Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Tennessee and Davidson County motorcycle accident crash statistics

Tennessee and Davidson County accident statistics show just how dangerous the roads can be for riders involved in motorcycle collisions. Most Nashville motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries and many in wrongful death.

• Motorcycle accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases in Nashville
• In 2023, there were 3,127 motorcycle accidents in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 202 of which were fatal and 818 resulting in serious injuries.
• Of these crashes, 805 were angle collisions, 140 were caused by sideswipes in the same direction, and 112 were head-on collisions.
• 428 motorcycle accidents occurred in Davidson County that resulted in injury, and 20 crashes were fatal.
• 69% of all motorcycle crashes in Tennessee happened during the day, while 25% occurred at night.
• Motorcycle riders are 29 times more likely to die in a crash than drivers in a car.

When you hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer, it’s important to trust personal injury attorneys who know the risk factors in and around Nashville, the common causes of motorcycle accidents, and how to properly navigate personal injury cases to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Motorcycle accident lawyers help prove negligence

An experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorney can help with accidents caused by a negligent party. When pursuing a motorcycle accident lawsuit, an accident lawyer will need to prove negligence, which consists of four primary elements:

Duty of Care: The defendant, typically the driver of another vehicle involved in the accident, owed a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly on the road, including being attentive to motorcyclists and following traffic laws.

Breach of Duty: The defendant breached that duty by, for example, failing to check blind spots before changing lanes, speeding, or driving distractedly. Actions that a reasonably prudent driver would not do and that directly endangered the safety of the motorcyclist.

Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the motorcycle accident and subsequent injuries to the victim.

Damages: As a result of the accident caused by the defendant’s negligence, the motorcycle accident victim suffered various damages.

Damages an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover

Damages that injured victims can suffer from a crash typically fall under two categories.

A motorcycle lawyer can help recover damages from variety of common crash injuries

Motorcycle injury lawyers can help accident survivors recover compensation for minor injuries and serious injuries following a crash in Nashville. Some common injuries that a motorcycle crash law firm can assist with include:

Tennessee’s Modified Comparative Negligence can impact the compensation you’re entitled to after a crash

The Tennessee comparative fault statute can play a significant role when filing a motorcycle accident claim. Under Tennessee law, if injured victims are found to be more than 50% at fault, they cannot pursue a personal injury claim. Further, the amount that victims are entitled to is reduced by the percentage of fault that they contributed to the crash.

For example, suppose a motorcyclist is riding on a Tennessee highway and is struck by a car that suddenly changes lanes without signaling. However, it is later discovered that the motorcyclist was exceeding the speed limit at the time of the accident.

If the case goes to court, the jury might determine that the motorcyclist was 20% at fault for the accident due to speeding, while the driver of the car is found to be 80% at fault for making an unsafe lane change without signaling.

Under Tennessee’s comparative fault law, the damages awarded to the motorcyclist would be reduced by their percentage of fault. So, if the total damages were determined to be $100,000, the motorcyclist would receive $80,000 (80% of the total damages) after accounting for their 20% comparative fault.

The insurance company will often use this law to their advantage by attempting to reduce compensation or to deny claims altogether. Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys will help victims by reducing the fault of the rider as much as possible to maximize their compensation from the claim.

Motorcycle crash settlement examples

Every motorcycle accident is different, and compensation will be different for each client based on their unique circumstances.

Read about how our Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers recovered a $460,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident client who was seriously injured by a commercial truck driver in Middle Tennessee.

While most claims end in settlements, a reputable accident attorney won’t hesitate to take your claim all the way to trial, if needed.

Statute of limitations in Tennessee gives accident victims limited time to file an injury claim

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident injury claim is generally one year from the date of the accident. This means that injured parties typically have one year from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries and damages. If a motorcycle accident victim fails to file a claim within this time period, they may be barred from seeking any compensation from the liable parties.

It is important to file a claim as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash. Tennessee motorcycle accidents that are handled by an attorney directly after the incident will begin on the best possible footing. Contact an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer today to ensure that all filing deadlines are met.

Most common causes of motorcycle wrecks in Nashville

A Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate the many contributing causes of motorcycle accidents. These investigations may uncover causes that can help prove negligence and contributing factors to the crash to ensure that victims recover a fair settlement. Some of the leading causes of Nashville motorcycle crashes include:

Left-Turn Collisions: When a car turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle, often misjudging the speed of the motorcycle or failing to see it altogether.

Unsafe Lane Changes: Cars may collide with motorcycles when drivers change lanes without properly checking blind spots or failing to signal.

Rear-End Collisions: Cars may collide with motorcycles from behind if the driver is following too closely or fails to react in time to a sudden stop by the motorcycle.

Distracted Driving: Drivers who are distracted by texting, talking on the phone, eating, or engaging in other activities while driving may fail to notice motorcycles sharing the road. There are many distracted driving laws in Tennessee, including the Eddie Conrad Act, which was recently passed in 2024 to further penalize distracted drivers. An experienced attorney can help prove distracted driving if these factors played a role in your injuries.

Opening Car Doors: Motorcycles can be struck by car doors opening suddenly without checking for approaching motorcycles, particularly in urban areas like downtown Nashville with parallel parking.

Failure to Yield: Drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way to motorcycles at intersections, during lane merges, or when entering or exiting driveways or parking lots.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol or drug impairment can significantly impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, leading to accidents with motorcycles.

Speeding: Excessive speed by car drivers reduces reaction time and increases the likelihood of accidents with motorcycles.

Failure to Check Blind Spots: Car drivers may fail to check their blind spots thoroughly, leading to collisions with motorcycles when changing lanes or merging.

What to do after a motorcycle accident to protect your injury claim

Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others involved in the accident for any injuries. If anyone is injured, seek medical assistance immediately by calling emergency services.

Move to Safety: If possible, move yourself and your motorcycle to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further accidents or injuries.

Call the Police: Report the accident to the police, even if it seems minor. A Nashville police report can provide documentation of the incident and is necessary for insurance claims or legal proceedings.

Exchange Information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident, including names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy details.

Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. This documentation can be valuable evidence for insurance claims or legal purposes.

Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t believe you’re seriously injured, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly. Some injuries, such as internal injuries or concussions, may not be immediately apparent but could worsen over time.

Consult with a Lawyer: Consider consulting with a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer to understand your rights and options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages.

By taking these steps after a motorcycle accident, you can protect your health, safety, and legal rights while navigating the aftermath of the incident.

Why hire Hughes & Coleman to manage your motorcycle accident claim

A motorcycle wreck in Nashville should be handled by an experienced motorcycle accident claims attorney who has years of proven success. At Hughes and Coleman, we’re here for you every step of the way.

Contact a Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer near you today

If you’ve suffered motorcycle accident injuries due to a negligent party, our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys can help you recover every dollar you’re entitled to from the insurance company. Call us today so that we can talk through your situation and put you on the path to the best legal outcome possible.

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800-800-4600

Get it done.

Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers

446 James Robertson Pkwy #100, Nashville, TN 37219

(615) 255-9100

2024 Tennessee motorcycle laws to know

Many of the traffic laws that apply to cars also apply to motorcycles; however, in Tennessee, motorcycle drivers and passengers have additional laws that they must adhere to. Some of which include:

• A crash helmet is required to be worn by motorcyclists and their passengers, and helmets must meet the criteria of DOT (FMVSS 218 Certified), CSPM, SNELL, or SIRC.
• Daytime use of a headlight is required [TCA 55-8-164(b)]
• The operator and any passenger on a motorcycle are required to wear safety goggles, face shields, or glasses containing impact-resistant lenses if there is no windshield on the bike [TCA 55-9-304]
• Lane splitting is illegal in Tennessee per code TCA 55-8-182 (b & c)
• If the motorcycle is transporting a passenger, then it must be equipped with passenger seating and passenger footrests.

Safety tips for motorists

Across the country, May is Motorcycle Safety Month, but drivers should practice safety measures every day to help minimize motorcycle crashes and injuries sustained by riders. Practical steps drivers can take include:

• Prior to changing lanes, ensure that you check your mirrors and blind spots. Because motorcycles are typically smaller than most vehicles, they can prove challenging to spot.
• Be sure to use your turn signals before changing lanes or merging into traffic. This helps motorcyclists predict your actions and safely adjust their position in the lane.
• Always allow a motorcyclist a full lane width.
• Maintain a generous following distance of three to four seconds when driving behind a motorcycle. This gives the motorcycle rider additional time to react and maneuver safely in case of an emergency.

Riders can also help protect themselves by taking practical safety steps while adhering to Tennessee laws.