Right-of-Way Violations

Motorcycle accidents are often the result of another motorist’s failure to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists. Knoxville motorcycle accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe has over twenty years of experience handling personal injury cases. He represents individuals injured in motorcycle accidents. Mr. Hartsoe can provide you with the guidance you need to hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Mark C. Hartsoe today to discuss your case.

Motorcyclists have the same rights as drivers of any other type of vehicle on the road. Car and truck drivers, however, often fail to properly share the road with motorcyclists and violate a motorcyclist’s right-of-way. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), the non-motorcycle driver is often the one who violates a motorcyclist’s right-of-way in a collision. In one study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, thirty-five percent of crashes that involved a motorcycle and passenger car were the result of the passenger car driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way.

The MSF also noted that visibility plays a role in many motorcycle accidents. Because of their size, motorcycles are often unseen, unrecognized, or obstructed from another motorist’s view. Motorcyclists can take measures to ensure their visibility on the road by:

• Driving a brightly colored motorcycle
• Wearing a helmet or clothes with retro-reflective material
• Using a headlight’s high beam during the day

Despite taking steps to prevent accidents, motorcyclists may still find themselves the victims of other motorists’ negligent driving.

Careless drivers who violate a motorcyclist’s right-of-way, and cause accidents as a result, can be held accountable for their negligent actions. Tennessee law requires motorists to exercise due care when they operate their vehicles. This includes acknowledging the rights of other vehicles on the road. Again, many car and truck drivers fail to recognize the rights of motorcyclists. They may try to overtake them on the road, or simply neglect to see them because of their size. The result is often devastating injuries to the motorcyclists that can include brain and spinal cord trauma, disfigurement, and even death.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you can seek compensation for your injuries. Under Tennessee law, a motorist who breaches his or her duty of care can be held accountable for any injuries that result from his or her recklessness. You may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Tennessee sets a time limit on when you can file a claim, so it important that you act quickly to ensure recovery of any damages.

Under Tennessee law, relatives of a motorcycle accident victim who has lost his or her life can seek compensation from the person who caused the accident by filing a wrongful death claim. In this kind of lawsuit, family members can seek compensation for medical bills, burial expenses, and the pain and suffering endured by their loved one from the time the accident occurred until his or her untimely death.

Knoxville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe can help you if you were injured or if you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. Mr. Hartsoe has represented motorcycle accident victims and their families over the course of two decades. He will work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries or to move forward after the devastating loss of a loved one. Contact Mark C. Hartsoe today at 865-804-1011 or online to discuss your case.