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We all know accidents happen, but no one is ever prepared to lose a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident. Fatal motorcycle accidents in Charleston County are devastating and can leave families facing emotional trauma and financial strain.
Cyclists are not as protected on a motorcycle as they are in a car. That makes motorcycles inherently vulnerable and the risk of severe injury more likely. If your loved one was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, speaking with a motorcycle wreck lawyer could help your family understand your options.
There are many reasons why fatal motorcycle crashes happen in Charleston County.
Anyone who has ever shared the road with a motorcycle knows the feeling—you most likely get nervous when one rides close by. This is because you know that if something happens, the rider has almost no protection. There are no airbags, no seatbelts, and no sturdy frame around them. What might have been a fender bender between two cars becomes a tragedy when a bike is involved. If a driver is recklessly driving and a motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet, for example, a crash may occur.
Since motorcycles are smaller, it is especially important for drivers to exercise caution and pay attention to their surroundings. Speeding, impaired driving, and improper lane changes can all lead to motorcycle collisions.
Since motorcycles are harder to see on the road, it is common for drivers to misjudge how fast a bike is going or fail to see it in a blind spot. Many fatal crashes happen because a car turns left across a motorcycle’s path or makes a quick lane change without looking.
In South Carolina, the law recognizes that accidents are rarely one-sided. Even if the rider shared some of the blame, the family may still be able to recover compensation as long as their loved one was not mostly at fault. That is part of the state’s comparative negligence system under South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-38-15, and it can make a big difference for families left behind after a fatal bike wreck.
A fatal crash can turn your family’s life upside down. While nothing can bring back your loved one, the law allows certain claims that may provide some relief. Under South Carolina Code of Laws § 15-51-10, a wrongful death claim can cover some of the family’s losses, including:
A survival claim, on the other hand, covers what your loved one went through between the accident and their passing.
Both types of claims usually need to be filed within three years. That may sound like plenty of time, but evidence disappears fast. The sooner you start, the stronger your case may be.
After fatal motorcycle accidents in Charleston County, families have options. We are here to help you take the next step. Reach out to us today to speak with our attorneys and paralegal about your legal options. We may be able to guide your family through this difficult time and work toward the accountability your loved one deserves.