Pigeon Forge Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Driving any vehicle comes with certain inherent risks, but the risk of being involved in a severe accident is even greater for motorcyclists. Motorcycles lack the same protections that cars and trucks provide, so riders are at greater risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Pigeon Forge, and it was not your fault, you could be entitled to fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact us online or call The Terry Law Firm today for a free case evaluation with one of our Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyers.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Pigeon Forge
At The Terry Law Firm, we help injured motorcycle riders seek compensation and justice from those who’ve caused them harm. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Pigeon Forge and throughout East Tennessee include:
- Driving under the influence – Driving under the influence of intoxicating substances like drugs or alcohol can severely impair safe driving abilities such as fine motor control, visual acuity, swift reaction time, and concentration.
- Drowsy driving – Driving while excessively tired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Sleepy drivers are significantly less likely to register motorcycles in their peripheral vision or react quickly enough to avoid devastating accidents.
- Distracted driving – Drivers focused on text messages, phone conversations, or other distractions behind the wheel substantially increase their risk of overlooking critical traffic situations and causing dangerous collisions.
- Aggressive driving – Aggressive drivers who engage in risky behaviors like speeding, lane weaving, and tailgating frequently fail to leave themselves enough room to recognize motorcycles and avoid causing wrecks.
- Driving errors – Drivers who are inexperienced or overconfident are more likely to commit driving errors that lead to motorcycle accidents, such as running red lights, failure to yield the right of way, and failure to check blind spots for motorcycles.
- Defective car parts – If a motorcyclist or another motorist neglects to maintain their vehicle correctly or drives a car with faulty parts made by a negligent manufacturer, failure of those parts can lead to tragic loss-of-control accidents.
- Dangerous road conditions – External hazards such as damaged road surfaces, blind curves or hills, or poor infrastructure can increase the risk of loss of driver control and motorcycle crashes.
Types of Motorcycle Crashes
Common types of motorcycle accidents in Pigeon Forge, TN, include:
- Rear-end crashes – Rear-end collisions occur when other drivers follow too closely behind motorcycles or fail to slow or stop in time to avoid crashing the front ends of their vehicles into the rear ends of motorcycles.
- Head-on collisions – Head-on accidents are relatively rare but tend to be catastrophic. In a head-on crash, the front end of a vehicle collides with the front end of a motorcycle traveling in the opposite direction.
- Sideswipe accidents – Sideswipe accidents occur when vehicles traveling alongside motorcycles moving in a parallel direction drift or turn in a way that causes the side of the car to “swipe” against the side of the motorcycle.
- T-bone collisions – In a T-bone collision, a motorist who runs a red light or fails to yield the proper right of way at an intersection crashes, forming a “T”-shaped wreck.
- Dooring accidents – A dooring accident occurs when a negligent vehicle occupant opens their car door into a nearby lane of moving traffic and causes a passing motorcyclist to slam into the open door.
Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries
Motorcycle riders involved in traffic accidents frequently suffer severe or life-threatening injuries. Common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents in Pigeon forge include:
- Traumatic brain injuries such as concussions or penetrative head wounds
- Back and neck injuries such as whiplash or herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries, which often result in partial or total paralysis
- Broken, crushed, or dislocated bones
- Traumatic or surgical amputations
- Bruises, lacerations, scrapes, road rash, and heat or chemical burns
- Facial scarring and disfigurement, jaw injuries, and dental trauma
- Strains, sprains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues
Types of Compensation for Pigeon Forge Motorcycle Accidents
The compensation you could receive from a Pigeon Forge motorcycle crash claim is intended to reimburse you for the financial and personal costs you suffer due to the crash and your resulting injuries, such as:
- Medical bills – Past, present, and future costs of any medical care you need to recover from your injuries, including expenses for things like ambulance rides, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, doctor’s visits, and prescription medications
- Incidental expenses – Any incidental out-of-pocket expenses you incur as a result of the accident, such as the costs of home accessibility modifications or transportation to and from necessary medical appointments
- Lost wages – The value of any income losses you suffer due to missed time at work while you recover from your motorcycle accident injuries
- Lost earning potential – The projected value of losses in your lifetime earning potential if your injuries leave you disabled and prevent you from returning to your previous job or career path
- Pain and suffering – The subjective costs of the pain, discomfort, physical limitations, and emotional anguish you suffer due to the aftermath of the accident and your accident-related injuries
- Motorcycle repair cost – The costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle if it was damaged or totaled in the crash
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help with My Compensation Claim?
The aftermath of a Pigeon Force motorcycle crash often feels shocking and overwhelming. The dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers at The Terry Law Firm can support you through this challenging time by:
- Explaining your legal rights and options for seeking compensation
- Conducting an independent investigation of the motorcycle accident to uncover critical evidence and determine who should be held responsible
- Communicating with third parties such as insurance companies, medical professionals, and other attorneys on your behalf
- Consulting with expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists who can provide professional insight into the details of your case
- Negotiating aggressively to maximize your compensation during insurance settlement talks
- Representing you in court, if the insurance company refuses to agree to a reasonable monetary settlement
Contact a Pigeon Forge Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At The Terry Law Firm, our small-town Pigeon Force motorcycle accident attorneys have the resources and the drive to stand up to big insurance firms and corporate lawyers with deep pockets. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help in a free initial case review with our compassionate team.
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.