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27-year-old Anthony Frye, who played tailback at Coastal Carolina University, died in a motorcycle wreck in Myrtle Beach.
Mr. Frye, who lined up at running back for the Chanticleers in 2008 and 2010, was riding near the intersection of Robert Grissom Parkway and U.S. 501 when an SUV made a left turn against traffic directly into his path. He was quickly transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Former CCU wide receiver and teammate Marquel Willis remembered Mr. Frye as “a great guy” who “made it out of a lot of tough situations. . . I kind of saw him as a brother. We were definitely family.”
Motorcycle Crashes
In many parts of the world, crashes like the one above – a motorist turning directly into the path of a motorcycle – receive the acronym “smidsy,” for “sorry, mate, I didn’t see you.” Another acronym, “TBFTL” for “turned but failed to look,” simply does not have the same je ne sais quoi.
The cavalier nature of this acronym belies the seriousness of these collisions, because motorcycle-vehicle crashes are twenty-six times more fatal than vehicle-vehicle wrecks. Some of the severe injuries in these crashes include:
- Biker’s Arm: When riders are thrown off their bikes, they automatically use their arms to cushion the blow. This reaction causes broken bones and, oftentimes, permanent nerve damage.
- Neck Injuries: Like most other body parts, riders’ necks are completely exposed to injury when they smack against another object or the pavement.
- Loss of Mobility: Legs are often caught between the bike and vehicle, and the grinding motion almost literally shatters the bones.
With increasing gasoline prices and warming weather, there will be more and more motorcycle riders, and crashes, in coming months.
Riding a Motorcycle in South Carolina
New riders may be unfamiliar with some of the basic laws in the Palmetto State. Motorcyclists over 20 are exempt from the helmet law; riders 15 and over who have had a learner’s permit for at least 180 days can get a motorcycle license by passing vision, written, and skills tests.
There are also a few unwritten rules that they do not teach at the DMV:
- Never touch another rider’s motorcycle without permission; this rule does not apply in gender-opposite situations (e.g. a girl may touch a guy’s bike.
- Always nod at, wave to, or otherwise acknowledge other motorcyclists on the road.
- Never pass another rider.
- Always stop to help disabled motorcyclists, even if only to offer moral support.
- Watch out for cars, because they are probably not watching out for you.
The same rules apply to mopeds and scooters, because these riders are people too.
Contact a Determined Lawyer
Motorcycle crashes cause serious injuries and property damage. For a free consultation with an aggressive personal injury attorney in Charlotte, contact David Aylor Law Offices. An attorney can arrange ongoing medical care for victims, even if they have no money and no insurance.