If you’ve been hurt while riding a motorcycle, one of the following scenarios might have caused your accident:
- Drunk or distracted driving
- Car turned in front of you at an intersection
- Hit a patch of gravel
- Weather conditions reduced road traction
- Went around a curve or corner too quickly
- Car unexpectedly changed lanes
- Sudden stop caused a car to hit you from behind
- Locked your front brake
- Car opened its door
While not every accident is avoidable, there are precautions that motorcycle riders can take to reduce their risk of being hurt in a motorcycle crash. To prevent common crash injuries, including head/neck/spinal cord trauma, broken bones, cuts and scrapes, keep the following in mind:
- Never ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Always wear a helmet to prevent head injury.
- Obey the speed limit and rules of the road.
- Check the forecast to avoid riding on slippery roads or in reduced visibility situations.
- Never ride between parked cars and free-flowing traffic lanes.
- Stay out of blind spots to prevent car accidents.
- Keep an eye out for potential hazards such as potholes, animals and uneven pavement.
- Watch for cyclists and pedestrians to avoid bicycle accidents or harm to others.
Keep in mind that approximately half of all accidents involving one motorcycle are the result of alcohol or speeding. Don’t let one reckless decision define your future – or possibly end your life.
The following 2017 data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety offers insight into South Carolina motorcycle accidents:
- 66% of motorcycle riders killed in an accident were not wearing a helmet.
- 59% of those suffering non-fatal injuries were not wearing a helmet.
- 86% of motorcyclists involved in traffic collisions are men.
- 56% of motorcyclist fatalities result from collisions with another vehicle.
- The most fatal collisions occurred in September.
Motorcycle riders come from all over the state to attend Myrtle Beach Bike Week and Black Bike Week each year. These events, including Fall Rally, are a great time for motorcyclists to bond over bikes, but with the surplus in riders comes a surplus in accidents.
Keep the safety tips listed above in mind while attending these events, or others like them around the Grand Strand. Don’t let a wreck or an injury turn a great week into a disaster.
If a reckless or distracted driver is responsible for your bike accident in Murrells Inlet or the North Myrtle Beach area, you need an attorney who knows the rules of the road and has trusted experience handling South Carolina motorcycle accidents.
Our team will fight for the benefits you deserve, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages and property damage – and in the most tragic cases, wrongful death.
At David Taylor Law, we’ll handle all the details of your motorcycle accident case so that you can focus on your recovery. To get started, contact our North Myrtle Beach-based team today to schedule your free consultation!