Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a motorcycle can be extremely rewarding, but being in a motorcycle crash can leave you in a difficult situation. Give yourself the best chance of recovering compensation for your injuries and other damages by talking with an experienced Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer from Wright Gray Law Firm right away. Taking action early will help ensure that you have the resources to fight dishonest insurance adjusters and protect yourself appropriately.

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Serious and catastrophic injuries are common in motorcycle crashes. Gain further insight into them and understand how someone experienced in motorcycle accident law can help you if you're ever in one. The Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm are one phone call away.

The usually warm climate of Memphis makes it an ideal spot for motorcycle riders. Droves of enthusiasts come out for Wednesday Bike Nights on Beale, or annual events like Bikers for Le Bonheur, Swap Meet, and the Hot Rods & Harleys Car and Bike Show in nearby Covington. Or, perhaps you took part in the recent National Biker's Roundup in the Bluff City.

Unfortunately, these recreational rides can very quickly become dangerous. In fact, at least four motorcyclists were killed during the National Biker Roundup this summer. Memphis motorcycle riders find themselves victims of these crashes and often deal with various injuries or struggle with the loss of a loved one due to these incidents. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to serious injuries in accidents due to their lack of protection compared to people inside a vehicle, making motorcycle crashes the most hazardous of all.

Motorbike collisions can be extremely serious, sometimes even leading to catastrophic injury or fatality. If you or a loved one has suffered due to someone else's negligence, it is wise to hire a reputed and experienced motorcycle accident attorney from a reputable law firm. Your lawyer will deal with the insurance company on your behalf and help ensure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve for your losses.

Our lawyers at Wright & Gray understand the difficulties that come with a motorcycle crash case, but we’re also prepared to fight for you when you need it most.

Explaining Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating and involve a variety of parties, from motorcyclists and passengers to pedestrians and occupants of other vehicles. These tragedies often take place between motorcycles and other motorized vehicles such as cars or commercial trucks. As a result, there are a range of motorcycle accident victims, from the rider to their passengers, pedestrians, and those in other vehicles.

Alarmingly, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all vehicle-related fatalities in the US in 2019, despite motorcycles making up only a tiny proportion of registered vehicles. A total of 5,014 people were killed on US roads due to motorcycle-related accidents. Due to the dearth of protective gear and other regulatory proceedings, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries or even fatalities. This worrying rate is thus clearly understandable.

Motorcycle accidents are just like any other vehicle-related incidents and can take many forms. These include:

• Head-on collisions
• Left-turn motorcycle accidents
• Motorcycle lane switching/splitting accidents
• No-contact motorcycle accidents
• Motorcycle collisions with stationary objects
• Single-bike motorcycle accidents
• Rear-end accidents

Motorcycle accident injuries can be grave. Injured motorcyclists often suffer injuries such as:

• Arm fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Permanent nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Other head injuries
• Whiplash
• Broken ribs and bones
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Road rash
• Knee injuries

The repercussions of a Memphis motorcycle accident can range from severe injuries to deadly fatalities. According to statistics, numerous crashes end up being fatal and the cause of death could be either instant or during the medical process. Thus, it is essential for motorbike crash survivors to get medical care immediately after a crash.

What Causes Motorcycle Crashes?

Vehicle accidents involving motorcycles are on the rise, largely due to numerous factors such as human error. That being said, let's take a look at some of the primary reasons for this phenomenon.

1. Careless Lane Changes: Reckless lane changes when driving a car can result in a motorcycle accident due to the driver's ignorance of their blind spot. A factor that further increases the risk of such an incident is the failure of drivers to signal when changing lanes.
2. Speeding: Speeding significantly increases the chances of a motor vehicle accident occurring. Exceeding the legal speed limit puts all road users and pedestrians at risk of being involved in a collision. Additionally, driving too fast can be a major hazard, as it gives drivers less time to react to any sudden changes in traffic. This lack of response time can result in accidents.
3. Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can be extremely dangerous; it impairs the driver's ability to respond quickly to changes in their environment. Furthermore, it drastically reduces their capacity for making responsible decisions on the road.
4. Bad Roads: While negligent drivers are often to blame for motorcycle accidents in Memphis, it's important to realize that dangerous road conditions can also be the culprit. Unfortunately, if a crash is due to hazardous pavement or intersections, there may not be an option to take legal action. If a party has actively taken part in an accident, lawsuits may be a suitable option. Over-speeding or careless actions can often lead to unfortunate consequences.
5. Inexperienced Drivers: It may be assumed that motorcycle riders do not need to be as skilled or experienced as car drivers, but this is definitely untrue. An amateur bike rider can be just as risky on the road as an inexperienced driver. The danger of wrong decisions is real, as they can lead to hazardous situations that can put both the driver and other road users at risk.

Connect with a Memphis Motorcycle Accident Attorney

We understand that after being involved in a motorcycle collision, it's difficult to recover and regain your footing. At Wright Gray Law Firm, we strive to provide the necessary support and compensation so you can take back control of your life. Whether you are suffering from injuries or lost a loved one in an accident, we want to help ease your burden. We provide free consultations to give you the opportunity to evaluate and determine if we are the most suitable option for your needs. With the Memphis personal injury lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm, you can be confident that any case you bring our way will be handled promptly and with great efficiency.

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Who Is Liable in a Motorcycle Accident?

Proving fault is critical in a motorcycle accident case, yet many tend to assume that the rider is always at fault. This belief is inaccurate since there could be other parties who are liable for the crash. Determining who is at fault in a motorcycle accident in Memphis is of utmost importance as Tennessee is a fault accident state. This means that the person found to be responsible has to pay for any damages or losses suffered by the victim.

Motorcycle crashes can occur due to the fault of any of the people involved, such as a motorcyclist, another driver, a pedestrian, or a third party. All parties have potential liability in these cases and you may be able to recover compensation from more than one party.

The Motorcycle Rider

Motorcycle riders are often at the heart of any motorcycle accident that occurs. This is due to the fact that they are in control of the vehicle and their actions will have an immediate influence on an accident. As a result, if a biker has driven recklessly or carelessly, they will be held responsible for any damages caused. For instance, if the motorist was speeding or operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, this would be taken into serious consideration.

Other Drivers

Drivers of passenger vehicles can also be held liable for accidents involving motorcycles. Negligence on the part of the motor vehicle driver is necessary in order to establish liability. Even if the vehicle itself didn't come into contact with the motorbike, an accident can still occur due to negligence on their part. In certain cases of no-contact accidents, the driver of a vehicle may be held liable even if the vehicle didn't collide with the motorcycle. A good example of this is when a bus driver drives recklessly and a motorcyclist has to swerve to avoid them, and the swerve results in an accident, then the driver would be responsible.

The Motorcycle Manufacturer

Malfunctioning or defective parts or components on a motorcycle can be the cause of an accident. This can range from brakes and wheels to even pedals. Even the smallest of issues with these parts could lead to collisions. Should this occur, the bike maker would have to take responsibility for the incident and its consequences.

Recoverable Damages in Memphis Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle accidents can be particularly costly and may lead to various financial losses. However, beyond that, it can cause a lot of emotional and physical damage. If you are a motorcycle accident victim, then you are entitled to recover damages from the responsible party. An experienced attorney can help you understand all the damages you may be able to include in your insurance claim.

1. Medical Bills: Motorcycle accidents can unfortunately have very detrimental physical and financial consequences. In cases of subsequent medical expenses, you will be eligible for reimbursement if your motorcycle injury occurred due to someone else's negligence. If your motorcycle accident requires future medical attention, then you should be able to receive compensation for all your costs. When such a situation arises, you should also get the relevant bills. Your medical records then become incredibly important to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
2. Lost Wages: Motorcycle accident victims can incur a lot of costs, which is only exacerbated if they are unable to work due to their injuries. Without working, it's highly likely that you won't receive wages or income from your employer. However, you can claim lost income earnings as a result of not being able to work due to your motorcycle injuries. If you or your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries and are unable to return to work in the same capacity as before your accident occurred, you may also qualify to receive future income earnings.
3. Property Damages: Motorcycle accidents can lead to irreparable damages and losses in terms of personal possessions such as your bike, as well as other personal property such as watches, phones, and other valuables. These items are either missing or damaged after a collision, thus it's important to be careful while riding. In any event, you can get the cost of such property reimbursed from the wrongdoer.

Non-Economic Damages

Car accidents can cause non-financial losses as well, such as physical pain, mental suffering, etc. Experienced lawyers have methods to assign a monetary value to these intangible damages in order to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

1. Pain and Suffering: Pain, which is the physical pain resulting from an accident, is distinct from Suffering which encompasses the emotional distress you experience. This may include fear, anxiety, humiliation, grief and other forms of distress associated with the incident.
2. Loss of Consortium: In the event that you have lost your partner due to a motorcycle accident, there are certain damages you can claim for the loss of spousal benefits. These benefits include companionship, comfort, sexual intercourse, and care and affection.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Memphis Motorcycle Accidents?

All civil claims are bound by the Statute of Limitations, which determines the time frame within which a plaintiff can file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Additionally, this rule has been established in order to put an end to all court proceedings at some point. Legal proceedings should ideally be initiated promptly when the memories and evidence associated with them are still fresh and available. This would give plaintiffs a better chance of securing a successful outcome.

The Statute of Limitations which governs all personal injury claims in Tennessee, is similarly applied to motorcycle-related incidents in Memphis. Tennessee law is notable for having one of the shortest Statutes of Limitations compared to other states. In Memphis, you only have a year from the date of the accident to file a motorcycle accident claim, after which time you'll be unable to recover compensation through the civil court system.

Additionally, it's important to remember that there is a time limit for you to file your property damage or injury claims. Any legal motorcycle accident claim filed beyond this period could be denied by the courts. This is especially worrisome when it comes to motorcycle accidents which can often be fatal. When this happens, the deceased's family or estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

The one-year statute also applies to Memphis wrongful death claims. An experienced Memphis personal injury lawyer can ensure that you file your claim early. Motorcycle accident attorneys are crucial because the courts only extend the statutory period in rare cases. These include situations where:

• The plaintiff was a minor at the accident date.
• You discovered the injury after the accident date.
• The fault party was unknown.

Contact a Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Wright Gray Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle crash in Memphis, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your losses through a personal injury lawsuit. Contact the Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers at Wright Gray Law Firm. Our legal team will fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

For more information, give us a call at 504-500-0000 or fill out the online contact form below to get in touch with a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer.

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Wright Gray Trial Lawyers - Memphis Office

5050 Poplar Ave Suite 1925
Memphis, TN 38157
P: 504-500-0000