There are few things more freeing than hitting the open road on your motorcycle. Unfortunately, while riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun, it can also be incredibly dangerous. In 2020 alone, there were 1,909 crashes involving motorcycles in South Carolina – including 113 fatal collisions and 320 accidents that caused serious injuries.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in the Simpsonville area, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. This may be another driver, the government agency responsible for maintaining the road, or even a manufacturer of the bike itself or its components. Through this type of insurance claim, you can recover financial compensation for your property damages, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

At the Derrick Law Office, we represent injury victims who have been hurt in all types of accidents – including motorcycle crashes. We offer free initial consultations, and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Reach out today to schedule an appointment with a Simpsonville motorcycle accident attorney.

Filing a Lawsuit for a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons. Common causes of motorcycle collisions include:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Failure of other motorists to see the motorcyclist
• Sudden stops
• Failure to yield
• Drunk driving/driving under the influence
• Poor road conditions
• Mechanical problems, which may be caused by defective or faulty parts

If your accident was caused by someone else, then you may be able to file a lawsuit against them. Typically, these cases are based on a theory of negligence, or carelessness. In some situations, such as drunk driving crashes, they may be brought under a theory of intentional or reckless conduct.

As the injury victim (plaintiff), you have the burden of proving that the other party was responsible for your accident. However, there are situations where the plaintiff does not have to prove fault. If the other party (defendant) broke a law that was designed to prevent harm, then the legal rule of negligence per se applies; the plaintiff will not have to prove that the defendant was negligent.

The question of negligence can be complicated, and often isn’t as straightforward as an accident victim might assume. For example, if you are hurt in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident, you may assume that you cannot file a lawsuit to recover money for your losses. It may still be possible to file a lawsuit, such as against a state or local government agency that failed to properly maintain the roads.

If you were hurt in any type of motorcycle accident, then you should schedule a free consultation with a Simpsonville motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. They will listen to your story and offer you legal advice on your rights and options.

When Should I Hire a Simpsonville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

After a motorcycle crash, you may be unsure of your rights and what you should do. You may have even been approached by an insurance adjuster who asked you to give a statement or sign some paperwork. They may have even offered you a settlement and told you that they accept responsibility for the accident.

Before you do anything – including giving a statement or signing paperwork – you should schedule a consultation with a Simpsonville motorcycle accident lawyer. The insurance company is not on your side. Their goal is to settle your case for as little money as possible.

By contract, a personal injury attorney is required to advocate for your best interests. They will fully investigate the facts of your accident and hold any and all at-fault parties responsible for your losses. They also will not charge you an attorney’s fee unless they recover money for you through a settlement or verdict at trial.

Studies show that people who are represented by counsel recover an average of 40% more in personal injury claims compared to people who represent themselves. The reason why is simple: insurance companies know that when injury victims have a lawyer, there is a real possibility of having to go to take the case to trial. They know that the attorney will fight for their client’s right to full compensation – so they are far more likely to offer a fair settlement to resolve the matter.

A Simpsonville motorcycle accident attorney will handle your case on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay anything upfront. Instead, if you recover money through a verdict or settlement, you will pay them a percentage of your total recovery. This type of fee arrangement means that you can afford to hire a lawyer even if you don’t have the extra cash to pay an hourly fee.

Don’t let the insurance companies take advantage of you. Contact the Derrick Law Office today to schedule a no-charge, no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

After a motorcycle accident, you may be dealing with a lot: appointments with doctors and therapists, trying to get your bike fixed, being out of work, and financial stress from mounting bills. It may be hard to even think about taking legal action against the at-fault party. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone – our law office can help.

The Derrick Law Firm represents accident victims throughout South Carolina. We fight hard to help our clients get top dollar for their injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Simpsonville motorcycle accident lawyer, give us a call at 864-531-7765 or fill out our online contact form.

How Much Is My Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?

It depends. In a personal injury claim, you may recover for all of your losses – including things such as property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and emotional harm. The value of your case is based on several factors, including how severe your injuries were, whether you are expected to make a full recovery and the policy limits of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage.

During a free consultation, a Simpsonville motorcycle accident lawyer will give you a ballpark estimate of the value of your case. This number may increase or decrease as the case proceeds and more information is uncovered. Reach out to the Derrick Law Office today to schedule a free case evaluation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?

There is a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina. This means that – with a few exceptions – you have 3 years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you fail to do so, then you will probably be barred from pursuing compensation from the at-fault party.

The statute of limitations is an important consideration for injury victims. To avoid giving up your legal rights, you should schedule a free initial consultation with a Simpsonville motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash. Call the Derrick Law Office today to learn more about how we can help.

Related: Damages in a Motorcycle Accident in South Carolina

Don’t worry. We’re here to help!

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and aren’t sure how you’re going to cover all your bills, then you need to speak to a legal professional right away.

Contact us today for a FREE consultation about your case. We can even make house and hospital visits, if necessary. We cover upfront legal costs, and there’s never a fee unless we win a settlement or verdict for you.