Due to their small size and agility, motorcycles sometimes go unseen in traffic. When a motorcyclist is rear-ended, the injuries may be substantial. Often, the motorcyclist is not expecting the force and cannot avoid or prepare for the crash. They may be thrown from the motorcycle or crushed under another vehicle. If you are injured or a loved one is killed in a rear-end collision in East Tennessee, assertive Knoxville motorcycle accident attorney Mark Hartsoe is ready to help you pursue compensation.
Seeking Compensation for a Rear-End CollisionSome of the catastrophic injuries that may arise when a motorcyclist is rear-ended include brain trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones and fractures, and amputations. There is little protection provided by a motorcycle, helmet, or other gear, and limbs may be so severely damaged that surgical removal may become necessary. A traumatic brain injury may be serious enough to result in cognitive impairments that require the victim to stop working and experience a lower quality of life. When the impact is sufficiently strong, bones may be fractured, and significant medical intervention may be necessary.
In most cases, a rear-end collision is caused by the following vehicle. A car driver who follows too closely behind a motorcyclist, given the weather conditions and traffic, may be found negligent. To establish negligence, you will need to show that the at-fault driver owed a duty of care (to drive safely), which they breached (by acting carelessly), thereby causing your injuries.
However, it is common for an at-fault driver to turn around and point a finger at the victim. Tennessee follows the rule of modified comparative fault. This means that a jury will determine your total damages and also determine how much at fault each of the parties is. Your recovery will be reduced by your proportion of fault but not eliminated as long as you are 49% or less at fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you will be barred from recovery. This is one way in which enlisting an experienced car accident attorney like Mark Hartsoe can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
Damages that may be recovered in a motorcycle rear-end collision case usually include past and future medical expenses, past and future wage loss, disfigurement, scarring, loss of enjoyment, pain and suffering, and mental anguish, among others.
Consult Experienced Knoxville Attorney Mark Hartsoe After a Motorcycle AccidentInsurers are often reluctant to pay out all of the compensation that you deserve without a fight. This means that it is critical to retain a motor vehicle collision attorney who understands motorcycle culture and can present your case in a persuasive light. Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe can assist you if you have been struck from behind by a negligent driver. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to set up a free consultation about your case. We represent injured people throughout East Tennessee, including in Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.