Since 1994 Auger & Auger has obtained millions of dollars in compensation from drivers responsible for motorcycle crashes, and we want you to benefit from that experience. A Charleston motorcycle accident attorney is available to discuss the damages and injuries you have sustained and explain your rights for pursuing a liability claim.
There are not many roadway accidents as devastating as those sustained by motorcyclists. The high speeds achieved, the gleaming metal bodywork, and the joy of riding against the wind has appealed to Charleston area bikers for nearly eight decades. Unfortunately, these very attributes inherently leave out any real protection for the rider. Add to this the enhanced risks to a motorcycle compared to cars and trucks when there’s uneven pavement, cracks, potholes, and sudden objects on the road (like animals or fallen debris).
Rural roads and off-road treks generally equate to lower speed levels and more relaxed rides. And there are race tracks for those with a penchant for high speed and competition. But highway traffic, increased speeds, and freight trucking congestion are accidents waiting to happen for motorcyclists.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “you are 37 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than a car accident…and nine times more likely to become injured while riding a motorcycle than while driving a car.” In other words, the odds are against you.
Remember, just like truck drivers, other drivers can’t see you if you can’t see them. Public road drivers are not looking for you, so you must look for them! Give cars and truckers the right of way because trying to always be first could land you in the middle of a grievous disaster.
Some motorcycle accidents can’t be prevented by the biker, but there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of a wreck in high-risk situations. Here are some of the most common types of accidents involving motorcycles and ways to prevent them:
Unfortunately, this one is very common, and the main reason it happens is that the other driver doesn’t see the motorcycle. The bike’s small size renders it difficult to spot, and on top of that, most drivers are looking for what they expect to see – other cars and larger vehicles.
Aside from using reflective devices to make yourself more visible, here are some other ways to prevent left turn accidents:
Again, the big problem here is the other motorist doesn’t see you, so they start moving over into your lane. Sometimes the car will strike the motorcycle, but this situation may also lead to a “no contact” crash where the biker goes off the road and crashes into another object while trying to avoid being hit by the car. How can you avoid lane-switching crashes?
Not surprisingly, these are extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders as a car has far more protection than a bike in a head-on crash. Sometimes the car driver crosses the median into the biker’s lane, especially if they’ve been drinking. In other cases, something causes the motorcyclist to lose control and go over the double-yellow line, like hitting debris on the road.
The National Safety Council recommends implementing the “four R’s” to reduce the risk of head-on crashes:
While riding a motorcycle, you may be tempted to beat the rush-hour congestion by sliding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving vehicles. This is called lane splitting, and it’s illegal in South Carolina. It’s also very dangerous for multiple reasons:
The best way to prevent lane splitting accidents is to simply not lane split. If you know traffic will be bad, leave earlier or consider alternate, less busy routes.
South Carolina does allow lane sharing, which is when two bikes ride next to each other in the same lane. This is less dangerous than lane splitting, but the rider on the left will be at increased risk of a head-on collision if another driver crosses the center line. For this reason, it may be better to limit lane sharing to multi-lane streets where you can ride with an extra lane between your bikes and the median.
Unlike some other types of accidents listed here, corner-turning crashes are often one-vehicle accidents. The issue here is that turning is more precarious for motorcycles than four-wheeled vehicles. It’s easy to wipe out when turning for several reasons:
The best way to avoid corner-turning accidents is to drive slowly and carefully. If you haven’t taken a turn before, don’t assume you know how tight it will be. Slow down and be on the lookout for any debris in the road as you turn.
Not necessarily. It depends on how much your mistake affected the collision. South Carolina uses modified comparative negligence statutes for personal injury cases, meaning that if you were less than 50 percent responsible for an accident, you could still collect damages from the mostly-at-fault other party. These damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault you had. In many cases, the motorcyclist’s mistake was minor and only contributed to the collision by a small percentage.
Also, many people think they’re at fault in an accident when they’re not. You should answer questions honestly when speaking with the police after a collision, but never say you think it was your fault. You might not know everything that happened leading up to the crash, and even if you did something wrong, the other party might still be primarily at fault.
If you’ve been in an accident and aren’t sure whose fault it was or if you have a case, please contact a Charleston motorcycle accident attorney right away for a free review of your situation.
For nearly three decades, Auger & Auger has dedicated its practice exclusively to personal injury victims. Our team is service-oriented, with a reputation for exceptional customer service and successful outcomes.
Once you have contacted our office to speak with a Charleston motorcycle accident attorney, you will know you’ve made the right call. Now you can concentrate on your family and healing from your injuries while we work on maximizing the compensation to which you are entitled. We are willing to go up against big insurers to ensure that you receive the proper medical treatment and damage recovery for your medical bills and lost wages.
We are proud to share our success with our clients and are happy to offer a no-retainer, zero-fee guarantee. This means the financial risk is on us, not you.
Call (843) 751-4690 today for your free consultation, with no fees due until recovery!