Motorcycle riding along South Carolina roadways can be thrilling and enjoyable. However, when you are injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, the resulting injuries could affect you for the rest of your life. Filing a personal injury lawsuit could help you cover the cost of medical bills and property damage, and there are a few tips you can keep in mind as you move ahead with your case.
- Work With an Attorney
Building a personal injury case on your own can be an arduous task, especially if you are still suffering from pain and medical issues connected with the accident. Presenting your case to an attorney can help you understand the factors that might affect your settlement value and give you peace of mind that it is being handled by an experienced individual or firm. If your injuries were severe, you might even consider allowing an attorney to represent you in court so you can recover without the added stress of repeat courtroom appearances.
- Review Local Helmet Laws
Like most other states, South Carolina has its own helmet laws that could affect the validity of your case. While riders over 21 years of age are not required to wear a helmet, those 21 and under must wear protective headgear, whether they are a driver or passenger. If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your accident and you are not yet 21, this could count as negligence on your part and void any significant insurance payouts.
- Check Filing Deadlines
As with any state, South Carolina places a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits, which means you have a restricted time frame for filing your claim. The state allows up to three years from the date of the accident for you to file a lawsuit, but it can be wise to act quickly once you realize the other party was negligent or that you have serious injuries. A long delay could cause the court to question the validity of your claim.
- Question Settlement Offers
The negligent party’s insurance company may offer you a settlement once your intent to sue is clear. It can be tempting to accept a cash settlement, especially when your medical bills seem overwhelming, but you may want to speak with your attorney before you decide to accept any offer. While it can be difficult to place a monetary value on a motorcycle injury case at the outset, your attorney may be able to let you know if the offer is fair or if you may be able to win more in court.
Filing a motorcycle injury lawsuit can be a puzzling process, but help is available. Speak to an attorney, like a Motorcycle Injury Lawyer, today for further assistance.