Category: Motorcycle Accidents

The start of spring is right around the corner, and many bikers are gearing up to hit the roads in Knoxville. With warmer weather comes an increase in motorists and motor vehicle accidents. Victims of motorcycle accidents tend to suffer more severe injuries than victims of other types of road accidents. Motorcyclists who plan to make the most of the warmer weather should learn about issues that can affect their safety so they can avoid them.

Left-hand turns

Many left-hand collisions happen when drivers of other vehicles make left turns that result in head-on collisions with bikers. In many cases, the drivers of passenger cars that cause these accidents do not see the motorcyclists until it is too late to avoid crashing into them, states RiderGroups.com. Left-hand biker accidents usually occur at intersections where there is two-way traffic, but they can also happen in other types of traffic situations.

Dangerous maneuvers

Many bikers get so caught up in the thrill and excitement of riding that they forget to use safe riding maneuvers. They miscalculate turns and angles and misjudge their timing which can result in them being thrown off their bikes. They speed and split lanes, increasing the chances of them riding into and being hit by other motorists. According to Gas2.org, speeding also increases the likelihood of them not seeing objects and other drivers and losing control of their bikes.

The factors mentioned above are not all inclusive. There are other issues that threaten biker safety that all motorists should make themselves aware of. Many motorcycle-related accidents are preventable with the right knowledge, preparation and precautions.

People who drive cars are not the only ones who are guilty of drunk driving. Many motorcyclists in Knoxville socially drink and ride, not caring that they are putting themselves and everyone else on the roads with them at risk for accidents. According to Rideapart.com, in 2012, “27 percent of all motorcycle accident victims who died were drunk.”

Bikers are no different than motorists when it comes to succumbing to the effects of alcohol intoxication. Alcohol inhibits the senses, affects motor skills and makes it harder for bikers to control their actions and vehicles. Motorcyclists use more of their bodies to control their vehicles. When they drink and ride, they lose the ability to steer their bikes safely. For example, an intoxicated biker is not capable of handling turns and lane maneuvers without putting themselves at risk of falling off their bikes and colliding with other motorists.

Biker accidents often result in more severe injuries because there are fewer protections in place. Intoxicated riders usually forget to wear their riding gear. Helmets are not required by law. However, bikers who wear them are more likely to survive and sustain minor head trauma compared to bikers who do not wear them and sustain severe injuries. Also, older riders end up with more serious injuries than younger bikers, states the Insurance Information Institute. Drunk bikers who ride without their safety gear usually suffer from road rash, scrapes, bruises, broken bones and brain and spinal cord injuries.

Drunk driving is a serious offense. Bikers should learn about the dangers they face and refrain from drinking and riding so they can take proper actions to avoid them.

It is not uncommon for Knoxville drivers to see the remains of motorcycle accidents on roads each day. Many of those incidents are caused by other drivers who left the scene. According to ConsumerReports.org, the number of bikers who died in motorcycle crashes was 5,000 in 2015. Whether drivers are operating cars, trucks or motorcycles, they have a legal obligation to remain at the scene of any accidents they are involved in. Those who do not, have little regard for the injured and risk the consequences.

Many people who flee the scenes of accidents do so because they do not want to be held accountable, states USA Today. They may not have enough or any insurance to cover the damages and they may be guilty of driving while inebriated or intoxicated. Other reasons include they have suspended or revoked licenses, pending criminal charges, warrants and are young and inexperienced. Bikers who are injured in hit-and-run accidents tend to suffer from more severe damages and injuries than car and truck operators.

Determining who is responsible for hit-and-run accidents can be challenging because many injured bikers do not get the chance to capture any identifying information, such as good descriptions of the drivers, their license plate numbers and the make and models of their vehicles. Fortunately, advancements in surveillance technology are making it possible to catch the perpetrators.

The victims of the accidents have the most to lose. Many of them must pay for their damaged vehicles and medical treatments. Bikers should continue to practice safe driving habits and wear safety gear to give themselves the most protection against hit-and-run drivers.

Knoxville motorcyclists who intend to keep riding throughout the winter should make themselves aware of the dangers the weather and road conditions create. The slick and icy roads and cold temperatures are the perfect ingredients for accidents and injuries. Although it is much safer for motorcyclists to ride when it is warmer out, with the right safety precautions they can reduce their risk of accidents and injury.

Perform pre-trip inspections

Bikers should thoroughly inspect their bikes to ensure they are in good condition for the road. According to RideAPart.com, riders should check their tires to make sure they have enough treads and are properly inflated. They should also check all turn and warning signals for proper function and make sure they have enough fuel.

Dress appropriately

The cold temperatures are often brutal. Bikers who fail to wear the right kind of clothing and motorcycle gear to keep warm while they are out riding only put themselves at extreme risk for hyperthermia, reduced reaction times and decreased alertness. Bikers should wear thermal undergarments, motorcycle jackets, gloves and additional winter accessories and biker gear that are designed specifically to keep them warm and dry, states Forbes.com.

Be mindful of road conditions

The weather can change at a moment’s notice. Rain and snow can easily turn into ice and blizzard-like winds in a matter of minutes. These factors can drastically alter the condition of the roads, making them difficult for bikers to navigate safely. Motorcyclists should pay attention to the roads and avoid riding when there is inclement weather. If they cannot avoid the streets, they should drive slowly and cautiously.

Drive slower

As tempting as it may be for bikers to speed and race to their destinations, they should avoid doing so during the winter. Motorcyclists should leave early so they can ride slower and reach their destinations on time. They should travel further behind other vehicles so they have additional stopping space. They should pay attention to the road, all other vehicles and drive as defensively as possible.

The winter may not seem like an ideal time for motorcyclists to ride. However, with the right safety precautions bikers can enjoy the roads any time of year.

Motorcyclists in Knoxville experience road rage just like other motorists on the roads. However, due to the nature and structure of their vehicles, the consequences for this type of situation are often life changing.

According to Pacific Standard, many aggressive motorists feel there are no direct consequences for their actions. They can intimidate riders and drivers without fear of repercussions. However, people who are victims of road rage often become provoked. They are likely to retaliate and antagonize the offenders. This leads to a vicious cycle that often ends with injuries and in some cases death. Bikers who encounter angry drivers should take actions to minimize the amount of interaction they have with them.

Avoid confrontation

Many aggressive drivers want confrontation. Bikers should avoid it at all costs. Confrontation can only lead to escalation and harm. Road raging drivers may yell, scream and use gestures to indicate their displeasure. Motorcyclists should do their best to ignore them. They should also not respond to them.

Leave the Scene

Some aggressive drivers look for the perfect opportunity to attack. They may get out of their vehicles during a traffic stop or a car accident to confront the other party and attack them. Bikers should pay attention to the actions of road raging motorists at all times. The moment situations look like they could turn into confrontations or attacks, bikers should do their best to the leave the scene when possible, states Chaparral Motorsports.

Motorcyclists should take every action possible to keep themselves from becoming victims of road rage accidents. Ignoring the situation and using good driving behaviors can help to prevent confrontations and injuries.

When motorcycle accidents happen in Knoxville, they often cause harm and injuries to the riders and anyone else who is involved. Motorcycle accidents happen for many reasons and when they do, they are often severe or fatal. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, in 2015, there were 4,693 fatal biker crashes. Five percent of those deaths occurred during the month of December. These accidents were not caused by biker error alone. Many of them involved passenger cars. Bikers should make themselves aware of what the common causes of motorcycle accidents are before they hit the roads so they can take preventative actions to avoid them.

Improper left turn from another vehicle

When other motorists fail to pay attention at intersections and cannot see bikers that are behind them due to blind spots and for other reasons, they are likely to make left turns that cause collisions. Bikers can avoid this type of situation by traveling at safe distances, anticipating the actions of the drivers in front and around them and by paying attention to signs of intent.

Drunk driving

Bikers who indulge in alcohol before riding are a big risk to themselves and everyone else. So are other motorists who drink before driving. Drunk driving leads to lower inhibitions, reaction times, poor driving judgments and accidents. Crashes lead to injuries and even lost lives. Bikers can protect themselves by staying off their motorcycles if they plan to drink. If they are sober, they should pay attention to the actions of other motorists and stay steer clear of any they suspect are intoxicated.

Taking corners too fast

Bikers who speed around corners are unable to predict and see what may be the other side of them, states RideApart. By taking the corners too fast they risk collision with animals, people, other motorists and road structures like poles and buildings. To avoid this kind of situation, motorcyclists should slow down when they approach corners so they can turn safely.

Many motorcycle-related accidents are preventable. Bikers should exercise due diligence and caution when riding so they can protect themselves and other motorists.

Nothing comes close to the freedom of a motorcycle ride on the open highway. Unfortunately, Tennessee bikers are at much higher risk of injuries and fatalities as a result of inattentive motorists compared to operators of other vehicles. A car or truck driver may walk away unscathed from a crash that results in the wrongful death of a motorcycle rider.

One such tragedy occurred at the end of September 2016. WREG reports that a truck driver collided with a motorcycle late one evening, killing the motorcycle operator and injuring his female companion severely. The driver responsible for the accident compounded this terrible situation by failing to remain at the scene of the crash and attempting to hide the truck rather than acting responsibly to provide aid for the victims.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, fatal motorcycle crashes have been on the rise in the United States since the early 2000s. Out of all 2015 vehicle crashes, 13 percent were motorcycle crashes that resulted in fatalities. Among these motorcycle crashes, 59 percent involved multiple vehicles. An overwhelming majority of riders in these fatal motorcycle crashes were male, and 30 percent were under the age of 30.

IIHS notes that motorcyclists do not enjoy the structural protections that shield other vehicle operators during traffic accidents, and injuries and wrongful deaths are much more likely to occur in crashes that involve motorcycles. Although motorcyclists should ride responsibly, it is also crucial that all vehicle operators watch out for them by checking their mirrors and blind spots.

Soon, motorists may not be the only ones who are able to follow navigational technology or interact with a voice-activated device while traveling down the road. If you are a motorcyclist in Tennessee or anywhere else across the country, you are now able to enjoy these luxuries. Several motorcycle manufacturers have designed and are implementing touchscreen technology for use in high-quality bikes.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, your chances of getting injured or killed in a traffic accident are significantly higher if you are on a motorcycle. In fact, you are 26 times more likely to get killed in a collision that you would be if you were traveling in a car. This stems from the fact that motorcycles lack certain safety equipment, such as seat belts and airbags, and do not have the protective shell that cars have.

That is why some people are opposed to motorcycle touchscreens, saying that the added distraction can increase the risk of a devastating accident, according to Bloomberg Pursuits. Others argue that this improved technology can actually help to prevent motorcycle collisions, assisting bikers in developing better technique by indicating lean angles, braking and acceleration information.

In addition to these functions, touchscreens can help bikers navigate through traffic, sync to smartphones and alert the biker when there are bad weather conditions. There are also mechanical features that will alert you when you have a flat tire or will point you in the direction of the closest gas station when you are getting low on gas.

 This information is intended to educate, and should not be used as legal advice. 

While motor vehicles come equipped with critical safety devices, including airbags, seatbelts, backup sensing systems and head restraints, most motorcycles lack this life-saving protection. As a result, a number of motorcyclists are injured and killed each year in tragic accidents. Studies show, however, that antilock braking systems on motorcycles can help to reduce the risk of accidents and could save peoples’ lives on the road. In fact, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety reported that motorcyclists riding bikes that have ABS technology have a 31 percent reduced risk of being involved in a fatal motorcycle accident than those who are riding bikes that are not equipped with the braking system.

Antilock braking systems sense when wheels are about to lockup and reacts by reducing brake pressure. Once the wheels have regained traction, brake pressure returns to normal. Cars that have this technology can avoid hydroplaning, or going into an avoidable skid. When the wheels of a motorcycle lockup, on the other hand, the results can be catastrophic, according to Consumer Reports. The motorcyclist may lose his or her balance altogether, fall or crash into another vehicle. Antilock braking systems allow bikers to apply the brakes in any situation without the fear of skidding, sliding or falling off of their bikes.

A number of mid-size motorcycles already come standard with antilock braking systems. Yet, many people argue that the technology should expand to all motorcycles, especially bikes that are most commonly bought by new riders. Antilock braking systems not only benefit bikers who are used to completing more advanced maneuvers and take high-risks when it comes to riding, but it can also help low-risk bikers who may be more cautious.

Although everyone on the road is at risk of becoming injured in an automobile accident, motorcyclists in Tennessee face an even greater danger. Not only do they lack the protective barrier that a motor vehicle provides, but motorcycles do not come equipped with seat belts, air bags or other safety devices. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that wearing a helmet and other protective gear can help to decrease the severity of the damage, bikers may still suffer from a number of injuries.

One of the most common types of motorcycle injuries involves traumatic brain and spinal cord damage. Even when wearing a helmet, a hard jolt to the head can cause the brain tissue to smack into the hard bony interior of the skull, according to the CDC. In addition to causing immediate brain bleeding, bruising and inflammation, brain trauma can lead to long-term cognitive damage that could have lasting effects on a person’s life. If trauma should occur anywhere along the spinal cord, the biker may experience nerve damage or become paralyzed.

Broken bones and lacerations are also typical injuries encountered by bikers who are involved in a collision. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, motorcyclists may be hit with a sudden impact while traveling at a high rate of speed. Bikers may suffer bone fractures and severe lacerations as a result of being thrown from their bike.

Finally, road rash is common among people who have survived a motorcycle accident. Bits of rocks and other debris can become ingrained in the skin, which can cause infection and scarring.