Nashville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Motorcycle Wreck in Tennessee?
If you or someone you love have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Nashville, TN or anywhere in the surrounding region, now is the time to place your trust in the caring and capable hands of proven attorneys.
At Kinnard Law, our award-winning trial lawyers know motorcycle accident victims and their families suffer profound and life-altering repercussions. When pain and suffering is caused by the negligence of others, victims have the right to pursue legal action and compensation for their damages.
Why Kinnard Law Should Be Your First Call After a Crash:
- Record-Setting Results, Hundreds of Millions Recovered
- Voted to U.S. News’ List of “Best Law Firms” 2020
- Attorneys Named Among The Best Lawyers in America®
- Over 100 Years of Combined Experience
- Personalized Services With a Team Approach
Kinnard Law is a Nashville-based civil trial law firm that’s earned national recognition for helping clients take on powerful insurance companies across Tennessee and surrounding states. We offer free and confidential case evaluations, and welcome attorney referrals.
Contact us online or call (615) 933-2893 today to learn more about how we can help you if you've been in a motorcycle accident!
Motorcycle Crashes & Victims’ Rights
Motorcycles are both pastime and passion, and Middle Tennessee offers remarkable stretches of roadway for riders to enjoy. Unfortunately, the thrill of traveling local roads or opening up on highways comes with great risks – and those risks can be exacerbated by the negligence of others.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle wreck, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal collision, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses by pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. As civil claims, these suits allow victims to hold responsible parties financially responsible for the damages they caused.
Often, motorcycle accident cases are brought over claims of negligence against motorists, product manufacturers, public entities, and other potentially liable parties. Examples include:
- Failures to yield, failures to obey traffic signals (running a red light), and other violations;
- Unsafe lane changes, failure to check for motorcyclists;
- Distracted driving, drunk driving
- Roadway hazards, including fallen cargo or defectively designed or maintained roads.
- Defective products, including faulty tires, brakes, and other motorcycle components.
- Wrecks caused by commercial vehicles and tractor-trailers, including drivers or operators which violate federal trucking regulations.
Motorcycle Laws in Tennessee
In Tennessee, you must have a Class M motorcycle license or a motorcycle endorsement on your regular driver's license to legally operate a motorcycle. To obtain a Class M license or endorsement, you generally need to pass a written knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test. There may also be requirements for a vision test and a motorcycle safety course.
State law mandates that all motorcycle riders and passengers wear helmets while the motorcycle is in motion. The helmet must meet the standards established by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Failure to wear a helmet could result in fines and penalties. Additionally, riders in Tennessee are required to wear eye protection unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen or windshield approved by the Commissioner of Safety.
If you're carrying a passenger on your motorcycle, it's important to ensure that there's a designated seat for the passenger and appropriate footrests. Passengers are also required to adhere to helmet and eye protection laws.
Like all motor vehicles in Tennessee, motorcycles must be insured to meet the state's financial responsibility law. Minimum liability insurance coverage is required.
Lane splitting, the practice of riding a motorcycle between lanes of traffic, is not explicitly allowed or prohibited by Tennessee law. However, it's generally discouraged and not recommended due to safety concerns.
Do I Have Motorcycle Accident Case?
Whether you have a valid claim will depend entirely on the facts of the case, and the unique circumstances involved. Because motorcycle wrecks are high-value cases, and because insurance companies care more about profits than people, it’s not uncommon for riders to face disputes over fault and liability, often in the form of defendants arguing the alleged “recklessness” of riders caused or contributed to their crashes.
With experienced advocates on your side, you can level the playing field for dealing with insurance companies, and position yourself for the best possible recovery. Our firm offers free consultations during which we can evaluate your crash, whether you have grounds to pursue legal action, and how we may be of assistance.
What’s My Motorcycle Accident Claim Worth?
Case value is different for everyone, and is based on the unique circumstances involved. While some riders are lucky to escape wrecks with injuries from which they can recover, others can be left with permanent and profound disabilities, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures / broken bones
- Amputation / loss of limbs
- Neck and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis, including paraplegia / quadriplegia
- Severe burns or "road rash"
The nature, severity, and prognosis of injuries sustained in wrecks is one of many factors that can determine potential case value. Other factors include the:
- Type and amount of surgeries / procedures , rehabilitation, and therapy required;
- Duration of recovery, and the amount of time victims have limited or temporarily disabled function;
- Amount of missed work and wages, and the ability / inability to continue working or performing the same job as before;
- Long-term needs of victims with lasting impairments (i.e. accommodations, assistive devices, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.);
- Physical and psychological injuries suffered by victims and their families.
Our team meticulously investigates crashes to evaluate an underlying cause, what parties may be held at fault, and where sufficient insurance coverage exists. We also leverage the insight of our Certified Trial Specialists and collaborate with experts to assess the severity of injuries and the scope of their impact on victims’ lives – especially if there are lasting impairments, disabilities, and long-term or life-long repercussions.
What Damages Can Injured Motorcyclists / Families Recover?
While cases are fact-specific, motorcycle accident victims may recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income / lost potential income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Permanent disability or disfigurement (i.e. paralysis, spinal cord injuries)
- Emotional injuries and grief suffered by family members
- Emotional suffering, mental anguish, loss of quality of life
- Lost companionship, lost financial support
Why Are Motorcycle Claims Complex?
Motorcyclists often face unique legal challenges when seeking compensation from a motorcycle accident claim involving another vehicle. Some of these challenges include:
- Bias and Prejudice: There can be a bias against motorcyclists among insurance adjusters, jurors, and even law enforcement. Some people may hold stereotypes about motorcyclists being reckless or aggressive, which could impact how they perceive fault in an accident.
- Visibility and Liability: Motorcycles are smaller and less visible than other vehicles on the road, making it easier for other drivers to overlook them or misjudge their speed and distance. This can complicate determining liability in an accident, especially if the other driver claims they didn't see the motorcycle.
- Serious Injuries: Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities for riders due to the lack of protection compared to occupants of enclosed vehicles. Serious injuries can lead to extensive medical expenses, long-term rehabilitation, and loss of income, increasing the stakes in a compensation claim.
- Shared Fault: In some cases, both parties involved in the accident may share fault to varying degrees. Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a plaintiff's recovery may be reduced if they are found partially responsible for the accident. Proving the extent of each party's fault can be complex, particularly when dealing with biased perceptions against motorcyclists.
- Limited Insurance Coverage: Some drivers may have minimal insurance coverage or no insurance at all, which can make it challenging for injured motorcyclists to obtain adequate compensation, especially if their own insurance coverage is insufficient.
- Legal Representation and Resources: Motorcyclists may face challenges in finding legal representation that specializes in motorcycle accidents and understands the unique aspects of these cases. Additionally, they may lack the resources to pursue litigation against larger insurance companies or defendants with greater financial resources.
- Lack of Witnesses or Evidence: Motorcycle accidents often occur without independent witnesses, and physical evidence such as skid marks or damage to the vehicles may not be as conclusive as in other types of accidents. This can make it harder to establish the facts and prove liability.
Given these challenges, motorcyclists involved in accidents need to seek legal advice from attorneys experienced in handling motorcycle accident claims. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence, navigate legal proceedings, negotiate with insurance companies, and advocate for fair compensation on behalf of the injured motorcyclist.
Free Consultation With a Nashville Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Kinnard Law has successfully handled numerous motorcycle accident lawsuits, and is available to speak with potential clients across Nashville and neighboring states. We offer free consultations, and handle cases on contingency fees – if we don’t win, you don’t pay. Call or contact us online to speak with an attorney.
Schedule your free consultation by contacting us online or calling (615) 933-2893 today!
Verdicts & Settlements
Unmatched Dedication Has Led To Record-Setting Victories
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$55 Million Personal Injury
Erin Andrews awarded $55 million in nude video lawsuit against hotel, stalker.
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$22.2 Million Medical Malpractice
Bette Donathan was in an automobile accident in Winchester, Tennessee. She had a broken leg.
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$15.2 Million Medical Malpractice
Randy Kinnard and Mary Ellen Morris of Kinnard Law obtained the largest verdict in Weakley County history for their 23 year-old client.
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$6.5 Million Medical Malpractice
A woman went into the hospital for a tubal ligation. The doctor put a small hole in her large colon during the procedure and did not recognize it.
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$5 Million Wrongful Death
On October 2, 2014, a Nashville jury held a pediatric clinic and local hospital accountable for the wrongful death of 22-month-old Ryder Laurent.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
At Kinnard Law, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.
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"These are the professionals that you want fighting for you and the people you love!"The legal team at Kinnard, Clayton and Beverage worked diligently to get my family compensation following a malpractice suit.- Lauren Price Cook
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"Integrity, above and beyond."This Law Firm has proven itself as absolutely professional, goal oriented, kind and compassionate in the past several years during my case.- H.W.
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"In the hardest two years of my life, you provided the utmost trust, comfort, and support."Thank you Randy, Jennifer, and Cynthia so much for not only helping me get through what has been the hardest time of my life, but for always providing grace, trust, and a sense of comfort for what felt like an eternity.- T.H.
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"We are very grateful."What Kinnard Law achieved on account of conquering numerous hurdles was beyond remarkable and we are very grateful.- E.I.
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"Great staff."The process in its entirety took a couple years - which is longer than I anticipated, but also news to me, as it was the first lawsuit I have ever been a part of.- J.
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"100% Best Lawyers Around"You have all been so kind and loving to our family!- J.S.
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"Exceptional people with exceptional hearts."Words can not express how grateful I am to have found your firm when I did.- T.R.
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"Love this firm!"Very helpful and knowledgeable and I would recommend them to anyone.- Constance