Posted in Car Accident,Motorcycle Safety,Negligence,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on September 25, 2015
Motorcyclist Seriously Injured after Colliding with Car in Murfreesboro
A 28-year-old man riding a motorcycle suffered critical injuries after he collided with a car in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at the intersection of New Salem Highway and Warrior Drive on Wednesday night.
A report by wsmv.com says the accident occurred shortly after the man exited a parking lot of a nearby business on his 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle and began heading north on Warrior Drive. As he was riding, the driver of a 2006 Nissan Sentra turned left onto the street, causing the two vehicles to collide.
The impact of the collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected from his seat and him to suffer serious injuries. The driver of the Nissan Sentra was uninjured in the accident.
Emergency responders transported the motorcyclist to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville to receive treatment by LifeFlight helicopter.
Murfreesboro police said that they had received earlier reports of a motorcyclist driving recklessly in the area and that an officer had previously warned the 28-year-old man about his driving behavior, but the motorcyclist denied that the reports were about him.
Safety Precautions for Motorcyclists
Riding a motorcycle can be a more economical and efficient way of commuting, but it also exposes riders to significant dangers that drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs don’t face. Because motorcycles lack any form of built-in protection, riders are protected only by the safety gear that they wear. That’s why it’s so important for motorcyclists to be as alert and aware of their own riding habits and the presence of other vehicles on the roadway.
Some of the top safety precautions that can help motorcyclists reduce their risks of being involved in accidents or being seriously injured in the event of accidents include:
Wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is required by law in Tennessee, but it’s just as vital that riders also wear full riding gear every time they ride. That includes a riding jacket, riding pants, boots, and gloves. Wearing full gear protects riders from road rash and other serious injuries in the event of an accident.
While there’s an assumption by many drivers that other drivers can see them on the roadway, it’s extremely dangerous for motorcyclists to think that way. Most drivers are trained to scan the roadway for other passenger vehicles—not motorcycles—and that means they can easily overlook a motorcycle when turning, merging, or entering a roadway.
All drivers should be cautious when driving in less than ideal conditions, but it’s even more important for motorcyclists to exercise extreme caution. A vehicle with two wheels is significantly more likely to lose traction when driving over snow, ice, and rain than a vehicle with four wheels. In addition, hazards that don’t typically affect cars and SUVs, such as loose gravel or small potholes in the road, can be disastrous for motorcyclists.
There are always going to be inherent dangers when riding a motorcycle, but wearing full gear, staying aware of the location and intentions of other drivers, and remaining extremely cautious when driving in poor weather or on dangerous roads can all help reduce the risk of being involved in an accident or being seriously injured.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Murfreesboro car and motorcycle accident attorneys know that many motorcycle accidents are caused by a negligent driver who failed to observe their surroundings before merging, turning, or entering a roadway. If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident that you believe was caused by carelessness, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your accident-related expenses. Get in touch with our legal team today by dialing (615) 600-4941 or filling out a free online form.
