Apr 29, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Uncategorized
Finally, it’s spring, and the weather is warming up again. So now is the time for some basic motorcycle maintenance to be safe on the road. Here we explain the basics.
Motorcycle Maintenance for Safety
While riders know they need regular maintenance, sometimes they just want to ride now. However, it is important to first check over your motorcycle. Then you can ride safely with confidence. So start with a full visual check of your motorcycle from front to rear. In addition to making sure all bolts are secure, also look at brake pads, belts, and hoses for issues. Also change all fluids, including oil, brake fluid, and chain lube. When in doubt, replace parts sooner than later. Rather, don’t wait to save money. In fact, you can save money in the long run by avoiding unnecessary and expensive repairs. Moreover, the last place you want to discover a problem is while riding down the highway.
Tires and Brakes
Because everything starts and finishes with your tires, make sure they are ready to go. After all, they are the only thing between you and the road. So absolutely make sure they are in good shape with no “flat” or worn spots. In addition, keep your bike and tires slightly off the ground during storage months. Also be sure the tires are properly inflated. While too much pressure can cause tire failure, too little can cause handling and steering problems. And when you need new tires, don’t get the cheap ones. Rather, spend the few extra dollars to protect yourself and get back home to your family.
Just like good tires, don’t take chances with your brakes. Seems like everyone wants speed when they should really focus on how quickly a motorcycle can stop. While going fast is fun, being able to stop in time will save your life. So regularly check your brake linings, cables, and fluids and know you can stop when necessary. Since this is so important, you probably should do a check every time you get ready to ride. Rather than risk serious injury, put safety and regular motorcycle maintenance first. And finally, ride like your life depends on it.
Apr 23, 2013 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Uncategorized
Last Saturday night in Rock hill, a motorcyclist and a driver collide
d, putting them both in the hospital and shutting down on of the busiest streets in Rock Hill: Dave Lyle Boulevard.
Dave Lyle, as Rock Hillians refer to it as, is a stretch right off of Interstate 77 where multiple accidents often occur. The issue seems to be related to distractions and lights, as it is most often reported.
In the case at hand, the 31-year-old female motorists was not wearing her helmet, and slammed into a vehicle while pulling off of the highway and onto Dave Lyle.
The 31-year-old was thrown from her motorcycle and quickly rushed to the hospital with serious injuries via helicopter.
The driver of the motor vehicle also suffered injury, but they were minor in comparison. She is expected to make a full recovery.
If a motorcycle is in a collision with a larger vehicle the damage to the motorcycle is generally greater and the chances of serious injury to the motorcycle driver are greater. Motorcycles do not offer the same structural protections that other vehicles offer. If you are driving on the roads take notice of motorcycles on the road and keep in mind to drive more cautiously around them. Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include cars making a left turn in front of a motorcycle, not checking blind spots before changing lanes, and cars pulling out on the street in front of motorcycles.
The attorneys of Reeves Aiken & Hightower, LLP stand ready to fight for you if you have been in serious accident in South Carolina. You can then call us 877-374-5999 for a private, confidential consultation to review your particular case.
Apr 16, 2013 | Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized
A off-duty Sumter County Sheriff Deputy has been involved in a collision that resulted in the death of a woman. The accident occurred on 
Wedgefield Highway when it is reported that the off-duty patrol car and the other vehicle were traveling in opposite directions when they collided at the Pitts Road intersection with the highway.
The woman was pronounced dead on the scene, and the officer was treated at the Tuomey Hospital and released. There is no report as to who was at fault in the accident, and no charges have been filed.
Some accidents are not the fault of anyone, they are simply accidents. However, in many cases, there is a driver who is at fault for the injuries of the other person. At Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP, we are here to ensure that injury victims get just compensation.
For a consultation, call Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP at toll-free 877-374-5999. We can help to alleviate some of the stresses of your injury.
Apr 11, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A Florence man was killed on Wednesday when he was driving his three-wheeled Cam Am motorcycle westbound and abruptly slammed into the back of a halted tractor-trailer.
According to the SC Highway Patrol, the accident occurred around sunset at 6:48 p.m. The location of the accident was in the westbound lanes of US 76 at Francis Marion University.
Apparently, the tractor-trailer had slowed down to stop at the stoplight right outside the University, when the driver of the motorcycle smashed into the back of the truck.
The 32-year-old motorcyclist was travelling to close and did not realize that the tractor-trailer has come to a complete stop at that point.
Moreover, the motorcyclist had not been wearing his helmet at the time of incident; a reoccurring theme is most deaths due to motorcycle accidents.
No charges are expected to be filed against the driver of the tractor-trailer, who was luckily unscathed by the accident.
Studies from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reveal that 3,675 people were killed and 80,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks or tractor-trailers in 2010. During that same year, 276,00 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes.
However, it is uncommon to hear of an accident occurring between a motorcyclist and a driver of a tractor-trailer. There is always an increased risk in driving a motorcycle, as there is not nearly as much metal around you for protection To make matters worse, often times people driving motorcycles are not wearing their helmets which can ultimately serve as a death sentence.
If you or a family member is involved in any serious motorcycle accident or tractor-, you will need an attorney to protect your rights and get you on a successful path to recovery. Call the experienced attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll-free.
Apr 11, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A 79-year-old man passed away Friday after a horrific motorcycle accident that occurred on March 17th of this year.
According to the Chief Investigator of the Greenwood County Coroner’s Office, the man died strictly as result to his cra
sh last month.
The man was in somewhat stable condition for a few days prior to his death. According to reports however,man’s recovery took a turn for the worst when there was hemorrhaging in his brain that was uncontrollable by the doctor’s on staff. It was this serious brain injury that was the ultimate result of the man’s death.
The details of the collision on St. Patrick’s day are clear however. The 79-year-old was riding his motorcycle south on S.C. 225 Bypass, when he collided with a 2002 Pontiac on the driver’s right hand side.
The driver of the Pontiac was also travelling southbound on S.C. 225 Bypass when he attempted to make
a left turn onto Front Line Road.It was at this time that the victim’s motorcycle hit the driver’s Pontiac.
Officials have stated that the 79-year-old was travelling on his motorcycle at a rapid speed under the conditions and tried to swerve to miss the Pontiac, but was unable to avoid the collision.
The accident occurred on a sunny afternoon, around 4:25 p.m. It was also reported that the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Had he of been wearing one, the result may not have been as grim as it ultimately turned out to be.
The Highway Patrol states that the driver of the Pontiac was transported to Self Regional Medical Center for treatment to her serious injuries. The motorcycle driver had to be airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he eventually passed away after a terrible struggle.
Motorcycle accidents are exponentially more dangerous then that of a regular car. The rationale is that when you are driving a car, you have more metal and protection between you and the collision. However, unlike a typical car, the only thing protecting a person driving a motorcycle from impact due to a collision is their own bodies.
That being said, it is pertinent that one driving a motorcycle exercises extra precautions when operating their vehicle. Wearing a helmet is key. If there is no protection between you and the possible impact, the best thing to do is use your brain and protect it. Thousands of people die every year from serious head or brain injuries due to motorcycle accidents whereas the result may have been different if their head had been protected.
If you, or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident in the Lancaster, York, or Indian Land regions/counties of South Carolina, contact the experienced motorcycle attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower,LLP. We understand that accidents happen, and are here to help. Contact us today at 803-548-4444 or toll-free at 877-374-5999.
Apr 2, 2013 | Motorcycle Accidents, Uncategorized
A 62-year-old man was killed after being struck by a car while he was attempting to avoid a wreck. The man died at Trident Hospital in Berkeley County, South Carolina. According to the Berkeley County Coroner, a group of motorcycles were traveling north on U.S. 17A in Goose Creek, when in an attempt to avoid the collision, the man fell from his bike, and was run over by a sedan traveling in the same direction.
While there was no evidence of negligence in this particular accident, most often motorcycle accidents are the fault of a driver of the car that strikes the motorcyclist. Further, motorcycle accidents almost always result in serious medical bills for the rider due to the fact that there is no protection on the bike itself, and when struck, it is usually the rider of the bike who is hit dead-on.
The medical bills for motorcycle accidents are almost always in the hundreds of thousands. There is almost always a helicopter flight involved, which costs upwards of $25,000, and an extended stay in the hospital can cost tens of thousands of dollars a week. This is why it is so imperative for the rider to have proper insurance coverage to ensure that none of these expenses come out of the rider’s pocket. It is very important for riders to discuss raising his or her coverage to prepare for such an injury.
If you have questions, or if you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, call the law offices of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower, LLP. We have motorcyclists in our office, and we understand the pressures associated with a motorcycle injury. For a consultation, give us a call at 803-548-4444, or toll-free at 877-374-5999. We are here to assist you.
