We know that no matter how skilled and safe you are as a motorcycle rider, you can suffer extreme injuries or lose your life in second because another driver may not be paying attention.
Columbia, SC (PRWEB) December 14, 2014
Columbia, SC motorcycle accident attorney Ben Matthews today said a media report indicating a drop in the number of motorcycle accident fatalities comes as good news, but the lawyer noted that drivers of cars and trucks must continue to watch out for riders and their passengers.
“We handle South Carolina motorcycle accidents, and in many cases the driver of a car or truck will state that he or she didn’t see the motorcycle,” said Matthews, an attorney with more than two decades’ experience and co-founder of Matthews and Megna LLC. “This happens time and again. The motorcycle rider may be going through an intersection when a car turns into his or her path. Or in other cases, the rider is on the highway and another car or truck changes lanes and strikes the motorcycle. Often, the rider or passenger is seriously injured or killed.”
Preliminary data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety indicates that 76 motorcyclists were killed in highway accidents as of Nov. 9, 2014, compared to 117 for the same time period the previous year, according to a Nov. 12 report in GreenvilleOnline (“Motorcycle deaths down from 2013, DPS says”).
The article quotes state officials who suggest education and more skilled riders have resulted in a drop in the number of fatalities. Sgt. Steve McDonald, who works for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, told GreenvilleOnline he believes that more motorcycle riders are taking skills tests as a result of a new rule. The DMV in 2013 began requiring riders who renewed their permits to take a skills test.
He also noted that the state Department of Transportation placed billboards in the 15 counties with the highest motorcycle accident death rate to remind drivers to be aware of motorcycles. The safety campaign included radio ads with “share the road” and “Target Zero” messages.
A Department of Public Safety official, Lt. Kelley Hughes, noted that the state is seeing fewer motorcycle collisions where “fail to yield right of way” is involved. He said these types of accidents have dropped by 10 percent for the first six months of 2014, which follows a decline of 13 percent for the same time period in 2013.
Matthews said his firm fully supports safety initiatives such as the billboards that ask drivers to be aware of what the state describes as “vulnerable users” on the road – motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and those who use mopeds.
“Without question, these types of safety efforts are important and do save lives,” Matthews said. “We know that no matter how skilled and safe you are as a motorcycle rider, you can suffer extreme injuries or lose your life in second because another driver may not be paying attention. These are the types of motorcycle accidents we often see. If a negligent driver causes injury or death, we are here to protect the rights of the injured and families who lost loved ones. We want to make sure they are fully compensated for their expenses and losses.”
About Matthews and Megna LLC
Serving the Columbia, Florence, Darlington and all of South Carolina since 1985, attorneys Ben Matthews and Tony R. Megna have handled thousands of cases and won major settlements for clients, whether settling out of court or going to trial. Matthews & Megna’s areas of practice include bankruptcy law, auto accidents and workers’ compensation cases. They also handle truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, golf cart accidents and moped accidents. The law firm handles personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. As a result, clients only pay for legal services if they win.
Along with an office in Darlington, the law firm’s main office is located at 3400 West Ave, Columbia, SC 29203. To schedule a free case evaluation or for more information, call (877) 253-7705 or visit the law firm’s website: http://www.matthewsandmegna.com.