Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can cause death. Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe can help you recover for the loss of a loved one who has been killed in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Hartsoe is a caring, compassionate professional who can provide you with the information and guidance you need to hold the responsible parties accountable for your loss. If your loved one died as a result of a motorcycle accident, contact Mark C. Hartsoe today to see how he can help you.

Motorcycle accidents often result in injuries so severe that they lead to death. Motorcyclists are more susceptible to life-threatening injuries than other motorists because motorcycles lack the structural protections found in cars and trucks. In the U.S., an estimated 5,000 motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries in 2012, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Motorcycle accident fatalities accounted for fourteen percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Motorcyclists are more than thirty times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car occupants.

Recent data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows that over one hundred motorcyclists die each year in traffic accidents. Wearing a helmet can save a life since head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, this does not always protect a motorcyclist from suffering fatal injuries due to another motorist’s careless driving.

Motorists in Tennessee must exercise due care when they operate their vehicles. Unfortunately, many car and truck drivers do not exercise that duty of care when it comes to sharing the road with motorcyclists. Motorcyclists are often overlooked in traffic. The drivers of larger vehicles may try to pass or dominate a lane, even though motorcyclists are entitled to occupy a lane under Tennessee Law. Inattentive motorists may not see a motorcyclist on the road, or fail to properly pass them. Even if a motorcyclist partially contributed to the accident, depending on the circumstances a negligent motorist can be held accountable for his or her part in causing the accident.

In Tennessee, the relatives or estate of a person who died in a motorcycle accident can seek damages from the person or entity whose reckless actions caused the death of their loved one. If a person dies in a motorcycle accident due to another motorist’s negligence, their relatives or estate may file a wrongful death claim against the wrongdoer. A wrongful death suit allows the deceased’s relatives or estate to seek compensation for their loved one’s pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship. If the person responsible for the accident acted maliciously by, for example, driving under the influence, a relative or estate may seek punitive damages as well.

Knoxville personal injury attorney Mark C. Hartsoe can assist you if you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Hartsoe has over two decades of experience as a personal injury attorney. He has handled wrongful death cases for numerous families and estates in Tennessee. His caring, holistic approach has helped many families recover for the harm caused to their loved ones. Mr. Hartsoe will work with you to guide you through this difficult time, and work to hold the responsible defendants accountable for your loss. If you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, call us today at 865-804-1011, or contact us online to discuss how we can help you.