Category: Motorcycle Accidents

Most Tennessee motorcycle riders know that they’re at a greater risk for injury in an accident than other drivers due to the open design of motorcycles. But did you know that certain common situations and locations can pose a bigger threat to you than you may think? Pryor Priest & Harber works to define all areas of danger for motorcyclists in order to help riders like you understand the risks better.

What’s likely not surprising to most motorcyclists is the fact that a car’s blind spot is the most dangerous place for you to be. If a car can’t see you, there are high chances of them swerving into you while changing lanes or otherwise getting in your path, cutting you off, and making it hard for you to avoid a collision. It’s up to drivers to check their blind spots frequently in order to avoid situations like this, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they do. Many crashes occur when a driver doesn’t spot a motorcylist in time.

While lane changes can be dangerous to you and freeway crashes can be more lethal than crashes elsewhere, you can still find yourself a victim of negligence even on suburban roads. Drivers often don’t spot motorcyclists in urban, suburban or rural locations. This can lead to crashes at turns, intersections, and stop lights. Other contributing factors can include lane weaving, crowded streets, or night driving.

While some dangerous motorcycle accidents can be avoided by everyone keeping an eye out while on the road, that unfortunately doesn’t stop every crash. To read more about common causes for motorcycle accidents and what you can do if you have been involved in one, check out our web page.

One thing that bikers in Knoxville should not forget about before they take to the streets is the dangers of riding in the rain. The summer is when “60 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur,” states Cars.com. Rain, construction, bad driving behaviors and other factors are all contributing factors. Wet weather conditions make the roads a more challenging terrain to drive on for all types of motorists. However, motorcyclists are more likely to crash their bikes and suffer serious injury than other types of drivers. 

Here is a brief overview on how motorcyclists can stay safe when riding on wet roads.

Vehicle inspection and maintenance 

A common cause of motor vehicle accidents is mechanical failure. Riders should inspect their bikes before their trips and keep them serviced at regular intervals to reduce the risk of breakdowns and accidents. 

Allow more space between vehicles 

When the roads are wet, motorists need to drive slower and allow more space between their vehicles and others to prevent crashes. They should use their turn signals and avoid making sudden and risky maneuvers to keep other drivers from hitting them. 

Riding adjustments 

According to Sport Rider Magazine, changes in weather conditions require bikers to modify the way they handle their vehicles. For example, motorcyclists should apply their throttles gradually and smoothly to prevent riding complications. 

Adjust braking techniques 

Bikers should change their braking behaviors to accommodate for the change in road conditions. They should stop their vehicles earlier so they can avoid colliding with cars, trucks and other objects. Riders should avoid using too much force on their brakes to keep their vehicles slipping and crashing. 

Although the rain makes the roads less than ideal for bikers to travel on, it is possible for them to ride safely. By checking the weather before they start traveling, avoiding heavy rainfall, using safe riding techniques and taking care of their vehicles, they can avoid accidents and injuries in rainy weather.

Whether you ride a motorcycle or simply share the road with them in Tennessee, it is important to understand some of the safety issues that riders face. While cars’ bodies provide their drivers with protection, motorcycle riders do not have that same advantage. At Pryor Priest & Harber, we understand that accidents involving motorcycles are particularly serious and can result in grave injuries and even death.

That is why May has been designated Motorcycle Awareness Month, according to Ultimate Motorcycling. Of all the reported deadly motorcycle crashes each year, another vehicle is involved in 57 percent of them. By remaining aware of the motorcycles around them, car and truck drivers can help ensure everyone’s safety.

One of the biggest safety problems today is distracted driving. Phones especially serve to tempt drivers to take their eyes off of the road, which can be extremely dangerous. In addition, newer technologies do some of the work for drivers, leading some people to believe that they do not need to be as vigilant. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and harder to spot. Therefore, this important safety campaign reminds drivers to keep an eye out for motorcycles and to check carefully before changing lanes.

In part, May was chosen because the spring weather brings many riders onto the road. It is also important to bring these issues to people’s attention this time of year so that they will keep them in mind as the seasons change. For more information on dealing with a crash involving a motorcycle, please visit our web page.

Motorcycle accidents are on the rise in Knoxville. According to ConsumerReports.org, in 2014, 4,586 riders died in motorcycle accidents. The number of deaths increased by 10 percent in 2015. Many riders are so in love with the roads that they throw all caution to the wind and ride out. As exciting as riding can be, there are dangers on the roads that can affect their safety and ability to ride again in the future. With the risk of severe injury and possible death looming, many motorcyclists should become more cautious when they are riding with other motorists. They should also become more aware of the dangers they face so they can avoid them. 

Here is a brief rundown of the hazards that can affect motorcyclists. 

Distracted motorists 

Distracted drivers are a danger to everyone. They are not looking at the roads, nor the cars and motorcycles that are around them. Distracted motorists are unable to extend common road courtesies, such as allowing other vehicles to merge or safely pass them because they do not know what is going on and are not aware of the intent of other motorists. Motorcyclists are particularly at risk because their vehicles are much smaller. Drivers who are not paying attention or watching for bikers may drift into their lanes and clip them, causing them to fall off their bikes and be hit by oncoming traffic. According to The Cheat Sheet, even slight taps and bumps from cars can cause motorcyclists to fall. 

Adverse Weather Conditions 

Motorcyclists like the freedom of not driving around in cages. But those cages offer protection when inclement weather strikes. Bad weather can make the roads more challenging for everyone to navigate. Motorcyclists should avoid riding when the weather is bad out. They should also drive slower and pay more attention to the other motorists on the roads so they can protect themselves from collisions. 

Motorcycles may be fun and more appealing to drive than cars, but they are no less dangerous. Bikers should prepare themselves before taking to the roads so they can avoid the dangers. 

Many motorcyclists think they own the roads in Knoxville. They are eager to speed on the roads and toss all caution to the wind, expecting other drivers to avoid them. However, bikers should keep in mind that safety is a two-way street. According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 8.6 million motorcyclists on the roads in 2015. 88,000 of them sustained injuries, and 4,976 of them died from crashing their bikes.

Motorcyclists must learn to share the roads with other drivers to keep them safe.

As the weather continues to heat up, more drivers and motorcyclists will be on the roads. Passenger vehicle and truck drivers should increase their following distances. Many bikers make sudden driving maneuvers that can make it harder for others to anticipate their positions. Motorcyclists should remain mindful of the other drivers on the roads. They should always use their turn signals, slow down instead of speeding and avoid cutting off other motorists.

Motorcyclists should take corners and intersections carefully. Many bikers turn into intersections and corners too fast. Some of them do not pay attention to what is in front of them and end up crashing or swerving and falling to avoid collisions. These factors can cause drivers behind them to crash into them.

Blind spots are a leading cause of motorcycle crashes, states EHS Today. Many bikers ride in the blind spots of vehicles not realizing that the drivers cannot see them. Motorists should check their blind spots and mirrors frequently so they can see any vehicle that is directly behind and on the side of them, in addition to using their turn signals.

With respect for all drivers and riders and good driving behavior, both motorcyclists and motorists can reduce the number of motorcycle and car accidents that occur.

Warm weather means many riders in Knoxville are pulling their motorcycles out of storage. With more people out on the roads, the risk of accidents and serious injury for many bikers is high. In their haste to get on the roads, many bikers forgo their safety. According to Consumers Report, there were 10 percent more fatal motorcycle accidents in 2015 than there were in 2014. Lax helmet laws, alcohol and distractions are just a few of the contributing factors.

Bikers who want to enjoy the freedom and excitement of the ride should take some time to prepare themselves for the road.

Wear helmets

Bikers are not legally required to wear helmets while they are on the road, but doing so can help save their lives. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute states that helmets are 67 percent effective in protecting bikers from sustaining traumatic brain injuries and 37 percent effective in preventing their deaths. Those who do not are gambling with their lives.

Wear leather protection

The weather may be warmer, but the roads are still dangerous to bikers. Riders are also at risk of sustaining skin abrasions and cuts and bruises. Bikers can avoid these types of injuries by wearing leather riding gear. The clothing provides a layer of protection for their skin that acts as a buffer when they fall and are dragged along the road in motorcycle accidents.

Respect other motorists

Some riders tend to move ride between other vehicles and make sudden driving maneuvers that put them at risk of colliding with other motorists. Sometimes passenger car drivers and truckers cannot see them and are unable to move their vehicles to safety to avoid them. Bikers can minimize the risk of motor vehicle accidents with other motorists by following all road rules and traffic signals and giving other motorists sufficient notice of their intent.

Most motorcycle accidents do not have to happen. Taking refresher courses, wearing safety gear and respecting other motorists are the first steps riders can take to avoid accidents and minimize their risk of injuries so they can live to ride again.

One of the most vulnerable groups of motorists on the roads is motorcyclists. Many of them ride without proper riding gear, and they do not have the same structures to protect them as car drivers do. Motorcycle accidents are very common in Knoxville. Out of the 8.6 million of them that were on the roads in 2015, approximately 88,000 of them were injured from motorcycle crashes, states the Insurance Information Institute. As the weather continues to warm up, one can expect to see more bikers and motorcycle accidents on the roads. Bikers who are getting ready to ride should make themselves aware of the common types of injuries they face.

Legs and feet

According to RideaPart.com, “30 percent of all bikers sustain injuries to their legs and feet.” These injuries are often nonlife-threatening. But that does not make them any less serious in some cases. Broken bones and torn and damaged muscles and ligaments can result in injuries ranging from minor to severe and disabling.

Skin abrasions

Many bikers suffer from skin abrasions and road rash when they crash their bikes. Their bodies often slide along the pavement after they have fallen before coming to a complete stop. The scrapes often range from mild to severe and most commonly occur on their legs, hands, faces and backs.

Spinal cords

Motorcyclists are particularly at risk for spinal cord injuries. Their vehicles lack structures to protect their backs and spinal cords from forceful movement during collisions. Also, when motorcyclists crash, they may find themselves wedged between other objects and vehicles, landing on their heads and necks or impaled by foreign objects, resulting in damage to their spinal columns. Spinal cord injuries are often severe and can result in temporary and permanent paralysis.

Because of the structure of their vehicles, bikers should exercise caution when they are on the roads. They should also wear riding gear to minimize the risk and severity of injuries they may sustain when they collide with other vehicles.

Cars are much larger than motorcycles, but they are just as deadly. According to Consumer Reports, in 2015, more than 5,000 bikers died in motorcycle accidents. Many motorists in Knoxville do not pay much attention to bikers on the roads. They tend to pay more attention to other things like their mobile devices and other cars. This inattentiveness is among the many things that lead to car and motorcycle accidents, injuries and death. Many these accidents are preventable. 

Avoid blind left turns 

Motorists should pay special attention when they make left turns. They should check all their mirrors and blind spots to ensure there are no motorcyclists behind them. Many accidents occur when drivers make left hand turns without checking to see what vehicles are in front of and behind them. 

Recognizing other vehicles 

Drivers should realize that there are other types of vehicles on the roads with them. Motorcyclists are not always easy to see, but they are there. Motorists who fail to recognize the types of vehicles they are in traffic with so they can adjust their driving behaviors and actions accordingly often end up in accidents with them. 

Check before changing lanes 

“Motorcycles are so small that they can fit into the blind spots of other drivers,” states RideApart.com. This often creates problems when motorists suddenly change lanes. Sometimes they are not able to see bikers who are in the lanes, occupying the spots they want. Motorcyclists are not always able to take safe and evasive actions to avoid collisions. Drivers should also turn their heads so they can check for the presence of bikers before they switch lanes. 

Bikers and drivers can share the roads together safely. They should work together and stay mindful and respectful of the presence and actions of other motorists

Drowsing driving accidents are a very common occurrence in Knoxville. Motorists are not the only ones who fall asleep while they are operating their vehicles. Many bikers often become sleepy while they are on the roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, 72,000 motor vehicle accidents were caused by sleepy motorists. Drowsy driving accidents can occur at any time. But they are more likely to occur during the early morning and late evening.

It is not always possible for other motorists to know when a biker is too tired to operate his or her vehicle safely. Drowsiness is often caused by inadequate sleep, side effects of medications and intoxication. Many signs of drowsy driving mimic the symptoms of intoxication. Motorcyclists who drive while tired face the risk of serious injuries. Common signs of drowsy riding include driving too closely to other motorists, drifting between lanes, not stopping in time to avoid collisions, delayed reactions times and reduced awareness.

The feeling of drowsiness can happen fast. Many motorists are not aware that they are too tired to drive until they collide into other vehicles. Even though 97 percent of drivers and bikers are aware of how dangerous operating vehicles while sleepy is, they still do it, states Gas2.org. Bikers should avoid riding if they are not able to get enough rest and feel themselves losing focus on the roads.

Drowsy driving is preventable. Motorists should take frequent rest stops if they plan to drive more than 100 miles at a time. They should plan their routes and leave early so they have sufficient time to make it to their destinations on time.

Many people in Knoxville are under the impression that motorcyclists do not get drink and ride. Drunk driving is an epidemic that does not discriminate against motorist type. Bikers, vehicle operators and even truckers are common offenders. According to RideApart.com,“ legally intoxicated motorcyclists are the largest group of motorists who are most likely to die in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.” The percentage of bikers who were drunk at the time of their demise was 27 percent in 2012.

Factors that affect blood alcohol content (BAC)

There are factors that can affect the way that bikers respond to the effects of alcohol, such as size, age, health, sex and food. Those factors along with the amount of alcohol consumed and the rate of alcohol consumption can determine BAC levels. Bikers who ride with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher are more likely to exhibit signs of intoxication and receive DUIs. In some cases, bikers can receive driving under the influence charges with a considerably lower blood alcohol content. 42 percent of intoxicated bikers had BACs that were 0.08 percent of higher in 2015, states the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.

Reduced motor and maneuverability skills

Bikers may use a different mode of transportation on the roads, but their actions when they are impaired are very similar to those of other motorists. Motorcyclists have to maintain their balance when riding their bikes to avoid falling off of them. Intoxicated bikers are not very coordinated. When riding their bikes, they may make frequent stops to keep from falling over or off their bikes, thus impeding their ability to ride safely.

Braking is an action that requires bikers to use both of their feet. Since their motors skills are diminished, they are unable to modulate their brakes so they can stop their bikes safely. They cannot maneuver their vehicles to avoid collisions with other vehicles and objects.

Drunk bikers are every bit as dangerous as intoxicated automobile operators. People should learn how to spot drunk bikers so they can avoid them to limit their chances of being involved in drunk driving accidents.