Motorcycle accidents are notorious for severe and debilitating injuries. Given the fact that bikes do not have an exterior body to protect motorcyclists in the event of an accident, bikers usually experience the brunt of an impact. Safety measures can help to keep motorcyclists safe, but sometimes motorcycle accidents are unavoidable.
If you have been injured in a Knoxville motorcycle accident that was caused by the actions or negligence of another driver, you may have cause to file a claim in order to recover damages for your losses.
Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
Across the country, motorcycle fatalities slightly increased in 2010 to 4,502 deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 14 percent of the total traffic deaths for the year.
Alcohol was a major contributing factor in many biker fatalities in 2009 and 2010, according to the NHTSA. In 2009, there were 1,325 motorcycle DUI fatalities. In 2010, there were 1,285 motorcycle DUI deaths, showing a slight decrease (about three percent change). While the decrease is promising that statistics are heading in the right direction, operating a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol remains a huge problem nationwide.
Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Despite increased efforts to ensure that Tennessee motorcyclists are properly licensed, including requiring bikers to take safety classes, the rate of motorcycle accidents that resulted in injury or death has steadily increased in recent years.
According to a report published by Tennessees Department of Safety in 2009 titled Tennessee Motorcycle Crash Statistics, there were 3,257 motorcycle crashes across the state in 2008. Of these accidents, 148 were fatal. Of the 148 fatal wrecks, 124 bikers were wearing helmets; nine bikers were not wearing helmets; seven were wearing helmets improperly; and it was unknown whether or not five victims were wearing helmets. Additionally, there were 2,530 injuries from motorcycle accidents in 2008.
Most bike wrecks happened between April and October. The spring and summer months accounted for 71 percent of all motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle crashes from 2004 to 2008 showed a regular weekly cycle. The number of crashes grows at an increasing rate Monday through Saturday, falls from Saturday to Sunday, and again from Sunday to Monday. Over 50 percent of all Tennessee motorcycle wrecks occurred over the weekend, with one-fifth of accidents happening on Saturday.
Over 73 percent of wrecks happened in daylight. Another 22 percent of crashes happened at night. There was not a significant difference between accidents that occurred on well-lit roads versus roads with minimal lighting. About four times as many accidents happened at dusk as opposed to at dawn.
The following common causes of motorcycle accidents accounted for a surprising amount of Tennessee wrecks:
- About 10 percent of accidents were speed-related.
- Approximately six percent of wrecks were alcohol-related.
- Over 95 percent of motorcycle accidents occurred under what would be classified as ideal riding conditions.
More than 25 percent of crashes happened at an intersection. About fifty percent of accidents were considered single-vehicle crashes.
Contact an Experienced Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Attorney
At Greg Coleman Law, we are committed to fighting for the rights of any individual who has suffered an injury due to the actions or negligence of another. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Knoxville motorcycle accident due to no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation for losses related to your accident.
For personal injury clients, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you choose to hire our firm to pursue legal recourse for your losses, there is never a cost to you unless we obtain a favorable outcome for your claim.
If you believe you may have cause to file a motorcycle injury lawsuit, contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. During an evaluation, one of our attorneys will assess the merits of your claim and offer guidance on the best course of action in pursuing legal remedies for your injuries.
For more information on the legal rights which may be available to Knoxville motorcycle accident victims and their families or to schedule a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team of legal professional, please complete the Free Case Review form on this page.
