A motorcycle crash caused by an impaired driver could leave you angry, hurt, potentially disabled, and unsure how to legally protect yourself. The police may arrest the driver, but the criminal case does not pay your medical bills or replace your lost income.
A motorcycle crash attorney can help you understand the difference between the criminal driving under the influence (DUI) case and your civil injury claim. At KD Trial Lawyers, our Spartanburg drunk driving motorcycle accident lawyers work directly with you to understand how the crash has affected your life.
How Are Drunk Driving Accident Claims Different?
Spartanburg authorities do not handle a drunk driving crash in the same way as a routine motorcycle or car accident. The impaired driver may also be part of a criminal case, which could involve various types of evidence and court records.
It is unlawful to drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances that materially and appreciably impair a person’s ability to drive. The driver’s violation of that criminal standard could establish liability in a civil claim for the collision.
A drunk driving injury case could also involve more serious conduct than simple carelessness. If an impaired driver caused severe bodily injury or death to a motorcycle rider while violating traffic safety duties, South Carolina’s felony DUI law may apply in the criminal case. The main issue for you is still the civil claim: who caused the crash, what harm resulted, and what compensation may be available.
Evidence That May Help Prove the Impaired Driver’s Fault
In Spartanburg, strong evidence can make a difference after an alcohol-related motorcycle crash. Police may have useful information, but you should not assume that the officer collected everything needed for your injury claim. A DUI accident claim may involve:
- Medical records
- Bar, restaurant, or store receipts
- 911 calls and witness statements
- Cell phone records, when available
- Body, dash, or traffic camera footage
- Police crash reports and arrest records
- Breath, blood, or urine test information
- Photos of the scene and vehicle damage
Our lawyers may review whether the impaired driver was speeding, crossed the centerline, or ran a red light. We may also check if the drunk driver followed too closely, failed to yield, or made another unsafe move before the impact. This proof could help connect the driver’s impairment to the crash and your injuries that followed.
Injuries After an Impaired Driving Crash
Drunk driving crashes involving motorcycles and cars could occur at high speeds, or on heavily traveled roads near I-85, I-26, and other routes around Spartanburg. The injuries may be severe for motorcycle riders who have limited protection compared to that of a car driver. This is especially true when the impaired driver fails to brake, drives the wrong way, or hits another vehicle without warning. Common injuries after an impaired driving crash may include:
You may need surgery, therapy, follow-up care, or time away from work. Your family might also deal with transportation problems, childcare issues, and financial pressure while you recover.
An impaired driving accident claim should cover more than just your emergency room bill. It may include your current treatment, future care, lost income, and reduced earning ability. Your claim may also cover pain, physical limitations, and the ways the injury changes your normal life.
How KD Trial Lawyers Could Help
After a Spartanburg DUI motorcycle accident, an insurance company may ask for a recorded statement, offer a premature settlement, or dispute the connection between the losses and the crash. Those issues may add pressure while you are still getting medical care and trying to return to your normal routine.
Our attorneys could help by investigating the collision, reviewing the evidence, and gathering medical documentation. We could also assist in communicating with the insurance company and preparing your claim for negotiation or litigation. Our goal is to be accessible, informed, and prepared as your case moves forward.
Call Our Spartanburg Attorneys After You Were Hit On Your Motorcycle by a Drunk Driver
Drunk driving collisions can cause severe injuries. If an impaired driver hurt you, speak with a Spartanburg drunk driving motorcycle accident lawyer before talking to the insurance company. At KD Trial Lawyers, we offer free consultations for injury cases. Contact us today to learn how our team could help you with your claim.
(864) 585-5100