Every driver on South Carolina’s roads has a legal and moral responsibility to watch for motorcyclists and share the road safely. Motorcycles are smaller, harder to see, and offer far less protection in a collision, making vigilance by other drivers absolutely critical. When that duty is ignored, even for a split second, the consequences can be catastrophic.
That’s exactly what happened during a routine ride for a 38-year-old motorcyclist traveling down Main Street in Summerville, South Carolina. When a vehicle pulled out from a parking lot directly into his path, the biker had no time to avoid the collision and slammed into the at-fault driver’s vehicle before being thrown into another vehicle. The situation was dire, and he was rushed to a local hospital by EMS.
Despite the severity of his injuries and the clear liability of the at-fault driver, securing compensation for his motorcycle wreck would prove to be anything but simple. Rather than fight this alone, the biker reached out to Joye Law Firm. Attorney Ran Stoney and Case Manager Mary Muckenfuss, based out of our West Ashley office in Charleston, got to work preserving evidence, securing medical records, and negotiating for compensation to make their client whole again.
Crash on Main Street Leaves Motorcyclist Seriously Injured
Moments before the crash, our client was riding his motorcycle at about 30 miles per hour toward a traffic light on Main Street. Without warning, a driver exited the Family Dollar parking lot and pulled directly into his lane. The motorcycle struck the car, and upon impact, the rider was thrown sideways into a nearby SUV. Emergency responders transported him to the hospital, where he was designated a Level 2 trauma patient. His injuries included a broken left shoulder, a torn meniscus in his right knee, and road rash. He required extensive treatment, including inpatient care, surgeries, and physical therapy, with initial medical bills totaling over $96,000.
Helmet Laws in South Carolina and Their Impact on Motorcycle Injury Claims
A key issue in this case was the motorcyclist’s lack of a helmet at the time of the crash. South Carolina law only requires motorcycle helmets for riders under the age of 21. At 38, our client was well within his rights not to wear a helmet. Importantly, the absence of a helmet does not impact the determination of fault in a collision or limit an injured rider’s ability to pursue compensation. While insurance adjusters will often attempt to make it seem that not wearing a helmet reduces their responsibility, liability for the accident rested entirely with the driver who pulled out into traffic and caused the crash. Attorney Stoney ensured the legal focus remained on securing a fair outcome for the victim, not on whether he wore a helmet.
Insurance Disputes and Policy Challenges
What made this case especially complex was the number of insurance companies involved and their reluctance to pay. Rather than accept clear liability, each insurer attempted to shift blame, deny coverage, or hide behind policy language. Without strong legal representation, it’s likely this injured motorcyclist would have walked away with far less than he deserved.
Attorney Ran Stoney led a strategic legal campaign to break through those barriers. First, Geico, the at-fault driver’s insurer, paid the entire $100,000 bodily injury limit and $37,155.32 in property damage.
The client also carried underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage through Progressive, which initially disputed liability, claiming the policy shouldn’t apply. However, Attorney Stoney dug into the details and identified errors in the carrier’s paperwork. Leveraging South Carolina legal precedent and interpreting key provisions of the UIM statute, he demonstrated that coverage must be afforded under the law. His skilled negotiation and legal pressure led Progressive to reverse its position and pay an additional $70,000.
Another significant hurdle was obtaining compensation from the at-fault driver’s excess liability policy through State Farm. The policy contained coverage up to $25,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. However, this coverage should have applied before the UIM policy was tendered. Yet State Farm refused to make any offer, ignoring repeated settlement demands. Attorney Stoney applied well-established case law to demonstrate that State Farm’s failure to engage in good faith negotiations constituted exposure beyond their stated policy limits. Attorney Stoney took the position that State Farm’s failure to act had opened their policy to exposure and ultimately negotiated a $275,000 settlement with the carrier, well above the original policy limits.
Why Legal Representation is Crucial in Multi-Insurer Cases
Through relentless advocacy, Attorney Ran Stoney achieved a combined settlement of over $482,000, ensuring our client was compensated for his medical costs, pain and suffering, property damage, and any future medical costs he incurs from this wreck. The case demonstrates how legal strategy and insurer accountability can make a powerful difference in complex personal injury claims.
Pursuing a fair settlement from one insurance company can be a daunting process, let alone dealing with three different carriers that each have different coverages, obligations, and negotiations strategies. This case is a clear example of why legal representation matters: insurance companies are far more likely to honor their obligations when faced with attorneys who understand the law, apply pressure strategically, and are prepared to hold them accountable in court. With the legal help of Attorney Stoney and Joye Law Firm, the injured motorcyclist was able to focus on recovery and getting his life back on track while we found and pursued compensation from all applicable policies.
After a wreck, don’t risk leaving money on the table or getting lost in the complicated claims process. Work with a lawyer who will fight for your full and fair compensation.
Call Joye Law Firm today at (888) 324-3100 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
