Nashville Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident, contact the Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton for help. With more than 28 years of experience helping protect injured people like you in Nashville, Attorney Glanton and his team know what it takes to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve for your motorcycle accident claim.
Motorcyclists are always at risk of suffering serious injuries when they are involved in accidents. Simply put, motorcyclists do not have anywhere near the levels of protection that are afforded to car occupants, so many people who ride or are passengers on motorcycles can sustain catastrophic or even fatal injuries if they are involved in crashes.
While motorcycle accident victims can be entitled to compensation for various damages suffered in crashes such as medical bills, lost income, and property damage, other drivers or their insurance companies will frequently attempt to claim motorcyclists were somehow at fault. Any person injured in a motorcycle accident should not hesitate to seek legal representation following a crash. At the Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton, we are dedicated to holding negligent motorists accountable for their reckless actions. To find out more about how we can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries after a motorcycle accident, contact us today at (615) 244-4511.
How a Lawyer Can Help Motorcycle Accident Victims
If you were severely injured or your loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash anywhere in the greater Nashville area, it is in your best interest to contact the Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton as soon as possible. Our firm can immediately begin conducting an independent investigation of your accident to secure important evidence and also identify all possible liable parties.
People who are injured in motorcycle accidents are often contacted by the insurers for motor vehicle drivers very shortly after these wrecks. In many cases, insurance company representatives will act concerned about a victim’s well-being and express a willingness to help them, but you should never believe that an insurer is actually concerned with taking care of you.
In truth, every insurance company is committed to one thing: making money. As a result, an insurer’s end goal for every single injury claim is to resolve the claim for as little as possible.
All insurance companies try to use the seemingly innocent phone calls made to victims to try and get people to unknowingly make recorded statements that ultimately damage their claims. The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton can handle these phone calls on your behalf and negotiate with an insurer to make sure you receive a full and fair settlement that accounts for all of your past, present, and future needs.
We offer free consultations that will allow our firm to provide a complete evaluation of your case. The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton handles all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay us anything unless you receive a monetary award.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Every accident is different, and each crash involves its own unique set of factors. Many motorcycle crashes, however, tend to share some very similar causes. Some of the most frequent causes of motorcycle accidents include, but are not limited to:
- Left Turn Accidents — Whether a driver misgauges how fast an oncoming motorcycle is traveling or simply does not see the motorcycle, a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle makes the motorcyclist powerless to avoid a collision. The impact alone of these crashes can be devastating, but victims may also be thrown several feet from their bikes.
- Lane Change Accidents — Drivers who fail to do “shoulder checks” (check their blind spots) or simply misjudge the speed of motorcycles traveling in the same direction can strike the motorcycles when attempting a sudden lane change. Bikes are frequently crushed in such instances, and motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries.
- Rear-End Accidents — Some drivers cause rear-end collisions as the result of speeding and not having enough stopping distance, but other rear-end accidents are simply the result of a driver not paying attention (possibly because they were using a cell phone or subject to some other kind of distraction). Even seemingly minor collisions can be forceful enough to throw motorcyclists several feet from their bikes.
- Drunk Driving Accidents — Tennessee prohibits driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or a controlled substance. Impaired drivers are much more likely to commit any one of a number of driving infractions or other actions that causes a motorcycle wreck. It is important for victims to understand that even if a negligent driver is able to avoid a DUI conviction, that criminal case is completely separate from any civil action stemming from the crash, and the driver can still be found liable for damages.
- “Dooring” Accidents — Similar to the dangers faced by many bicyclists in urban areas, motorcyclists can also be involved in collisions when motor vehicle occupants open doors to automobiles on streets without first looking for oncoming vehicles while exiting vehicles. Like left turn accidents, motorcyclists cannot avoid these types of collisions and may be thrown from their bikes.
Not all motorcycle crashes necessarily involve other vehicles. Some accidents are completely isolated incidents, but that does not mean that another party cannot be held liable.
For example, a crash caused by some kind of defective part could make the part manufacturer liable. In other cases, a maintenance company could be responsible for improper repairs. When an accident is the result of an unreasonably dangerous roadway, a state or local governmental agency could be held liable
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Aside from helmets and maybe some padding, most motorcyclists have very little to protect them when they are involved in crashes. As a result, most victims involved in motorcycle accidents face very lengthy terms of hospitalization and several months, years, or even lifetimes of rehabilitation.
The Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton represents people who have sustained such injuries as:
- Road Rash
- Fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Amputation
- Burn Injuries
- Disfigurement
- Neck Injuries
- Internal Organ Damage
Unfortunately, some victims do not survive the injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents. In such cases, our firm can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a victim’s beneficiaries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Motorcycle Accidents
Many people are unfamiliar with motorcycle laws and what might happen after an accident involving one. We have compiled a few of the questions we hear most at our firm here.
Is lane splitting legal in Tennessee?
Lane splitting refers to operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. In Tennessee, this is illegal, despite how common it is. Motorcyclists in the Nashville area should avoid lane splitting because accidents that occur when a motorcyclist is between rows of traffic will invariably mean that the motorcyclist will be considered to be at fault.
Can a motorcyclist recover compensation if they were partially at fault?
Yes. Tennessee uses the system of comparative fault. Under the comparative fault system, a plaintiff can recover damages so long as their negligence is less than the defendant’s (commonly known as a “50 percent” rule). A plaintiff’s award can be reduced by their portion of negligence. In other words, a motorcyclist who is awarded $100,000 but is found to have been 30 percent at fault for their crash will have the award reduced by $30,000 and would ultimately receive $70,000.
What steps should a victim take after being injured in a motorcycle accident in Tennessee?
Every person who is involved in a motorcycle crash should immediately make sure to get medical treatment. This is true even when a person thinks they were not hurt. Some injuries involve delayed symptoms, but medical professionals can identify the injuries and recommend proper care. Furthermore, insurance companies will challenge injury claims when there is a significant gap between the date of an accident and the date of initial medical treatment. If victims are able, they should also try to return to their crash scenes to take multiple pictures of the accident scene and also get the names and phone numbers of all witnesses. When a person cannot do this because of the need for medical care, they should try to have friends or family members take these measures on their behalf. Finally, a victim will want to contact an experienced personal injury as soon as possible. Do not say anything to any insurance company until you have legal counsel.
Contact a Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Were you seriously injured or was your loved one killed in a motorcycle crash anywhere in the greater Nashville area? Make sure you immediately contact the Law Offices of Luvell L. Glanton.
Our firm fights to help residents and visitors alike recover all of the compensation they are entitled to. You can have our attorney provide an honest and thorough evaluation of your case as soon as you call (615) 244-4511 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.