Your Columbia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
We’re By Your Side Columbia, South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer, here for you, 24/7/365
When a fellow Columbia rider has gone down, we have their back. Our member attorney Drew & Max, are proud to serve the riding community as part of the Law Tigers nationwide pack of motorcycle accident lawyers. Whether your crash happened on I-26, Two Notch Road, Gervais Street, or anywhere else in the greater Columbia area, we are here with answers you need to know now.
Have you been in a bike wreck in Columbia or the surrounding Midlands region? Call us any time, day or night. We are here to help 24/7.
Drew Ashby
Drew has a passion for fighting for injured riders, or the families of riders who were killed. He knows first-hand what it’s like to ride around drivers who don’t look before taking action; whose momentary carelessness can change a rider’s life forever. And Drew knows the biases that riders face in cases and in life, when people assume that every problem is the biker’s fault. Drew loves to set that record straight and ensure that his clients get justice.
Drew’s dad introduced him to motorcycles as a teenager. Before he left for college, he and his dad rode all over the southeastern United States on their bikes, enjoying the roads and their freedom like only riding can provide. More than anything, they loved being a part of the special bond that bikers share; the boundless kindness and generosity that is extended simply because you are a part of the same brotherhood. There is nothing like it. Drew now takes special pride in serving the biker community in a different way – helping them when it matters most.
Like any great ride, the journey from those early days has been part exciting and part unexpected. Drew graduated from Auburn University in 2004, and from Regent University School of Law in 2007. He then immediately came back to Georgia—where he was born and raised—to put down deep roots in his community. He has been here ever since.
Drew always wanted to be a courtroom lawyer, but he didn’t always know what kind. He spent the first seven years defending Fortune 500 companies in litigation. But that path stopped dead in its tracks when Drew was given the opportunity to help change the life of a family whose mother was killed in a horrific crash. After that case, he decided to use his gifts and talents to change lives, not just to pad the profits of an insurance company. From that point on, he never looked back.
The path after that fork in the road has proven that juries see and respond when lawyers care deeply for their clients; when they seek to find justice and put it in its rightful place. Drew is one of the only trial lawyers in the country to have secured a seven-figure verdict, an eight-figure verdict, and a nine-figure verdict, all before the age of 40. He holds the record verdict in Rabun County (GA), the record verdict in Lowndes County (GA), and the largest pain and suffering verdict in Georgia history. He holds the 7th largest premises liability verdict in the Southeast in 2019, the 8th largest vehicle crash verdict in the Southeast in 2020, the largest verdict in any wrongful death case in Georgia in 2021, and the second largest punitive damages verdict for any injury or death case in Georgia history.
As a result, Drew has been named both a Rising Star (an honor bestowed on only 2.5% of lawyers), and a Super Lawyer (only 5% chosen) every year since 2016. He has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2020.
Drew, his wife Anna, and their three young children live in Smyrna, Georgia, where he is involved in his neighborhood, his children’s schools, and their local church.
Max Thelen
Max comes from a tradition of service. He is a third-generation military veteran who has served for more than 17 years in roles ranging from cavalry scout to communications officer, to judge advocate. From combat operations in Iraq to domestic response for natural disasters, civil unrest, and health emergencies all throughout Georgia, he has enjoyed the opportunities to serve others. During that service, he saw firsthand how great soldiers, and people, have suffered serious injury because of the inattentiveness and carelessness that car drivers often exhibit toward motorcycle riders. In his law practice, he is honored to serve people—veterans, law enforcement, and civilians—who have been injured by the negligence of others.
Max has all the legal pedigree you could hope for — summa cum laude honorifics, federal judicial clerkships, fancy big law firm experience, super lawyer titles, etc. — but his passion is being in the trenches with his clients and fighting bullies. There is nothing worse to him than seeing an organization or institution vested with authority for the good of others, instead use that power for its own self-interest. He often sees insurance carriers deliberately undervalue claims because they think they can out-wait and out-spend the little guy. Max is committed to combating that behavior and fighting for his clients to reach a just result.
When he is not practicing law, Max is spending time with his wife, five kids, and two dogs. His family loves the beautiful scenery of the Smoky Mountains, and he does a little bit of hunting too. Bottom line, he cares about what is important, and loves to fight for his brothers and sisters, friends, and clients.
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Columbia
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1513 Hampton St.
Columbia, SC 29201
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803-205-2935
© 2025 Law Tigers. All rights reserved. * Law Tigers is a national association of independent law firms in various states that represent motorcycle riders. This is a paid advertisement for a network (national association) of independent law firms in various states who are members of the American Association of Motorcycle Injury Lawyer. Participating law firms pay a membership fee to be included in Law Tigers, in addition to advertising fees. Law Tigers does not endorse specific lawyer or function as a referral service. Law Tigers is a qualifying provider service in Florida. Calls to the Law Tigers phone number are automatically routed to the member lawyer admitted to practice law in the jurisdiction of the caller. Law Tigers is not affiliated with any government or nonprofit entity. No legal fees are shared with Law Tigers, members do not pay for leads, and Law Tigers does not and cannot establish an attorney/client relationship between any prospective client and member law firm. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyer. Past results are not guaranteed of future outcomes, every case is different. Each client may remain liable for costs, regardless of outcome.
Over 20 Years Defending Injured Riders: Trial-Tested Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Nationwide
Serving the riding community and injured riders for over 20 years, Law Tigers members have:
- Represented tens of thousands of injured riders across the country
- Member firms have hundreds of years of combined trial experience defending clients in the courtroom
Our national association of local motorcycle accident law firms consists of experienced trial lawyers, meaning they know what it takes to defend your case in court. They are aggressive and won’t shy away from pressing and fighting hard against insurance companies that are looking to get out of paying you what they should.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Columbia, SC
Many motorcycle crashes are caused not by rider error but by other drivers failing to respect the rights of motorcyclists on the road. Common causes include:
Left-Turn Collisions: The leading cause of motorcycle fatalities nationwide. Drivers making left turns frequently fail to yield to oncoming motorcycles at intersections.
Distracted Driving: Smartphone use and general inattention at stoplights and intersections are increasingly deadly for riders.
Unsafe Lane Changes: Motorcycles are easily missed in mirrors and blind spots. A vehicle changing lanes without awareness can force a rider off the road.
Road Hazards: Potholes, gravel, and uneven pavement are far more dangerous for two-wheeled vehicles. Where a road defect contributed to your crash, a government agency may share liability.
Impaired and Aggressive Driving: Drunk drivers and speeders on Columbia's interstate corridors leave riders little time to react and dramatically worsen injury severity.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Columbia
- Call 911. A police report is one of the first things an insurer will request and establishes an official crash record.
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks serious injuries. A gap in treatment gives insurers grounds to dispute your claim.
- Document the scene. Photograph both vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, your injuries, and any traffic signs before anything is moved.
- Do not give a recorded statement. Do not speak with the other driver's insurer or accept any offer before consulting an attorney.
- Contact Law Tigers. From the moment you retain us, we handle all insurer communications on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Columbia Motorcycle Accident?
If someone else's negligence caused your crash, South Carolina law allows you to pursue multiple categories of damages. Your claim is not limited to your hospital bill.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses including emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, therapy, and future treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if injuries affect your ability to work long-term
- Property damage to your motorcycle, helmet, and riding gear
- Burial and funeral costs in wrongful death cases
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress, including PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life and permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of consortium reflecting the impact on your relationships
Punitive Damages
South Carolina law (S.C. Code Section 15-32-520) allows punitive damages when the at-fault driver's conduct was willful or reckless, such as drunk driving or street racing. Punitive damages are capped at three times economic damages or $699,761, whichever is greater.
South Carolina Motorcycle Laws You Should Know
Motorcycle accidents in South Carolina are often governed by a combination of state laws and regulations that can impact your rights and the outcome of your claim. Below are the key laws every rider should be aware of when involved in an accident, and how they may affect your ability to recover compensation.
Modified Comparative Fault - The 51% Rule
You can recover compensation as long as you were 50% or less at fault. If found 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing. Insurance adjusters are trained to inflate your fault percentage to close out their liability. Our attorney contests every inflated assignment with evidence.
Helmet Law and Your Rights
South Carolina requires helmets only for riders under 21 (S.C. Code Section 56-5-3660). Riders 21 and older are not legally required to wear one. Your helmet choice does not change who caused the accident or affect the at-fault driver's liability.
Statute of Limitations - 3 Years
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (S.C. Code Section 15-3-530). If a government entity is involved due to a road defect, a notice of claim may be required within two years under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act. Do not wait.
Why You Should Call the Law Tigers?
Here's the harsh truth: Many people and companies will not have your best interest in mind and will fight to make a profit from the worst day of your life. Without an experienced, proven, and aggressive motorcycle lawyer fighting for you, you could be the one who loses in that fight. Since 2001, our member lawyers have fought for the rights of injured riders and their families. Contact us to get moving on your case (there’s no charge or obligation for our Case Review).
Contact a Columbia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
The period after a motorcycle accident can be one of the most stressful times of your life. You should not have to navigate the insurance system alone. At Law Tigers, our Columbia member attorney is ready to fight for you from the very first call.
Call us 24/7 at 803-205-2935 or fill out the free case evaluation form on this page. No charge, no obligation, and no pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Columbia, SC
Below are some of the common questions asked.
Please consult with our Member Columbia motorcycle accident lawyer for full answers and details. Consultations are free!