Riding a motorcycle has always had certain risks: You do not have a steel frame to protect you if there is an accident; Other drivers may not see you; A defect in the road surface can cause you to crash all by itself.
You love to ride, so you have accepted these risks, even if you might also have tried to minimize the risks by driving defensively, putting on a helmet, and wearing protective clothing to prevent road rash. However, with so many cars on the road and modern-day distractions keeping people’s eyes off the road, the risks have never been greater. Once you are injured, you need a Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for your right to compensation.
Fighting for Every Dollar You Deserve After a Motorcycle Crash in Tennessee
There are more motorcycles on the roads than ever. Sadly, many motorcycle riders are at risk of being severely injured by crashes with cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. The risk of injury is increased for motorcycle riders because they do not have much protection from impacts, especially when moving at high speeds.
Due to the limited protection that motorcycles offer riders, more than half of motorcycle accidents lead to devastating injuries, sometimes causing death. If you or your loved one got injured by a negligent driver who crashed into your motorcycle or caused you to crash, you should not be liable for the costs of managing your injuries. Reach out to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Memphis to learn how much compensation you are due.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Memphis, call (901) 526-2126
Causes of Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents can occur for many different reasons, but it usually boils down to driver negligence. These are some common sources of motorcycle accident claims:
Negligent Car or Truck Drivers
Using public roadways requires a legal duty of care to not cause harm to other road users. Still, many drivers ignore their obligation and make negligent decisions while or before driving. This negligence can lead them to crash into another driver, such as a motorcyclist.
Negligence takes many forms. For example, a driver may be looking at their phone to send a text message instead of paying attention to the road. Because motorcycle riders are harder to see than people operating larger vehicles, by the time they noticed you, it may have been too late to avoid a crash.
In this way, driver negligence frequently results in drivers being unable to properly observe motorcycle riders. If they do not see that a rider is near them, they will act as if they are not there. This inevitably leads to many preventable collisions. Unfortunately, collisions with motorcyclists are far more deadly than car accidents, so the risk of catastrophic injury is much higher.
Hit-and-Runs
When an accident occurs, anyone involved should stop operating their vehicle immediately to ensure that no further injuries occur. Beyond avoiding injury, involved drivers also have a legal obligation to stop and wait for the police to come to assess the scene of the accident. Unfortunately, many drivers think they can avoid consequences by riding off immediately after a crash happens.
Thanks to modern technology, like CCTV and other cameras, hit and run accidents are often documented in video that shows the crime occurring. Using this evidence, victims of motorcycle hit and run accidents can track down the offender and pursue civil and criminal charges against them. In many cases, hit and run accidents also lead to punitive damages, which are awarded in addition to any compensatory damages.
Defective Motorcycle Design
In some cases, motorcycle accidents are not caused by other drivers. Instead, they are rooted in a defect found in the motorcycle or one of its parts. When this type of accident happens, the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove that the motorcycle has a defect that caused the accident.
Doing so can be a burdensome effort, especially without legal experience and expertise. To show that a defective motorcycle caused your injury, you will almost always need a Memphis motorcycle accident attorney.
Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (901) 526-2126
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
As stated previously, motorcycle accidents are usually very severe, resulting in catastrophic injuries. The types of injuries that can occur vary, but these are some of the most common injuries that motorcycle accidents cause:
Broken Bones
The force of an impact with a car or truck can be enough to break your bones. If that does not do it, falling from your motorcycle and colliding with the concrete can definitely cause fractures and breaks in your bones. Recovery from a broken bone takes time and significant medical care. Therefore, people who were knocked off their motorcycle and injured deserve to have a motorcycle accident attorney in Memphis help them fight for compensation.
Spinal Injuries
When a motorcycle rider is thrown from their bike and collides with an unforgiving surface, like an asphalt roadway. Their back can easily be contorted in an unnatural way, leading to the severing of spinal tendons, nerves, and vertebrae. Such injuries can easily lead to life-altering conditions, such as paralysis or other severe disability. If you suffered spinal injuries, your chances of recovering massive compensation are very high with the right lawyer.
Disfigurement
If you are hit by another vehicle, your motorcycle could be immobilized, allowing vehicles to run you over. The circumstances of such accidents are often graphic, with body parts being crushed or fully dismembered. When disfigurement happens due to an accident that you did not cause, the potential to claim catastrophic injury damages increase significantly. This means your case could be worth hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.
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Help for Motorcycle Accident Victims Throughout the Memphis Tri-State Area
Since 1970, the attorneys at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC have been standing up to protect the rights of motorcycle accident victims and getting those victims the compensation they deserve for their injuries and other losses.
In a disputed case of liability, our firm represented a 38-year-old male who was operating a motorcycle when the defendant allegedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic and turned directly into the path of our client. Our client sustained severe injuries, including a torn ACL and a right pelvic fracture. Since the defendant had no assets and was “judgment proof” except for liability insurance proceeds, the case was settled for policy limits of $80,000.
The firm represented a 51-year-old female who was involved in a motorcycle accident while riding as a passenger. She suffered temporary loss of hearing in one ear, scarring in the temple area and neck, and partial loss of smell. The firm was able to resolve her case for $700,000. The client incurred medical expenses totaling approximately $150,000, and the firm was able to obtain a very substantial reduction in her medical bills.
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Obtaining the Money You Deserve
Even if they are wearing a helmet and protective clothing, motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injuries (paralysis), and severe fractures. Many are left permanently disabled by their accidents, and some never make it out of a coma.
Our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers understand that these cases are different, and we work closely with medical specialists, accountants, life care planners, and other experts to make sure that we seek appropriate compensation for our clients. We can recover compensation for the following types of damages:
- Missed wages while you were unable to work
- Hospital bills and medical treatments for your injuries
- Pain and suffering from your accident and injury
- Loss of quality and enjoyment of life
To put our experience and resources to work for you, all you need to do is call and ask to schedule a free consultation.
Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company
You may have already been approached by an insurance company representative about the accident. If not, do not be surprised to hear from one soon. The thing to remember is that no matter how friendly, helpful, or sincere they sound, the insurance company’s goal is to pay you as little as possible.
Insurance adjusters often twist the evidence in order to minimize your claim. They may also pressure you or your family into accepting an undervalued settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. It is important to avoid speaking with a representative from the other party’s insurance company as much as possible. Let our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers speak to the insurance company on your behalf. This can maximize your claim!
Reach Out Today for a Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Whether you come to see us in Memphis or we travel to meet with you in your home or at the hospital, the consultation is free, no strings attached. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day. You can contact us online at any time. We also have an office in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency basis. Our motorcycle injury attorneys in Memphis do not charge any legal fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict on your behalf.
Call or text (901) 526-2126 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form