The town of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a popular spot for recreational activities. For many, riding a motorcycle is at the top of that list. Whether you’re participating in the annual Myrtle Beach Bike Week or simply out to enjoy a Sunday drive, motorcycles are a common fixture on the roads around town. While this is an enjoyable pastime for many people, accidents can—and unfortunately do—happen. A motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries that lead to expensive medical bills. For this reason, it is important to understand some of the more common motorcycle accident injuries and how to manage the aftermath of an accident.
To schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident attorneys, call us today at (843) 881-8644 or contact us online.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When you pass a motorcycle that has been overturned and see an accident victim lying on the side of the road, the circumstances can seem grim. These accidents typically lead to more serious injuries than other motor vehicle accidents due to the inherently minimalistic design of the motorcycle. Some of the common injuries we have seen motorcycle accident victims sustain include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Road rash
Even motorcycle riders that wear protective gear and a well-fitted helmet are at serious risk of injury in the event of an accident. Many of these injuries result in a long recovery time. Some will even require surgery and might keep the injured victim from returning to work for week, months, or even years.
Working With a Skilled Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Lawyer Can Help
The Hughey Law Firm has worked with many motorcycle accident victims, and we understand that these cases are often difficult to handle on your own. The insurance companies have aggressive legal teams who will work tirelessly to reduce the value of your accident claim damages. You should have a legal representative who is dedicated to protecting your rights to fair compensation working on your behalf.
Our team can help put together a claim that represents the true value of your current and future injuries. We have fought to collect compensation for both economic and non-economic damages including:
- Hospital bills
- Surgery
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Prescription medications
- At-home nursing care needs
- Lost wages due to time away from work
- Lost earning capacity due to permanent disability
Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation to review the details of your specific case. We are here and ready to help you through this difficult time.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
The time period after an accident can be confusing for anyone who has been injured. Between speaking with doctors and attempting to figure out what exactly happened, you might be worried about doing something wrong that could hurt your chances of getting a fair settlement from the insurance company. Here are a few steps to take after you’ve been in a motorcycle accident.
- Get to a safe place and then check yourself for injuries. The most important action after an accident is to make sure that you are safe and out of the way of traffic. You certainly don’t want to become even more injured by lingering in the middle of the street. That said, if you are unable to move—have someone call an ambulance right away and ask someone else to help direct traffic around you.
- Call the police. You might be hesitant to call the police after an accident, but making that call is actually important. The police have training that has taught them how to deal with a motor vehicle accident. They should be calm and helpful once they arrive on the scene. If needed, they can call an ambulance to take you to the hospital. Additionally, they will survey the scene of the accident and use this information to create an official accident report. This can be helpful when attempting to determine a negligent party. They can also ask for eyewitness testimony from anyone who saw the accident.
- Seek medical attention—don’t delay! A motorcycle accident is not a pleasant experience, and many people are tempted to walk away and pretend that nothing happened. Avoiding or delaying a visit to the doctor can cost you. Many injuries don’t present symptoms until hours or even days after the initial impact. By skipping a trip to the doctor after the accident, you are giving the insurance company a perfect opportunity to claim that you must not have been seriously injured if you refused medical care. They might go so far as to completely deny offering you a settlement.
- Talk with a personal injury lawyer. Even the most seemingly straightforward motorcycle accident can become complicated once the insurance companies get involved. At times they will attempt to try and get you to give your version of the accident in order to use this information against you. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to anticipate these moves and proactively work to keep your rights protected. At the Hughey Law Firm, our legal team is dedicated to advocating for the rights of our clients, and we will help to maximize the value of your claim.
Speak With a Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
A motorcycle accident can be devastating for all who are involved, and the rider typically incurs the most serious injuries after a crash. If you have been hurt when you were riding your motorcycle in the Myrtle Beach area, it is important to understand your rights. Accident cases can be complicated and require a professional attorney who has extensive experience working through these types of claims. Don’t default to the insurance companies and accept their initial settlement offer. Your claim could be worth much more.
Call a Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident lawyer at the Hughey Law Firm today and learn more about how we can help. We understand the legal process and will do everything in our power to protect your interests after an accident. You can reach us at (843) 881-8644 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.