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Back and Neck Injuries

Motorcycle Accident Attorney Helping Victims in Knoxville and East Tennessee

Motorcycle crash victims are particularly susceptible to back and neck injuries. If their back or neck hits the ground or another vehicle, they have little or no protection against the full force of the impact, and the result may be paralysis or death. If you are seriously hurt while riding a motorcycle in East Tennessee, experienced Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe is ready to help you aggressively pursue damages. He is familiar with motorcycle culture and can persuade a jury to be sympathetic to the pain that you have suffered.

Compensation for Back and Neck Injuries in a Crash

Many motorcycle accidents that cause back or neck injuries result from negligence by another driver. To establish a driver's negligence, you will need to prove that the driver failed to drive safely, and this failure was the cause of your back or neck injuries.

What if a victim was partially to blame for a motorcycle accident? Tennessee follows a rule of modified comparative negligence, and a motorcyclist's degree of fault may reduce their damages. A victim in Tennessee may only recover damages if a judge or jury decides that their fault for the crash was 49% or less. Mark Hartsoe can gather evidence and develop arguments to minimize any degree to which you may have been responsible for the accident in which you were hurt.

Not all injuries may be prevented by wearing a motorcycle helmet. However, wearing a helmet may make the difference between life and death in the context of certain upper neck injuries. In Tennessee, motorcyclists and their passengers need to wear a crash helmet that meets federal standards. When a driver or passenger is 21 years old or older, the helmet needs to meet federal safety standards, have ventilation airways of a certain size, and include a label stating that it complies with certain requirements. People riding a motorcycle with an enclosed cab that has three wheels on the ground, weighs less than 1,500 pounds, and can maintain the posted highway speed limit are exempt from the mandatory helmet rule.

A court may look at whether you were wearing a helmet to determine whether you were partially to blame for your injuries. If you have only back injuries, a helmet may not have made a difference in the crash. However, if a victim suffers neck injuries, the defendant may argue that a helmet could have prevented the harm. As an experienced personal injury attorney, Mark Hartsoe understands how to show that a defendant’s carelessness was the principal cause of a wreck, and he also knows how to establish the full extent of your non-economic damages. These usually include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium. Non-economic damages are often substantial in cases involving back and neck injuries because these injuries tend to have a long-term or permanent impact on a victim’s life. We also seek recovery of your other losses, such as past and future medical bills as well as lost earnings and lost earning potential.

Consult Knoxville Lawyer Mark Hartsoe Following a Motorcycle Accident

Back and neck injuries resulting from a motorcycle crash may be serious. It is important to retain Knoxville motorcycle accident attorney Mark Hartsoe before discussing your situation with an at-fault driver's insurer. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to schedule a free consultation. Mark Hartsoe represents people who need a motor vehicle collision lawyer throughout East Tennessee, including in Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.


Client Reviews
★★★★★
I was on my way to Atlanta and a huge truck rear-ended me and knocked me off the side of the road. I was scared. Didn’t know what to do. I tried working with the insurance company. They are just difficult to work with. I had to call somebody to take care of me. So, My brother told me to call Mark Hartsoe. As soon as I called Mark Hartsoe, he let me know real quick that everything was going to be okay and that he would take care of everything. And, he did. He got me a great settlement. He took the worry off of me. Mickey Anderson
★★★★★
I was hit coming home late at night by a drunk driver who took off. And the next day I was able to track down his vehicle and get the state police involved. At that point, a family friend recommended that I talk to Mark Hartsoe. Pretty much at that point, Mark handled the police, the insurance company and the guy who hit me. Settled with the actual person that hit me. Outside of that, everything came out great. Did not have to go to court. Got a great settlement. Got my car replaced. Got a check. Mark Hartsoe is my lawyer. Nate Holder
★★★★★
I was involved in a motorcycle accident. It was a head-on collision. I broke my arm, injured by knee. I was out of work for a long time and had medical bills, other expenses. A personal friend handed me a card for Mark Hartsoe. I called Mark Hartsoe from the side of the road and he took care of everything. My case was settled out of court. I received a great settlement. Bike was totaled, motorcycle was replaced. It was easy, painless. About as painless as something like this can be. This is why my lawyer is Mark Hartsoe. John Lusinger
★★★★★
I wanted to thank you for the excellent representation and your ability to handle the situation so well with such compassion and strength. We appreciate all of your help, concern and for answering my many questions. It has been a difficult road to travel but when we come across people like you, it really helps to lighten the load. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate what you’ve done and your ability to handle the situation so well. S. Carter
★★★★★
Thank you so much for all the work you did on our case. We received more than we expected. You were great through the whole time from the first meeting until the last. Thank you so very much. Sam & Judy Kachar
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