Rock Hill, SC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Many Americans elect to use motorcycles instead of cars to get where they are going. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen every day, just like accidents involving other motor vehicles, and people often get seriously injured as a result. To make matters worse, the cost of dealing with those injuries can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, creating significant stress, both financial and otherwise.
We can help you if you got injured in a motorcycle accident. Our legal team knows these cases inside and out, so we understand that it takes dedication, knowledge, and a lot of hard work to see justice done for your situation. Let us handle the legal hurdles of your claim so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to living your life.
Chat with the motorcycle accident attorneys from Rice, Murtha & Psoras about your case today by calling (803) 219-4906.
What Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Do for You in Rock Hill, SC
While everyone knows that our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you at trial, what people may not be familiar with are all the other ways that an attorney can help you out following a motorcycle accident. There is a lot of work that goes into these cases, so understanding some of that process is helpful for plaintiffs who may not necessarily know what is going on.
Gathering Evidence
You need evidence to support your claim in court. However, tracking details like witnesses, medical records, and other bits of information can be tedious and difficult, especially for individuals who do not know what they are doing. We can efficiently and effectively get this information so that you can use it to help your claim.
Talk to Adverse Parties
Another important thing that our lawyers do is interact with adverse parties on your behalf. We can talk to opposing counsel and insurance companies and make sure that nothing is done that hurts your case. For example, opposing counsel will be looking for statements and language that insinuates that their client may not be at fault. Saying something as simple as “my bad” could tip them off on that line of thinking. If we talk with adverse parties instead, there is much less likelihood of that occurring.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Rock Hill, SC
Determining the cause of your motorcycle accident is a critical part of a potential motorcycle accident lawsuit. Analyzing your accident and figuring out the contributing causes helps our motorcycle accident lawyers determine who to sue and build a strong factual argument in your claim.
Accidents Caused by Other Drivers
Many motorcycle accidents are the result of driver negligence. In law, “negligence” is acting in a way that is unreasonable and likely to hurt other people. Other drivers can be negligent in many different ways. For example, if a driver speeds, drives drunk, or violates another traffic law, they can be found negligent in court. Drivers can also be found negligent if they do something that no reasonable driver would do under the circumstances. That determination, though, is up to the jury, so our lawyers will work hard to demonstrate the carelessness of the driver’s actions in your case.
Accidents Caused by Defective Vehicles
Sometimes, motorcycle accidents happen because something is wrong with one of the vehicles involved, not because a driver did something wrong. A dangerous problem with a vehicle that causes an accident is called a “defect.” The law lets you sue parties responsible for vehicle defects that cause accidents. To sue the right party, our lawyers have to investigate and figure out where the defect occurred. For example, if there was a known problem with your motorcycle and the company failed to recall it, you could sue the motorcycle designer. On the other hand, if you took your motorcycle to a repair shop and the mechanic screwed it up, you can sue that repair shop for causing your motorcycle to become defective.
Accidents Caused by Poor Road Conditions
Other motorcycle accidents happen because of things like potholes, defective guardrails, and uncleared debris on roadways. When accidents happen for those reasons, you can sue the entities responsible for maintaining that stretch of road. Usually, this is a government entity or company contracted out to do road maintenance.
The Statute of Limitations in Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits in Rock Hill, SC
In addition to determining the cause of your crash, you also have to file your claim on time. Laws called statutes of limitations put time limits on how long plaintiffs have to file their claims. In South Carolina, plaintiffs have three years from when they get hurt to file personal injury cases pursuant to S.C. Code Ann., § 15-3-530. After that time is up, you could lose your right to trial or financial compensation through damages.
Motorcycle Accident Stereotypes in Rock Hill, SC
There is an unfair assumption many people have about motorcyclists that they are careless thrill-seekers. The idea is that it is not a matter of if but when they will get in an accident. This could not be farther from the truth. The majority of people who ride motorcycles are very safety-conscious and observe all laws and safety precautions.
However, there is a chance that this stereotype may sneak its way into your motorcycle accident lawsuit. A canny defense attorney may try to present you as fitting that stereotype to the jury in order to advocate for their client. If that happens, our lawyers will be sure to press against it and ensure that you are represented fairly and objectively so the jury can make the right decision in your trial.
Contact Our Rock Hill, SC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers and Discuss Your Claim Today
Get help from Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s motorcycle accident Lawyers by calling (803) 219-4906.