Compared to drivers of other vehicles on the road, Horry County motorcyclists are more vulnerable than others when in a motor vehicle accident yet they nonetheless deserve fair treatment and the ability to be compensated when injured, whether or not they are wearing helmets.

Safety laws in South Carolina

South Carolina requires that all motorcycle drivers and passengers 20 years of age or younger wear a helmet at all times. Other drivers and passengers are encouraged to wear helmet but are not required to do so. Eye protection is stipulated in all cases unless a windscreen is in place on the motorcycle.

Accident statistics highlight the risk

With or without helmets, motorcycle riders can suffer serious, long-term injuries or even death when involved in a motorcycle accident involving other vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were a total of 828 vehicular fatalities in the state of South Carolina. Other key findings include:- More than 15 percent of those--a total of 129--were riding on motorcycles- 77.5 percent of people who died in motorcycle crashes were not wearing helmets at the time of their accidents- Almost 21 percent of the accident victims were wearing helmets- Roughly two percent of the motorcyclist involved in accidents may or may not have been wearing helmets; clear data is not available

While helmet use may appear to have an effect on survival rates, it does not by any means alleviate or negate the liability and responsibility of another driver that may be at fault for the accident and ensuring motorcyclist's death.

What to do when a motorcycle accident occurs

As with any vehicular accident, involved parties should provide appropriate care for any injured persons. Once that is secured, you will want to obtain and exchange all personal and insurance data with the other driver or drivers.

From there, collecting evidence either in the form of taking photographs or getting the names and contact information of any witnesses can be very helpful should a claim or lawsuit ensue.

Finally, contacting an attorney experienced in this area of law can be very beneficial to a motorcyclist injured by another party. There can be many unique circumstances in such incidents and the proper counsel can help you understand the laws and your rights.

Article provided by Stampfle Law Firm Visit us at www.stampflelawfirm.com