Our Clarksville Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Fight for Your Fair Compensation
There’s nothing quite like the sense of freedom and adventure that comes with being out on the open road while riding your motorcycle. Yet, this thrill brings a risk of debilitating injury when other motorists don’t share the road safely. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, the skilled Clarksville motorcycle accident lawyers at Pete Olson Injury Law can fight to get you the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related injuries. We will do everything we can to help you recover past and future medical costs, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages.
Types of Debilitating Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can result in debilitating injuries, each with its own set of challenges, long-term consequences, and financial costs. Debilitating injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBIs are potentially life-altering injuries that occur when there is a significant blow or penetrating injury to the head. Symptoms of a brain injury can vary from mild concussions to severe brain damage, causing cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle crashes often result in spinal cord injuries, leading to paralysis, loss of motor function, and chronic pain. Paraplegia and quadriplegia are severe conditions that require lifelong care.
- Amputations. A motorcycle accident can lead to severe limb injuries, with some resulting in amputations. Living without a limb requires significant adjustments and ongoing prosthetic care.
- Severe fractures. Multiple fractures, especially in the limbs, can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and the need for extensive surgeries and physical therapy.
- Road rash. Road rash is a painful injury caused by friction between the skin and the road surface. It can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, and ongoing medical treatments.
- Internal organ damage. Motorcycle accidents can cause internal injuries, including damage to the liver, kidneys, or spleen. These injuries may require surgical intervention and lifelong monitoring.
A Lifetime of Care and Costs
The aftermath of a severe motorcycle accident is often a long and challenging journey filled with medical treatments, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. The costs associated with a lifetime of care are overwhelming and can affect every aspect of a victim's life. Care and costs may include:
- Medical care. Treating severe injuries often requires multiple surgeries, hospital stays, medication, and ongoing medical appointments. Health care costs can be hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on your unique injuries.
- Rehabilitation. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling are essential for recovery. They are not only costly but also time-consuming, often spanning several years.
- Assistive devices. Wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, and adaptive equipment can be necessary for those with permanent disabilities, adding significant expenses.
- Home modifications. Many individuals with severe injuries require modifications to their homes to accommodate their new physical limitations, such as wheelchair ramps and bathroom renovations.
- Lost wages. While recovering from injuries, you may be unable to work for an extended time. This can result in lost wages or self-employment income and financial strain.
- Lost earning potential. For those with lifelong disabilities, the loss of earning potential can be substantial. They may never return to their previous occupations and might need to explore new career options.
- Psychological costs. The emotional toll of a debilitating motorcycle accident can be overwhelming. Victims often suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, necessitating ongoing mental health treatment.
Damages Incurred in Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When calculating the financial impact of a debilitating motorcycle accident, it is essential to consider what damages you may have acquired due to the collision. The types of damages that can result from a crash include:
- Economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible costs associated with the motorcycle accident. They can include medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, future medical costs, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include intangible costs associated with the motorcycle accident. They can consist of pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. It can be challenging to value non-economic damages, but our Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyers know what evidence to present and arguments to make to protect our clients’ fair recovery.
- Punitive damages. If extreme negligence or recklessness caused the motorcycle accident, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the at-fault party and discourage similar behavior in the future.
How Serious Motorcycle Injuries Happen
Serious motorcycle accidents frequently occur due to the negligence of other drivers on the road. Some common types and causes of these crashes include:
Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn accidents are one of the most common types of motorcycle accidents involving car drivers. These occur when a driver attempts to make a left turn across the path of an oncoming motorcycle, often misjudging the speed or distance of the approaching rider. Due to the smaller size and reduced visibility of motorcycles, drivers may fail to notice them or underestimate their speed, resulting in a catastrophic collision. Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to motorcycles, disregard traffic signals, or do not pay adequate attention to their surroundings are more likely to be involved in these collisions.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists, and they often occur when a driver does not maintain a safe following distance from the motorcycle ahead of them or becomes distracted while driving. When a driver follows a bike too closely and does not leave enough room to stop, even a minor distraction can lead to a rear-end collision. Negligent behaviors such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving contribute to these accidents.
Lane Changes and Merge Crashes
Lane changes and merging accidents are other common causes of motorcycle accidents involving other drivers. These accidents often happen when a driver fails to check their blind spots or uses their vehicle's size as a shield, assuming no one is in their way. Motorcycles are more difficult to spot in blind spots, making them vulnerable to these accidents. Drivers who neglect to use their mirrors, signal properly, or conduct thorough shoulder checks can easily collide with unsuspecting motorcyclists during lane changes or merges.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
Motorcycle accidents can also occur when car drivers fail to yield the right of way as traffic laws require. This negligence often leads to dangerous intersections, roundabouts, or highway on-ramps where motorcycles and cars must navigate intricate traffic patterns. Negligent drivers might ignore stop signs, traffic signals, or yield signs, causing motorcyclists to take evasive action to avoid a collision. These situations can result in high-speed crashes with severe consequences for the motorcycle rider.
Speeding
Excessive speed reduces a driver's reaction time, making it difficult to respond to sudden movements or unexpected actions by motorcyclists. When a driver is negligent and does not obey the speed limit, it can result in an accident with devastating injuries.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs a driver's judgment and coordination, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Impaired driving endangers the lives of the driver and passengers and poses a significant threat to others sharing the roadway, including motorcycle riders.
The Vital Role of a Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
After a debilitating motorcycle accident, navigating the legal process can be a daunting and stressful task. Engaging a skilled and experienced Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer at Pete Olson Injury Law may make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case. Your Clarksville motorcycle accident lawyer can handle the legal aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your physical and emotional recoveries.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will do the following to help with your claim:
- Conduct an investigation. A lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation by collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reconstructing events to determine who is liable for the accident.
- Negotiate with insurers. Experienced attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the maximum compensation you deserve and are not pressured into accepting a settlement for less than your case is worth.
- File a lawsuit. If the insurance company does not settle your case, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and provide strong legal representation. They will represent your case in court and fight for your rights.