Motorcycle Accident Attorney Columbia SC

 

Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating and reinvigorating. There’s a great sense of freedom on the road, but motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to injuries. Your life could change in an instant because of someone not checking their blind spots or a pothole the city hasn’t fixed in years. Accident victims need a stalwart advocate to help them on the road to recovery.

While in Congress, Joe Cunningham proudly served the people of South Carolina. As a lawyer, he makes sure that accident victims and their families have someone on their side that they can count on. To request a free consultation with our motorcycle accident attorney Columbia SC law firm, contact Joe Cunningham Law.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in South Carolina?

According to numbers from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), there were 2,032 motorcycle accidents in 2022, causing 367 serious injuries and 147 deaths. Richland County recorded 20 serious injuries from motorcycle accidents and 10 fatalities from motorcycle accidents.

To put these numbers into perspective, the SCDPS found that in 2022, a motorcyclist died in South Carolina every 2.5 days.

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

Per South Carolina Code § 15-3-530, you typically have three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a claim. Once that three-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to pursue legal action.

Keep in mind that there are expectations to that three-year deadline, so it’s best to contact our motorcycle accident attorney serving Columbia, SC as soon after the crash as possible.

Joe Cunningham Law Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident

Joe Cunningham developed a people-first approach while he served in the U.S. House of Representative. He takes a similar approach to personal injury litigation, emphasizing the needs of motorcycle accident survivors in Columbia and other communities throughout South Carolina.

Experience Representing Defendants in Accident Claims

Joe started his career in law representing defendants in accident cases. This helped him understand how attorneys on the other side of the table build their cases. Joe can use this knowledge to anticipate the other lawyer’s arguments and create a stronger case for motorcycle accident survivors.

Knowledge of How the Insurance Companies Operate

The team at Joe Cunningham Law understands the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize their settlement payouts. We can identify these strategies and help our clients negotiate better settlements.

Free Case Evaluations

Motorcycle accidents victims have medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses to worry about. Joe Cunningham Law offers free consultations to ease the financial burden on people who are trying to recuperate from their injuries and move forward with their lives.

Representation on a Contingency Fee Basis

The team at Joe Cunningham Law accepts cases on a contingency fee basis. That means that clients do not pay us unless we can negotiate a favorable settlement or win damages in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Columbia, SC

Joe Cunningham and his team are ready to help you seek compensation. Whether you were hit by a negligent driver or got injured because of an issue with a motorcycle part, we are here for you. To discuss your collision with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney serving Columbia, SC, contact our law firm today.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Excessive Speed

When any driver exceeds the posted speed limit, it puts everyone on the road at risk. Motorcyclists and any South Carolinians driving commuter vehicles have a responsibility to one another to follow the posted speed limit and keep each other safe. When a speeding driver causes a motorcycle crash, the team at Joe Cunningham Law will hold them accountable.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Reckless Drivers

Reckless driving covers all kinds of dangerous behavior behind the wheel such as tailgating, running red lights, weaving through traffic, and refusing to yield. Some drivers may even try to race or overtake a motorcyclist on the highway, or even run them off the road. When a motorcyclist is hit by a reckless driver, it can cause catastrophic injuries and even death.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Distracted Drivers

There are so many sources of distractions for drivers that divert their attention from the road and take their hands off the wheel. Examples include texting while driving, looking up directions on the phone, eating while driving, using a vehicle touch screen, and rubbernecking. Joe Cunningham Law can determine if a distracted driver caused your motorcycle crash and hold that motorist accountable.

Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers

When people drink and drive, they are a danger to themselves and any other South Carolinians sharing the road. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries because of drunk drivers. If an intoxicated motorist is weaving or not paying attention, a motorcyclist could be seriously hurt or killed. If you were hurt in a DUI crash in Columbia, SC, the motorcycle accident lawyers at Joe Cunningham Law can hold the drunk driver accountable.

Vehicle Blind Spots and the Risk of a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcyclists need to be careful whenever they’re around larger vehicles, especially big pickups, SUVs, vans, and semi-trucks. The drivers of these vehicles may be distracted or simply fail to check their blindspots for other vehicles. Given the size of a motorcycle, there’s a risk you could get lost in a driver’s blind spot and get sideswiped. Our attorneys can hold drivers accountable if they neglected to check for a motorcyclist in a nearby lane.

Dooring Accidents Can Seriously Harm Motorcyclists

A dooring accident is when a driver opens their door into traffic. When this happens, it is possible for the door to get struck by an approaching vehicle. Getting doored is a common hazard for bicyclists, but the dangers are much worse when a motorcyclist gets doored. If you got doored while riding past parked cars in Columbia, SC, it’s best to speak with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Joe Cunningham Law about potential legal action.

Vehicle and Part Defects Can Contribute to a Motorcycle Crash

Some collisions aren’t caused by driver error or a motorcyclist’s poor judgment. There are situations in which the motorcycle itself is simply unsafe. This could be due to flaws in design, manufacturing errors, or mechanical failure. Similarly, tires, brake components, and vehicle parts could fail catastrophically while a motorcyclist is on the road. The team at Joe Cunningham Law can help you file a product liability lawsuit if your motorcycle accident was caused by a vehicle problem or faulty part.

How Poor Road Conditions Could Harm Motorcyclists

Bad roads can make riding a motorcycle deadly. You may feel a bump while driving over a pothole in a car, but any serious flaw in the road surface could cause a motorcyclist to lose control. The same can be said of roadkill or debris that hasn’t been cleared from the road. When road conditions cause a motorcycle accident in the Columbia area, local authorities in Richland County or Lexington County may be liable for injuries and damage to a motorcyclist’s property.

Contact Joe Cunningham Law About Your Motorcycle Accident

No matter the cause or causes of your motorcycle collision, you can count on Joe Cunningham and his team to hear you out and help you weigh your legal options. To request a free case review with a trusted motorcycle accident attorney serving Columbia, SC, contact Joe Cunningham Law.

Potential Injuries After a Serious Motorcycle Accident

Certain types of injuries are more common among motorcyclists than other motorists. These are some common motorcycle accident injuries we’ve seen throughout South Carolina.

Road Rash

Road rash refers to abrasions caused by skidding across the surface of the road. Road rash can range from mild cuts and scrapes to severe damage of muscle and deep tissue.

Biker’s Arm

People often hold out their arms as they brace for a fall. The impact can cause injuries to the nerves in the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. This can severely affect mobility and the use of the affected hand and arm.

Broken Bones

Fractures to the arms, legs, and ribs can occur during a motorcycle accident. Joint dislocations and injuries to the ligaments and tendons are also a possibility.

Catastrophic Injuries from a Motorcycle Collision

Even when wearing a helmet and proper riding gear, motorcyclists are susceptible to severe and catastrophic injuries that could cause permanent disability.

• Vision or Hearing Loss – Head trauma or a broken visor could lead to eye injuries or ear injuries that cause blindness or deafness.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – A concussion or other type of traumatic brain injury could affect memory, cognition, mood, and mental health.
• Loss of Limbs – Some motorcycle accidents result in the loss of a limb. There are also instances of limbs being so damaged in a crash that they require surgical amputation. 
• Damage to Internal Organs – The impact of hitting the ground or colliding with another vehicle can cause severe internal injuries that could be life threatening.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – An injury to the spinal cord could result in partial paralysis, paraplegia (loss of use of the lower extremities), or quadriplegia (loss of use of all limbs).

Compensation in a Motorcycle Accident Case

Following a serious motorcycle accident in Columbia, SC, the attorneys at Joe Cunningham Law will make sure the full value of your claim is reflected while we seek damages. Compensation in a motorcycle accident lawsuit can be used to cover:

• Medical Bills – Our team can help you seek compensation for hospitalization, emergency medical care, and followup visits with doctors and other medical specialists after your motorcycle accident.
• Ongoing Medical Expenses – If you need physical rehabilitation or occupational therapy after your motorcycle crash, our lawyers can seek compensation to cover the costs of ongoing care.
• Lost Wages – Some people need to take leave from work in order to fully heal after a motorcycle collision. Our team can make sure you are compensated for lost wages and reduced income as you recover.
• Lost Future Earnings – If your motorcycle accident caused a permanent disability that affects your career or ability to make a living, we can seek compensation to address this loss of future income and earning potential.
• Damage to Your Motorcycle – If your motorcycle was wrecked or totaled in a crash, our lawyers will make sure that repair and replacement costs are covered. We can also seek compensation for vehicle rentals and rideshares while you were without your motorcycle if it was your primary mode of transportation.
• Damage to Other Belongings – We’ll make sure that damages cover the cost of any belongings that were broken at the time of the motorcycle crash.

Can I File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit If I Was Partly at Fault?

Yes. South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state. Per S.C. Code § 15-38-15, that means you can still seek damages after a motorcycle accident if you were no more than 50% at fault. Your percentage of fault gets deducted from the total amount of damages you are rewarded.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages for your motorcycle accident case but were found to be 20% at fault, you would be awarded $80,000.

While working with Joe Cunningham Law, we can let you know if it would be more beneficial to you to accept a pre-trial settlement rather than go to trial.

Legal Options After a Fatal Motorcycle Accident

If you lose a loved one in a fatal motorcycle crash in Columbia, our law firm can help you file a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. A wrongful death lawsuit allows the surviving family members of an accident victim to seek damages.

Compensation sought in a wrongful death case can cover funeral expenses, grief counseling, your loved one’s loss of income, and your pain and suffering.

Contact Our Law Firm About Your Motorcycle Accident in Columbia, SC

After a serious motorcycle accident, you need lawyers on your side who will put your needs and the needs of your family first. Joe Cunningham and his team offer that with their people-first approach to personal injury law. To discuss your cases with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer serving Columbia, SC, contact Joe Cunningham Law.