Anyone who has been injured while riding in the Volunteer State may benefit from the help ofa a motorcycle accident lawyer in Nashville at the earliest opportunity.

In Tennessee, special laws apply to motorcycle accidents.

This is why it is a good idea to retain a Tennessee personal injury lawyer to make certain your rights are protected and you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled.

Types of Motorcycle Accidents

There are a number of different situations in which motorcyclists are injured or killed. One of the most common accidents are those occurring at intersections when the driver of an automobile runs a red or yellow light or attempts to make a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle.

Often, the responsible party will claim they did not see the motorcyclist, or that they “came out of nowhere” or were speeding. In most cases, however, the driver was distracted.

Similarly, accidents can occur when the operator of an automobile is pulling out of a driveway or parking space and fails to notice an oncoming motorcyclist.

Another situation that typically requires the services of a Nashville injury lawyer is when an automobile runs a motorcyclist off the road, then drives off. In these cases, it can be very difficult to sue unless the driver can somehow be identified.

If the responsible party cannot be found or identified, Tennessee personal injury law does allow an injured motorcyclist to file a “John Doe” claim under an uninsured motorist policy, but only if there was a witness and sufficient evidence.

It is practically essential for motorcyclists and their passengers to have coverage for uninsured and underinsured motorists (UM). Although Tennessee state law requires all motorists to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance ($25,000 per individual and $50,000 per accident), recent data indicates that nearly one-quarter of Tennessee drivers have no coverage whatsoever.

Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Nashville?

Regardless of what type of coverage you have, the fact is that insurance companies are in business to make profits and will try to limit their payouts as much as they can. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Nashville can help to make certain you receive the maximum settlement to which you are entitled.

Aside from the obvious reasons to seek legal advice–recovering the costs of medical bills, lost income, getting a fair settlement from the insurance company – there is the issue of the statute of limitations on injury cases to consider.

In Tennessee, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is one year from the time of the accident. This means that you must start legal action against the responsible party within 12 months, or forever forfeit your right to do so.

Another issue is that there is a widespread bias toward motorcyclists. Although statistics show that motorcyclists are generally more cautious than auto operators, they are perceived as being risk takers.

Regardless of whether or not this is true, an injured motorcyclist in Tennessee has the same legal rights and responsibilities as any other operator of a motorized vehicle.

Getting the advice of a Nashville injury attorney will help you or your loved one know your rights and options after a motorcycle accident.