When you’re riding through Maryville on your motorcycle, the last thing on your mind should be the possibility of an accident. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents happen far too often, and when they do, the consequences can be life-altering.
With over 50 years of experience and millions recovered for our clients, The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto will do whatever it takes to help injured motorcyclists seek justice.
Our Maryville motorcycle accident lawyers know how to navigate the prejudices that motorcyclists often encounter and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. When you’re focused on healing, let us focus on securing your financial recovery.
Contact us for a free consultation with a Maryville personal injury lawyer.
Common Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
Unlike car occupants who have airbags, seatbelts, and a metal frame for protection, motorcyclists have only their gear and helmet to shield them from impact. The force of collision can cause devastating trauma, leading to serious injuries like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Facial injuries
- Dental trauma
- Shoulder injuries
- Burns
- Scarring
- Limb amputation
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Dangerous?
As a motorcyclist, you are incredibly vulnerable when you are involved in a crash. The physics of a collision work against riders—when a 4,000-pound car strikes a 400-pound motorcycle, the motorcycle and its rider will always lose. Without the protective shell of a vehicle, your body absorbs the full impact of any collision.
Even at relatively low speeds, the lack of protection means injuries that might be minor in a car accident become catastrophic for motorcyclists. Riders can be thrown from their bikes, dragged across pavement, or crushed between vehicles. Survivable accidents can easily become life-threatening emergencies, often resulting in permanent disabilities or fatalities.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Many motorcycle crashes happen due to driver negligence. Drivers may fail to see motorcycles or misjudge their speed and distance, leading to a preventable collision. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted drivers texting, using phones, or adjusting radios take their eyes off the road and fail to notice motorcycles until it’s too late to avoid a collision.
- Left-Turn Accidents: Cars turning left often strike oncoming motorcycles because drivers underestimate how fast the motorcycle is traveling or simply do not see it approaching.
- Lane Changes: Drivers may switch lanes without checking blind spots or using their mirrors properly, sideswiping motorcycles or forcing them off the road.
- Following Too Closely: When cars tailgate motorcycles, they can’t stop in time if the motorcycle brakes suddenly, causing rear-end crashes that throw riders from their bikes.
- Speeding: Drivers going too fast have less time to see motorcycles and react, while higher speeds make any collision much more severe and deadly.
- Impaired Driving: Drunk or drugged drivers have slower reaction times and impaired vision, making them much more likely to hit motorcycles they would normally see.
- Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and poor visibility make motorcycles harder to spot, while wet roads increase stopping distances and make crashes more likely.
Motorcycle Laws in Maryville, Tennessee
Tennessee enforces several laws that are designed to protect motorcyclists on the road. For example, all motorcyclists must carry liability insurance and wear DOT-approved helmets.
The state also mandates that motorcycles have functioning headlights during daylight hours, proper mirrors, and adequate mufflers. Riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a Class M motorcycle license.
Tennessee also operates under a fault-based insurance system, which means the driver responsible for causing your motorcycle accident is liable for your damages. You have the right to pursue compensation by filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
What Damages Are Recoverable After a Motorcycle Accident in Maryville?
Tennessee law allows injured motorcyclists to recover both economic and non-economic damages after a crash. This compensation is intended to help the victim restore their life to their pre-accident condition as much as reasonably possible.
You can recover the following damages in a Maryville motorcycle accident claim:
- Medical Care: Emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and ongoing treatment for permanent injuries or complications
- Property Damage: Repairs or replacements for the motorcycle itself, damaged riding gear, custom parts and accessories, and any personal belongings destroyed in the crash
- Lost Income: Wages missed during recovery, reduced earning capacity due to permanent disabilities, lost business opportunities, and diminished career advancement prospects
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the effects of permanent disfigurement or disability
Maximizing Compensation for Your Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto employ proven strategies to secure maximum compensation for motorcycle accident victims. Our firm works with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts who can demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.
Rather than accepting quick settlement offers that rarely cover long-term needs, we leverage robust evidence and decades of legal experience to negotiate aggressively for your full and fair compensation.
How Can a Maryville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Your Claim?
Insurance companies often harbor bias against motorcycle riders, unfairly assuming they’re reckless or contributed to their own injuries. The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto actively combat these prejudices by presenting compelling evidence that shifts blame where it belongs: on the negligent driver who caused your crash.
We handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery, from dealing with insurance adjusters to filing court documents and representing you at trial if necessary.
Our established relationships with medical professionals, expert witnesses, and accident reconstruction specialists provide the resources needed to build an unshakeable case for maximum compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is only one year from the date of your motorcycle accident. This extremely short deadline means you have very little time to build and file your case.
Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering any compensation, so it is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Get in Touch with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Maryville
If you were injured in a Maryville motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who won’t settle for less than what you deserve. The Lawyers of Brown & Roberto have successfully represented motorcyclists throughout the Maryville area, securing the substantial settlements needed for long-term care and recovery.
Contact us at (865) 390-7237 today for your free consultation and let our attorneys fight for you.