Cars and motorcycles are vastly different from each other. Motorcycle riders have a higher degree of exposure than car users. This question is answered by analyzing the severity of the fatality of the accidents.
The Insurance Information Institute (III) found that in 2019 motorcyclists were 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than car users. The fatality rate of car accidents is greatly reduced by seat belts and airbags.
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Give Us A Call »Causes of Car and Motorcycle Accidents
Car and motorcycle accidents are often caused by similar factors. Some of these causes include:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving or riding
- Aggressive driving or riding
If another party’s negligence played a role in a car or motorcycle accident, you should receive a settlement. The settlement for a motorcycle accident might be higher than a car accident due to the severity of injuries.
Catastrophic injuries are more likely to occur in motorcycle accidents. These types of injuries have a higher medical expense. Catastrophic injuries can also keep you out of work, temporarily or permanently, hurting your earning capacity.
How Do Cars Compare to Motorcycles?
Both car owners and motorcyclists must have insurance. The minimum liability insurance for cars and motorcycles is similar. Georgia and South Carolina require car and motorcycle owners to carry a minimum liability of $25,000 for bodily harm. The minimum liability insurance for a motorcycle differs from a car because it covers one person. A motorcycle carrying two people requires $50,000 liability coverage for bodily harm.
The physical differences between cars and motorcycles affect the injuries you can sustain in an accident. Motorcyclists have a higher risk of suffering an accident due to limited visibility. Also, motorbikes have less stability and are much smaller than cars. It’s worth noting that motorcycles have the highest fatality rate among all vehicles.
The main safety feature of motorcycles is wearing a helmet. Georgia law requires all motorcyclists and passengers to wear a helmet. South Carolina, however, does not. Georgia only requires children ages 6-17 to wear a seatbelt in a car. South Carolina, however, requires individuals of all ages to wear a seatbelt, whether you’re driving or riding. Lastly, car drivers and motorcyclists must obtain licenses from the state before operating their vehicles.
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(888) 612-7001Identifying the At-Fault Party in a Car or Motorcycle Accident
The process of naming the at-fault party in a car or motorcycle accident is similar. You don’t have to tackle this alone, though. A lawyer can do all the work as you recover from your injuries. The steps involved in this process include:
- Gathering evidence
- Having a police report filed
- Reviewing statements made by the parties involved
- Collecting eyewitness reports
- Negotiating with an insurance company
- Litigating your case if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful
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Give Us A Call »Shared Fault in a Car or Motorcycle Accident
Negotiating with the liable party’s insurance company by yourself might reduce your settlement. The insurance company will try to find ways to blame you for the accident and deny your claim. South Carolina and Georgia are both comparative fault states. If you share fault for the accident, your settlement reduces with the percentage of fault.
You may be partly at fault if you suffer a motorcycle accident without a helmet. The insurance company might argue that any head injury sustained without a helmet is your fault. If you know you are partly at fault, you should acquire legal counsel. A lawyer will know what to do to secure the financial award you deserve.
Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on getting better. A lawyer will also represent you in court if you are unable to physically present yourself. We’ve got you covered during this stressful time.
What to Do After a Car or Motorcycle Accident
The first thing you must do after a car or motorcycle accident is seek medical attention. Getting medical treatment is important because you may have invisible injuries. It is important to see a doctor and follow up with them to make sure injuries aren’t developing weeks or months after the accident.
The medical attention you receive will appear in the medical expenses. This will make it easier to calculate the economic damages sustained in the accident.
You should also obtain the police report if you can. A police report acts as a detailed account of the accident. You can still file a car or motorcycle accident claim without a police report, though. You should also get in touch with a law firm that handles car and motorcycle accidents as they can take over for you.
Call Our Firm Today for Legal Assistance
A car or motorcycle accident can affect anyone. You or your loved one should file a claim if you sustained injuries due to another party’s carelessness in either type of accident.
Hiring a lawyer after a car or motorcycle accident could help you get the settlement you are entitled to. Take a peek at our case results to get a feel for how hard we fight for our clients.1 Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers today at (843) 779-1777 and receive a free consultation with a team member.
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