Tennessee Injury Law Center
World Motorcycle Day is June 21st. As a hat-tip to all the motorcycle enthusiasts, we have decided to round up some commonly asked questions related to Tennessee motorcycle accidents. Read on if your inquiring mind wants to know.
I Can’t Remember Anything About My Motorcycle Accident. Can I Still File a Claim Against the Other Driver?
Yes, you probably can. Even with helmets, head injuries are often a consequence of motorcycle accidents, and head trauma can result in memory loss. Even if you did not sustain any head trauma, it is not uncommon to have short-term memory loss about a stressful or scary event as it is the brain’s coping mechanism. Even if you have no memory of the accident, other evidence can establish who is at fault. For instance, physical evidence on the roadway such as skid marks, gauge marks, etc. In addition, video footage of the accident may be available from either traffic, security or in-vehicle cameras. Of course, there may also be witnesses to the accident who can establish who was at-fault. Finally, the other driver may admit fault. But one final caveat on this point: evidence needs to be secured quickly. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, we recommend contacting a lawyer immediately.
Most Common Type of Motorcycle Accident
According to experts, the most common type of motorcycle accident is when a car or truck turns left in front of the motorcyclist, so intersections are dangerous for motorcyclists.
Car and truck operators need to be on the lookout for motorcycles before turning left at intersections.
Most Common Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
The failure of the other motorist to see and appreciate the presence of the motorcyclist.
Can a Motorcycle Accident Cause PTSD?
Yes, a motorcycle accident can cause PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Under Tennessee law, in order to recover damages for PTSD caused by a motorcycle wreck, a medical provider would have to diagnose the PTSD and relate it to the accident. A claim that a wreck caused PTSD allows the at-fault party’s insurance company to explore the claimant’s prior mental history, so be sure to disclose your medical history to your lawyer.
Does a Motorcycle Accident Affect Car Insurance?
While your motorcycle insurance may be a separate policy than your car insurance, the primary consideration for both insurance companies is the risk you present as a driver. Therefore, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident that was your fault, it could impact both your motorcycle and car insurance policies.
How Long Does It Take to Heal After a Motorcycle Accident?
Even though we are obviously not doctors, clients ask us this question as they are often anxious about getting back to work and getting back to life. Unfortunately, we can’t answer this question as every case is different depending upon the severity of the accident, the general health of the injury victim prior to the accident and the medical care they receive. However, we can unequivocally state that the best way to get better following any type of accident is to truthfully and completely discuss your medical problems with your doctor and follow the doctor’s advice. For example, if the doctor wants you to do physical therapy three times a week, do physical therapy three times a week and work as hard as you can to minimize the impact of the injuries on your life.
As injury lawyers and former motorcyclists ourselves, we have seen first-hand the risks presented when other drivers do not pay attention and share the road with motorcycle riders. Our award-winning lawyers have helped hundreds of motorcycle riders who have been injured. We would be privileged to help you too. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation so you can find out if we think you have a case and understand your legal rights. We handle all accident cases on a contingency basis so we only get paid if we recover money for you. Give us a call to get started.
Nashville: 615-669-3993
Murfreesboro: 615-867-9900
Brentwood: 615-742-4880
Toll-Free: 866-812-8787