If you are over the age of 21, you do not have to wear a helmet as an operator, or a passenger of a motorcycle. If you are operating, or riding a motorcycle as a passenger in South Carolina, and are under the age of 21, you must wear a helmet that complies with the standards of the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.  South Carolina also requires riders under 21 years of age to use eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.

To be considered legal in South Carolina a motorcycle must have a rearview mirror, headlights engaged when the motorcycle is on, two headlights with at least one on each side of the front of the motorcycle.

Though it is not required by law, most motorcycle safety advocates recommend that you wear goggles, or a face shield of some sort, boots, protective gloves, a jacket made of leather, or other protective material, and thick pants such as jeans.

You must have a full provisional, or regular, driver’s license, and a motorcycle learners’ permit, or motorcycle endorsement to operate a motorcycle legally on the roads of South Carolina.

How loud can my motorcycle be in South Carolina?

The state of South Carolina requires that a motorcycle be equipped with a muffler.  It is against the law in South Carolina to operate a motorcycle with a muffler cut-out, or bypass.  A cut-out is a mechanical, or electric, device that allows the exhaust to go through a separate exhaust pipe thus bypassing the muffler.

The first and most important is to stay safe at the accident scene. Leave your motorcycle where the accident happened unless it is unsafe to do so, or you have been instructed to move it by a police officer. If you must, or can, move your motorcycle, pull to the side of the road and stay in a safe place after the accident. It is surprisingly common to see additional injuries after the motorcycle accident due to oncoming traffic.

Contact the police as soon as possible after any motorcycle accident. The police will take statements, and make a report to document record the accident scene for your insurance company, or the court if needed. Police will sometimes refuse to come out because the accident was in a private lot, or there were no life-threatening injuries.  If this is the case make sure to get the insurance information, address and phone number of the other driver, and contact information from witnesses.

See a doctor immediately for your injuries.   Do not delay being seen at the emergency room, a chiropractor, or your family doctor.  The longer you delay seeking medical treatment the more the insurance companies penalize you, with their rationale being if you were truly hurt, you would not have delayed seeing a doctor, or going to the hospital, or chiropractor.

It is crucial that you speak to a motorcycle crash attorney at Tippens & Zurosky, who will advise you of your rights after a motorcycle accident. We will focus on the details of the accident so that you can focus on your recovery, and the recovery of any injured family members.

When you contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Tippens & Zurosky, they will advocate for you in all dealings with your insurance company. Do not give a statement to the liability insurance company for the person that struck you, or your own insurance company without an attorney on your side. Insurance companies want to pay you the smallest amount possible for your injuries because they do two basic things: collect premiums, and pay claims.  The less they pay in claims the greater the profit in their pockets. Tippens & Zurosky will protect your rights after an accident and fight for your personal injury insurance claim against insurance companies that have their own best interest at heart.

After any motorcycle accident, you should always take steps to preserve evidence that can help your claim against the insurance company and the other driver, here are a few things you need to document:

Take photos of all of the involved motor vehicles, using your cell phone.  You can also video the accident scene if it is safe to do so, and you are physically able to do so.

Take photos of any visible injuries, including air bag burns, bruising, fractures or back injuries.  Pictures taken at the hospital right after the accident of a serious injured family member can be very persuasive later on when it is time to resolve things with the negligent party.

Keep a daily journal of pain or injuries, such as a record rating your pain, explaining how the pain or injuries affected your daily life, social engagements, work schedule, and relationship with family members.

Again, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is helpful to speak with an attorney before you speak with any insurance company. You can’t even sometimes trust what your own insurance company tells you, particularly if they are the ones that have to pay out on your behalf. Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents and hurt on the job, in North Carolina and South Carolina for over twenty years. Let us help you deal with the unexpected, and get your life back on track. Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.

Again, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is helpful to speak with an attorney before you speak with any insurance company. You can’t even sometimes trust what your own insurance company tells you, particularly if they are the ones that have to pay out on your behalf.  Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents and hurt on the job, in North Carolina and South Carolina for over twenty years. Let us help you deal with the unexpected, and get your life back on track. Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.

Again, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is helpful to speak with an attorney before you speak with any insurance company. You can’t even sometimes trust what your own insurance company tells you, particularly if they are the ones that have to pay out on your behalf. Tippens & Zurosky has represented people involved in auto accidents and hurt on the job, in North Carolina and South Carolina for over twenty years. Let us help you deal with the unexpected, and get your life back on track. Call us toll free at (877) 372-3580, or 704-343-0018 to schedule a consultation so that we may assist you.