Hamilton County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Operating or being a passenger on a motorcycle is an exhilarating way to get around, especially in Tennessee with its many miles of majestic roads and highways. It could also be a dangerous form of transportation as there is very little to prevent one on a motorcycle from being seriously injured or killed when he or she is struck by a motor vehicle. Motorcycles are also especially prone to breakdown and mechanical failure – a fact that further raises the likelihood of injury or death when one chooses to ride on two wheels.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it may be a good idea for you to contact a Hamilton County motorcycle accident lawyer. A personal injury attorney could work on your behalf to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that your motorcycle accident has forced you to incur.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Although they occur less frequently than accidents involving just motor vehicles, motorcycle accidents are far more likely to result in grave bodily injury or death. The following is a brief look at just some of the most common causes of motorcycles accidents and scenarios that are likely to familiar to any seasoned Hamilton County motorcycle accident lawyer:
Vehicle Left-Hand Turns
Nearly half of all collisions involving a motorcycle and a car happen while the vehicle makes a left-hand turn. Typically, the car turning left strikes the motorcycle while the latter is traveling in the opposite direction through an intersection, passing the car, or overtaking the car.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting occurs when a motorcycle drives between two lanes of slowly moving or stopped cars. In Tennessee, lane splitting is strictly prohibited.
Speeding & Alcohol Use
Another situation that a Hamilton County motorcycle accident lawyer is surely to encounter involves victims who have been injured due to speeding or the other driver operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
Road Hazards
Irregularities in the road such as potholes, dead animals, and debris pose a danger to motorcycles given their smaller size and less stable nature.
Modified Comparative Fault and the Statute of Limitations
In the event of a collision between a car and a motorcycle, it is often the case that both drivers share some degree of blame. The “modified comparative fault” approach used in Tennessee allows injured motorcyclists to be awarded compensation only if they were 50 percent or less responsible. An experienced Hamilton County motorcycle accident attorney may be able to help victims present evidence showing that is the case.
It is also important for motorcycle accident victims to be aware that they have a very limited time frame to take legal action after being injured in a crash. That is because of the Tennessee statute of limitations applicable to personal injury cases, according to TENN. CODE § 28-3-104. In short, time is of the essence when filing a claim for damages following a motorcycle accident as the deadline to do so is only one year from the date of the injury.
Learn More by Contacting a Hamilton County Motorcycle Accident Attorney
A bad motorcycle accident could leave you with debilitating injuries, substantial medical bills, and many pressing questions about your legal options. Which is why you strongly encouraged to contact a Hamilton County motorcycle accident lawyer regarding what steps could be taken. You may be eligible for compensation – even if the accident was partly your fault.
