The Summerville, South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm recently compiled a fact sheet on South Carolina motorcycle accidents. While this infographic provides some of the most notable motorcycle accident statistics and important information accident victims need, those who were injured in a South Carolina motorcycle accident should feel free to seek additional guidance by reaching out to the Steinberg Law Firm.
Motorcycles are a fun and efficient way to experience the road in a whole new way. However, riders have little protection in the event of an accident. If another driver negligently causes a South Carolina motorcycle accident, you can pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver to help cover the costs of your injuries.
Motorcycle Accident Quick Facts
Across the United States, for every 10,000 registered motorcycles, there are 15.9 fatalities. This makes up 707 percent of all traffic fatalities. As a result, motorcyclists are about 25 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries in an accident than occupants of other types of vehicles.
In South Carolina specifically, there are more than 100 fatal motorcycle accidents each year, and another 2,500 motorcyclists suffer serious injuries in an accident.
What Are the Causes of South Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
While motorcyclists are more likely to suffer serious injury or death in an accident based on the lack of protection a motorcycle provides, many motorcycle accidents have little to nothing to do with the motorcyclist’s fault. In fact, 66 percent of all motorcycle accidents are the result of the driver of the car failing to yield the right of way to the rider.
Other factors that can lead to South Carolina motorcycle accidents include:
• Drivers fail to notice riders due to the bike’s narrow profile
• Drivers fail to check their blind spots
• Drivers do not leave riders enough room
• Drivers misjudge the distance and speed of an approaching rider while making a right turn
One factor that plays less of a role than most people believe is speed. Despite the widespread belief that motorcyclists often travel at a high rate of speed, the data suggest otherwise. In fact, the average speed a motorcyclist is traveling at prior to an accident is between 21.5 and 29.8 miles per hour.
Another common cause of motorcycle accidents is poorly maintained roads. State and local governments are responsible for the maintenance of the roads. Road hazards such as potholes, worn shoulders and uneven pavement contribute to a significant number of South Carolina motorcycle accidents.
Negligence in South Carolina Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists injured in a South Carolina motorcycle accident can bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for the collision. To successfully bring a Charleston motorcycle accident lawsuit, an accident victim must prove that the driver who struck them was legally negligent. In South Carolina, the required elements of negligence are:
1. The driver owed the rider a duty of care;
2. The driver breached the duty owed to the rider by acting carelessly;
3. The driver’s breach of the duty owed to the rider caused their injuries and damages.
One issue that frequently comes up in South Carolina motorcycle accident lawsuits is the motorcyclist’s own role in causing the accident. South Carolina law uses a modified comparative negligence framework for determining which accident victims can recover for their injuries and how much compensation they should receive. As a general rule, the judge can reduce a victim’s damages award by their percentage of fault; however, if the rider is determined to be more than 50 percent at fault, they are precluded from recovering any compensation at all.
For example, assume you were injured in a South Carolina motorcycle accident and suffered $500,000 in damages. If the jury determined you were 25 percent at fault in causing the accident, your total recovery would be $375,000.
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a Charleston motorcycle accident, you can pursue a personal injury claim against a negligent driver or a government entity that failed to safely maintain the road. However, liability in these cases is not always clear-cut, and your decision of which lawyer you allow to represent you is one of the most important decisions you will make in your case. Since 1927, the compassionate lawyers at the Steinberg Law Firm have represented accident victims and their families, helping them recover compensation for everything they’ve been through. From the moment Steinberg Law Firm begins working with you on your case, you will see why we’ve earned a reputation throughout the state as being effective advocates on behalf of the injured.
For details visit: https://www.steinberglawfirm.com/personal-injury/motorcycle-accidents