Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Tennessee? If so, you’re likely facing expensive medical bills, lost wages from time missed at work, and painful, even life-altering injuries. While the person who caused the wreck owes you compensation for these and other losses, their insurer might not agree, setting you up for a hard-fought battle to get the money you deserve.

Don’t take on this fight alone. Instead, put an experienced Tennessee motorcycle accident attorney with The Terry Law Firm in your corner.

Our firm has vigorously advocated for maximum compensation for motorcycle accident victims for over six decades. We’re ready to put this extensive experience to work for you. Our attorneys provide high-quality legal representation, personal attention, and compassionate client service to help injured people get through this difficult time.

If you’ve suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash in Tennessee, get the help you need to pursue compensation for your losses. Contact The Terry Law Firm for a free initial claim review to speak with a motorcycle injury attorney.

Why You Need Our Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

A motorcycle accident can leave you with catastrophic, life-changing injuries that require weeks or months of treatment and rehabilitation. Recovering from a motorcycle crash that has turned your life upside down will require total focus. But you also deserve to pursue financial recovery from those responsible for the accident.

How do you focus on your financial, physical, and emotional well-being at the same time? You turn to a Tennessee motorcycle accident attorney from The Terry Law Firm for help after a crash.

While you focus your time and energy on your recovery, let our legal team handle the details of your motorcycle accident claims, including:

  • Investigating the crash to obtain evidence supporting your claim, such as police accident reports, surveillance and traffic camera videos, eyewitness statements, and accident scene photos and videos
  • Reviewing the evidence and working with experts as needed to determine the cause of the accident and identify liable parties
  • Documenting your losses and injuries to determine the compensation you may be entitled to recover
  • Evaluating your legal options for financial recovery, including identifying applicable insurance coverages
  • Communicating with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys on your behalf to let you focus on your treatment and rehab
  • Aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for you through a negotiated settlement or by going to court and trial if necessary

Since 1960, injured people have turned to The Terry Law Firm for our decades of combined experience, proven record of results, and team-based approach to preparing and pursuing legal claims. We are a small-town firm with big-city know-how.

Why Are Motorcycle Wreck Claims More Complicated?

Injured motorcycle riders often struggle to recover compensation after an accident. Motorcycle wreck claims often become more complicated than other accident cases for reasons like the following examples:

  • Motorcycle riders tend to suffer more severe injuries. Without the protection of a vehicle’s body, bikers frequently suffer severe injuries that can lead to expensive medical bills and permanent disabilities with life-long costs.
  • Liable drivers frequently don’t have enough insurance coverage to compensate injured riders fully. Tennessee requires drivers to have only $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability insurance coverage. Many drivers choose to purchase just the minimum required coverage, while some carry no insurance at all. Minimum insurance coverage likely will not fully compensate a motorcycle rider for injuries they suffer in a crash.
  • At-fault drivers and insurance companies use stereotypes about motorcycle riders to shift blame unfairly. Drivers who cause motorcycle accidents may try to transfer responsibility for the crash onto the motorcyclist by relying on inaccurate biases and stereotypes of motorcyclists as reckless, aggressive drivers. Injured bikers need a strong advocate who won’t let them get away with it.

How Is Liability Determined After a Motorcycle Crash in Tennessee?

How can you determine who’s liable for your injuries after a motorcycle accident? The following types of evidence could show how the accident occurred and whose actions caused it:

  • Police accident reports
  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Surveillance and traffic camera videos
  • Dashcam and helmet cam videos
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Vehicle event data recorder logs
  • Driver cell phone records
  • Post-accident vehicle inspections
  • Vehicle maintenance records
  • Accident reconstruction expert reports

Most Common Causes and Types of Motorcycle Wrecks in Tennessee

Many motorcycle accidents occur because negligent drivers fail to share the road with motorcyclists. Some of the most frequent causes of motorcycle wrecks in Tennessee include:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving, such as street racing or swerving through traffic
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Tailgating
  • Not using turn signals or checking mirrors before turning, changing lanes, or backing up
  • Distracted driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Passing a motorcycle without moving over to an adjacent lane
  • Making an illegal turn or maneuver
  • Driver inexperience
  • Failure to follow motorcycle laws

Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Because motorcycles lack safety equipment like crumple zones, seatbelts, and airbags, motorcyclists frequently suffer severe motorcycle accident injuries, such as:

  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ injuries and internal bleeding
  • Perforation injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Amputation, dismemberment, and limb loss
  • Dislocated joints
  • Ligament sprains or tears
  • Muscle and tendon strains and tears
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Herniated spinal discs
  • Lacerations
  • Abrasions and road rash
  • Degloving injuries
  • Burns

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident?

If someone else caused the motorcycle accident, they may owe you money for your:

  • Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
  • Long-term care costs for permanent disabilities
  • Ongoing and future loss of income caused by injuries and disabilities
  • Physical pain and anguish
  • Emotional trauma and distress
  • Reduced enjoyment and quality of life
  • Motorcycle repair bills or reimbursement for the value of a totaled motorcycle

Under Tennessee’s statute of limitations, you have only one year after a motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver. Time is of the essence, so get in touch with our attorneys today to protect your right to seek compensation.

Talk to Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Tennessee Today

Were you hurt in a motorcycle wreck someone else caused? Then turn to a motorcycle accident lawyer from The Terry Law Firm for help with your legal claim. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to speak with a knowledgeable Tennessee motorcycle accident attorney about your legal options.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.