Nashville Motorcycle Accident Attorney | What Can They Do for Drivers?
Many people believe motorcycle accidents in Nashville aren't as severe as car accidents. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), people must keep in mind that motorcyclists are more likely to die or become severely injured after a crash than passengers.
In that sense, it's vital to understand everything that may happen after a motorcycle accident, what injuries can be sustained, and what Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys can do for the victims and their families. When it comes to motorcycle accidents, there are several factors to keep in mind, and not having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on the victim's side can lead to considerable expenses in the future.
The goal of the Keating Law Firm is to educate as many people as possible on how hiring experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can greatly increase the victim's chances to recover compensation for the injuries sustained. Moreover, the information listed below can help anyone who's planning to make a motorcycle accident claim clear up as much information as possible before they hire the lawyer.
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Motorcycle accident victims who may want to get particular counseling for their case may contact one of Keating Law Firm's expert lawyers. On the other hand, anyone curious may keep reading the following page for more information on Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers.
What Can Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Nashville?
Driving through Nashville's roads can be quite an experience. Many people claim this state is home to some of the most beautiful road scenarios in the country. While, logically, no one wants to get involved in a motorcycle wreck, these accidents may happen at any point in someone's life.
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There are many reasons why motorcycle crashes happen. The case may vary from person to person, but here's an overview of some of the most common reasons for motorcycle wrecks in Nashville:
Ignoring Road Rules
As with any other state in the U.S., there are many driving rules every motor vehicle driver must comply with. Some motorcycle drivers think these rules don't apply to them because they're driving a different vehicle. However, neglecting the pre-established regulations for driving in Nashville could lead to severe motorcycle crashes.
Distractions
Motorcycle drivers tend to get easily distracted by other things on the road. Some start using their phone, and some others focus on other things rather than the road ahead. Regardless of the speed the driver is going at, distracting oneself from even a split second can make all the difference.
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The best way to avoid a motorcycle accident in Nashville is to store any things that may distract the driver away and keep the eyes on the road ahead.
Not Paying Attention to Surroundings
Some drivers aren't necessarily paying attention to other things; they're not paying attention to anything at all. It's vital to note that, when someone is driving on large roads, they must also pay attention to their surroundings, such as other drivers, turns, signs, and more.
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A common motorcycle accident type happens when changing lanes. It's fairly easy to crash into another vehicle if the person is not paying attention to their sides. Depending on the speed the person is going at, the accident can be extremely severe or even fatal.
Driving Under the Influence
This is one of the most dangerous causes of motorcycle accidents in Nashville, and unfortunately, it's also one of the most common causes. Driving under the influence (or DUI) happens when someone is driving any motor vehicle after consuming any amount of alcohol or drugs.
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Logically, consuming those substances can put the person -and their surroundings- at risk, which is why driving in that state can warrant an arrest from local authorities. Driving under the influence can cause fatal accidents, so drivers must always keep themselves sober before hitting the road with their motorcycle, especially considering how easy it is to lose balance while drinking.
Defective Products
Although this isn't as common as the other reasons stated above, some motorcycles can come with defective parts, leading to potential motorcycle accidents. Some defective parts include:
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Brakes
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Tires
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Engine
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and others
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While it's the driver's responsibility to check that their bike is in good condition before driving it, there are some internal problems that are impossible to detect in plain sight. In those cases, the victim of the motorcycle wreck can sue the manufacturer for any damages caused.
What Are Motorcycle Drivers' Responsibilities While Driving in Nashville?
The first step Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys take when assessing a person's case is determining whether they were complying with their road responsibilities since that can heavily influence the outcome of the case with the insurance company.
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Motorcycle drivers must adhere to several rules in Nashville, TN, such as the following:
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Following road signs, traffic patterns, and stoplights
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Not driving next to cars in the same lane
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Not weaving between cars to avoid traffic
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Wearing helmets at all times (These helmets must be compliant with federal standards)
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If the motorcycle accident victims weren't wearing a helmet at the time of the motorcycle accident, and it was caused by third-party negligent drivers, the lack of helmet usage will not be admissible in court as evidence of fault. Still, everyone must wear helmets to avoid any severe head injuries after the motorcycle wreck.
What Are Some Common Injuries Motorcycle Accident Victims Can Experience?
Considering how exposed a person is when driving a motorcycle, there are several accident types they can experience at the time of a motorcycle crash. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the speed of the vehicle, and other factors, the injuries may range from mild to fatal.
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Here's a list of some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries people can experience while driving in Nashville:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury happens when an external force causes a violent blow to the head, causing mild or severe damage to the brain. Overall, a traumatic brain injury may involve several symptoms after motorcycle wrecks, such as headaches, speech problems, fatigue, dizziness, and more.
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However, more severe cases can involve loss of consciousness, seizures, loss of coordination, muscle weakness, blurred vision, and more. In case of experiencing an injury of this kind, it's vital to seek medical help immediately to avoid any permanent damage.
Fractures
Considering there's not much protective gear to cover a motorcycle driver's full body, they may experience severe fractures once they fall into the ground. Fractures tend to get extremely painful as soon as they happen, so it's critical to get medical assistance as soon as possible to ease the pain.
Loss of Limbs
Unfortunately, it's not uncommon to see a motorcycle driver losing limbs after experiencing motorcycle wrecks. These crash types tend to be violent and harsh on a person's body, and if the hit was too severe, some of the person's limbs may be beyond saving.
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In those cases, amputation surgeries can cost a lot of money, which is why it's important for the victim to seek compensation for these damages with a TN motorcycle accident attorney.
Road Rash/Burns
"Road Rash" happens when the person's skin gets scraped off by a particular surface. Logically, if a motorcycle drier falls into the road at high speeds, their skin is likely to run over the pavement, causing road rash or other burn types.
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Fortunately, road rash cases aren't fatal, but they can be extremely painful at first. Moreover, if these injuries aren't taken care of immediately, the person's injury could get infected.
Paralysis
Paralysis happens when the person loses muscle functions in a particular part of their body. These cases happen when the accident causes a particular injury that alters the way in which the person's brain communicates with the muscles (which is the case with spinal cord injuries).
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Depending on the case, paralysis can be partial or complete.
Spinal Cord Injuries
These are among the most severe injuries a person can experience after a motorcycle accident. Here, the person can experience problems with their ligaments, spinal cord, vertebrae, and other areas after a motor vehicle accident.
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Overall, sustaining a spinal cord injury after a motorcycle crash can lead to altered body functions, weakness, breathing problems, loss of bladder/bowel control, and more.
Pain and Suffering
This is a legal term that includes both the physical and emotional damages a person can experience after Nashville motorcycle accidents. Overall, the emotional damages may include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, anger, insomnia, and more.
Why Should People Hire Nashville Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?
Now that the consequences of a Nashville motorcycle accident are clear, it's time to go over the reasons why hiring a Nashville motorcycle accident attorney is the best choice the victim can make.
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Regardless of the accident type, motorcycle riders and other injured victims deserve to get compensation from an insurance adjuster after experiencing motorcycle collisions. While it may not seem like it at first, motorcycle accident lawyers can help people get compensation for several things, including:
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Medical bills
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Specialized medical equipment used in surgeries
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Rehabilitation expenses
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Lost wages
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Wrongful death
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Loss of enjoyment of life
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Material/property damage
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In cases of wrongful death, for example, the victim's family can sue the negligent drivers for their loss. Still, less severe injuries may also require the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer.
What Can Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help with?
Aside from helping the victims claim compensation, there are several factors that a motorcycle accident lawyer can assist victims with, including:
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Helping the driver understand their rights and responsibilities.
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Assessing the driver with their case.
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Fighting the other party and their insurance company in case the victim got a low settlement offer.
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Claiming compensation as soon as possible.
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Helping the person gather as much evidence as possible.
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Representing the victim if the case goes to court.
What Is the Worth of a Motor Vehicle Accident Case in Nashville?
It mostly depends on the case type, the circumstances surrounding the accident, and many other factors. Typically, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help the victim assess everything in the best way possible.
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Logically, more severe injuries will warrant bigger payouts from insurance adjusters. However, people with mild injuries may also claim enough compensation to cover their treatment as long as they work with the right legal counselors.
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The people at the Keating Law Firm provide a free consultation for anyone who may have experienced a personal injury so that they can start filing their claim and pursue compensation with the right help.
Is Hiring a Lawyer in Nashville Expensive?
Many people hesitate before hiring a lawyer because they believe the costs are too high. While it's true that having legal representation in these cases can become expensive due to all the fees involved, it's vital to note that these experts can help victims claim enough compensation to cover everything.
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If the driver experiences a traumatic head injury, for example, and doesn't hire a lawyer, they may have to pay for all the medical fees, lost wages, and rehabilitation out of their pocket, which can easily become much more expensive than hiring a lawyer.
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Other people choose to fight the insurance company themselves. However, if the person doesn't have prior legal experience, they may have trouble getting the insurer to pay for the amount of money they're seeking.
What Should a Person Do After Sustaining an Accident?
Those who have experienced an accident for the first time are likely to be extremely confused. While most accidents are different, these are some of the things every person must do right away (if possible).
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Getting contact information from every party involved in the accident.
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Documenting the accident and injuries with photos or videos.
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Contacting the police to get a police report.
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Gathering testimonies from any people who saw the accident.
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Contacting the insurance company.
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Contacting an experienced attorney.
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Following these guidelines can help the victim gain the upper hand once they try to claim compensation from the other party's insurance companies.
Calling the Legal Experts at the Keating Firm
Generally speaking, accidents of any kind can be scary, especially if the victim doesn't have anyone to help them seek justice. In these cases, hiring an expert from the Keating Law Firm can be one of the best options to consider.
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Anyone who may be interested in getting more information about their particular case in Nashville, TN, may seek a free consultation from this law firm to get started with their claim.