Clinton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Tennessee has some beautiful motorcycle rides including U.S. 129 and the Natchez Trace Parkway. While riding motorcycles is an enjoyable way to enjoy the open road, it is also inherently more dangerous than a car because of how open the vehicle is. According to Tennessee’s Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were 123 fatal motorcycle crashes within the state in 2015. If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle crash, the Clinton motorcycle accident lawyers at Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette can assist you through the legal process.
Motorcycles Have a Higher Risk of Injury
Motorcycles are more likely to crash than a standard vehicle, for reasons including:
- Motorcycles are on two wheels and don’t have the same stability of a car;
- Motorcycles are smaller, which makes them less visible to cars and trucks;
- Motorcycles require more skill to drive; and
- Motorcycles don’t carry the same weight as a car and can easily be knocked over.
When a driver does crash into a motorcycle, the injuries are often severe. A motorcycle offers almost no protection to its driver. However, just because motorcyclists are at more risk out on the roads does not mean that they should be held at fault for the careless or reckless driving behaviors of another.
According to Consumer Reports, motorcycle drivers who are over the age of 60 are three times more likely to be in a crash that requires hospitalization. These riders tend to be more experienced at handling a motorcycle, yet they are involved in crashes because of unpredictable drivers sharing the road, and are more prone to injury because of lower bone density and other age-related factors.
Increase in Distracted Driving Disproportionately Affects Motorcyclists
Distracted driving includes anything that takes a driver’s hands, eyes, or mind off the road. The most prolific, and most dangerous, form of distracted driving is cell phone use, specifically texting. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving at 55 miles per hour while looking down to text for five seconds is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. As you can imagine, quite possibly the most detrimental factor facing motorcyclists is that of distracted drivers. Distracted driving is increasing on virtually a day-to-day basis, with more drivers resorting to cell phone use behind the wheel. As this practice becomes accepted by society, it puts motorcyclists in grave danger. Common distracted driving maneuvers that seriously injure motorcyclists include the following:
- Driver swerves out of their lane while looking down at their phone;
- Driver fails to look over their shoulder or use turn signals because they are already carrying out another non-driving activity, such as reaching for something;
- Driver makes a right hand turn and clips a motorcyclist to their right (right hook);
- Driver goes through a stop light or stop sign while sending a text;
- Driver, while looking down at their phone stopped at a light, unintentionally lets off the brake and rear-ends a motorcyclist; and
- Driver, who fails to slow down because of looking at their phone, rear ends motorcyclist who has slowed down, responding to traffic up ahead.
Call a Clinton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Recovering from a traumatic motorcycle collision requires professional medical assistance, support from friends and family, a lot of rest, and the financial compensation that only an experienced Clinton motorcycle accident lawyer can provide. Contact the Clinton law offices of Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette today to talk to a lawyer.
