Motorcycle Accident Lawyer South Carolina

South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, don't face it alone. Contact the Arndt Law Firm today for a free consultation with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Let us help you seek the justice and fair compensation you deserve after your crash. Reach out now!

South Carolina's scenic coastal highways and inland routes attract thousands of motorcyclists annually, but their vulnerability results in severe injuries when collisions occur. The state's roadways, from congested tourist corridors along the coast to winding rural routes in the Upstate, pose unique hazards that can lead to serious outcomes for riders.

Recent state data paints a sobering picture: over 140 motorcyclists died on South Carolina highways in 2022, with hundreds more suffering life-altering injuries across Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Horry, and Greenville counties.

At our firm, we are dedicated to representing motorcyclists and their families who have been involved in serious crashes in South Carolina. Our founder, Jonathan Arndt, is a seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer with a unique perspective that comes from his extensive experience on both sides of the legal spectrum. Before focusing solely on helping injury victims, Jonathan represented insurance companies, which gives us a strategic edge when negotiating with insurers.

We understand that motorcycle claims are often undervalued due to biased assumptions about rider behavior. This is where our firm steps in to advocate fiercely for our clients, ensuring they receive the compensation they truly deserve. Our commitment is to stand by our clients every step of the way, fighting for their rights and working tirelessly to secure justice on their behalf.

Key considerations for South Carolina motorcyclists:

Distracted drivers, left-turn violations, and inadequate road maintenance contribute to the majority of serious crashes statewide
Motorcyclists face disproportionate injury severity due to a lack of physical protection, even when wearing helmets and protective gear.
Understanding legal rights and insurance requirements is essential for securing fair compensation.

The firm ensures motorcyclists receive comprehensive compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and permanent impairments that alter every aspect of daily life. Whether navigating insurance negotiations or preparing cases for trial, The Arndt Law Firm holds negligent parties accountable for the harm they cause on South Carolina's roads.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the Palmetto State

Recognizing the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in South Carolina helps riders anticipate risks, strengthen safety practices, and understand how negligence factors into injury claims.

Driver Negligence

Left-turn crashes at busy intersections are among the leading causes of serious motorcycle injuries throughout the state. These collisions often occur when drivers misjudge a rider's speed or fail to see approaching motorcycles, resulting in T-bone impacts that send riders airborne.

Driver negligence —including failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, and distracted driving —accounts for most motorcycle collisions across the Lowcountry and beyond.

Rear-end collisions on major interstates frequently result from tailgating or sudden stops in heavy traffic. Distracted driving poses particular dangers: texting, using navigation systems, or conversing with passengers can reduce driver awareness on bridges, downtown streets, and highways throughout the state. A momentary glance at a smartphone can mean the difference between a safe commute and a serious crash.

Environmental and Road Hazards

Environmental factors compound collision risks throughout South Carolina's varied geography. Lowcountry afternoon thunderstorms create slick conditions on coastal highways, where sudden downpours reduce visibility and traction within seconds.

Sand and debris from beach access points accumulate along coastal routes, creating traction hazards that catch riders off guard. Construction projects leave loose gravel and uneven pavement transitions that increase crash risk.

Common hazards unique to South Carolina roads include:

Sudden rainstorms that leave oil residue floating on roadway surfaces before washing away
Sand accumulation near coastal routes where beach traffic crosses paved highways
Poorly maintained roads with potholes, uneven expansion joints, and faded lane markings on secondary routes in Hampton County and Allendale County.
Debris from construction zones and inadequate warning signage

These conditions increase the likelihood of single-vehicle crashes in which motorcyclists lose control while attempting to avoid road defects.

Faded lane markings and deteriorating pavement create scenarios where riders must choose between hitting hazards or swerving into adjacent traffic lanes. Uneven expansion joints on bridges cause handlebars to jerk unexpectedly, especially for riders operating sport bikes with aggressive steering geometry.

Weather-Related Factors

South Carolina's climate presents additional challenges for motorcyclists. High humidity can make road surfaces slippery even without rain. Morning fog reduces visibility in coastal and inland areas. Sudden temperature drops cause condensation on road surfaces, making them treacherous for two-wheeled vehicles.

Awareness of these environmental factors helps riders decide when and where to ride safely.

Intersection Dangers

Intersections represent particularly dangerous locations for motorcyclists. Drivers turning left across traffic often fail to see approaching motorcycles or misjudge their speed.

Right-turn-on-red violations catch riders in blind spots. Stop sign violations at rural intersections create collision scenarios in which riders have little time to react. Traffic signal malfunctions or power outages can create confusion, leading to crashes when drivers fail to treat non-functioning signals as four-way stops.

Injuries That Change Lives Forever

Motorcyclists involved in collisions, even at what seem moderate speeds, may sustain serious fractures to the legs, arms, pelvis, or ribs that require surgical hardware (plates, screws, rods) and extended physical therapy.

Even riders wearing helmets and protective gear face significant injury risk due to:

Impact forces that exceed equipment protection capabilities in high-speed or multi-vehicle collisions
Crushing injuries to extremities when motorcycles pin riders against other vehicles or roadway barriers
Internal trauma from blunt force impacts that protective clothing cannot prevent

The lack of physical protection means that even crashes at 35 mph on urban streets like Sam Rittenberg Boulevard produce injuries requiring multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation.

In serious motorcycle crashes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and severe road rash often feature among the most life-altering outcomes. They may require extended care in trauma centers or long-term facilities.

Traumatic brain injuries occur despite helmet use, particularly in T-bone collisions at rural intersections in Orangeburg County or Williamsburg County, where impact forces exceed protective equipment limitations.

A rider wearing a DOT-approved helmet who suffers a side impact from a pickup truck running a stop sign on Highway 52 may still experience concussions, skull fractures, or brain bleeds requiring neurosurgical intervention. These injuries affect cognitive function, memory, emotional regulation, and personality in ways that devastate families and end careers.

In worst-case scenarios, vertebral fractures may damage the spinal cord, resulting in partial or complete paralysis. A crash on I‑77, for example, could potentially render a young worker unable to walk, entailing lifelong care, home modifications, and adaptive mobility solutions.

Road rash (severe skin abrasions from pavement contact) leads to infection risks, scarring, and nerve damage that affect survivors long after the crash scene is cleared. Deep abrasions that expose muscle tissue or bone require skin grafts and debridement procedures, which can cause excruciating pain during recovery.

Internal organ damage creates life-threatening emergencies. Injuries like liver lacerations, punctured lungs, and kidney trauma from handlebar impacts or roadway strikes impose crushing financial burdens that exceed most families' resources.

The emergency airlift costs exceed $40,000 for a single helicopter transport from Hilton Head Island to Charleston. Multi-week ICU stays drain savings accounts built over decades. Lost wages from six months of recovery threaten mortgage payments and children's college funds.

Beyond the physical harm, many survivors and their families confront chronic pain, mental health struggles like depression and PTSD, diminished independence, and long-term disability that no financial settlement can fully reverse.

Understanding South Carolina Motorcycle Laws and Insurance Requirements

South Carolina law requires all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to maintain minimum liability insurance under the state’s financial responsibility statutes (§§ 56‑10‑10, 56‑10‑225). The required minimum liability limits are:

$25,000 bodily injury per person
$50,000 bodily injury per accident
$25,000 property damage liability

These minimums may cover basic damages in moderate crashes, but medical and wage losses often far exceed those in serious motorcycle collisions.

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage becomes critical protection when at-fault drivers lack sufficient insurance. This coverage gap frequently appears in crashes involving drivers who operate vehicles illegally, without insurance, or who carry only the minimum required policies.

An uninsured driver who causes a collision leaves the injured motorcyclist dependent on their own uninsured motorist coverage for recovery.

Underinsured motorist coverage applies when the at-fault driver's insurance proves insufficient to cover damages. If an individual suffers $200,000 in damages but the negligent driver carries only the $25,000 minimum policy limit, underinsured motorist coverage can provide additional compensation up to the policy limit.

Every motorcyclist should have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at least as much as their liability coverage, or even more. This helps ensure their protection if they’re hit by a driver with little or no insurance.

South Carolina's Comparative Negligence Rule

South Carolina's modified comparative negligence rule creates essential opportunities for recovery.

Under S.C. Code Ann. § 15-38-15, injured motorcyclists can recover damages even when partially at fault, provided their responsibility remains below 51 percent. Damages are reduced proportionally based on the motorcyclist's percentage of fault.

For example, a rider found 30 percent responsible for a collision at a busy intersection due to lane positioning can still recover 70 percent of the total damages. If a motorcyclist traveled slightly over the speed limit when a distracted driver turned left across their path, the jury might assign 20 percent fault to the rider and 80 percent to the driver. The motorcyclist would then recover 80 percent of proven damages, $320,000 of a $400,000 total damage award.

This legal framework protects motorcyclists who share some responsibility for accidents while ensuring that primarily at-fault parties bear the financial consequences of their negligence.

Insurance companies exploit this rule by exaggerating the motorcyclist's fault to reduce payouts, making experienced legal representation essential for protecting the victim’s rights.

Helmet Laws and Their Impact on Claims

Helmet laws apply only to riders under 21 or those holding a learner's permit under South Carolina law. However, helmet usage often influences settlement negotiations regardless of legal mandates. When evaluating claims, insurance adjusters scrutinize whether riders wore helmets, protective jackets, boots, and gloves.

A rider who wore full protective gear during a crash demonstrates reasonable safety consciousness that counters adjuster arguments about reckless behavior. Conversely, failing to wear protective gear provides ammunition for insurance companies seeking to minimize payouts. While South Carolina does not require helmets for adult riders, wearing one significantly reduces head injury severity and strengthens the legal position in the event of a crash occurring.

Claims adjusters also examine whether motorcyclists held proper Class M endorsements on their driver's licenses and whether their motorcycles met South Carolina equipment requirements for lights, mirrors, and turn signals. Operating without appropriate licensing or with defective equipment weakens legal claims and may prevent recovery entirely.

License Requirements and Equipment Standards

Riders must hold a Class M endorsement (motorcycle license) to operate a motorcycle in South Carolina legally. Depending on the circumstances, operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement or license may weaken or preclude recovery in a lawsuit.

South Carolina law also specifies various equipment standards for motorcycles, including:

Footrests for passengers when applicable, and a rear-view mirror with adequate rear visibility
A prohibition on excessive handlebar height: no motorcycle should be operated with handlebars more than 15 inches above the seat height of the operator
Functioning lights, signals, mirrors, exhaust systems, and other safety features required by statute

Insurers or opposing counsel can use violations of licensing or equipment statutes to argue that a rider’s negligence or noncompliance contributed to the crash or injury. However, such arguments depend heavily on the facts of the case and may not entirely prevent recovery.

The Claims Process and Critical Deadlines

Filing claims in South Carolina requires careful attention to deadlines and documentation to protect recovery rights.

South Carolina's Statute of Limitations

The three-year clock begins from the accident date, establishing a strict deadline for filing motorcycle accident lawsuits. South Carolina's three-year statute of limitations (S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-530) allows limited exceptions that rarely apply.

If this three‑year deadline is missed (subject to limited exceptions), a court may dismiss the claim as time‑barred, regardless of how serious the injury or how clear the liability might be.

Exceptions include delayed discovery of injuries, such as emerging neurological symptoms from an undiagnosed concussion. However, proving delayed discovery requires substantial medical documentation establishing when symptoms first manifested and why an earlier diagnosis was impossible. Courts strictly interpret these exceptions, making timely filing essential.

Government Entity Claims

Because government entities are subject to special rules under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, injured motorcyclists must meet shorter and more technical deadlines. A verified notice of claim must be filed with the appropriate public body within one year of the incident (detailing the location, date, nature of injury, and basis for liability).

The entity then has 180 days to act. If notice is timely, the injured party generally has up to three years from the incident to sue; without notice, the limit is usually two years. Missing these procedural deadlines or providing defective notice may bar the claim altogether.

Initial Contact with Insurance Companies

Insurance adjusters often contact injured riders within days of a crash, offering quick settlements before comprehensive injury evaluations are conducted. These tactical offers exploit victims' immediate financial pressures while protecting insurers from fair compensation obligations.

An adjuster might offer $15,000 to settle a claim before the injured rider learns that back pain indicates herniated discs requiring fusion surgery. Accepting that offer releases all claims and prevents recovery for hundreds of thousands in future medical expenses and permanent disability.

Never accept an insurance settlement without first consulting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Once a release is signed, the claim cannot be reopened if complications develop or additional injuries are discovered.

Insurance companies know that immediate settlement offers save them money, which is exactly why such offers should be rejected until the extent of the injuries and their long-term implications are fully understood.

Insurance companies employ tactics designed to minimize payouts:

Early settlement offers before injury severity becomes apparent through diagnostic imaging and specialist consultations
Recorded statements that adjusters use to dispute injury causation or introduce inconsistencies during litigation
Challenges to fault determinations by claiming motorcyclists traveled too fast or failed to take evasive action

Insurance adjusters work for corporations that profit by paying less than full compensation. For example, they request recorded statements about the crash on I-20 through Aiken County, asking leading questions designed to elicit admissions that reduce liability.

They claim medical treatment seems excessive or that pre-existing conditions caused the current injuries. They delay processing claims, hoping financial desperation forces injured riders to accept inadequate settlements to pay mounting bills.

Robust documentation is critical in combating these strategies. Key evidence includes:

The police report from South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, which records initial observations, statements, and scene details (though it is not conclusive proof of legal fault)
Complete medical records, imaging studies, and specialist reports showing diagnosis, treatment necessity, and prognosis
Witness statements from eyewitnesses, passengers, or other motorists to support the injured's version of events
Scene photographs or video, capturing roadway defects, traffic controls, skid marks, vehicle damage, and environmental conditions before they disappear or get repaired

Meeting legal deadlines and preserving critical evidence are among the most essential steps to protect one's ability to pursue full compensation after a motorcycle crash.

Why an Experienced South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Makes a Difference

Motorcycle accident litigation often involves technical, medical, and evidentiary challenges that exceed the typical scope of general practice firms. Deciding liability may require interpreting vehicle acceleration data, countering intuitive juror biases that unfairly stereotype riders, and valuing difficult-to-quantify injuries such as permanent scarring that could impair an individual's future earning potential.

Jonathan Arndt’s prior work representing insurance companies and corporations gives him insight into common defense strategies, adjuster patterns, and litigation approaches. This knowledge can benefit injured motorcyclists when negotiating or preparing for trial.

In significant cases, The Arndt Law Firm leverages advanced investigative and expert resources:

Securing event data recorder information from commercial vehicles involved in collisions (for example, on South Carolina highways like Highway 78) to assess speeds, braking patterns, and possible fatigue or negligence
Employing accident reconstruction specialists to analyze skid marks, impact angles, and trajectory, sometimes using computer simulations to model the collision scenario
Retaining biomechanical engineers to counter insurer arguments attributing a client’s herniated discs or spinal condition to preexisting degeneration
Consulting economic and vocational experts to calculate future lost earnings, life care planners to project medical needs, and rehabilitation specialists to assess retraining and diminished capacity

This layered expert support can mean the difference between a “quick” settlement and a full recovery that reflects the client’s long-term losses.

Armed with insider defense strategy knowledge, the firm anticipates common tactics such as delayed claims processing, aggressive demands for recorded statements, narrow interpretations of medical records, and early lowball offers contingent on broad liability releases.

In cases where negotiations stall, the firm is prepared to file lawsuits in relevant South Carolina counties, such as Charleston, Berkeley, and Richland, and to take cases to trial if necessary, sending a message that inadequate offers will be challenged.

Understanding the financial obstacles injured clients face, his firm may also handle essential backend matters:

Negotiating and resolving hospital/provider liens: Under SC law, health care providers have lien rights on recovery proceeds, subject to statutory limits.
Managing health insurer subrogation claims: When insurers have paid medical bills, they may have legal rights to repayment (subrogation). SC law for Medicaid and state medical assistance gives the state superior rights in some situations.
Coordinating long-term care plans, rehabilitation, and facility relationships so that clients can focus on recovery rather than administrative burdens

Because hospital liens and subrogation claims can reduce the net to clients, a law firm experienced in negotiating, contesting, and structuring settlements to protect client interests is instrumental in maximizing recovery.

In short, a seasoned motorcycle crash attorney brings technical, procedural, and strategic capabilities that often make the difference between a subpar settlement and just compensation for life-altering harm.

Understanding Damages in a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries, significant medical expenses, and long-term changes to a rider’s life. Knowing the types of damages available under South Carolina law helps riders understand what compensation may be recovered and why experienced legal representation is essential.

Damages typically cover economic losses like medical bills, lost income, and property damage.
Non-economic damages compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.

Economic Damages

Economic damages reimburse measurable financial losses caused by the accident. A South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer may document these losses to ensure the rider is fully compensated for all tangible financial impacts.

Medical expenses are often the most substantial component, including hospital bills, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, durable medical equipment, and future care costs.
Lost income, including wages lost during recovery and diminished earning capacity if injuries limit long-term work options, is also recoverable.
Property damage claims cover motorcycle repair or replacement costs that insurance adjusters often undervalue.

Future medical expenses require careful calculation by life care planning experts who project lifetime treatment needs and costs. Spinal cord injury victims may need millions in lifetime medical care. Traumatic brain injury survivors require decades of cognitive therapy, psychological counseling, and medical monitoring. Even less severe injuries may require future surgeries, ongoing pain management, and periodic medical evaluations, resulting in substantial costs over a lifetime.

The lost income calculation includes regular wages, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and employment benefits lost due to the injury. Self-employed individuals recover lost business income by documenting typical earnings patterns and demonstrating how injuries prevented them from working.

Diminished earning capacity applies when injuries prevent a return to pre-accident employment or reduce earning potential. For example, a construction worker who can no longer perform physical labor due to back injuries may be forced into lower-paying desk work. The difference between pre-injury and post-injury earning capacity represents compensable economic loss. Vocational experts calculate these losses by analyzing transferable skills, education, work history, and labor market conditions.

Property damage claims cover the cost of repairing or replacing a motorcycle. Insurance adjusters often undervalue property damage, offering repair estimates that ignore hidden damage or providing insufficient total loss settlements. Independent appraisals establish fair market value for total-loss claims and identify all necessary repairs when vehicles can be repaired.

Custom parts, aftermarket accessories, and safety equipment damaged in crashes are recoverable. Destroyed riding gear, damaged helmets, and personal belongings lost in crashes all represent compensable property damage. Comprehensive documentation of the pre-accident motorcycle's condition and accessories ensures complete recovery of property damage.

Out-of-pocket expenses include all costs incurred due to injuries. Transportation to medical appointments, prescription copayments, medical equipment purchases, home modification expenses for accessibility, housekeeping and lawn care services injured riders cannot perform, and even hospital parking fees represent recoverable economic damages.

Meticulous record-keeping ensures all out-of-pocket expenses are included in damage calculations.

Non-Economic Damages

Quantifying pain and suffering involves two common methods:

assigning a daily amount for the duration of the pain
multiplying the medical bills by a number based on the severity of the injury

Severe permanent injuries justify higher pain-and-suffering awards than temporary injuries that heal completely. Testimony regarding pain levels, medication requirements, activity limitations, and quality-of-life impacts establishes non-economic damages values.

Emotional distress includes anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological impacts from accidents and injuries. The trauma of nearly dying in a collision, the stress of prolonged medical treatment, the frustration of dealing with insurance companies, and the grief over lost abilities all constitute compensable emotional distress.

Loss of enjoyment of life compensates for the inability to participate in activities that provided meaning and pleasure before injuries occurred. A rider who can no longer enjoy recreational motorcycling, participate in sports, play with children, or engage in hobbies due to injuries suffers real harm deserving compensation. Before-and-after testimony from family members and friends demonstrates how injuries eliminated enjoyable activities and diminished quality of life.

Wrongful Death Damages

When a crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. Survival claims may also recover for the pain and suffering the deceased experienced before death. The Arndt Firm aims to document and advocate for maximum recovery consistent with the evidence.

Special Considerations in South Carolina

Because South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence system, damages may be reduced proportionally if the rider is partially at fault. For example, if a rider is determined to be 20 percent responsible, both economic and non-economic damages would be reduced by that percentage.

An experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer carefully evaluates current and future medical needs, long-term rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes to calculate damages accurately and advocate for the full recovery to which the rider is entitled.

Serving Motorcyclists Throughout South Carolina

The Arndt Law Firm serves clients statewide from its Mount Pleasant office, handling cases in coastal communities, midland cities, and upstate regions. The firm represents motorcyclists injured across the Charleston metro area, including:

Mount Pleasant
Summerville
North Charleston
West Ashley
James Island
Johns Island
Daniel Island
Isle of Palms
Sullivan's Island

They also serve clients in Berkeley County (Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, Hanahan), Dorchester County (St. George, Ridgeville), and Colleton County (Walterboro).

Because of this broad coverage, the firm may respond quickly to crash sites on major roadways such as US‑17, I‑26, I‑95, I‑85, I‑77, and rural highways. The firm emphasizes that immediate evidence documentation can be critical, since road hazards such as loose gravel, washed sand, or poorly marked zones may be corrected or erased over time.

At the regional level, the firm’s location in Mount Pleasant suggests familiarity with coastal road challenges and route congestion during the tourist season.

Motorcycle Safety & Prevention in South Carolina

Motorcycling is part of the Lowcountry’s lifestyle, from weekend rides through Francis Marion National Forest to commutes across the Ravenel Bridge. So, every rider benefits from understanding the best ways to stay visible, alert, and protected.

Protective Gear and Helmet Use

Although South Carolina law requires helmets only for riders under 21, every motorcyclist should wear one. A DOT-approved helmet reduces the risk of head injury by nearly 70 percent and can significantly lessen the severity of facial or neck trauma.

High-quality riding gear, including padded jackets, gloves, boots, and reinforced pants, offers critical protection from road rash, fractures, and burns in the event of a crash. Even during the state’s humid summers, ventilated safety gear can keep riders comfortable without sacrificing safety.

Visibility and Lane Positioning

Many motorcycle crashes happen simply because other drivers fail to see the rider. Reflective gear, bright clothing, and continuous headlight use can dramatically increase visibility.

Strategic lane positioning, avoiding blind spots, and maintaining a space cushion help riders remain visible on multi-lane roads like Savannah Highway, Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, and I-26.

Motorcyclists should also use turn signals early and maintain predictable movements, especially when traffic is dense or visibility is reduced by rain or glare.

Defensive Riding and Hazard Awareness

Defensive riding is essential in South Carolina’s urban and coastal traffic mix. Riders should assume that other motorists may not notice them and plan escape routes for sudden stops or lane drifts.

Maintaining safe distances, reducing speeds at intersections, and scanning for potential hazards, such as turning vehicles and merging traffic, can help avoid many of the region’s common crash scenarios.

Environmental awareness also plays a significant role. Sudden downpours, slick roads, and sand accumulation near the coast can all compromise traction. Riders should adjust their speed and following distance accordingly, especially when traveling through areas such as Folly Beach, Mount Pleasant, or rural Dorchester County.

Regular Maintenance and Mechanical Safety

Motorcycles demand consistent upkeep to stay safe. Regularly checking tire pressure, brake performance, and lighting systems prevents mechanical issues that could lead to serious accidents.

Community Engagement and Rider Education

The South Carolina Rider Education Program offers valuable courses for new and experienced riders, teaching advanced collision-avoidance and risk-management techniques.

The Arndt Law Firm supports community education and local initiatives that advocate for better road design, clearer signage, and driver awareness campaigns.

By encouraging preventive practices, the firm highlights its dedication to securing justice after accidents and helping South Carolina’s motorcyclists ride safely for years to come.

What Not to Do After a Crash

Do not admit fault or apologize at the scene. Even casual remarks like “I’m sorry” can later be interpreted as admissions of liability. While it’s important to remain courteous, any comments about the accident should be avoided. The rider should provide only the required information to law enforcement and the other party, without discussing how the crash happened or who was at fault.

Do not sign releases or accept settlement checks from insurance companies without legal advice. Signing a release too soon may prevent the rider from pursuing further compensation if complications arise or additional injuries are discovered. Insurance companies often seek quick settlements to limit their financial exposure, knowing that many claimants may not yet understand the full extent of their injuries.

Do not post about the accident on social media. Insurance adjusters often monitor social media for evidence that could undermine a claim. Photos, check-ins, or posts that appear inconsistent with the claimed injuries can be used to question the case's validity. The rider should set all social media accounts to private and avoid posting anything related to the accident, injuries, or recovery.

Do not give recorded statements without legal representation. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that may weaken a claim. They may appear sympathetic while collecting statements that can later be used against the rider. It’s best to politely decline to provide any recorded statements until an attorney has been consulted.

Do not delay medical treatment. Insurers can use delays or gaps in treatment to argue that injuries were minor or unrelated to the crash. The rider should seek immediate medical care, follow all prescribed treatment plans, attend scheduled appointments, and complete therapy programs. Following medical advice supports both the rider’s recovery and the integrity of their legal claim.

Immediate Actions After a Crash

Seek medical attention immediately, even for seemingly minor injuries, to ensure internal trauma receives prompt treatment. Delayed treatment creates opportunities for insurance companies to argue that injuries were not serious or resulted from other causes. Medical documentation from the day of the crash establishes injury causation and severity before insurance companies can create alternative narratives.

Report crashes to the South Carolina Highway Patrol or local police departments to create official documentation establishing fault and preserving evidence before memories fade or scene conditions change. Trooper accident reports document weather conditions, road surface conditions, the presence of traffic control devices, and initial fault determinations based on physical evidence. These reports become crucial evidence when insurance companies later dispute liability.

Avoid detailed statements to at-fault drivers' insurance companies until consulting legal counsel. Recorded statements provide adjusters with opportunities to create inconsistencies that undermine claims. Leading questions may seem harmless, but they can easily turn into justification for fault arguments during negotiations. Politely declining to provide recorded statements until consulting a South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer protects rights without jeopardizing claims.

Document the scene if physically able. Note traffic control devices, road conditions, lighting, weather, and any unusual circumstances. Write down the memory of events while they are still fresh. Details fade quickly after traumatic events, and contemporaneous notes preserve essential information.

Notify the insurance company of the accident as required by the policy. However, limit the information provided until consulting with an attorney. The duty to cooperate with the insurer doesn't require providing extensive recorded statements immediately after crashes when the rider is injured and traumatized.

Taking Action

Contact the Mount Pleasant office at (843) 469-8777 to discuss your motorcycle accident case with Jonathan Arndt. The consultation may address your specific circumstances:

The Intersection Where The Collision Occurred
The Injuries You've Suffered
The Insurance Companies Involved
The Obstacles Standing Between You And Fair Compensation

Understanding your rights under South Carolina law is the first step toward holding the negligent parties accountable whose actions changed your life forever.

The Arndt Law Firm stands ready to guide you through every step of the legal process, from initial investigation through settlement negotiations or trial, ensuring your voice is heard and your interests are protected throughout the journey toward justice and recovery.

The sooner you consult with an experienced South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyer, the better positioned you'll be to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Don't let insurance companies take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge or financial desperation.

Call today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward recovery and justice!