Tennessee Injury Attorney Blog
A Tennessee motorcycle accident on Morganton Road in Maryville left a motorcyclist dead earlier this week, according to The Daily Times.
According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, the motorcyclist was traveling north on the road when he rear-ended a pickup truck that was pulling off of Wells Road. He was reportedly wearing a state-approved helmet, but it flew off from the impact of the accident.
Our Maryville motorcycle accident attorneys recognize the dangers that motorcyclists face on our roadways. Motorcycle riders are much more likely to sustain serious injuries or die in these accidents than the occupants of the passenger vehicles. Motor-vehicle drivers are asked to practice extra caution when sharing the roads with these bikes, especially during the summer when the warm weather attracts motorcyclists from across the state.
The driver was taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The 23-year-old pickup driver denied medical attention at the scene of the accident. Officers report that he was not wearing his seat belt.
The Sheriff’s Office Traffic Safety Unit is investigating the accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009 illustrated the first decease in fatal motorcycle accidents since 1997. It was also the first year that the number of motorcycle accident injuries decreased since 1999.
Still, 2009 saw nearly 5,500 motorcyclist fatalities because of roadway crashes. Another 90,000 motorcyclists sustained injuries throughout the year.
In 2008, a motorcyclist was nearly 40 times more likely than a passenger vehicle occupant to die in a motor-vehicle accident based on miles traveled. Motorcyclists were also nine times more likely to be injured in a crash.
In the last 10 years, motorcyclists 40 and older saw the largest increase in the number of fatalities. During the same time, those with an engine size 1,000 cc and above also had the greatest increase in deaths.
Motorists are urged to follow these tips to help keep our motorcyclists safe on the road:
-Double check your blind spots. These are the areas where a motorcyclist is most likely to get lost from your line of vision.
-Always assume that a motorcycle is closer than it appears. Because of their small size, they sometimes seem farther away than they really are.
-Avoid tailgating.
-Don’t depend on a bike’s brake lights. Motorcyclists often downshift to slow down. This does not activate their brake lights.
-Allow a motorcyclist the entire lane. Riders are likely to zig-zag within a lane to avoid road debris or wind from passing vehicles.
If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a motorcycle accident in Tennessee, contact Hartsoe Law Firm, P.C. for a confidential appointment to discuss your rights with our Knoxville injury lawyers and Maryville accident attorneys. Call (877) 472-5657.
More Blog Entries:
Tennessee Car Accidents, Bicycle Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents a Memorial Day Concern, Tennessee Injury Attorney Blog, May 25, 2011
Awareness Month Aims for Fewer Motorcycle Accidents in Tennessee, Tennessee Injury Attorney Blog, May 12, 2011