Struck by a Motorcycle in South Carolina: What Are My Options?
While many people focus on the vulnerabilities of motorcyclists, these motorists also pose hazards to others. Pedestrians are the obvious example, and a high-speed impact with a motorcycle is easily capable of causing fatal injuries. Unfortunately, these situations are all too common in South Carolina – and a recent incident highlights this hazard with shocking clarity. What can you do if you were struck by a reckless motorcyclist in South Carolina?
South Carolina Resident Struck and Killed by Motorcycle While Checking Mail
In August of 2024, authorities in Lexington County reported that two people had lost their lives after a motorcycle crash in Red Bank. The Highway Patrol explained that a motorcycle with a driver and a passenger was heading down a residential road when it collided with a resident checking his mailbox.
The motorcycle collided with the resident with such force that it was sent flying into a nearby tree. This secondary impact killed the driver of the motorcycle. Amazingly, the passenger survived – although his injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization. The resident was not so fortunate. The impact with the motorcycle caused fatal injuries, and the 63-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the motorcycle was just 17, and this age difference highlights the dangers of riding. Both teens and seniors face serious hazards from motorcycles – often for very different reasons.
Pedestrians Aren’t the Only Ones Threatened by Reckless Motorcyclists
Reckless motorcyclists can easily kill pedestrians, but they can also cause similar injuries to cyclists. A lightweight bicycle is highly vulnerable to heavier, faster motorcycles. An impact between these two vehicles would almost certainly kill or severely injure the cyclist. Even e-bikes, which are heavier and faster than normal bicycles, face similar dangers from high-speed motorcycles.
The most tragic aspect of these crashes is the fact that the motorcyclist also faces likely injuries after colliding with a pedestrian. Unlike a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle cannot run over a pedestrian. Instead, the pedestrian strikes the motorcycle in such a way that it causes the vehicle to crash. As the recent accident in Lexington County shows, these crashes can kill both the pedestrian and the motorcyclist.
In this situation, the family of the pedestrian may wish to file a wrongful death lawsuit. However, these cases can be challenging – as the person who caused the crash may no longer be alive. It may be necessary to sue the defendant’s estate instead – and this is something that an injury lawyer could assist with.
Find an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in South Carolina
Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC has spent years helping the victims of motorcycle accidents in South Carolina. Whether you were riding your motorcycle or walking down the street, we can help you pursue the compensation you need for medical expenses, missed wages, emotional distress, and any other damages you suffered. Reach out today to our Charleston motorcycle accident lawyers, book a consultation, and get started with an action plan.
Sources:
wltx.com/article/news/crime/fatal-accident-leaves-2-dead-in-lexington-county/101-59542f7a-0a07-4737-9595-41a65759d9b2
thestate.com/news/traffic/article291249725.html
