Category: Motorcycle Accidents

Traumatic brain injuries are a serious problem for people in Tennessee and across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 138 people die each day due to traumatic brain injuries. Motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths in the U.S., and a number of those fatalities involve motorcycle collisions. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles do not have seat belts, air bags and sensory technology that are designed to help reduce injuries and protect people who are involved in car accidents. Furthermore, motor vehicles have a protective barrier that surrounds the driver. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, only have a helmet that shields them from the road.

Even a hard jolt to the head while wearing a helmet, however, can lead to a traumatic brain injury, as reported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. When a motorcyclist’s head experiences a sudden impact, the soft tissue of the brain may bounce into the hard skull bone. This can damage critical brain tissue and cause it to bruise and bleed. In the hours, days and weeks following the accident, the brain may continue to swell, causing even further brain damage.

Motorcyclists who hit their heads are at risk of receiving mild, moderate or severe brain trauma. Depending on the force of impact and the area of the brain that is damaged, the victim may experience varying symptoms of brain trauma. These include the following:

•          Nausea and vomiting
•          Persistent headaches
•          Muscle weakness
•          Tingling in the extremities
•          Trouble concentrating

In some cases, motorcyclists may have seizures or black out completely. Injuries may improve with speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments. 

If you enjoy riding your bicycle throughout Knoxville, you should know that navigating the roads alongside cars and trucks can be dangerous. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that approximately 743 people were killed and an additional 48,000 people were injured while riding their bikes nationwide in 2013. A number of motorists involved in bicycle accidents admitted that they simply did not see the bike at the time of the incident. Although negligent motorists are a definite problem in Tennessee and across the country, there are some things you can do to decrease your risk of becoming the victim of a serious accident.

Whether you are on a busy road or cycling on a back street, it is important to maximize your visibility. According to AAA, you should always purchase bright-colored clothing that is made from reflective materials. Furthermore, you can highlight parts of your bike, helmet or clothing by using reflective bike tape. This is extremely important to use when you are riding in the dark, as up to 60 percent of bike accidents occur at night, according to LifeTimeFitness.com.

As a biker, you should always ride in designated bike lanes or alongside traffic where vehicles can see you. If possible, try to avoid riding during peak traffic times. Always ride defensively, and keep your eyes open for possible negligent motorists. While you cannot control the actions of others, you can be sure that you are ready to respond to an unexpected event.

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

As a motorcyclist in Tennessee, you face a number of risks when out on the open road. Not only do motorcycles lack safety features that motor vehicles provide, but you are not protected against the bare road if you should become involved in an accident. One common injury that many motorcyclists suffer from after surviving a collision is road rash. According to LiveStrong.com, skin abrasions are caused when the skin skids across the rocky road or pavement at a certain rate of speed. While some types of clothing and gear can protect you from getting road rash, you are still at risk of getting skid injuries through some types of clothing.

Skid injuries cause a type of burn from being dragged across the road. In some minor cases, only the first few layers of skin are taken off, leaving the area red and sore. These injuries usually heal quite quickly with attention and care. In more severe situations, however, the skin may be torn off completely. People who receive third-degree skid burns may have to undergo a skin graft in order to reattach healthy skin to the damaged area. This can be extremely painful, costly and could leave significant scaring.

Open wounds are susceptible to infection, especially if there are rocks, dirt and other foreign pieces caught within the rash. If you suffer from a skid injury, it is crucial that you seek immediate medical attention.

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

As a motorist, you may use safe driving practices when sharing the road with other Tennessee drivers. Driving safely around motorcycles, however, may be a bit more challenging. Motorcycles are harder to see and can easily hide in traffic behind larger vehicles. In 2013, motorcycle accident fatalities outnumbered auto accident deaths by 26 times, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. In order to minimize the chances that you may become involved in a motorcycle accident, it is critical that you understand how to spot and maneuver around motorcycles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drivers should always double and triple check their blind spots before making lane changes and pulling out in traffic. Motorcycles can hide in blind spots due to their smaller size, and may make quick lane changes in front of cars.

It can also be difficult for motorists to judge the distance and speed of an approaching motorcycle. A number of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to yield to motorcyclists’ right-of-way, or pull out directly in front of a biker. It is critical that drivers wait before making a turn or pulling out into traffic. Keep in mind that not all motorcycles are equipped with turn signals. While motorcyclists should use hand signals to indicate a turn in these situations, not of all of them do. When you see a motorcycle, watch for sudden lane changes and be prepared to react.  

This information is intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice. 

As warmer weather approaches, more Tennessee motorcyclists are hitting the open road. It is crucial for motorists and motorcyclists alike to know how to share the road safely in order to avoid tragic accidents from occurring. In 2014 alone, 4,586 people were killed and 93,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents across the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Although the motorcycle accident fatality rate decreased by 2.3 percent from the year before, injuries rose by 4.5 percent.

When comparing the number of miles that were traveled by motorcycles with those of motor vehicles, motorcycle accident deaths exceeded car accident fatalities by 26 times. Motorcycles lack many of the safety devices that vehicle have, including airbags, seatbelts and a steel structure that acts as a barrier between the driver and the road.

When it comes to motorcycle safety, there are some crucial components that bikers should be aware of. Motorcyclists who wear a helmet while riding can decrease their risk of receiving traumatic brain damage by 67 percent or dying in an accident by as much as 37 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It was reported that 1,669 lives were saved in 2014 because of motorcycle helmet use. All motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet in Tennessee. Furthermore, motorcycles that have antilock braking systems reduce the risk of fatal collisions by 31 percent as opposed to motorcycles that lack these safety devices.

Negligent motorists also put motorcyclists in danger. Drivers who fail to see bikers or yield to their right of way may be at fault for causing a tragic motorcycle accident. 

Although you may feel as though riding a motorcycle is second nature, you may not fully understand the mental and physical skills and techniques that are needed to operate a bike. Motorcycle safety classes are offered in Knoxville and across Tennessee as a way to help you become more familiar with the hazardous situations you may face on a bike, as well as how to react if you should encounter dangerous road and traffic conditions.

There are many reasons why you should take a motorcycle safety class, as reported by Discovery News. First, and most importantly, it may help you avoid becoming involved in a devastating motorcycle collision. When riding a motorcycle, you are exposed to different obstacles than when operating a vehicle. By knowing what to look for and how to ride defensively, you may save a life.

Motorcycle safety classes can help you get your motorcycle license in a more timely manner and save you money as well. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, bikers who pass a vision test, complete the motorcycle rider education program and pay the mandatory fees do not have to take the license skills and knowledge tests that are otherwise required to obtain a motorcycle license.

In addition, you may be entitled to a significant discount on your insurance premiums by obtaining a certificate of completion from the motorcycle safety program. Motorcycle classes give you the opportunity to learn new skills, refine old skills and even develop advanced techniques that could help you stay safe on the road.

This information is only intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.

Although motorcycles are a practical and thrilling mode of transportation for some Tennessee residents, motorcyclists are vulnerable when sharing the road with larger vehicles. According to Discovery News, motorcyclists should not only know how to safely operate a motorcycle, but they should understand the limitations of a motorcycle and how to react in certain hazardous situations. The Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security offers a motorcycle rider education program that is designed to educate motorcyclists on these very topics. The program also helps people through the motorcycle licensing process.

The motorcycle safety program groups people with similar skill levels together by offering two courses, including a class for new motorcyclists and one for advanced riders. The beginning class focuses on basic rider training through group discussion and actual riding experience. The advanced class enables riders to learn new techniques, practice their skills and further improve their safety on the road. Each course is taught by certified instructors who provide students with all the training materials they will need to use during the class.

Students who register for either class must come prepared with safety gear that they will need to participate. These items include an approved helmet, long pants, a long sleeved shirt or jacket, leather gloves, shoes that extend over the ankle and eye protection. Motorcycles are provided to participants for use on the Advanced Rider Course, as well as for basic safety training.

Taking a motorcycle safety course is a must for people who are new to biking, are more experienced bikers or are simply interested in purchasing a motorcycle. By understanding the critical topics covered in these courses, bikers may be able to avoid a catastrophic motorcycle accident in the future. 

While you and other motorists in Tennessee may feel as though the majority of motorcycle accidents in the state are caused by irresponsible and reckless motorcyclists, researchers found that drivers may be more at fault when it comes to causing catastrophic collisions. You may have heard other drivers complain of negligent motorcyclists weaving in and out of traffic and pulling out in front of vehicles. However, a study conducted at the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research reported that other motorists are responsible for motorcycle accidents approximately 60 percent of the time.

The study found that many motorcycle collisions are caused by motorists who unintentionally pull out in front of motorcyclists, cutting them off. Furthermore, vehicles making left-hand turns may underestimate the speed and/or distance of an oncoming motorcycle and fail to yield.

As a motorcyclist, you can decrease your risk of becoming involved in an accident by wearing the right types of protective equipment and riding defensively in heavy traffic conditions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you should always use turn signals and try to remain in a spot that is visible to other motorists. If you are driving another type of vehicle, however, it is crucial that you keep on the lookout and drive safely around motorcycles when traveling along state roadways. Motorists should never drive while distracted, drunk or drowsy to avoid causing serious harm to others.

This information is only intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice.

Motorcyclists in Tennessee and across the U.S. should know that sharing the road with trucks, cars and tractor trailers can be extremely dangerous. In some cases, motorcycle collisions can lead to broken bones, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. While medical attention and treatment may be able to mend some types of accident injuries, other injuries are more permanent, such as paralysis. According to the Mayo Clinic, motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, are responsible for more than 35 percent of all new spinal cord injuries each year. At Pryor, Priest & Harbor, we understand that victims of motorcycle accidents may face long-term disabilities and physical challenges as a result of another driver’s negligence.

The spinal cord is made up of nerves that control voluntary functions, such as muscle movement, and involuntary functions, including bladder control and blood pressure. As nerves leave the spinal cord at different levels of the spinal column, they transmit crucial messages to the muscles, organs and other parts of the body. Paralysis can occur when these delicate nerve fibers become damaged or severed completely.

People who receive spinal cord injuries may become paraplegic or quadriplegic, depending on the exact point of injury along the spinal cord. Severe damage that occurs in the cervical vertebrae, or up toward the neck, may result in quadriplegia. This is where the victim loses the function of all four limbs, and the ability to control bodily functions. When spinal cord damage occurs in the lower back, the victim may become paraplegic, or unable to use his or her legs.

Motorcyclists face an increased risk of becoming paralyzed in an accident because they lack the solid structure and protection that a motor vehicle provides. To learn more information on motorcycle injuries, please visit our page on motor vehicle collisions. 

As a Tennessee motorist, you may know about antilock braking systems and how they help to improve the safety of vehicles on the road. Yet you may not know that these braking systems can mean life or death to motorcyclists. Whether you are a motorcyclist yourself or simply share the road with motor bikes, it is helpful to know how motorcycle braking systems work and how to react in a situation where a motorcycle needs to stop short.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles that are equipped with antilock braking systems are 31 percent less likely to be involved in deadly motorcycle accidents than those models that do not have this safety mechanism. Antilock braking systems work by preventing motorcycle tires from locking up, which in turn may help you avoid a disastrous fall, potential injury and possible death. When the wheels of your motorcycle begin to lock up, the ABS system will stop the tires rotations until it feels as though the tires’ traction is fully restored. Traditional braking systems, on the other hand, can act as a potential hazard when your tires hit uneven terrain, bad weather conditions or otherwise poor road conditions.

Although antilock braking systems reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, studies show that models with combined braking systems are even safer. As a result of these studies, IIHS is pushing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the installation of antilock braking systems on all motorcycles.