Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Greeneville

motorcycle rider on the ground with helmet off and motorcycle on the side after an accident

Many residents of Greeneville and throughout Tennessee enjoy riding motorcycles for transportation and recreation. Most riders know the risks associated with riding and take every possible precaution to keep themselves safe.

Even an experienced rider wearing the proper protective gear is no match for a car or truck driven by a negligent driver. When these vehicles collide, the motorcyclist is the one who will likely suffer the most severe injuries. In far too many instances, riders suffer catastrophic or fatal harm.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Greeneville that wasn’t your fault, turn to the personal injury lawyers of The Terry Law Firm. For more than 60 years, our firm has helped clients pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.

You can trust our team of attorneys to put in the time and work necessary to fully understand the details of your case and to prepare a legal strategy based on your concerns, goals, and needs.

Contact The Terry Law Firm today for a free initial case evaluation with a motorcycle accident attorney. We are ready to discuss your legal rights and options after you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Greeneville, TN.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Greeneville

Motorcycle accidents in Greeneville have many potential causes. Many crashes can be attributed to other drivers who fail to notice that they are sharing the road with smaller, less-visible motorcycles.

Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Greeneville, TN, include:

  • Speeding
  • Careless or reckless driving
  • Tailgating or following too closely
  • Unsafe lane changes and turns due to failing to signal, yield, or check mirrors and blind spots
  • Distracted driving, including using a cell phone while behind the wheel
  • Drowsy or fatigued driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Poor road conditions due to rain, sleet, snow, or other inclement weather
  • Poor visibility due to low lighting, heavy fog, or precipitation
  • Defective roadway surfaces, including broken pavement or potholes
  • Design or manufacturing defects in vehicles or vehicle parts

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can happen in several different ways, such as:

  • Single-vehicle crashes, where the motorcycle rider loses control of the bike and crashes. These accidents can occur due to poor road surface conditions. They may also be triggered by another negligent or reckless motorist that a motorcycle rider has to swerve to avoid, causing them to lose control of the bike.
  • Head-on accidents, which happen when another vehicle fails to notice an oncoming motorcycle, such as when moving into the motorcycle’s lane during a passing maneuver.
  • Rear-end collisions, which can happen when other motorists speed or follow too closely, as motorcycles can slow and stop much more quickly than a passenger vehicle, or when motorists fail to notice a motorcycle in front of them (often when texting while driving).
  • T-bone accidents, when a vehicle collides with a motorcycle or a motorcycle hit another vehicle at a perpendicular angle. These accidents happen most frequently at intersections as a result of a motorist’s negligence when turning.
  • Sideswipe accidents, which involve the side of another vehicle colliding into the side of a motorcycle and its rider. These accidents often occur on the highway when drivers fail to signal or yield when changing lanes and run into a motorcyclist in an adjacent lane.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle riders lack the protection of an enclosed passenger compartment found in cars and trucks. Motorcycles also lack safety features like seatbelts or airbags. As a result, motorcycle riders tend to suffer much more severe injuries than other motor vehicle accident victims.

Examples of injuries commonly suffered in motorcycle crashes include:

  • Severe lacerations and profuse bleeding
  • Road rash
  • Burns from contact with hot engine surface or from fires that result after a crash
  • Broken bones
  • Soft-tissue injuries, including whiplash injuries, disc herniation or ruptures, or strained or torn ligaments, tendons, and muscles
  • Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
  • Perforation injuries, when an object pierces a rider’s body
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputation
  • Psychiatric conditions, such as PTSD

Types of Compensation for Greeneville Motorcycle Accidents

If you’ve been involved in a Greeneville motorcycle accident that was caused by another party, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses you’ve suffered as a result of the crash, such as:

  • Costs of medical treatment, including ER visits, surgeries, and other medical procedures, or prescription medications
  • Therapy services, including physical rehab or mental health therapy
  • Lost income from missed time at work
  • Lost earning potential, if injuries result in disabilities that permanently affect your ability to return to work
  • Physical pain and emotional distress
  • Lost quality of life due to physical scarring and disfigurement, due to disabilities that interfere with daily living or participating in activities you previously enjoyed, or due to reduced life expectancy because of your injuries
  • Property damage, including repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You

When you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you don’t have to face the legal process by yourself. A motorcycle accident lawyer from The Terry Law Firm can help you to seek financial recovery from those at fault for the accident by:

  • Performing a thorough investigation of the accident, including relying on accident reconstruction and engineering experts to determine the cause of the crash and identify the party or parties at fault.
  • Aggressively asserting your rights and protecting your interests if insurance companies and defense lawyers attempt to use biases and stereotypes of motorcycle riders as dangerous or reckless motorists to pin blame for the accident on you.
  • Documenting your losses, including personal, non-financial harm, such as pain and suffering and lost quality of life, so that your financial recovery in your case provides you with the justice you deserve.
  • Filing your claim with the insurance companies and vigorously pursuing a fair and full settlement.
  • Taking your claim to court, if necessary, and advocating on your behalf at trial to fight for a verdict and judgment in your favor.

Contact a Greeneville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own in a motorcycle accident in Greeneville, contact the motorcycle accident lawyers of The Terry Law Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Learn more about how a Greeneville motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue the financial compensation you need to treat your injuries and get your life back after a devastating motorcycle crash.

infographic of motorcycle crash facts

Motorcycle Accidents

Do Motorcycle Accident Laws Differ from State to State?

Yes. Each state handles motorcycle accidents differently. In Tennessee, motorcycle accidents involve a fault system regarding financial responsibility for injuries and losses. That means you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company to seek compensation. It’s important to work with a local attorney who understands Tennessee law and how it applies to your case. The Terry Law Firm has been helping people in East Tennessee since 1960.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

You might worry about the cost of hiring a lawyer, but the motorcycle accident attorneys at The Terry Law Firm take cases on contingency. That means no upfront fees or costs are involved in seeking legal representation. You only have to pay if your motorcycle accident attorney secures compensation for you. If you are not awarded compensation, we do not get paid.

What if the Driver Who Hit Me on My Motorcycle Is Uninsured?

If you discover the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurance company if you have optional uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Under UM coverage, you could receive from your insurer compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses resulting from the motorcycle accident. An attorney can assist with your claim and help you maximize your financial recovery.

Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Go to Trial?

It depends. Most motorcycle accident claims do not go to trial, but some do. Whether yours requires litigation will depend on numerous factors. It may be necessary for you to consider filing a lawsuit if you believe the insurer unfairly denied your claim or won’t agree to a fair settlement. Litigating a motorcycle accident case is sometimes necessary if liability is unclear, multiple parties are involved, or the insurer tries to shift blame onto the injured party.

What Should I Do if I’m Offered a Motorcycle Accident Settlement?

You should always consult an experienced attorney before accepting any settlement from the insurance company. The first offer usually is not the best. Insurers often make a lowball offer to settle the claim quickly, seeking to save money.

Despite what they may have you believe, the at-fault party’s insurer doesn’t want to help you. Their main priority is avoiding costly settlements whenever possible. Discuss the offer with your lawyer to determine if negotiating a higher number is possible or if filing a lawsuit may be necessary.

What Should I Say if the Insurance Company Contacts Me After a Motorcycle Accident?

You should not talk to the insurance carrier if they contact you after a motorcycle collision. Be aware that the at-fault party’s insurer is not on your side. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little money as possible or find reasons to deny the claim.

If the insurance adjuster calls you to discuss the accident, politely decline to speak with them. You can give them your attorney’s number if you have hired someone to represent you. If you have yet to seek legal representation, hire a knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. Your attorney can then communicate with the insurer on your behalf, so you don’t have to worry about saying something that may adversely affect your case.