Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Tullahoma & Winchester

A motorcycle crash is a scary, painful and costly event. If your crash was someone else’s fault, you shouldn’t have to pay the costs for their carelessness.

John R. Colvin helps motorcycle accident victims get the payment and care they need to get their lives back to normal. We know you’re facing many challenges but getting compensation shouldn’t be one of them. Put us to work on your case and let us do the heavy lifting.

Why Motorcyclists Hire John R. Colvin

Clients come to us because they know they will work directly with a dedicated, experienced attorney. No client wants to hire a legal assistant to do all the work of their case. John R. Colvin works closely with his clients, and his track record proves he knows how to get exceptional results in personal injury claims.

Motorcyclists face an unfair stigma on our roads, and that stigma can also be a factor after a motorcycle accident. Bikers sometimes feel like their claims aren’t taken as seriously as other motorists and that they’re treated unfairly by insurance companies. When motorcyclists work with John R. Colvin, they know they’re hiring an attorney that will fight to make sure they are treated fairly and given the compensation they deserve.

If you are considering filing a personal injury claim after a motorcycle accident, contact John R. Colvin today to schedule a free consultation.

When Negligence Causes Your Motorcycle Accident

No one wants to cause a motorcycle crash, but still these accidents happen every day. Most crashes are caused by human error, which means that someone is at fault for most motorcycle accidents. When another driver strikes your motorcycle or causes your accident, it is likely because they were careless or made a mistake.

Careless driving is negligence, and it’s the basis of most motorcycle accident personal injury claims. The other driver may not have intended to cause you harm, but they should still be held responsible for their reckless behavior. Examples of negligence behind the wheel include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Following your motorcycle too closely
  • Not giving you adequate room to turn
  • Impaired driving
  • Failure to observe traffic signs or signals
  • Fatigued driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Failure to adjust driving to suit conditions of the road.

If a negligent driver caused your accident, you should explore your legal options. John R. Colvin has years of experience handling personal injury claims involving motorcycle accidents, and we know how to get results for clients. Call us today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Expenses Covered in Motorcycle Accident Cases

A serious motorcycle accident can be very costly and painful. The many costs you face after a crash are referred to as damages. When you file a claim, you seek payment in the form of damages, including…

  • Any medical expenses related to your accident and injuries
  • Any property damage in the accident
  • Past and future income you have lost due to your injuries
  • Physical and emotional pain and suffering.

These are just a few of the damages you can seek in a claim. If you’d like to know whether a specific cost you’re facing can be included in your claim, we encourage you to contact John R. Colvin to schedule a free consultation with our team so we can learn the specifics of your case and help you chart a path forward.

A Closer Look at the Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

In 2012, a 32-year-old Chattanooga motorcyclist died when he was struck by a left-turning vehicle. It’s one of the most common types of motorcycle crashes, because cars turning left may simply be looking for a lack of cars, rather than the presence of a motorcycle. Motorists may also misjudge the speed at which a motorcycle is approaching.

Because motorcycles are smaller than cars, other motorists may not see them, especially in a car’s blind spot. When people first learn how to drive, they are taught to glance over their shoulder before changing lanes but driving habits may become more lax over time. Drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spot could easily clip the front of a motorcycle and cause a crash.

Some motorcycle crashes occur in the same manner as car crashes, but the outcomes are more severe. For example, if a car rear-ends another car at a stoplight at a low speed, both drivers may walk away from the crash with nothing but a dented fender. But when a car rear-ends a motorcyclist, a motorcyclist could be crushed, ejected, or pinned between two cars.

Motorcyclists are often advised to wear bright colors and use lights to make themselves more visible, and the ways that riders position themselves on roadways may also improve visibility. Driving techniques and safety tips are included in driver education courses, such as those offered by the Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program, which offers training for new and experienced riders alike.

Examples of Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents cause some of the most serious injuries imaginable. A few of the most common include…

  • Brain injuries
  • Spinal injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Fractures
  • Extensive soft tissue damage
  • Whiplash
  • Internal injuries
  • Road burn.

A biker might experience several injuries in a crash. Regardless of the injuries you have, you should keep track of your medical bills and the many ways an injury has impacted your life, so you can be sure you’re factoring in the total costs of a motorcycle accident should you choose to file an injury claim.

What to do After a Motorcycle Accident?

  1. Call 911 to request a police officer to respond to the scene of the crash. If you or anyone else is injured, you should also request an ambulance.
  2. Exchange insurance information with the other driver, but don’t speak at length with them. The words you say could later be used against you. For this reason, it’s also important never to admit fault for a crash. You don’t know the facts or the actual causes of a crash.
  3. Cooperate with the responding officer to the best of your ability. The officer will file a report that will later be used by your attorney in a claim.
  4. Report your accident and injury to your insurance company. Cooperate with your insurance company representative but know that you don’t have to accept an inadequate offer. If you are contacted by another driver’s insurance company, do NOT speak to them. Instead, refer them to your attorney.
  5. In the days, weeks and months that follow, keep track of all the costs, bills and documents you receive in relation to your injury and accident.
  6. Contact an attorney as soon as possible so they can guide you through the steps of filing a personal injury claim. Your attorney will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do as the process unfolds.

Motorcycle Accidents in Tennessee

Tennessee is a destination for many motorcyclists seeking great scenery. In eastern Tennessee, the “Southern Dozen” trails take riders through winding roads and mountains. And since 1994, riders have been flocking to Tennessee Valley for the Trail of Tears ride, which had about 5,000 participants in 2015.

The same topography that is such a draw for motorcyclists is also one of the biggest threats to their safety. A winding portion of U.S. 129 known as The Dragon and The Tail of the Dragon features more than 300 curves in 11 miles. Between 2010 and 2012, 204 crashes occurred on the Tennessee portion of that road, and six of them were fatal.

Mountainous roads with blind turns can be dangerous for motorcyclists, but serious and fatal motorcycle accidents occur in cities, too. Often, crashes occur because other motorists either don’t see motorcyclists or they’re not paying attention.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Tennessee caused by a reckless or inattentive driver, we may be able to help you. Call an experienced Tennessee motorcycle accident lawyer today at (931) 962-1044.

John R. Colvin, Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: An Advocate for your Rights

Even the most experienced, cautious motorcyclists may be involved in crashes, due to other motorists’ poor driving habits. When that crash causes injuries, you’ll need the help of an experienced TN motorcycle accident lawyer who understands your rights and what course of action you can pursue.

John R. Colvin has protected the rights of injured people in the Tennessee Valley, securing the best possible outcome for them and their families. Find out what we can do for you. Ask for your no-obligation consultation today by calling (931) 962-1044 or completing our online contact form.

Crash Statistics

Preliminary crash data from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security reported 121 state motorcycle fatalities in 2014 – fewer than in 2013 or 2012. But 2014’s fatal motorcycle crash number was nearly four times what it was in 1998.

THE INCREASE IN SERIOUS AND FATAL MOTORCYCLE CRASHES IS A TREND THAT EXTENDS BEYOND TENNESSEE, AND SOME AGE GROUPS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF A FATAL CRASH THAN OTHERS.

The Insurance Information Institute reports that the number of motorcyclists age 40 and over killed in crashes increased 39 percent between 2004 and 2013. Serious injuries were 2-1/2 times more likely for riders age 60 and older, and riders older than 40 are more likely than younger riders to suffer from fractures, dislocations, and brain damage. The reasons crashes occur more frequently – with more severity – in older age groups is that as people age, eyesight and reflex time decrease, and bodies become more fragile.

A permanently disabling crash is a tragedy, regardless of one’s age, but it can be particularly difficult for families of older riders. As people approach retirement, a serious accident can ruin future plans and deplete savings accounts, creating financial hardship. In such situations, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Tennessee may be able to help families by pursuing compensation from parties responsible for the crash.

Contact Motorcycle Accident Attorney John Colvin

If a motorcycle crash has injured someone in your family, call experienced Winchester, Tennessee, motorcycle accident attorney John R. Colvin. We’ve been protecting the interests of people in the Tennessee Valley for nearly 15 years, providing the kind of personalized service you just can’t find at a corporate law firm.

We work closely with clients to make sure they get the help they need. We deal firmly with insurance companies and handle all the day-to-day aspects of your claim, so you or your loved one can focus on recovering from your injury.

John R. Colvin offers free consultations. We want to learn more about your case and give you the information you need to decide whether to proceed with a claim. Contact us today to schedule your free legal evaluation.

CALL US TODAY: (931) 962-1044.

Licensed to Practice in Tennessee & Alabama