Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys Represent Motorcycle Crash Victims in Horry County and Throughout South Carolina

Thousands of South Carolina drivers have a motorcycle registered with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Many motorcyclists enjoy the experience of riding a bike, the savings on gas compared to a car, and the ability to travel whenever they choose. 

Motorcycles can be an effective mode of transportation. When other drivers on the road aren’t paying attention, however, they can also cause a crash that leaves a motorcyclist seriously injured or killed.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Myrtle Beach, talk to an experienced South Carolina motorcycle crash injury lawyer today. The team at the Steinberg Law Firm can help.  

South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycles are a key part of South Carolina’s overall transportation options. Yet, just as with any form of transportation, riding a motorcycle poses risks:

• 123 people lost their lives in South Carolina motorcycle crashes in 2019.
• South Carolina ranks eighth in the US for motorcycle crash death rates, even though total road deaths have decreased.
• Motorcyclist deaths and injuries increased 11 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2020, even though the total number of cars on the road dropped precipitously due to the pandemic.
• Motorcyclists suffered 28 times more often than other road users in 2020 per vehicle miles traveled. They are four times more likely to be injured in a crash. 

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety states that its goal is for the state to have zero motorcyclist deaths or serious injuries on its roads. These numbers demonstrate that the state’s drivers still have work to do in preventing motorcycle crashes. 

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Because motorcyclists’ bodies are less protected than those of vehicle occupants, they tend to suffer serious injuries at a higher rate during a collision. Common injuries that occur in motorcycle accidents include:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries,
• Back and spine injuries,
• Broken bones,
• Organ damage,
• Chest and rib injuries and
• Road rash. 

Some riders may also experience post-traumatic stress symptoms or other mental or emotional health issues. These can affect mood, memory, and sleep or interfere with daily life in other ways. These symptoms can also be debilitating and require treatment. After a severe motorcycle crash, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Types of Compensation for a Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accident

In South Carolina, the driver of a vehicle that collides with a motorcyclist cannot claim that the motorcyclist assumed the risk of the accident by choosing a motorcycle instead of a car. Drivers whose negligence causes a crash are liable to those they have injured, including motorcyclists. 

Damages for Myrtle Beach motorcycle crash injuries may include compensation for losses including:

• Medical bills, including hospital costs, surgery costs, ambulance bills, and the costs of medication, medical devices, and rehabilitation of injuries, 
• Lost wages, including both wages lost while you recovered from your injuries and wages lost if your injuries prevent you from ever working again, 
• Damaged property, such as the repair or replacement costs for your bike, 
• Pain and suffering, related to the crash and your injuries, 
• Loss of enjoyment of life, if your injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies or other activities you once enjoyed.

Other losses may be covered by compensation as well. Talk to an attorney to learn more about how South Carolina law applies to your specific situation and the injuries you suffered. 

What to Do If You’re Injured in a Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Crash

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash in Myrtle Beach, speak to an experienced Horry County motorcycle crash injury lawyer as soon as possible. 

Having an attorney on your side offers several benefits. Your lawyer can:

• Investigate your crash and preserve important evidence.
• Handle insurance company communications.
• Negotiate with insurers and other parties to secure compensation for your losses.
• Advise you on your legal rights, options, and the best steps to take at each stage of the investigation and negotiation process. 

While your lawyer works to protect your rights and pursue compensation, you can focus on healing from your injuries. 

It’s important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. South Carolina limits how long an injured person can wait before filing a claim in court. If you don’t file your claim within three years, state courts will refuse to hear your case. Talk to a lawyer to learn exactly how the three-year time limit applies to your situation. 

Contact the Myrtle Beach motorcycle crash attorneys at the Steinberg Law Firm today. Call or connect online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with an experienced attorney.