Category: Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcyclist traveling in the Knoxville area suffered injured that landed him in the hospital because of a recent accident. While the condition of the motorcyclist was not released, witnesses said that the motorcyclist involved in the accident got thrown from the bike. The motorcyclist flew over the other vehicle because of the impact of the accident. The motorcycle accident reportedly happened at a local intersection of a street and a major thoroughfare.

Inattentiveness is frequently a cause of intersection accidents

Although the cause of this accident has not been released, the fact it happened at an intersection means it can serve as an important reminder for drivers. Because motorcycles are so much smaller and operate differently than do other vehicles, drivers have a special obligation to pay a close lookout for motorcyclists and to take special precautions when they are near. This is especially true at intersections.

For one, if a driver is not paying attention or does not get a clear view before entering an intersection, chances are the driver may simply not see a motorcyclist approaching and pull out right in front of the bike, causing an accident.

Even if a driver waiting at an intersection does see an oncoming motorcyclist, another common mistake is for the driver to misjudge the speed of the motorcyclist and assume that he or she can safely cross in front of the motorcycle.

In reality, there may not be enough time to cross the intersection safely; it is generally best to let a motorcyclist clear an intersection before going forward, even if it seems like the bike is far enough away for the vehicle to cross safely.

Not surprisingly, given the weight difference between a motorcycle and a car, motorcycle accidents frequently end with the people on the bike suffering serious injuries.

If the driver of another vehicle is responsible for these injuries, he or she may be able to get compensation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,900 motorcyclists lost their lives in fatal accidents during 2018. In fact, recent statistics show that motorcyclists are roughly 28 times more likely to lose their lives in collisions when compared to those riding in a passenger car. 

In order to prevent deadly accidents and crashes that cause debilitating injuries, road users should understand the risks and focus on avoiding motorcycle collisions. The NHTSA has outlined a number of guidelines that help all road users stay safe and decrease the likelihood of motorcycle accidents. 

Motorcyclists and awareness on the road

Motorcyclists need to watch out for the risks they face. Strategies such as weaving and downshifting help those riding a motorcycle avoid a collision. 

Moreover, those driving larger vehicles (such as cars and trucks) need to remember that riders are often less noticeable because of the smaller size of their motorcycles. When road conditions are poor due to bad weather or visibility is an issue as a result of fog or the night, the chances of a motorcycle crash are especially high, and all road users need to exercise caution. 

Other strategies to prevent motorcycle accidents

Many motorcycle crashes are the result of drug and alcohol use, fatigue and distractions such as phones. Also, motorcyclists need to make sure that they wear a helmet that meets government standards. 

Motorcycle crashes will continue, and when they are the result of a negligent driver, the driver must answer for their actions. Some motorcycle crash victims benefit from taking their case to court. 

Most people in Knoxville may understand that there is almost always an inherent risk when traveling on the areas roads and highways (regardless of whether that travel takes place in a car or on a motorcycle). Yet what many may disagree upon this the degree of responsibility shared between a vehicle’s operator and their passengers. 

When two adults travel together in a vehicle, one might assume that the passenger should recognize the need to wear their seat belt and avoid distracting the driver (and, by extension, assume liability should any such action lead to them sustaining injuries in an accident). Yet the reckless and/or negligent behavior of a driver may be next-to-impossible to explain away. 

Accident along “the Tail of the Dragon” injures one, kills another

The question of who is liable for an accident can be a complex one, as a recent motorcycle accident in Maryville demonstrates. Authorities reported to the local ABC affiliate that a woman transporting a man on a motorcycle Trike along the popular scenic roadway between Chilhowee Lake and Deals Gap lost control of the vehicle and flipped it off the roadway. They believe the accident to be the result of the woman momentarily taking her eyes off the road and then overcorrecting after her inattentiveness resulted in the trike running into a ditch. She died in the collision; her passenger required treatment at a local hospital. 

Seeking compensation of a liable party’s estate

Medical treatment arising from motorcycle accidents like the one described above can be costly, and thus require one to seek compensation from the person responsible for it. One might question the logic in taking action against one who has died (which is what occurred in this case). Yet in such a scenario, compensation can come from a liability party’s estate. Having legal representation to rely on may help one looking to pursue such a claim. 

In the moments after a car accident, your focus is usually on making sure everyone is okay, seeking medical attention and getting your vehicle to a garage for repairs. However, you also have to deal with law enforcement and your insurance company. This means ensuring that you get an accident report. Your insurance will need the report to process your claim.

The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security explains there are a few different ways that you can get your accident report. You can always send a request by mail to the department’s Financial Responsibility Division. You will need to include a check or money order to pay the small fee and your address or the address to which you want the report sent.

Another quicker option is to go online. It does have a slightly higher fee for this service and you will need to pay with a credit card. The system will not accept prepaid cards or debit cards without a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover logo. You will need to know specific information to get the report. This includes your driver’s license number, date of the accident, the reporting agency and either the license plate number, case or tracking number or your vehicle’s VIN.

The last option for securing an accident report is to request one in person at a Tennessee Highway Patrol office or the office of the investigating agency. Again, you will pay a small fee for processing, and you will have to provide information about yourself and the accident. Each agency may have different operating hours during which you can get a report, so it is best to call ahead.

No two motor vehicle accidents are the same and motorcycle accidents do not always have the same treatment as a standard vehicular accident. Motorcycle accidents are in their own category of wreck. The reason for this is due to the extensive medical costs that motorcycle accidents lead to happening. Motorcycle accidents are more devastating than car accidents. A bike accident is more likely to lead to heavy medical costs, severe injuries and other costs.

The differences between car and motorcycle accidents have documentation behind it. According to Reuters, severe injuries are 10 times more likely to occur when you are on a motorcycle, rather than in a car. When you are on a bike, you remain vulnerable to other cars. You do not have the same protections that a person in a car may have. Instead, you remain exposed to the elements and in the unfortunate event that you go through a wreck; you have more of a chance of serious injury with no metal to protect you.

In the first two years following a collision, the motorcycle crash will cost you approximately twice as much as a car accident costs. Unfortunately, over the last couple of decades, injuries and death attributed to motorcycle accidents did not drop. Instead, it either remains the same or begins to increase. Motorcycle accidents are set apart because the costs double and the injuries are around three times worse than those injuries sustained in a car.

All of the information provides is to inform you of the differences between motorcycle and car accidents. Do not interpret anything as legal advice.

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation for people throughout Tennessee. Unfortunately, however, collisions involving bikes and other motor vehicle are an all too common occurrence. Without the exterior protections provided by cars and trucks, riders and their passengers often suffer serious injuries or death when they are involved in accidents.

This was the case recently in Dunlap for a 64-year-old motorcyclist from Alabama, according to Newschannel9.com. The man was killed in an unnecessary motorcycle wreck when the driver of a truck traveling in the opposite direction on US Highway 27 attempted to turn left in front of his bike. Reports did not indicate which motorist had the right of way or whether either attempted to avoid the crash. There was also a woman on the motorcycle with the man at the time of the accident who reportedly suffered injuries, but no further details regarding her condition were released. The driver of the truck was also injured.

Reports did not indicate who had the right of way at the time of the accident or specify its exact cause. The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to investigate; and though no criminal charges have been filed, law enforcement has asked for drug and alcohol testing for the truck’s driver, as well as for the man killed.

Those left to mourn the loss of loved ones, as well as people who have been injured, in motorcycle accidents need and deserve assistance. Consulting with an experienced attorney after crashes such as the above may be a good way for people to find out more about their rights and options for pursuing financial compensation.

The debate over whether motorcyclists should wear protective helmets when riding has been a seemingly endless one. Motorcycle enthusiasts across the nation are divided on this subject, some arguing that it crosses the line in terms of one’s freedom. Tennessee motorcyclists are currently required to wear a helmet while operating bikes on the road, but might those laws change in the future?

According to one U.S. News article, some motorcyclists have recently continued the fight for freedom, despite the rising numbers of fatalities in some states that have loosened laws surrounding required helmet use. Some riders even go as far as to connect the freedom of choosing to wear a helmet with the freedom of speech; others claim that a tumble from a bike will likely do damage regardless of helmet use. However, doctors and safety experts alike argue otherwise, stating that making this choice comes with serious risks. While studies show a rising number of deaths alongside changes in helmet laws, one motorcyclist highlighted in U.S. News’ article pointed out that an increasing number of motorcycle registration across the country has actually reflected a decrease in deaths since helmet-less laws took effect. 

As motorcyclists, safety experts and insurance agents continue to disagree over helmet laws, there appear to be no changes in Tennessee’s regulations on the matter. The Governors Highway Safety Association shares that a universal helmet law has been in effect in the state since 1967. This universal helmet law was, in part, popularized with the benefits it brought along: highway safety funds. The penalties for noncompliance with this law has since been revoked, but the GHSA adds that 47 states still enforce helmet laws for motorcyclists.   

One might say that motorcyclists in Knoxville are already at an inherent disadvantage when it comes to staying safe on the road. The lack of protection offered by their bikes means that even in a minor collision, they could be at risk of suffering severe injuries. There are steps that motorcyclists may take to mitigate those risks (such as wearing a helmet and protective clothing), yet they also have to worry about inattentive motorists. It can be difficult to see motorcycles on the road, and despite extensive campaigns to increase awareness of motorcyclists, many drivers may still forget to do those simple things to make the road safer for all. 

Sadly, devastating consequences typically accompany collisions between motorcycles and vehicles. This fact was on full display following a motorcycle accident near Meigs County. Authorities believe that a driver pulled on to local highway from a private driveway without seeing a motorcycle approaching. The resulting collision between the two vehicles resulted in the motorcyclist (an Ooltewah resident) being thrown from his Harley Davidson. He died from injuries sustained in the collision. It was later reported that the motorist was not injured at all. 

The pain of losing a loved one in a motorcycle accident might be equaled only by the concern that may come from trying to figure out how to fill the emotional and financial voids he or she leaves behind (this coming after his or her family also having to pay potentially inordinate medical expenses). In such a scenario, family members may be left with little choice but to seek compensation from the responsible parties. An experienced attorney may be a valuable asset to consult with when working to secure such compensation.  

As perfect as hitting the road on a motorcycle feels, it can almost seem as if the two were made to go together. Most Tennesseee motorcycle enthusiasts would agree with this sentiment, especially as the weather continues to grow warmer in the Volunteer State. Unfortunately, this eagerness to keep the roads hot comes an alarming number of accidents. The below information shares a few accident prevention tips, as well as the most common types of motorcycle injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stresses in a brochure on motorcycle safety that motorcycle accidents take 2,100 lives each year. On the same note, motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries than their automobile counterparts. The NHTSA also points out that most crashes involving motorcycles are not the motorcyclist’s fault. To avoid injury on the road, the NHTSA encourages motorcyclists to wear proper protective gear, including gloves, jackets, appropriate footwear, helmets and eye protection. Helmets are the key in this list of protective gear, as they have proven to be 29 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries. 

RideApart magazine understands that, sometimes, an accident can occur despite all the preventative steps taken. Using a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for reference, RideApart explains that 30 percent of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries involve the feet and legs. Following close behind are injuries dealing with the head and neck, which accounted for 22 percent of all non-fatal injuries. Upper trunk wounds followed head and neck injuries, and arms and hands made up the smallest percentage of non-fatal damages. Not only can these statistics help motorcyclists become more alert; they can ultimately save lives.