Category: Motorcycle Accidents

Warm weather in Tennessee is here at last, and that means the motorcycles are beginning to keep the roads hot. While the safety precautions one takes may depend on the type of bike, current state laws enforce helmet use at all times. Regardless of one’s age or experience, a motorcycle accident with helmets involved could decrease riders’ chances of suffering from serious injuries.

Although most states have at least partial laws enforcing the use of helmets, there has long been a debate over these requirements. The Tennessean reported on one effort in 2016 to modify the state’s motorcycle helmet laws; however, the billed failed to pass in a Senate committee. This has not been the first attempt at changing Tennessee’s helmet requirements. Those for the modifications claimed ending laws for insured drivers over the age of 21 would welcome tourism, while those in opposition argued that law enforcement would not be able to determine which riders were properly insured, and that hospitals would ultimately pay the medical price with potentially increased accidents and injuries.

To clarify state regulations, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shares that 19 states currently have laws that require helmet use among all riders. Only Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire do not have any current helmet laws. As for Tennessee, all riders are required to wear helmets when operating a motorcycle. The IIHS also notes that one reason most states have jumped onboard strict helmet regulations is due in part to the 1967 incentive in which all states were required to enforce helmet laws in order to be eligible for various construction funding and federal safety programs. Many may argue over these incentives and the rules that followed, but the penalties for failing to wear a helmet remain steep.    

With spring fully underway, many people in Tennessee may be getting ready to get out and enjoy the open road on two wheels. The freedom and joy that comes from riding a motorcycle is something that simply cannot be matched from riding in a car or other passenger vehicle. At the same time, the level of risk that a person faces when on a motorcycle is also greater than that of a person in a car or other vehicle. 

As explained by Geico Insurance, bikers and their passengers can and should make safety a priority. Always wearing a helmet and eye protection are some the most basic things that a person can do to help themselves in the event that they are involved in an accident on a motorcycle.

It is important to recognize, however, that staying safe on a motorcycle is not always up to the person on the bike. Cars and other vehicles pose many risks to bikers and riders should always be extra aware of situations that can be hazardous. Riding along a parked car opens up the chance that a door might open in front of the bike, for example. Bikers should always attempt to make eye contact with drivers before making turns or other maneuvers to ensure they are seen.

If you would like to learn more about how to stay safe when on a motorcycle or how to get help after either yourself or a loved one has been injured while riding a motorcycle, please feel free to visit the biker’s safety and compensation page of our Tennessee personal injury website.

Motorcycylists in Tennessee certainly have less inherent protection around them than do drivers and passengers in cars, trucks or sport utility vehicles. This fact can make them highly susceptible to injuries when they are hit by other vehicles. That, however, does not mean it is their fault when they are hurt and operators of other vehicles do have a responsibility to avoid hitting motorcyclists just as they do other vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists.

Unfortunately many drivers out there do not appear too concerned with their responsibilities to others. An example of this can be seen in a case in which a motorcycle officer with the Knoxville Police Department was actually rear-ended by another vehicle. To make matters worse, that driver did not stop at all. It was only after the driver was arrested for a completely unrelated offense that she happened to be identified as the person who hit and injured the officer.

The officer was taken to the hospital for treatment and the woman who hit him now faces a myriad of criminal charges including leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, violating the state’s open container law and reckless driving. Details of the man’s injuries are not know but he has been released from the hospital.

Even when criminal charges are issues, people hurt by reckless drivers might want to discuss their civil options for compensation with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Source: KnoxNews.com, “Woman charged in hit-and-run that hurt KPD motorcycle officer,” Hayes Hickman, April 10, 2018

Tennessee’s rolling valleys and gorgeous countrysides attract thousands of motorcyclists each year. Now that spring is here, the state’s roads will likely see a spike in its number of two-wheeled vehicles. While the alluring aspects of riding in the open wind are hard to ignore, there are a number of risks riders can avoid to keep the journey a safe one.

There may be worlds of differences between new and experienced riders, but sometimes even the experts can get rusty with the basics. Consumer Reports shares a piece on motorcycle safety, first noting that the type of bike one buys could make all the difference. Choosing a bike that fits one’s size and level of experience is the first step in avoiding accidents. CR also urges readers to invest in antilock breaks, arguing that such equipment can save lives. Other safety pointers include wearing a helmet, wearing appropriate gear and avoiding rides in dangerous weather.

Most riders would like to assume that the worst simply could not happen; unfortunately, accidents tend to occur when one least expects them. Motorcyclist magazine provides some additional safety tips for riding motorcycles:

• Trust mirrors
• Remain visible at all times
• Stay aware of riding surfaces
• Always ride in open zones 

When it comes to mirror usage, Motorcyclist warns riders that there is a happy medium in regard to trusting one’s mirrors. There are some hidden dangers in placing too much trust in mirrors, as they can sometimes skew the whole picture. Even though drivers of four-wheeled vehicles must pay special attention to cyclists, not everyone maintains a keen awareness. Because the road can become an open world of drivers of all varieties, it is important for motorcyclists to maintain awareness and visibility at all times.  

Now that spring is here, you may be anxious to steer your motorcycle out of the garage and get back on the open road. It is nearly motorcycle season again, and bikers in Tennessee and elsewhere are impatient to feel the freedom of a good ride. However, as we at the law offices of Pryor, Priest, and Harber know, spring also marks the beginning of accident season for motorcyclists.

When you are on your bike, your greatest dangers come from other drivers, especially in the spring when people are not used to seeing an increase in motorcycles on the roads. According to the Cheat Sheet, some of the biggest hazards you face from other drivers include the following:

• Drivers at intersections, especially those who are waiting to make a left turn and may not be watching out for motorcycles
• Vehicles behind you, which may rear-end you if you are stopped at a light or if traffic slows
• Drivers who open their doors without looking to see if any bikes are approaching from behind
• People who switch lanes without checking their mirrors or signaling
• Drivers who are paying attention to their cellphones or other distractions instead of the road

Those who drive cars and trucks have a great responsibility to watch for motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians, who are smaller than their vehicles but share the roads nonetheless. You may increase your own safety by never letting your guard down in traffic, but a driver may be held responsible for your injuries if he or she was negligent behind the wheel, as our page on motorcycle accidents explains.

Anyone who has ever ridden on a motorcycle in Tennessee knows the joy of being on two wheels and the feeling of freedom that may accompany the experience. Unfortunately bikers and their passengers also must be keenly aware of the increased risk they face relative to people in passenger vehicles if they are to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Science Daily indicates that the Canadian Medical Association Journal recently published research that shows exactly how much greater the risk of injury or death is to a motorcyclist than to someone in a regular car. A biker is three times more likely to be hurt in a crash than a driver or passenger in a car. When it comes to the chance of dying, that increases by five times for a person on a bike compared to a person in a car. Costs associated with accident injuries are also greater for bikers than for passenger car occupants and drivers by as much as six times.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016 alone motorcyclist deaths accounted for more than 14 percent of all vehicular fatalities in the state of Tennessee. In Knox County, biker deaths accounted for 18.5 percent of the county’s total deaths in vehicle crashes.

Between 2012 and 2016, a total of 667 people on motorcycles were killed in collisions across the state. Of those, 36 were killed in Knox County. Records also show that the number of bikers killed increased significantly in 2016 over 2015 both statewide and in Knox County on its own.

If you are one of the many people in Tennessee who has watched the evolution of automotive technology in recent years, you might assume that the advances being made are able to help lead to a reduction in motor vehicle accidents. Certainly this is part of the goal of the improving safety features and other elements in vehicles however it seems that progress in saving lives is not yet being seen.

According to records released from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tennessee experienced a significant increase in the number of people killed in automobile crashes from 2015 to 2016. In 2015, there were 962 vehicular fatalities statewide. In 2016, that number rose to 1,041. The same trend was seen in Knox County where motor vehicle deaths jumped from 54 in 2015 to 70 the following year.

Excessive speed and alcohol consumption continue to be two factors that are identified as contributors in many fatal accidents. In 2016 alone, 183 people statewide lost their lives in wrecks in which speeding was a factor. Another 223 people were killed by drunk drivers. In Knox County, over the five years from 2012 to 2016, 159 people died in speeding-related crashes and 77 people died in alcohol-related accidents. Many other fatalities happen in wrecks in which large commercial trucks are involved as 120 people in Tennessee died in these incidents in 2016 alone.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give Tennessee residents an idea of the ongoing risks they and their loved ones face on the roads often due to the negligence of other drivers.

Tennessee motorcyclists have likely considered what they might do if they get into a situation that requires quick braking. Will you be able to stop in time? Will you end up skidding or falling from your bike? These are all reasonable questions. Fortunately, correct braking can actually keep you safe and lower your chances of crashing, rather than add to them.

According to Road Guardians, a lot of braking-related incidents can be prevented through proper braking techniques. A number of accidents happen because motorcyclists treat their brakes the same way they might treat car brakes.

With a car, you’re taught that it’s important to press on the pedal harder for more braking traction. This isn’t the case with motorcycles, whose brakes have a completely different design. The rear brake can be used for gradual or slow stops without any issues. Unfortunately, a slow stop isn’t going to be in the cards if you’re thrown into a situation where you have seconds to keep yourself from crashing.

The front brake being applied softly can cause the same issues. This generally tends to occur because of the fear that heavy use of the front brake will cause a rider to flip over the handlebars. Front wheel braking can actually be dangerous if applied too quickly, as it can cause the front wheel to skid or the steering to lock up.

Essentially, moderation of the brakes is key when it comes to preventing an accident or stopping on a dime. You will even likely be able to keep your bike upright if you apply the right techniques. You only have to learn and practice them in order to up your safety on the road.

Motorcyclists in Tennessee often face more hardships than others on the road due to the small size of their vehicles. Those who get into accidents will fortunately have Pryor, Priest & Harber to lean on.

Motorcyclists are often times the victim of other drivers and their inability to “share the road”. What is this, exactly? It’s the act of being mindful while driving, and not encroaching into the space of other drivers, even if their vehicle is much smaller than your own.

If you are a victim of a driver not sharing the road, you can be put into many compromising situations. A few examples include being pushed into the shoulder or another lane of traffic, or being hit by the vehicle in question because they don’t notice or see you. If your path has ever been obstructed by a vehicle or if you have ever needed to change lanes to avoid being hit, you have experienced a driver not sharing the road.

In most cases, a driver is not intentionally trying to behave in this way. Unfortunately, however, even accidental actions can lead to hogging the road and it may result in dangerous situations for you, the motorcyclist.

The aggressive driving behavior of other vehicles can spell immediate danger for you. Fortunately, there are things you can do to get the compensation you deserve if you have been hurt because of another driver’s inability to share the road with you. If you want to read more, take a look at the link here and browse through our website on motorcycle accidents and their victims.

While Tennessee residents may know it is dangerous to drink alcohol before driving their car, they may not always consider the hazards of riding a motorcycle while intoxicated. It is important for people to understand that they may be involved in a fatal collision if they drink before getting on their motorcycle.

Drinking can make motorcycle accidents more deadly than other kinds of motor vehicle crashes. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the blood alcohol concentration of passenger car drivers was 0.08 or higher in 21 percent of the fatal collisions that occurred in 2015. Motorcyclists, though, had a BAC level higher than the legal limit in 27 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents. Bikers wearing helmets are not necessarily safer than bikers without this headgear. Motorcyclists wore helmets in 51 percent of the fatal crashes in 2015. Additionally, collisions that occurred at night involved a legally drunk motorcycle rider in 42 percent of these incidents.

When motorcyclists are involved in fatal collisions because they are drunk, the crash is usually not their first. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that in 2014, 13 percent of motorcyclists who were in a fatal accident and had a BAC level of 0.08 or higher had been in a prior collision, while 24 percent had ther license either revoked or suspended at some point. Additionally, 18 percent of bikers in fatal crashes had speeding convictions on their driving record.

A motorcyclist’s age sometimes is a factor in fatal collisions involving alcohol. Bikers between the ages of 21 and 24 were involved in 30 percent of fatal accidents in 2014, while bikers between the ages of 45 and 54 were involved in 20 percent of these incidents. Gender may also play a role. Men were involved in 23 percent of the fatal collisions that occurred in 2014, while women were involved in 15 percent.