You enjoy riding your motorcycle and follow the rules of the road. Regardless, a motorist is negligent, slams their vehicle into you and your bike, and causes you to get hurt. At this point, meet with a West Ashley motorcycle accident lawyer to review your legal options.
Let the Thumbs Up Guys at Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward represent you in your motorcycle accident case. We have recovered millions in damages for our clients. Schedule a consultation with our West Ashley personal injury lawyers.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Take a deep breath and focus on the incident. It is easy to lose your cool and lash out at a driver or anyone else responsible for your accident, but doing so can hurt your chances of getting damages. Here are some of the best things to do following your accident:
- Get medical care. Call 911 so medical personnel can arrive on the scene and treat you and anyone else who may be hurt.
- Talk to the police. Let police officers know what happened, and they can prepare a report that you can use as evidence in your personal injury case.
- Collect evidence. Since this will be your lone opportunity to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene.
- Request information from the at-fault driver. Ask this motorist for their full name, driver’s license number, and auto insurance information so you can file a claim.
- Notify your insurance company. Provide your insurer with details about your accident, and they will open a claim.
- Along with these things, speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving West Ashley within days of your accident. The Thumbs Up Guys will learn about you and your case and explain how fault is proven after a motorcycle accident. Request a case consultation today.
How an Insurance Company Will Treat Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
You buy insurance to make sure you are covered financially if you get into an accident while riding your motorcycle. Yet, getting compensation through an insurance claim can be tricky. This is due to the fact that an insurance provider will likely put its own best interests above yours.
For example, you tell your insurer about your motorcycle accident, and the business contacts the liable driver’s insurance company and investigates the incident. You provide evidence to show you are not at fault. However, the at-fault party and their insurer contest your claim.
Instead of facing an insurance company on your own, work with a West Ashley motorcycle accident attorney. Your lawyer will explain if you need a police report to file an insurance claim. They can help you sue an at-fault driver and seek maximum compensation from them.
Damages You Can Request in a West Ashley Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
A motorcycle accident attorney serving West Ashley will encourage you to pursue economic and non-economic damages. You can receive economic compensation based on losses you can quantify and non-economic damages for subjective harm. Damages you can get include:
Medical Bills
You wear a helmet and other protective gear but still suffer an injury in your motorcycle accident. To treat your injury, you need physical therapy and other costly medical care. In your lawsuit, account for your medical bills and ask the at-fault party to cover these losses for you.
Lost Income
It is impossible to work if an injury forces you to stay in the hospital for weeks or months after your motorcycle accident. Your lawyer will add up your lost wages and seek damages accordingly. When they do, they will account for your current and future lost income.
Pain and Suffering
Putting a price on the pain and suffering that follows your motorcycle accident is incredibly difficult. Thankfully, a lawyer can help you out. They will consider your pain and suffering carefully as they determine your losses.
Motorcycle Repairs or Replacement
You recently purchased a new motorcycle or have committed plenty of time and energy to customize your bike. An accident ruins your motorcycle to the point where it no longer runs. Your attorney can ask for damages to cover the costs to repair or replace your motorcycle.
Hire an attorney committed to helping you get the best case results. Your lawyer will calculate your losses and build an argument designed to show a judge or jury you deserve full damages. They will also file your lawsuit in alignment with South Carolina’s statute of limitations.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Lawsuit?
Per South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-3-530, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years. This time frame may not be extended. If you do not request damages within three years of your motorcycle accident, you could be solely responsible for your losses.
If you want to file a lawsuit, consult with a lawyer. This allows you to go over your accident with an attorney and hear what they have to say about it. Your lawyer can submit your lawsuit, gather evidence, and find witnesses to testify on your behalf.
Filing a lawsuit could prompt the defendant in your case to offer a settlement. If you get a settlement proposal, evaluate it with your lawyer. Together, you and your attorney can weigh the offer’s pros and cons, and you can decide if it is in your best interests to approve it.
Our Compassionate West Ashley Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Take Pride in Representing Our South Carolina Neighbors
A motorcycle accident can make you question why you chose to ride your bike in the first place. The incident can leave you with an injury, medical bills, and other losses. A West Ashley personal injury lawyer will help you recover damages so you can move forward with your life.
The Thumbs Up Guys deliver case results that matter. Our lawyers have extensive experience in personal injury lawsuits, and we will help you secure fair compensation from any parties responsible for your motorcycle accident. Contact us to get started.