What damages can I recover after my Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident?

With major motorcycle gatherings in the city, Myrtle Beach frequently sees large numbers of motorcyclists on area streets. However, it only takes one negligent driver to turn the fun of cruising down the Grand Strand on your bike into a sudden nightmare. 

After a motorcycle accident, you may not fully understand the extent of your injuries and the impact they could have on your life. Thus, it’s important not to accept the first settlement offer you receive from the at-fault party’s insurance company. It’s possible that the severity of your injuries or complications later on will require more money than the insurance company is offering. You may seek compensation for:

 

● Medical bills directly related to injuries caused by the motorcycle accident

● Costs associated with your rehabilitation after the injury

● Intangible damage such as pain and suffering

● Mental anguish and emotional distress caused by the collision

● Disfigurement or other permanent injuries

● General physical impairment

● Loss of consortium

● Property damage such as your damaged motorcycle

● Out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the injury, including transportation costs

● Lost wages while recovering

● Potential permanent reduction or loss of income earning capacity 

 

While an attorney can’t tell you exactly what your claim is worth, he can review your motorcycle crash case and discuss which types of damages may be applicable.

While physical injuries and emotional distress are key elements in determining the value of your accident, there are several other factors that may be critical to your compensation.

 

If your Myrtle Beach motorcycle accident was caused by particularly reckless behavior such as driving drunk, additional penalties may apply. In this case, a court may assign punitive damages against the at-fault party, which could impact your settlement amount.

 

An experienced South Carolina motorcycle collision attorney can also assist you even if the accident is partially your fault. State law allows for comparative fault, which means if you’re found partly responsible for the accident, your total amount of compensation could be reduced by your amount of fault. For instance, if you were 10% at fault while the other driver was found to be 90% at fault, your financial award would be reduced by 10%. 

 

Additionally, cases involving a death are valued differently from standard Myrtle Beach motorcycle accidents caused by a negligent driver. If you lose a loved one in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim potentially covering:

 

● Mental suffering and shock from the loss

● Sorrow and grief

● Loss of companionship

Motorcycle accidents in Myrtle Beach present unique challenges and are different than other types of accidents or personal injury cases. Our legal team can offer guidance on overcoming prejudice against motorcycle drivers while handling the legwork of dealing with insurance carriers.

 

You don't need to go it alone during this difficult time when trying to mend after a motorcycle accident.