Clarksville Personal Injury Lawyer Shares What You Need to Know About Motorcycle-Pedestrian and Motorcycle-Bicycle Accidents in Tennessee
Motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists have several things in common. We all have the right to travel safely, we all have a responsibility to others on the road, we can all suffer significant injuries in Tennessee accidents, and we all have the right to work with an experienced Clarksville personal injury lawyer if we’re hurt. Motorcycle-pedestrian and motorcycle-bicycle crashes can be particularly devastating because everyone involved in the crash is vulnerable to significant injuries. Pete Olsen Injury Attorneys is here to find out who caused your accident, hold them accountable, and fight for your fair recovery.
How Many Motorcycle-Pedestrian Accidents Happen
You will need to establish liability before you can recover damages in a motorcycle-pedestrian crash. Pete Olsen Injury Attorneys will consider all possible causes and types of motorcycle-pedestrian accidents, including:
- Crosswalk violations. Motorcyclists failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or pedestrians crossing outside designated areas may cause collisions.
- Distracted riding or walking. Both motorcyclists and pedestrians may be distracted by mobile devices or other factors.
- Speeding. Motorcyclists traveling at excessive speeds may have difficulty stopping in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
- Alcohol or drugs. Alcohol or drug use can impair judgment and reaction times for both motorcyclists and pedestrians.
- Left-turn accidents. Motorcyclists making left turns may fail to see pedestrians crossing the street.
- Parking lot accidents. Collisions can occur when motorcyclists maneuver in parking lots with high pedestrian traffic.
Sometimes, liability is complicated, and the motorcyclist and pedestrian share fault for the accident.
Common Causes and Types of Motorcycle-Bicycle Accidents
Motorcycle-bicycle accidents share some similarities with pedestrian accidents but have unique characteristics due to the nature of bicycle travel. Common causes and types of motorcycle-bicycle crashes include:
- Side-swipe accidents. Motorcycles passing too close to bicycles can cause side-swipe collisions.
- Intersection collisions. Motorcyclists or cyclists may misinterpret right-of-way rules at intersections, leading to accidents.
- Rear-end collisions. Motorcyclists following too closely or failing to notice stopped cyclists can result in rear-end accidents.
- Wrong-way riding. Cyclists riding against traffic can surprise motorcyclists, leading to head-on collisions.
- Shared lane conflicts. Motorcyclists and bicyclists may struggle to safely share the same lane on roads without dedicated bike lanes.
- Impaired or distracted riding. As with motorcycle-pedestrian accidents, impairment or distraction can lead to collisions between motorcycles and bicycles.
Any time a rider or walker is negligent, an accident may occur.
Motorcycle-Pedestrian and Motorcycle-Bicycle Accident Injuries
Every accident injury is unique. After a motorcycle crash, your doctor may diagnose you with one or more of the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Severe road rash and lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Psychological trauma
If you suffer any of these injuries, seeking medical and legal assistance is essential.
10 Things to Do in the Days and Weeks After a Motorcycle-Pedestrian or Motorcycle-Bicycle Accident
You aren’t always in control of what happens in the minutes after an accident, but you can control what happens in the days and weeks following your accident. For example, you can:
- Follow up on medical treatment. Attend all scheduled medical appointments and follow your doctor's recommendations carefully.
- Document your recovery. Keep a detailed journal of your injuries, treatments, and how the accident affects your daily life.
- Gather and organize documents. Collect all medical bills, receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, and any correspondence related to the accident.
- Avoid discussing the accident. Refrain from talking about the accident on social media or with anyone other than your attorney and medical providers.
- Be cautious with insurance companies. Don't provide recorded statements or sign any documents without consulting your attorney first.
- Preserve evidence. Keep any physical evidence from the accident, such as damaged clothing or equipment.
- Consult with a Clarksville motorcycle accident lawyer. Seek legal advice to protect your rights and start building your case as soon as possible.
- Be patient. The legal process takes time, and rushing can potentially harm your case.
- Focus on your recovery: Prioritize your physical and emotional healing while your attorney handles the legal aspects of your case.
- Keep your attorney informed. Regularly update your lawyer about your medical progress and any new developments related to the accident.
Know Why You’re Fighting: Possible Damages in Motorcycle-Pedestrian and Motorcycle-Bicycle Accident Cases
If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident involving a pedestrian or bicyclist in Clarksville, you may be entitled to various types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses. Medical expenses include compensation for current and future medical treatments, including emergency care, surgeries, medications, doctors’ appointments, rehabilitation therapies, and other health care costs.
- Lost income. This includes compensation for all types of income you lost due to time away from work while you were recovering from your accident injuries. Lost income may include wages, raises, benefits, and self-employment income.
- Loss of earning capacity. Damages for reduced ability to earn income in the future due to long-term or permanent injuries should be part of your recovery.
- Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress resulting from the accident and injuries may be hard to value but should be part of your recovery.
- Property damage. Your recovery should include reimbursement for repairing or replacing your motorcycle, bicycle, or other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. Damages for the inability to participate in activities or hobbies you enjoyed before the accident may also be part of your recovery.
- Disfigurement or disability. This includes compensation for permanent scarring, disfigurement, or disability resulting from the accident.
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the accident. This could include home modifications and transportation costs that are necessary because of your injuries.
In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm, additional damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party.
The specific damages you may be eligible for will depend on the unique circumstances of your case.
Why to Get Pete! After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists may become complicated quickly. Some of the issues you could face include:
- Multiple parties. These accidents may involve the motorcyclist, pedestrian or cyclist, vehicle manufacturers, and government entities responsible for road maintenance.
- Unclear or shared liability. Determining fault in these accidents can be challenging, as both parties may share some responsibility.
- Severe injuries. Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accident injuries are often catastrophic and may lead to high medical costs and long-term care needs.
- Insurance challenges. Insurers may try to deny liability and some policies may not fully cover the full extent of injuries and damages.
- Evidence gathering. Collecting evidence after a crash can be tricky, and a Clarksville personal injury lawyer's resources and experience may help.
- Complicated negotiations. You may need to negotiate with insurance companies to receive fair compensation. Insurers have professionals negotiating on their behalf and you deserve the same advantage.
An experienced lawyer familiar with Tennessee laws will work hard to protect your rights and build a strong case on your behalf after evaluating the long-term impact of your injuries. Our team is committed to providing compassionate support and aggressive advocacy to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We are proud of the results we’ve achieved for our clients and of our clients’ opinions about us. Dwight, one of our motorcycle accident clients, said this about working with us, “This was my first time being in an accident where I had to hire an attorney and I can say this man has been and was the best in my comings. He sat me down and talked me through everything that was happening and explained everything in detail that was going on. The staff was great and handled everything well with me and the case at hand.”