Motorcycle Accident Attorney Smyrna
A motorcycle is a wonderful way to blow off steam during the muggy Tennessee summers, but a quick ride can turn into a long-term nightmare if other motorists fail to obey traffic laws. Should you get into a crash while riding, you need a Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer well-versed in this particular niche of personal injury law.
Mitch Grissim & Associates has helped countless bikers with their motorcycle accident claims, ensuring they receive fair compensation from the insurance company and at-fault party. You can contact us at 615-255-9999 or our contact page for a free legal consultation, and our law firm will ensure that your legal rights are protected.
Why Choose Us as Your Smyrna Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
A motorcycle accident case is different from the typical motor vehicle claim for several reasons. Firstly, most motorcycle accidents result in serious injury, and the insurance company will do everything possible to diminish their responsibility for the compensation claim.
Additionally, it is often more difficult to assign blame because motorcyclists are held to slightly different standards than other parties involved. It takes a careful eye to dissect the accident report, gather accurate witness statements, and determine whether the other party was responsible.
As such, you need a legal team that is highly experienced with the motorcycle accident insurance claim process. Mitch Grissim & Associates has helped hundreds of bikers recover their lost wages and medical expenses, all while holding insurance adjusters accountable for their responsibilities to our clients.
We’re experts at gathering evidence, reviewing accident reports and medical records, and negotiating with a reluctant insurance company to hold them responsible for your motorcycle accident claim. Our team will provide a free case evaluation and compassionate legal representation at all steps of the process, leveraging our experience for your benefit.
How Much Is Your Accident Worth?
There is no set amount you may be awarded in a Smyrna motorcycle accident claim, as each case is unique and based on a variety of parameters. Your medical bills, lost wages, and property damage costs are major determinants of how much you will receive.
Another factor is the non-economic damages, which are a unique element of personal injury cases. If you have suffered life-threatening complications and required extensive medical assistance, or if you were so traumatized that you could no longer enjoy riding, you can be compensated for this pain and suffering.
Finally, your motorcycle accident claim is typically also impacted by your role in the crash, particularly if the legal process ends in a lawsuit. While you can seek compensation if you were less than 50% responsible, your own responsibility in the motorcycle accident may diminish the amount you can receive.
For example, if you did not obey traffic laws, you will receive significantly less than if you were entirely blameless.
With our comprehensive knowledge of Tennessee motorcycle law, we will be able to accurately present the circumstances of the accident, ensuring you can get the compensation you deserve for what has happened to you.
Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents in Smyrna, TN
Because of the rider’s lack of protection, motorcycle accidents are often devastating, resulting in life-changing injuries or even death. Some of the serious injuries that can result from motorcycle accident cases include:
- Head and brain injuries – A motorcycle crash is far more likely to turn deadly if the rider is not wearing a helmet, which can result in severe injuries to the skull and brain. However, it is not a guarantee, and even those wearing protection during motorcycle accidents can suffer from concussions, contusions, and skull fractures.
- Back and neck injuries – While your head may have been protected thanks to a helmet during a motorcycle accident, your spine and neck were not. In addition to road rash and bruising, riders often experience slipped disks and spinal cord injuries, some of which result in permanent paralysis.
- Broken bones – It’s common to see leg or arm fractures in a motorcycle accident, as the rider will throw their arm or leg out in an effort to break their fall. They may also suffer broken ribs, fractured collarbones, or crush injuries to hands and feet.
- Internal injuries – The extreme force of a motorcycle crash can lead to internal injuries, including ruptured organs or bleeding. In 2023 alone, 35 motorcycle crashes in Rutherford County involved serious injuries [1].
- Lost limbs and amputations – Sadly, our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in Smyrna have seen more than one personal injury claim due to amputation. Motorcycles can weigh up to 700 pounds, and should all that pressure land on your arm or leg, it may crush the bone beyond repair.
- Severe emotional trauma – Even if they only suffered minor injuries, as seen in 52 motorcycle crashes in the county last year [2], many riders suffer from PTSD after their accident. If you are suffering loss of enjoyment of life after a crash, our settlement offer will include compensation to acknowledge your emotional pain and suffering.
- Death – Motorcyclists are overwhelmingly more likely to die in a crash than drivers of passenger vehicles, with 5 fatalities in the county in 2023. [3] In Tenessee, there were more motorcycle fatalities in 2023 than in 2022, with riders under 25 more likely to lose their life [4]. A Smyrna motorcycle accident attorney can help the loved ones of a deceased biker recover compensation to assist them while recovering from the pain of their loss.
Law and Safety Tips
There were 128 motorcycle accidents in Rutherford County in 2023, with 124 on average each year between 2021 and 2023 [5]. While they cannot always be prevented on your end, you can do everything possible to ensure you or your loved ones stay safe.
- Obey laws – You should always follow all aspects of Tennessee law when operating any motor vehicle, but especially a motorcycle, due to their greater risk for harm. There were three motorcycle fatalities in Rutherford County involving alcohol and drugs, so never drink before hopping on your bike.
- Wear adequate protective gear – This includes heavy-duty pants, long sleeves, gloves, boots, eye protection, and a helmet. Even if it’s uncomfortable in sticky Smyrna summers, a little discomfort is worth it to keep yourself safe in the event of motorcycle accidents.
- Improve visibility – Keep your headlights on even during the daytime and wear brightly colored clothes. Consider where you are in relation to cars and make sure that their side mirrors are always within your view. If you can’t see their mirrors, they cannot see you.
- Lane splitting – Lane splitting became illegal in Tennessee in February 2023 due to the high risk of an accident. You should always take up one entire lane and never drive between two lanes. This includes sharing lanes with another motorcyclist, as it is easy to lose control and cause a chain reaction accident if one of you hits a pothole.
- Ride safely with an extra passenger – Make sure they also know how to remain safe on the bike and that they’re wearing protective gear, too.
- Pay attention to road conditions – Avoid poorly maintained roads. While it may be easy for a car to pass over potholes without incident, these can easily flip a motorcycle over and cause a serious wreck.
While you may be a perfectly competent biker, not every driver around you is well-versed in how to stay safe around motorcycles, especially in adverse weather conditions like heavy rainstorms, snow, or high winds. If it’s raining or visibility is low due to fog, consider hitching a ride in a car or truck instead. No destination is important enough to risk your life over.
Motorcycle Accident FAQ
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
You should seek medical help immediately after a motorcycle accident, no matter how minor. Stay at the scene until the police arrive, and get the contact details of everyone there. This includes the other drivers, passengers, passersby, and first responders. We will reach out to them on your behalf and gather their testimonies for use in settlement negotiations.
You will need to request a copy of the police report after you have been medically cleared, which you can do through the Town of Smyrna Records Department. Be sure to keep all copies of your insurance claims, medical bills, and after-visit reports from every medical professional, including physical therapists and psychologists.
Do not talk to the insurance company or other drivers. Allow your Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer to handle all of these communications on your behalf.
Should I seek medical attention, even if my injuries are minor?
Yes, you should seek medical attention immediately. When you’re shaken up after an accident, you may think a few days won’t hurt, but resist this urge and go seek help as soon as possible. You may be seriously injured but not realize it due to shock, and delayed treatment may make the issue worse.
Additionally, you will have a stronger injury claim if the details of the accident are corroborated by medical records immediately after the fact.
How do I talk to an attorney if I am still in the hospital due to my motorcycle accident injuries?
Our Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyers are happy to discuss your case over the phone and keep you updated with all details throughout the development of your case. We will work to accommodate you in any way possible, as we believe that your healing and recovery are the most important elements of settling an accident claim.
What are punitive damages, and how do I collect them?
Punitive damages are awarded by a court when the other party acted with intentional malice or caused egregious harm due to their negligence. They are not part of a settlement offer provided by an insurance company but given by a court of law should negotiations with insurance agents fail.
The judge will determine whether punitive costs are appropriate for a given case, but your motorcycle accident lawyer can work to demonstrate that the defendant’s distractive driving, drunk driving, or reckless behavior warrants these damages. If they are awarded, you will receive this in addition to your overall settlement. They are typically capped at four times the typical limit.
I’m not working because of my injuries. How do I afford a Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer?
We believe that everyone should be able to afford a qualified Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you owe us nothing unless we are able to recover compensation for you.
There are no upfront fees to contend with throughout the legal process. Everything, from the case evaluation to the legal representation, will be accounted for by an agreed-upon percentage of your overall settlement. We want you to focus on healing, not stressing about more bills.
Schedule a Free Consultation with our Smyrna Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
When you’ve been in a serious bike crash, you need an accomplished and compassionate motorcycle accident lawyer on your side to guide you through the difficult process of getting justice for your pain and suffering.
Insurance companies, defense attorneys, and other third parties will do everything possible to keep you from getting what you deserve, but Mitch Grissim & Associates will ensure that your interests are always represented throughout the settlement process and beyond. We pride ourselves on excellent communication, compassionate service, and powerful legal acumen that has helped thousands of greater Nashville residents get the compensation they deserve.
We’re here for you, so call us at 615-255-9999 or contact us through our website in order to receive a free, no-obligation legal consultation. Let us help you get the justice you need to move on from your injuries.
Resources: [1], [2], [3] Department of Safety and Homeland Security, [4] Yahoo, [5] Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
