Serious Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries to motorcyclists and their passengers. Maryville motorcycle accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe can help if you suffered devastating injuries in a motorcycle collision. Mr. Hartsoe has worked with hundreds of clients in seeking the compensation they deserve for their injuries. Contact us today to discuss your motorcycle accident.

Anyone involved in a motorcycle accident knows just how traumatic the resulting injuries can be. Motorcyclists and their passengers are particularly vulnerable in motor vehicle crashes. Motorcycles are not as visible as cars and tracks, and they lack the structural protections of an automobile. This makes the rider and passenger more susceptible to serious injuries.

Most states, including Tennessee, have enacted motorcycle awareness programs and helmet laws to help reduce both the number of motorcycle collisions and the gravity of the associated injuries. Helmets can certainly aid in injury prevention: they are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to riders and 41% effective for passengers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Yet riders and passengers can still suffer serious injuries in a crash. Between 2001 and 2008, over 1.2 million people were treated in emergency rooms for motorcycle-related injuries. The head, neck, legs, and upper trunk are the areas of the body that are most likely to be injured in a motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle accidents are often the result of another driver’s careless behavior. Motorcyclists have the same rights and privileges as other motorists in Tennessee. Cars and trucks, however, do not always share the road with motorcycles. In Tennessee, motorists have a duty of care when they operate their vehicles. This includes sharing the road with motorcyclists, avoiding distractions, and obeying traffic laws. Car and truck drivers, however, often fail to see motorcyclists, particularly at intersections. They may try to share a lane with a motorcyclist, or fail to properly signal when changing lanes or merging. In any of these cases, a motorist did not exercise due care, and is therefore liable for any injuries caused by the accident.

Wearing a helmet can help minimize the severity of an injury, and sometimes save a life. Tennessee law requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet and protective eyewear. Despite the protection that a helmet may offer, a motorcyclist and/or passenger may still suffer traumatic injuries to their head and neck that can have a lifelong impact on both the victim and their family.

If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident due to the carelessness of another, you can recover for your injuries. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious physical disabilities that require intense and often long-term treatment. Your injuries may also take a mental and emotional toll on your well-being. You can hold the person who caused the accident accountable for their reckless actions. You can recover for your medical expenses, long-term treatment, lost wages, property damage and any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover for medical costs, funeral expenses, and loss of relationship in a wrongful death suit.

Maryville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe has the experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. Mr. Hartsoe has helped countless motorcycle accident victims recover for their injuries. He will build your case and protect your rights while you focus on your recovery. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact us today at 865-804-1011 or online for a free consultation.