to them directly.

In very rare instances, a jury may decide to award the victim punitive damages. These are non-economic damages that are designed to punish the defendant for particularly egregious actions. Punitive damages are meant to send a message and serve as a deterrent to others.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. Some common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to leave adequate distance between vehicles
• Failure to yield the right-of-way, particularly when making left-hand turns
• Driver fatigue
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Driving while intoxicated
• Failure to signal lane changes
• Distracted driving (texting, eating or drinking, using in-vehicle devices, daydreaming)

This is far from a comprehensive list of the causes of accidents that cause harm to riders and their passengers every day. Unfortunately, many motorists fail to keep a proper lookout for motorcycles or allow them the same right to the road. When a motorist’s negligence causes a serious crash, legal help is available to make things right.

Why Are Motorcycle Claims More Complicated?

As any experienced rider will tell you, riding a motorcycle is much different from driving a car. Handling a bike is different, the speed feels different, and, unfortunately, the consequences of a crash are far more serious in most cases.

These inherent differences and others make injury claims much more complicated than accidents involving just regular passenger vehicles.

Some of the main ways that motorcycle injury claims are more complicated than others include:

• Injuries are often much worse – In the event of a motorcycle crash, the rider may be thrown from the bike, which can increase the likelihood of catastrophic injuries. Broken bones, internal organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries are commonly reported after a serious motorcycle accident. Because motorcycles lack the protective exterior that cars have, the rider is completely exposed and at risk of crushing injuries and other very serious harm when they collide with a much heavier vehicle, even at relatively low speeds.
• Social biases may prevent fair recovery – Unfortunately, some jurors may not be sympathetic to the plight of injured bikers. Unfair stereotypes may cause them to view all bikers as aggressive outlaws or gang members. It takes additional work to convince some members of the jury that the victim was a law-abiding citizen who was harmed due to someone else’s recklessness, not theirs. Others may believe that people who ride motorcycles accept a certain amount of risk with their choice of vehicle and may not be as understanding as they should be.
• Jurors may have a lack of awareness – While most jurors will know how to drive a car, not everyone understands how to ride a motorcycle. This lack of knowledge can pose a challenge when trying to demonstrate how the victim’s actions followed safe driving protocols and how the other driver’s negligence was to blame for the crash.
• Insurance companies know these challenges and will try to exploit them – The lawyers for the insurance companies understand these challenges all too well and will often use them to their advantage. Keep in mind that it’s their goal to make sure the company pays as little as possible for injury claims. They will likely exploit juror biases, lack of awareness, and any evidence they can use to minimize or deny your claim.

Fortunately, you do not have to fight this battle alone. With an experienced motorcycle lawyer on your side, you can fight unfair stereotypes about motorcyclists and unfamiliarity with motorcycles. We work diligently to pursue a fair resolution of your case.

Common Injuries Motorcycle Accident Victims Suffer

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection for riders compared to the protection drivers have in enclosed vehicles. Even minor accidents can lead to significant physical harm. Some of the most common injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Head injuries are one of the most serious consequences of motorcycle accidents, especially if the rider is not wearing a helmet. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage, affecting memory, motor skills, and overall cognitive function.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, drastically altering the victim’s life. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation, and may result in permanent disability.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Motorcyclists frequently suffer broken arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones in crashes due to the impact with the ground or other vehicles. Fractures can take weeks or months to heal and may require surgical intervention.

Road Rash

When a rider slides across the pavement, severe skin abrasions, known as road rash, can occur. These injuries range from mild to severe, with deeper wounds causing nerve damage, infections, and permanent scarring.

Internal Injuries

The impact of a crash can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs, which may not be immediately visible. These injuries are life-threatening and require urgent medical attention.

Amputations

In high-impact accidents, limbs may be severely damaged or crushed, sometimes resulting in the need for amputation. This life-altering injury often requires prosthetics and long-term rehabilitation.

Facial Injuries

Motorcyclists can suffer facial fractures, dental injuries, and eye damage, especially if thrown from the bike. These injuries may lead to permanent disfigurement or vision problems.

Fatalities in Motorcycle Accidents

Unfortunately, fatalities are a tragic reality in motorcycle accidents. The lack of protective barriers between the rider and the road or other vehicles significantly increases the risk of death. Riders who survive often endure severe, life-changing injuries.

According to recent statistics, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely than car occupants to die in a crash.

If you lost a family member in a motorcycle accident, a fatal motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek justice and compensation. Contact a wrongful death lawyer at Stewart Law Offices today to discuss your case.

Survival Odds in Motorcycle Crashes

While motorcycle accidents can be deadly, about 95 percent of riders survive crashes. Factors that can improve survival odds include:

• Wearing a DOT-approved helmet (which can reduce the risk of death by about 37%)
• Using proper protective gear (leather jackets, gloves, boots)
• Following traffic laws and practicing defensive driving

Even non-fatal crashes can result in severe, life-changing injuries. This underscores the critical importance of both prevention and having experienced legal representation in the event of an accident.

Motorcycle accident victims in South Carolina should seek immediate medical attention following a crash, even if injuries seem minor. Some serious injuries may not be immediately apparent, and prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes.

Sam Bass, a licensed South Carolina Bar attorney at Stewart Law Offices with more than 16 years of experience handling serious personal injury and motorcycle accident cases, often reminds clients that seeking medical care right away is essential. Doing so protects your health, documents your injuries, and strengthens your ability to pursue full compensation for your losses.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in South Carolina

If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, you should take the following steps:

• Remain at the scene – Do not leave the scene of the accident. Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime in South Carolina. If you leave the scene, any injury claim that you would need to make could be placed in serious jeopardy.
• Contact police and EMS – Call 911 to report the accident and request emergency assistance. If you are hurt, make sure to communicate (if possible) with first responders when they arrive on the scene.
• Seek medical attention – Even if you are not taken to a hospital right away for treatment, you should still seek medical treatment in an emergency room or from your personal physician as soon as possible. Many victims report pain in the days following an accident, so it is a good idea to get any injuries diagnosed, treated, and documented right away. Don’t treat your injuries yourself. Seek medical attention instead.
• Assist the police with the accident report – You are required to cooperate with law enforcement officers if they respond to the scene, but keep in mind that any statements you make at the scene of the accident may impact your claim for compensation, including polite apologies, which may be misconstrued as an admission of responsibility.
• Take pictures if possible – The more pictures of the immediate aftermath of the crash and the entire scene, the better. If you can take them yourself, take pictures of the vehicles from multiple angles and distances, and be sure to document any skid marks, obstructed road signs, or any other relevant information. If you were severely hurt and need to be transported for immediate medical attention, have friends or family members document the scene for you.
• Exchange information – Get the information of the other drivers involved, including their full names, phone numbers, and insurance information. If witnesses were at the scene, make sure to get their contact info, too. They could become vital to an injury claim later on.
• Notify your insurance company – Most insurance policies require policyholders to report accidents right away. Ask if your policy includes medical benefits as part of your coverage.
• Document everything – Keep a file with all of the documents related to your accident, including the photos you took at the scene, the official police report, your medical records, medical bills, wage and earnings statements, and others.
• Contact experienced motorcycle accident attorneys – Hiring a lawyer who has successfully handled motorcycle claims in the past can be the key to a successful case.* While some individuals may be tempted to pursue compensation on their own and negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement, a motorcycle accident attorney will understand how to investigate the accident, identify who is liable for your injuries, and place a fair value on your claim that will be negotiated with the insurance company. If they do not offer you a fair settlement, your attorney can file a lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Claims

The statute of limitations for filing injury claims or wrongful death claims varies from state to state. South Carolina motorcycle laws state that injured individuals or representatives of the deceased must file injury actions or wrongful death actions within three years of the date of injury or death.