Category: Motorcycle Accidents

As a motorcyclist in Tennessee, you may be at a higher risk of sustaining a serious head injury if you are involved in an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that motorcycle accident injuries, including traumatic brain damage, is a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents across the country. In fact, motorcyclists are injured or killed in more than 80 percent of all motorcycle collisions.

One major contributor to this statistic is the failure to wear a helmet. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety states that of the 4,381 people killed in motorcycle accidents in 2013, 38 percent of motorcycle drivers were not wearing a helmet when the collision occurred. Additionally, approximately 47 percent of motorcycle passengers failed to wear a helmet, and suffered fatal injuries as a result. While the exact cause of death was not stated, it can be assumed that the lack of protection on the head played a big role.

If you drive a car, you have air bags, roll bars, seat belts, protective steel and other safety equipment designed to protect you. However, your motorcycle lacks such features. As such, if a motorist cuts you off, you could find yourself flying through the air head-first over your bike. This means your head will hit whatever is in front of you with greater force than if you were connected to a seat belt and hit your head on the steering wheel or a vehicle. Even if your bike is not going very fast, you could suffer a more serious brain injury simply because there is nothing there to absorb some of the impact. 

Driving is an exercise of cooperation, where one must be prepared to pay attention to other people while they are simultaneously paying attention to their own driving and situation. It is therefore important to learn the concept of sharing the road.

One important thing is for other, larger vehicles to remain aware of the fact that they should be sharing the road with smaller vehicles, including motorcyclists. According to the Traffic Safety Marketing administration, motorcyclists face a number of dangers that other drivers don’t face due to the small size of their mode of transportation and the fact that it is not as well protected as a fully covered car, truck or van. Sharing the road means that drivers should be mindful and alert while on the road with motorcycles.

The aim of “sharing the road” is to try raising awareness that the road is a place where all drivers must keep an eye out for each other. This is not only for self-protective safety reasons, but it is also to help other drivers, including motorcyclists, remain safe while they are riding. Sharing the road can include:

•          Keeping an eye out for motorcyclists who are riding between lanes
•          Making sure not to turn suddenly and checking both ways thoroughly
•          Giving motorcyclists a wide enough berth on the road

By doing these things, the chances of an accident happening could be decreased, which is good for everyone involved. The additional safety measures could help keep all drivers just a little less likely to be involved in an accident.

You may be one of many people recently deciding to switch from cars to motorcycles. You may be a long time rider with a lot of experience on the road already. In any situation, it is wise to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of choosing a motorcycle over other methods of transportation.

The benefits of motorcycles are growing in recent years. Not only are they smaller and easier to care for, but you may also be tempted by the lower gas prices. Cars will certainly cost you more money to fuel than a motorcycle will. Additionally, you may be aware of the fact that motorcycle safety has improved a lot over the years. While there is unfortunately no real way to protect a motorcyclist from every threat due to the fact that the riders are not enclosed, improvements to motorcycles and to roadway habits have lowered the number of fatal accidents.

On the other hand, you should also be aware of the downsides of motorcycles. For one, it can be difficult to use them frequently if you live in an area that does not have good weather. For example, driving a motorcycle in the snow or rain is very difficult or unpleasant. You also face the increased chance of having serious injuries from an accident. This is due to the fact that you are mostly exposed while on a motorcycle. You may face injuries such as road rash, broken bones, and traumatic injury to the brain or spinal column. Accidents are often a factor that put some people off of biking.

If you would like to learn more about the potential injuries you may face when on your motorcycle, please visit the given link. You will be able to read more about the subject on our web site.

Motorcycle accidents can be more fatal than car accidents for a number of reasons. The primary reason is because motorcyclists simply don’t have as much protection as drivers in covered vehicles do. Because of this, it is important for motorcyclists to know what their risks are and how to combat them.

First of all, certain types of motorcycle accidents are more common than others. As stated by the California Bikers Organization, upwards of 56% of fatal motor vehicle accidents are caused by head-on collisions. It is also noted that motorcycles are only struck from the rear in about 5% of accidents, making that risk a much smaller one, comparatively. Other common causes for accidents can include driving while under the influence or speeding. Running into road obstacles can also be dangerous to motorcyclists. Obstacles can include potholes, uneven heights between lanes, dead animals or bad pavement

Additionally, lane splitting and left hand turns make up a large percentage of accidents. 42% of motorcycle accidents involve cars making left hand turns. Lane splitting is the act of driving between two lanes when traffic is stopped. While there are safe ways to do this, doing it unsafely can cause accidents.

As for motorcycle accident prevention, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the best method of preventing accidents is to keep one’s wits about them. Unfortunately motorcyclists will always be at more risk in an accident between a motorcycle and a car, so they must watch out for themselves.

Being aware of the types of common accidents motorcyclists get into can help others be aware of their own driving patterns, which can therefore save someone from further accidents.

Fall is underway, but for many Knoxville residents, autumn is the perfect time of year for a motorcycle ride. The combination of the crisp weather and beautiful fall scenery can create the perfect setting for an afternoon excursion. Motorcycle enthusiasts need to understand the unique dangers they face on the road and prepare as best they can to avoid serious injuries in a motorcycle accident.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that in 2013, there were 137 fatalities in motorcycle crashes in Tennessee. These numbers were similar nearly every year in the previous decade. In more than 80 percent of crashes reported throughout the United States, motorcyclists suffered a serious injury or were killed.

What are the most common factors that make motorcycle accidents so dangerous to bikers? Most of the time in a crash involving another vehicle, the motorcyclist is ejected from the bike. Unlike cars and trucks, bikers have no protection from seatbelts and airbags. A helmet may provide some protection against head injuries, but is not a guarantee of safety. The same applies for protective biker clothing completely preventing a motorcyclist from sustaining broken bones or severe road rash.

It may be difficult for a driver to notice a motorcycle in his or her blind spot. Also, it is not uncommon for drivers to fail to watch for bikers sharing the roads. Cars and trucks frequently turn in front of motorcycles or change lanes without noticing the bike nearby. They may also not realize that motorcycles need extra following distance due to their ability to stop faster than larger vehicles. Motorcyclists who are injured by negligent drivers have the right to seek compensation.

Motorcyclists have a number of issues to keep an eye on when they are on the road. This is because they are less protected by their vehicle than other drivers. As a direct result of that, many motorcyclists who get into accidents can end up facing severe injuries due to being unprotected.

One type of injury is known as road burn, road rash, or skid injuries. Road rash is defined as a moderate or severe case of abrasion by Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. This type of injury occurs when a person’s body is dragged against the rough pavement of a road. The abrasive action usually causes a skid mark, or “burn”, on the person’s skin. This burn can vary in degrees of intensity. For example, some people may get a slight road burn beneath their clothing if they hit the ground at a fast speed.

On the other hand, there are very serious skid injuries. If someone comes into contact with the road and their skin is uncovered, there is no protective layer to keep them safe. This can result in massive areas of the skin being sanded down. Excessive bleeding and even muscle injury can occur in a very serious case of road burn. Additionally, some types of road burn may require a skin graft. This is to help aid in the healing process but it can be costly, painful, and can leave a person looking different than they did before.

Because of all of these factors, road burns are actually much more serious injuries than many people think when they first hear the name. For this reason, motorcyclists who get into an accident and suffer from skid injuries need to get care quickly.

Motorcyclists face a lot of danger when they are on the road due to how exposed they are. While they may not be as at-risk as pedestrians or people on bicycles, the changes of running into severe or even lethal damage is still high. If your loved one has been killed in an accident while on their motorcycle, it is possible that you may be able to file a wrongful death suit for financial compensation.

The term “wrongful death” is legally used to distinguish between a death that was caused by an accident that no one single party is responsible for, and a death that was caused by an accident due to someone’s negligence. For example, if your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, you will need to discover who is at fault for the death through questioning liability. These questions will unearth whether or not the accident was caused by faulty manufacturing, design faults, driver inhibition or other negligence from any party involved.

The most difficult part about filing for a wrongful death case and succeeding is proving that the case was truly one of wrongful death. However, if you are able to prove that, then you will be able to get financial compensation. This can help you through the difficult period of mourning and grief following your loved one’s accident, as it may help to support costs of the funeral as well as make up for any lost income. Insurance coverage and medical bills can also be taken into consideration, upping the potential financial payout and possibly leading to a sense of closure.

To learn more about motorcycle accidents leading to wrongful death and what you can do if your loved one has been killed in one, please visit our web page. You will find useful information about wrongful death cases there.

Motorcyclists face a number of dangers that drivers do not. This is because of how exposed they are, and how small their vehicle is in comparison to the vehicles that are usually around them on the road.

Because of this, blind spots are often a big fear for motorcyclists. Not all drivers check properly while they are doing a lane change. Even if they do a safe lane change, it is possible that a motorcyclist is simply in the driver’s blind spot and the driver is not able to see them before making the lane change. Accidents like this can result in severe injury to the motorcyclist, and though it is not the motorcyclist’s fault, they could still become grievously injured over someone else’s mistake.

Injuries that can occur from a blind spot-induced collision can be excruciating to deal with. They may even be permanent, or deadly in some cases. Injuries can include traumatic spinal cord, neck or brain damage. Broken bones may also occur, as well as a broken back which can lead to paralysis. Road rash or road burn is also common. This is the name for the severe abrasions or lacerations that can occur when a rider’s bare skin makes contact with the pavement and is dragged long enough to get a “burn”.

Please visit our web page to learn more about the injuries that can come from being hit after slipping into a driver’s blind spot and what you can do if you are suffering from them.

When motorcycle collisions occur in Tennessee, motorcyclists often suffer more severe injuries than motorists. Here at Pryor, Priest and Harber, we have seen firsthand how devastating these injuries can be. We have years of experience in helping motorcyclists win compensation for such injuries.

 Injuries which motorcyclists may suffer include head trauma. One of the most severe outcomes of head trauma is a traumatic brain injury. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, severe TBI symptoms may include persistent headaches, vomiting, convulsions loss of coordination and slurred speech. In some cases, TBIs may result in persistent vegetative states. A patient in a PVS may remain in a vegetative state for one month or longer.

Motorcyclists may endure injuries to their spinal cords, necks and backs. Broken bones and severe lacerations (commonly known as road rash) may also result from crashes.

All of these injuries may incur substantial financial loss for motorcyclists. Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and the inability to work for prolonged periods can all add up to a substantial financial burden. If a motorist was responsible for the crash, some or all of these costs may be covered by a personal injury lawsuit.

In the worst case scenarios, motorcycle accidents may prove fatal. When this occurs, the family of the deceased motorcyclist may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the motorist who caused the crash.

To learn more about the types of compensation available to injured motorcyclists, please visit our page on motorcycle accidents. 

Motorcycle crashes are sometimes caused by negligent motorists. These accidents may result when motorists engage in distracted driving behaviors or fail to yield when motorcyclists have right-of-way. When such collisions occur, motorcyclists may suffer a variety of injuries, including road rash.  

A definition of road rash is offered by UWHealth.org, which is run by the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. According to UW Health, road rash injuries are abrasions which result from an accident. Superficial road rash usually heals in two weeks or less, as long as the wounds are kept clean. In some cases, the abrasions will penetrate through all layers of skin. When this occurs, skin grafting may be required in order for the wound to heal.

Caring for a road rash injury may be an involved process. UW Health advises that patients wash and dress these wounds on a daily basis. The area must remain clean and free of bacteria in order to heal properly.

Road rash may produce substantial pain in accident victims. Depending on the situation, a prescription pain reliever may be prescribed by a physician. UW Health recommends that pain medication be taken approximately one hour prior to tending to wounds. Additional pain treatments may also be used in between wound dressings.  

If road rash does not heal within the expected time, UW Health recommends that patients visit their physicians. The wounds may be deeper than initially suspected and may need to be reevaluated by a medical professional.  

Infection is a serious concern for road rash patients. Signs of infection, such as increased swelling, flu-like symptoms or foul-smelling pus should be reported to physicians.