Category: Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle accident that took place in Tennessee on July 5 left one person dead and two others with serious injuries. According to the report, the crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 between the Madison and Rivergate Parkway exits in Madison about 6 p.m.

Police stated that a 45-year-old pedestrian was driving a truck on the interstate when his vehicle blew a tire. He had entered the roadway in order to remove a piece of the tire when a 34-year-old man’s motorcycle struck him. The impact of the collision between the pedestrian and the motorcycle caused the bike to travel onto the interstate shoulder between the truck and the guardrail, causing both the driver and passenger to be ejected.

The driver of the motorcycle died at the scene of the accident. The 27-year-old passenger of the motorcycle and the pedestrian were both transported to separate hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. Both individuals remained in critical condition the following day. Authorities were still investigating the accident.

Someone who is involved in a motorcycle accident is likely to suffer serious or even fatal injuries due to the force involved in such a crash. If an injury is suffered due to another person’s negligence, the injured party might file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for any resulting financial damages. These damages may include any medical bills that were incurred during the treatment of any injuries and any income that was lost due to hospitalization or being unable to work. The injured party could also seek compensation for pain and suffering.

Source: WKRN, “1 killed, 2 injured after motorcycle hits pedestrian on I-65“, July 06, 2014

A June 19 motorcycle accident in Bellevue left a 64-year-old man dead, police stated. Reportedly, the incident took place on Highway 70 near the Old Hickory Boulevard intersection at approximately 12:25 p.m.

Police stated that the 64-year-old man was traveling on a 2007 Harley Davidson in the eastbound lanes of Highway 70 when a pickup truck towing a utility trailer made a turn directly into the path of the motorcycle. The subsequent collision propelled the 64-year-old man from his motorcycle. Authorities said he died at the accident scene.

The driver of the truck, a 35-year-old man, was driving without a valid driver’s license, allegedly. Police charged him with failure to exercise due care and driving without a license. Furthermore, police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

If further investigation into this case were to confirm that the accident was the result of negligent driving, the driver responsible for that actionable behavior may be held accountable for the fatal crash not just criminally but also in civil court. For, people who suffer damages as a result of accidents caused by negligent drivers may be entitled to restitution via civil action.

As this particular case illustrates, a motorcycle accident can have calamitous results, including fatal injuries. When that is the case, certain family members of the deceased victim may retain a wrongful death attorney and file suit, seeking financial compensation for the damages they suffered as a result of the fatal accident. If successful, claimants in a wrongful death suit may receive compensation for the expenses associated with their loved one’s funeral services, burial and estate administration. Moreover, they might be awarded restitution for lost earnings if the decedent had contributed income to the family household prior to death.

Source: WSMV, “Police identify motorcyclist killed in Bellevue crash“, Kara Apel, June 19, 2014

Each spring, Tennesseans climb on the back of their motorcycles and head out on the road. Unfortunately, riders are susceptible to injuries while on their bikes, and even a slight mishap can lead to serious injuries. Motorcycle accidents commonly cause harm to riders’ heads and necks. These types of injuries can result in long-term disabilities and pain, and they can even end a rider’s life.

The stretch of U.S. 129 known as “The Dragon” is one of the country’s most popular riding places, and its many bends provide a great riding experience. However, its twists and turns can also pose a hazard to motorists, and fatalities are recorded each year along the stretch. 

According to the BCSO, a motorcycle rider was recently struck and killed on “The Dragon.” The accident occurred one afternoon when the rider of the motorcycle rounded a bend and collided with a passenger vehicle. According to reports, bystanders performed CPR on the rider until emergency personnel could arrive, though the rider was pronounced to be dead at the scene. Initial reports did not specify the cause of the accident, though the rear end of the rider’s motorcycle reportedly struck the car’s front end.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a Tennessee motorcycle accident, or if fatalities have occurred from a collision, it is important for you to understand your rights and the options available to you. Help is available to help you pay for expensive medical bills, funeral costs and pain and suffering. Taking the right steps in your case can help you obtain the compensation you deserve. 

Source: The Daily Times, “Pennsylvania motorcycle rider killed on ‘The Dragon’,” May 20, 2014

With the onset of spring, many Tennesseans feel it’s time to warm up the motorcycles and get out on the road. There are plenty of great riding opportunities in the state, though it is important for riders to stay alert. Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones and head injuries. In some cases, other motorists on the road do not respect the space of motorcycle riders sharing the road, and collisions sometimes result from fully preventable situations.

Multiple people were hospitalized in Cleveland after a passenger vehicle collided with a pair of motorcycles. The accident happened after the car crossed the median, striking one motorcycle head-on before hitting another from the side. The accident happened in the late afternoon on Frontage Road.

Two of the cyclists were airlifted to Erlanger Medical Center with critical injuries. Two others are reported in critical condition, as well, while a fifth person was also transported to the hospital. The accident is still under investigation from police, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that criminal charges may result from the collision. It was unclear at the time of the initial report whether drugs or alcohol had been involved in the accident.

The collision serves as an example of how quickly riders can be imperiled by drivers on the road. It also shows the extent of the serious injuries that can result from these types of accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident, especially one that was the result of negligence on the part if another motorist, compensation may be available to help you work through the aftermath of the event.

Source: Cleveland Daily Banner, “Five injured in car, motorcycle crash,” Greg Kaylor, April 14, 2014

Thousands of people enjoy riding motorcycles across the state of Tennessee. However, riders are at risk of greater personal injury than motorists in vehicles are. A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries and broken bones that may be life- threatening. Head and neck injuries are common for riders involved in a collision, even among those wearing a helmet.

A proposed bill in Tennessee would give some riders more freedom but potentially increase the risk of injury in motorcycle accidents. The proposal seeks changes to the existing state law in order to make it optional for riders to wear a helmet.

The law change would be for riders 25 and older, and riders would have to meet several other requirements before they could legally ride without a helmet. Basically, more experienced and educated riders would be awarded the choice to wear or not to wear a helmet.

Personal choice may be an incentive for the bill, which received a 6-3 vote from the Senate Transportation Committee. Supporters of the bill note that allowing riders to go without a helmet would boost tourism to the state, and some have also questioned the true safety of the helmets. Opponents against the bill cite increased costs to trauma centers and greater risk to riders as reasons to keep the helmet requirement.

This is not the first time legislators have sought to amend Tennessee’s helmet law. Also, if the bill were passed, this wouldn’t be the only state without a strict helmet requirement. The issue of helmet and motorcycle safety is an ongoing one, and many riders will always seek the freedom to decide for themselves whether to wear a helmet or not.

Ultimately, it is important for riders to understand the risks involved with riding a motorcycle and for other motorists to share the road to provide a safe environment for riders. A motorcyclist who is injured because of someone’s negligent driving shouldn’t be treated like a criminal because he wasn’t wearing a helmet. Some drivers simply need to drive better and look out for motorcycles.

Source: The Commercial Appeal, “Proposal to drop motorcycle helmet law passes Tennessee Senate panel,” March 13, 2014

Motorcycles offer a great way to get outside, enjoy the weather and experience the open road. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are often at greater risk than other motorists on the road, and even the best precautions are not always enough to guard against broken bones or even death. If a collision with another vehicle occurs in a motorcycle accident, police investigations can help determine if negligence or other factors were involved.

A Rutherford County accident has left a motorcyclist dead. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 27-year-old rider of the motorcycle struck the rear of a vehicle, sending the motorcycle a distance of around 200 feet from the impact. The motorcycle was also reported to be burned at the conclusion of the accident.

It only takes a moment for a serious or fatal accident to happen, and despite efforts in many states to increase motorcycle awareness, many drivers still do not see or recognize motorcyclists on the road. Often a driver will suddenly turn out or pull into a lane in front of an unsuspecting motorcycle operator. Any sudden adjustments that motorcyclists must make to attempt to avoid a crash could spell disaster.

Motorcycle crashes can result in steep medical bills, as well as funeral expenses and other costs to friends or family of deceased riders. In some cases, Tennessee residents are entitled to compensation to help them with these expenses, including wrongful death settlements. Understanding the different situations surrounding each unique circumstance can help riders and their families stay protected, even after a crash.

Source: WZTV-TV, “Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident,” Feb. 25, 2014

Motorcycles provide an exciting and enjoyable way to experience the road. Whether it’s a trip out of town, a drive through the city or a casual ride with friends, there’s nothing else like it. However, due to the relative lack of protection available to motorcycle riders, they are at greater risk of serious injury or death than people riding in other vehicles. Each year, motorcycle accident injuries occur in Tennessee, many of which lead to the hospitalization of the riders or even death.

In Fayetteville, a man suffered fatal injuries while riding his motorcycle. Witnesses say the man collided with the rear of a vehicle that stopped in order to turn left. The rider was thrown from his motorcycle into another lane, where a second vehicle struck him. The accident remains under investigation.

Although this accident is still under investigation, many motorcycle accidents are the result of other drivers’ negligence. Often, they are avoidable mistakes. Drivers often forget to check carefully for motorcyclists, or they drive too close to the rider without considering the potential harm an impact could cause. Other drivers may fail to signal for an upcoming turn or may stop suddenly. Accidents involving motorcyclists commonly result in injuries to the head, neck and back, which can be debilitating and cause expensive medical bills.

If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident that was caused by careless or negligent driving, you need to understand your options and the legal ramifications for all parties involved. Gaining legal knowledge is the first step toward achieving a suitable outcome to your situation.

Source: THV 11, “Fayetteville man killed in motorcycle accident,” Feb. 9, 2014

The Tennessee Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a motorcycle accident that occurred on Highway 41 around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The accident happened approximately a mile from Airport Road when a motorcycle and a white 2000 Honda Accord collided.

Three people were inside the Honda. They were not injured in the accident. However, the motorcyclist suffered from a possible broken leg and was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via ambulance, said the assistant chief of the Robertson County Rescue Squad. The chief also reported that the man had several lacerations from the motorcycle accident.

Motorcyclists who are injured in similar accidents could choose to file a personal injury lawsuit against the drivers who hit them to get compensation for injuries. If the motorcyclist was not at fault, he could potentially be reimbursed for his hospital bills and any other medical expenses he incurred as a result of the accident. Additionally, he may have had to miss time from his job when he was hospitalized, resulting in him not receiving his paycheck. If so, he could be able to ask for compensation for that as well.

Some states even allow people to seek compensation for the emotional and psychological trauma they had to endure at being in an auto accident. Therefore, the man could potentially receive money for his pain and suffering and other punitive damages.

A personal injury attorney may evaluate the motorcycle accident to help the motorcyclist determine whether he has viable reason to file a personal injury claim. An attorney might also get his or her own investigators to look into the causes of accidents. Attorneys may help people negotiate settlements for their injuries in a timely manner.

Source: The Tennessean, “UPDATED: THP enroute to Highway 41 motorcycle wreck“, Nicole Young, Cheri Reeves, October 01, 2013

A 27-year-old man has been killed while driving his motorcycle through Red Bank. The man, beloved by his friends and coworkers, has been described as having a big smile on his face wherever he went. A friend also remarked that he could light up any room and displayed a good, loving character in all aspects of his life.

Leaving the kickball game at night, the victim drove his motorcycle along Dayton Boulevard. According to police, the driver of the motorcycle collided with a PT Cruiser that had been exiting a parking lot, and the victim was thrown from the motorcycle. Later in the hospital, the victim was pronounced dead.

After the first collision, the driver of the PT Cruiser hit a pickup truck. There have been no reports of any other injuries as a result of the multi-vehicle crash. Police have launched an investigation to reveal the exact cause of the accident. It is not known if the victim’s family members plan to file a wrongful death claim against the driver of the PT Cruiser.

Failing to yield to a motorcycle before entering a roadway may be considered reckless driving, and, when exiting a parking lot, car drivers are expected to look out for pedestrians and other vehicles. If the investigation reveals that the driver of the PT Cruiser caused the motorcycle accident, the surviving members of the victim’s family may wish to pursue legal action. An attorney may be able to help the family file a claim for compensation for medical and funeral expenses.

Source: News Channel 9, “Motorcyclist Killed In Accident”, Jerry Askin, September 13, 2013

The increased amount of motorcyclists on the road during the summertime leads to the increase of motorcycle injuries. Unfortunately, failure to observe safety and share the road properly increases the likelihood of motorcycle accidents. Tennessee is no exception as far as the correlation between lack of safety and increased amount of accidents are concerned.

Many motorists claim that they do not see motorcycles; however, a number of motorists rely only on their mirrors and may fail to turn around to look in order to cover their blind spots. A motorcyclist’s best defense can be everyone else’s worst annoyance such as the sound of the engine revving, alerting other motorists’ attention of their presence.

However, not all motorcycle crashes are caused by people driving cars who claim they cannot see them. Many bike accidents are caused by speeding, driving while intoxicated, and carelessness on the road. Many motorcyclists weave in and out of traffic and, in a similar manner to automobiles, may not follow traffic laws closely. Therefore, in order to create a better environment for motorcycles and cars, all operators of such vehicles must make every effort to share the road with respect to everyone’s safety.

Motorcyclists often sustain more serious injuries than those who drive cars because they are less protected. With many more people on the road today, including motorcycles, there is greater risk for accidents involving critical wounds or even death. Tennessee residents who have been injured in motorcycle accidents might benefit by consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney. Those with serious injuries may be eligible to receive compensation, particularly if they are losing income. Likewise, those who lost loved ones because of motorcycle accidents might be able to collect damages as well.

Source: The Salem News, “Our view: As summer heats up, watch out for motorcycles”, July 26, 2013