Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Tennessee motorcycle accident statistics show that these types of crashes may be devastating, resulting in catastrophic injuries or deaths. If you are hurt or a loved one is killed in a motorcycle accident in East Tennessee, you may need to bring a lawsuit to pursue damages such as medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and lost enjoyment of life. Knoxville motorcycle accident attorney Mark Hartsoe can help you navigate the legal process.
Tennessee Motorcycle Accident StatisticsTennessee motorcycle accident statistics tend to show that there has been an increase in motorcycle fatalities and injuries since 1990. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were 1,967 motorcycle fatalities in the state between 1998 and 2015. In 2008 alone, for example, there were 3,257 motorcycle crashes in Tennessee.
Many people in Tennessee enjoy riding motorcycles as a recreational activity. However, the costs associated with motorcycle accidents are tremendous. Loss of productivity and medical care around the nation costs about $12 billion in just a single year. For many motorcyclists, the only way to pay for the huge losses that they suffer after an accident is to bring a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver who struck them.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that helmets prevent around 37% of collision-related deaths for people operating motorcycles and 41% of collision-related deaths for people riding motorcycles. While motorcycle helmets do not prevent all injuries, they may protect the head and neck, and they may guard against fatal blows to those areas.
Tennessee is one of the states with a mandatory helmet law. This is important because the state also follows a rule of modified comparative negligence, whereby a plaintiff who is found 50% or more at fault for their injuries may be barred from recovering any compensation. Mark Hartsoe understands how the modified comparative negligence principle may affect a motorcycle case and can fight back tenaciously against this type of argument by defendants.
Tennessee is famous for offering some of the most exciting and scenic motorcycle routes in the nation. For example, the Cherohala Skyway and Deal’s Gap, popularly known as the Dragon or the Tail of the Dragon, beckon riders with a sense of adventure throughout the year. However, crashes happen on these routes and others in East Tennessee all too often, turning a thrill for a Tennessee native or a tourist into a life-changing catastrophe. The costs and losses that a victim endures may be substantial, and bringing a personal injury claim may make a critical difference to an injured person and their family.
Explore Your Options with Knoxville Attorney Mark Hartsoe After a Motorcycle AccidentIf you are hurt or a loved one is killed due to another driver's negligence, Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe can help you bring a lawsuit for compensation. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form for a free consultation. Mark Hartsoe assists people who need a motor vehicle collision lawyer in many areas of East Tennessee, including Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.