Motorcycle Crash Reminds Drivers To Look Twice For Motorcycles
4/30/2019 Motorcycle Accidents John Whitfield
A driver who did not look for motorcycles before pulling out onto the roadway caused a recent Nashville motorcycle accident. Motorcycle riders are far less protected than those riding inside vehicles, and riders can receive injuries ranging from minor sprains and strains to broken bones. Often, injuries involving the brain or the spine can be catastrophic, if not fatal.
Riding a motorcycle is fundamentally more precarious than driving a car. Maintaining control is harder on two wheels than on four, and when crashes occur, motorcyclists are at greater risk of serious injury or death. 4,976 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2016 alone.
Motorcycle accident lawsuits are classified as personal injury cases, which means they are based on a legal concept referred to as “negligence.” In order to have a legal case for negligence, you’ll need to prove the other driver in the accident was at fault because they failed to use a reasonable standard of care.
Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Law
A helmet is the most crucial component of motorcycle safety equipment. Helmets decrease the severity of head injuries and the likelihood of death. The federal government estimates wearing a helmet reduces the risk of a fatal motorcycle accident by 37 percent. Riders who ride without a helmet are three times more likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries in a crash.
Motorcycle helmet laws vary widely among the states. Currently, 19 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all riders (operators and passengers) to wear a helmet while driving or riding on a motorcycle, known as universal helmet laws. Tennessee is one of the states with a mandatory helmet law.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
With motorcyclists having little protection from external forces, motorcycle accident injuries are often serious and life threatening, and may include:
- Amputations
- Bone fractures
- Brain injuries
- Disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
The best time to hire a Nashville motorcycle accident attorney is right after the crash. The scene of the crash needs to be photographed, witnesses need to be interviewed before their memories fade, and the vehicles need to be preserved before key evidence is lost. If you need help after a motorcycle accident, contact us today.