Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Newberry, SC

Nothing matches the freedom and exhilaration of a motorcycle ride, but the tradeoff is that the design of a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than the design of a car, SUV, or van. Because of that, accident rates are substantially higher for motorcyclists than they are for other drivers. When you’re injured in a Newberry, SC motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to move quickly to pursue compensation and fight for what you deserve.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash, the team at Peake & Fowler is here to help. Call us at 803-788-4370 to schedule a consultation right away.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have never been in a motorcycle accident, you might be surprised at just how much prejudice there is against motorcyclists. From the initial treatment you get at the scene of the crash to the assumptions made by the insurance company, you may walk away from the accident feeling like it was all your fault—even if you started out certain that the other driver was to blame. Police officers, insurance agents, and society as a whole tend to view motorcyclists as careless and reckless drivers who cause the vast majority of their own collisions.

However, at Peake & Fowler, we are motorcyclists ourselves, and we know that most bikers are cautious on the road, respectful of laws and road signs, and attentive to others on the road. Other drivers’ actions often put motorcyclists at risk. Drivers may not notice them, fail to leave them enough space, fail to yield right of way, or intentionally intimidate or threaten bikers.

When you are hurt in an accident, you need someone whose only goal is to get you what you deserve. The other party’s insurance company is solely interested in minimizing their own liability and financial losses, so you can’t expect them to offer you a full and fair settlement. To avoid paying you what you truly deserve, they may claim that you caused the accident, question the severity of your injuries, or try to push you to make a fast decision.

When we step in, we don’t let our clients be affected by these underhanded tricks. We know that we need to understand the accident and your injuries to get you a fair settlement. From investigating the accident and gathering evidence to building a case and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf, we will handle everything so you can focus on recuperating.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Newberry

Part of our job is figuring out the root cause or causes of your motorcycle crash. Determining what happened in the moments before a crash makes it easier to figure out who is to blame and where they went wrong. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include:

• Driver’s failure to see a motorcyclist
• Driver’s failure to yield right of way
• Driver making an unsafe left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle
• Failing to leave the proper amount of space between vehicles
• Driving while fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Inclement weather
• Unsafe roads
• Unclear road signage
• Mechanical issues or defective products

As you can see, fault often lies with the driver or the motorcyclist. It is less common for a defective part, road issue, or bad weather to cause a collision. Our team knows the wide range of factors that go into a motorcycle accident, and we can conduct a full investigation to pinpoint what went wrong.

In many cases, it comes down to driver error. Drivers simply aren’t as attentive to motorcyclists as they are to other types of vehicles. It’s easy misjudge a motorcyclist’s speed, miss them in your sideview mirrors, or otherwise create the perfect conditions for an accident.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Unfortunately, motorcycles offer very little inherent protection to bikers. Because of this, many motorcycle collisions in Newberry result in severe or even fatal injuries. Commonly reported injuries include:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Bruises
• Road rash and subsequent infections
• Broken arm and leg bones
• Broken collarbones and ribs
• Traumatic brain injury
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Wrongful death

The severity of your injuries and the extent to which they are likely to affect your life long-term play a big role in determining how much compensation you receive.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Collision

Taking the proper steps after a motorcycle crash helps you preserve evidence, protect your health, and lay the groundwork for a personal injury claim. We recommend taking the following steps after a collision:

• Contact emergency services. A police report makes it easier to document the accident with your insurance company, and it will also be an integral part of your personal injury claim.
• Tell your side of the story. In some cases, the driver of the other vehicle will try to fill the police report with their retelling of events and completely block you out. However, you need to make sure that your story is told. Make sure you get a change to tell your side of the story to the police officer and have it included in the police report.
• Report any injuries. Let the responding officers know about any injuries you or your passenger may have. You can decide whether to take an ambulance to the hospital or take yourself to the doctor after leaving the scene of the accident.
• Exchange contact information with the other party. You and the other driver should exchange contact and insurance information. If the other party is belligerent or aggressive, do so through the police officer on the scene.
• Seek medical attention. Whether you go to the hospital, an urgent care center, or your clinic of choice, make sure you get a thorough checkup. Some injuries take time to show up, and you don’t want to risk your health.
• Reach out to a personal injury attorney. Your motorcycle accident attorney in Newberry, SC can help you begin your personal injury claim.

Contact Peake & Fowler to Start Your Claim

After the trauma of a motorcycle accident, the last thing you need is constant calls from insurance companies. Let us help. Schedule a consultation with Peake & Fowler by calling us at 803-788-4370 or contacting us online.