901.372.5003 24/7 Live Call Answering

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Memphis, TN

Although any Tennessee vehicle accident can result in serious or severe injuries, those sustained in motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic, and our Memphis, TN motorcycle accident lawyer is here to help you recover. This is because there is nothing that protects motorcyclists when they are slammed into by a vehicle. At least when an accident victim is in a car or other type of vehicle, the body of that vehicle can act as a buffer or barrier from the impact, but no such protection occurs on a motorcycle. A motorcycle rider is almost 10 times more likely to be injured and 35 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than the occupant of a vehicle in a crash. If you have been injured, contact Patterson Bray LLC today.

Table of Contents

Understanding Motorcycle Accidents

Despite what many non-riders may think, most motorcycle accidents are not caused by motorcyclists but are instead caused by other vehicle drivers. One of the most common statements that an at-fault driver of a motorcycle accident makes is that they did not see the motorcycle. This often occurs because the driver was distracted by something or engaged in some type of distracted driving behavior (such as texting) and slams into the bike. Failing to see the motorcycle can also result in the driver failing to yield the right-of-way to the motorcyclist and hitting the bike.

No matter how it happens, the end result is that the much larger vehicle slams into the unprotected motorcycle rider. Even if the vehicle does not actually make contact with the bike, the motorcyclists can still lose control of the bike in their attempt to not get hit and the bike can crash or fall over, seriously injuring the bike’s driver.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

A Memphis, TN motorcycle accident lawyer knows that federal data shows that the most common types of motorcycle crashes that involve another vehicle happen because:

  • The vehicle’s driver was speeding
  • The vehicle’s driver attempted to take a left turn as the motorcycle was going straight in the other direction and had the right-of-way (This accounts for more than 40 percent of motorcycle crashes).
  • Approximately two-thirds of all motorcycle crashes are classified as head-on collisions

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Victims

The injuries that a motorcycle accident victim sustains often leave them with permanent disabilities and unable to live the life they had before the crash. Many victims are left with injuries that will require a lifetime of medical care and it is not uncommon for these victims to also require other lifetime services, such as personal care assistance. These injuries often leave them unable to ever return to work.

A Memphis, TN motorcycle accident lawyer can assist in filing a motorcycle accident claim against the responsible driver. Victims can pursue damages for:

  • Past, present, and future medical costs. These include all doctor visits, surgeries, rehabs, physical and occupational therapy, medication, medical equipment, and even travel cost to get back and forth for medical treatment.
  • Earnings loss, as well as future income loss
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional anguish
  • Permanent disfigurement or scarring
  • Property damage

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can result in particularly serious injuries, due to the minimal protection that motorcyclists have and the high rate of speed that motorcycles can quickly reach. Here are some of the most common types of serious injuries that one may suffer in a motorcycle accident:

Injuries to the Head

In many cases, this is a complex injury to treat and requires expensive medical care. One of the reasons why this is the case, is because of the long-lasting damage that can be caused, from head injuries. This ranges from concussions, severe brain trauma that can even lead to people being placed in comas for days and more.  For reasons such as these, injuries to the head tend to be very expensive. Moreover, any head injury, regardless of severity, must be treated promptly. If the collision was not your fault, a Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer in Memphis from Patterson Bray can seek compensation from the negligent party. A motorcycle doesn’t afford as much protection as a car does in accidents. There are no airbags or walls to cushion the blow from impact so many motorcyclists wear protective gear to help avoid sustaining an injury from a collision. Riders only have their helmet and gear to rely on as protection. If an accident were to occur, there is not much protecting a rider from the impact against the pavement. 

A helmet cannot prevent all possible head injuries, but it can protect the head and lessen the severity of an injury. It can decrease the likelihood of a severe injury and brain damage. However, many riders do not wear helmets when riding even though it is widely known as a good safety practice. One of the reasons why this might be the case, is that some people who ride motorcycles may become so accustomed to never having an accident, they feel like wearing a helmet would be a waste of time.  However, like wearing a seatbelt, helmets prevent the possibility of severe brain damage and trauma that could come, with ever getting into an accident. Moreover, another reason why some motorcycle riders refuse to wear helmets is because of the following.  Helmets can feel restrictive to some riders, so they prefer not to wear it even on busy streets. This is a dangerous practice because of the high risk of injury that riders face. Not wearing a helmet in a collision can result in one or more serious head injuries including, but not limited to swelling, tissue damage, concussions, neck injuries, cracked skulls, and brain damage.

Damage to Nerves and Muscles

You are at serious risk of muscle and nerve damage when riding a bike in a collision with another vehicle or fixed object. If untreated or undiagnosed, you may suffer permanent damage and may not be able to completely recover from the trauma. Injuries that affect the nerves and muscles are difficult to treat, so they require immediate medical attention. Even if you are experiencing minor symptoms, it’s best to have it evaluated by a doctor. Some injuries don’t present symptoms right away, so it is always best to visit a doctor immediately to get checked out, even if you feel fine.

If your prognosis is positive for a serious injury, consider contacting a Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer in Memphis from Patterson Bray to learn about your legal options for compensation from the at-fault party.

Injuries to Legs

You have very little protection for your legs when riding a motorcycle. Usually, you are susceptible to fractures and breaks, shattered bones, and other injuries in an accident. You may be able to protect yourself somewhat by wearing reinforced leggings and leather pants, but they will not protect you from an impact with another vehicle. The force of a vehicle impact is too strong, so leg injuries are likely. This type of injury often has a long recovery period and you may not be able to return to work during that time. You rely on your legs to get around and complete any tasks, so a major leg injury is likely to force you to miss weeks or months of work. If you have recently been injured in a motorcycle accident and are struggling with the medical expenses, there is help available. Call Patterson Bray to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Memphis and learn how we may be able to help you during your recovery.

If you or a family member is concerned about injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident, it may be in your best interest to consult with our experienced law firm. A top lawyer can evaluate your case and find out how much your case is worth. Once they determine the damages, they can build your case and advocate for your rights as a victim. You may be able to receive a financial settlement for your injuries and an attorney can help decide how best to proceed with a claim. We have helped many victims of serious accidents recover substantial settlements from those responsible.

Memphis Motorcycle Accident Infographic

Who Is Responsible for Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Memphis Motorcycle Accident FAQs

In addition to the recovery process, an accident victim is likely consumed with whether to pursue a settlement with the insurance company for their losses. Our team can help in answering questions, and managing your accident case. Common settlement questions often plagued by accident victims include:

What Types of Injuries Might I Sustain in a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycles are quite frankly less stable than cars and less visible to other drivers. Moreover, motorcyclists do not have the shielded protection of being inside of a car, which is why certain injuries may end up being more severe in motorcycle accidents, than that of a car crash. For example;  in a crash, motorcyclists like the protection of an enclosed vehicle, and according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the NHTSA, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in traffic than the passengers of vehicle occupants. Another statistic is that motorcyclists are five times more likely to be injured in a vehicle crash.

Some common injuries in a motorcycle accident can cause are listed below and this is not a born exhaustive list, but rather an overview.

  • Traumatic brain injuries otherwise known as TBI’s are in the brain injured in an accident. The NHTSA conducted a study across 100,000 motorcyclists who were injured in traffic crashes and in 15% of helmeted and 21% of un-helmeted writers a separate TBI’s. Traumatic brain injuries also accounted for 54% of the rider’s within this group who did not survive. This is why it is essential for one to wear a helmet, when they ride a motorcycle.  Brain damage is one of the biggest risks of being in a motorcycle accident, when one does not wear a helmet.  Moreover, depending on the severity of the head injury, some damage can be irreversible. 
  • Spinal cord injury is when the spinal cord is injured from the impact of the collision. This can cause paralysis such as paraplegia or quadriplegia in this type of catastrophic injury usually causes permanent disability for the victim.
  • Lower extremity injuries, the NHTSA did another study of lower extremity injuries and motorcycle crashes and concluded that these injuries are sustained by rider’s more frequently than any other type of injury. Leg injuries are the most common lower extremity injury and bone fractures were more common than soft tissue injury.
  • Internal injuries where there is damage to the internal organs and internal bleeding can be caused by blunt force trauma, such as a blow from something card that does not break the skin or penetration, when something sharp such as broken glass and debris penetrates the skin.
  • Fractures are most common because motorcycles are not stable upright and they often fall over especially in an accident. Crashes happen quickly and the rider’s legs can be under the bike when it falls, wrists and arms can also be fractured when writers catch themselves to break the fall.
  • Road rash is when the rider makes contact with the road surface during a crash, though – is considered a serious skin abrasion. The severity of this type of injury may range from mild to serious injury that will require prompt medical attention if these types of injuries are highly susceptible to serious infections.

Understanding the type of injuries that you may sustain in a motorcycle crash and how wearing a helmet or not wearing a helmet can affect your odds, may help you to be safer on the road, and help your lawyer later on if you go to trial over a motorcycle accident. 

What Amount of Compensation Might I Receive?

For obvious reasons, this is one of the first questions accident victims have for attorneys. Depending upon the severity of an accident, a victim could be dealing with significant injuries and losses. It’s not likely that a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to directly answer this question right away. We will have to evaluate your case by carefully reviewing every last detail. By taking all of the below details into account, we will be able to assign an estimated value to your case:

  • The severity of injuries
  • Whether you are able to work
  • Whether your ability to work in the future has been impacted
  • Medical treatment for injuries
  • Medical expenses

How Long Will it Take to Secure Compensation?

In most cases, pursuing an accident settlement with the insurance company is the fastest way to obtain compensation. However, should you hit snags or fail to reach an agreement, the process may be prolonged. In some cases, the larger the settlement, the longer it may take to resolve.

A trusted Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer in Tennessee will be able to assist and guide you through the entirety of this process. They will be working to ensure that you obtain the compensation you deserve, not just the first low offer from the insurance company. If an agreement is unable to be reached by both parties, you may choose to file a lawsuit.

What Is the Best Way to Negotiate a Settlement?

One of the best ways to endure negotiations with the insurance company is with the help of our team at Patterson Bray. With our assistance, you can ensure that your claim is valued properly and negotiated by a professional who has experience with negotiation tactics.

Negotiating a claim on your own can be a stressful process. Because of this, it’s easy to be tempted into accepting the first offer an insurance company presents you with. We can review all offers and speak with the insurance company regarding their reasoning for the offer.  They can then advise you whether you should continue to negotiate or accept the offer being presented.

Should I Pursue a Lawsuit if my Claim Is Rejected?

This will depend on the details surrounding your accident and the damages you have sustained as a result. In some cases, an insurance company may not be willing to offer you a settlement that covers all of your losses. Our team can be helpful in reviewing your accident claim and determining the best course of action. In some cases, pursuing a lawsuit may be the best way to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim with the insurance company may be the best way to secure compensation for your losses. With the help of our team, your claim and the negotiation process to follow can be managed with far less stress. Utilizing a trusted TN motorcycle accident lawyer’s services can ensure that your claim is receiving the attention it needs so that you can focus on your recovery.

Contact Our Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Our staff of experienced and personable attorneys is ready to take on your case and be there for you from the beginning to the end. Choose from one of our two locations, and stop by today for a free consultation. We can provide you with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Memphis, TN that citizens can trust, so call Patterson Bray today.

Client Review

“Austin Rainey is hands-down the greatest family lawyer. Communicative and easy to work with.”
Tyler Sexton
Client Review