Summerville, SC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents injure hundreds of people every day. Victims of motorcycle crashes often need extensive medical treatment that can end up being really expensive. For victims, this can feel very unfair, especially if they suspect that the accident happened because another party was negligent.

If you were involved in a motorcycle crash and suspect that another party was negligent, you can take them to court and hold them accountable for their actions. You are able to show that they caused your accident and get financial compensation for the harm they did to you.

Call (803) 219-4906 today to schedule a free case review with the motorcycle accident lawyers of Rice, Murtha & Psoras.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Summerville, SC?

Motorcycle accidents are sudden and scary experiences with a lot happening at once right after they take place. That being said, there are some things that you can do right after a collision happens that can both ensure you are safe and improve a future motorcycle accident lawsuit. Of course, our motorcycle accident lawyers understand that the circumstances surrounding each accident will be different, so you may not be able to do everything you want to after an accident. We will be able to work with whatever situation you have and will advocate for you no matter what.

Get Medical Attention

First and most importantly, ensure that you get the medical care you need after a motorcycle crash. If nobody else has done so and you are able, dial 911 so that they can respond promptly. Once first responders arrive, follow all of their instructions, even if that means leaving the accident to get medical care. Only if first responders clear you to stick around should you try and do anything else.

Collect Information

Second, you should try to gather as much information about the accident as possible while it is “fresh.” Take photos and record videos of the aftermath of the accident, and interview any eyewitnesses and record their statements. Additionally, get the name, insurance information, and license plate number of any other parties involved in the accident. Finally, be sure to talk to any police officers who responded to the accident, as they will make a police report that you can later use to help improve your case.

Building Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Summerville, SC

Once the dust has settled after your motorcycle accident, you need to start taking steps toward pursuing your claim. The first step is to get in touch with our lawyers, but once we are working on your case, there are other things that must happen, too.

First, your case needs to be filed on time in compliance with S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530. That law requires that plaintiffs file their personal injury cases within three years of getting hurt. Otherwise, they lose their right to sue or collect damages.

Second, our legal team will need to gather information and start preparing your claim. Of course, any details you already have are helpful, but we are more than capable of conducting investigations and constructing the full picture of events concerning your accident.

When building a case, you also must decide who you are going to sue. While it is often a good idea to sue multiple parties, you still need to focus your efforts on entities that you believe caused your injuries. If you cannot prove that the defendant caused your injuries, you cannot prove them liable in court. In addition to naming defendants, you also have to specify the amount of financial compensation you are seeking in damages.

Once your case is filed, there will still be work to do. More information will need to be collected, and legal arguments may need to be changed, but we are more than up to the task and will fight for you from the start of your case all the way to the end.

Damages in Summerville, SC Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

When you seek a certain amount of financial compensation in a lawsuit, you have to explain the factual basis for requesting that compensation. You can base damages on many different things in a motorcycle accident lawsuit, and it can be helpful to break down items for which you can get damages into various categories.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are things that can have their value relatively easily displayed in court. Think medical bills, property damage, and lost opportunity to earn income. To show the value of these things, you can offer receipts, invoices, and other tangible proof of their value as evidence.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages will not have a paper trail to prove their worth. This category includes things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. Since there is no paper trail for these kinds of things, you and our lawyers will have to show their worth to the court in other ways. For example, you can testify as to the hardships you experienced because of your injuries.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are a special kind of damages that are meant to punish particularly egregious defendants. In fact, punitive damages are not always an option in motorcycle accident lawsuits. To successfully be awarded punitive damages, you have to show that the defendant’s conduct was at a level beyond mere negligence pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 15-32-520(D). However, you should not worry if you do not think punitive damages apply to your claim. Many plaintiffs are awarded all the compensation they are owed without needing to request punitive damages.

Discuss Your Case with Our Summerville, SC Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s motorcycle accident lawyers can help you out when you contact us at (803) 219-4906.