Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Tennessee Accident Law on September 8, 2017
Last week, the Clarksville Police Department issued safety tips for drivers and motorcyclists after recent fatal motorcycles accidents in the city. On Saturday, two more motorcycle accidents were reported within hours of each other in Montgomery County, and both caused riders to suffer serious injuries.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the first accident happened when a Pontiac Montana driven by a 73-year-old woman was headed south on Ft. Campbell Blvd. The woman attempted to make a left turn onto Ashbury Rd., but she didn’t see a motorcycle headed in her direction.
The 22-year-old motorcyclist collided with the front passenger door of the Pontiac, and he was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via LifeFlight helicopter to receive treatment. He was recently reported to be in stable condition.
The second accident happened when a Ford Mustang that was headed east on Providence Blvd. was struck by a motorcyclist who ran a red light. The motorcyclist in this accident was also seriously injured and was transported to Tennova via ground ambulance to receive treatment.
The CPD says that charges are pending in both accident cases.
What Should You Do if You’ve Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcycle accidents can be traumatic for all parties involved. Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer injuries than drivers and passengers when they collided with cars, trucks, and SUVs, but everyone involved is at risk of getting hurt—especially when the collisions occur at high speed.
After a motorcycle accident, you should:
Getting an ambulance and rescue team to the scene of the accident as quickly as possible should be your priority, and the best way to do that is to call 911. When you’re speaking with the dispatcher, give him or her as much information as necessary, including the location of the crash, the number of vehicles involved, and the severity of any injuries.
People who were just involved in accidents are at risk of being secondary victims when their vehicles are still in the path of traffic. If your vehicle still runs and is capable of being moved, drive it to a safe location, such as the shoulder of the road. Then, turn on your emergency flashing lights and wait for help to arrive.
Motorcycle accidents put riders at severe risk of suffering head, neck, and spinal injuries. Moving them without proper stabilization techniques can cause their injuries to worsen. Only move victims if they’re in immediate danger.
If you’re trained in first aid, you may be able to help save the motorcyclist’s life. Using a tourniquet or putting pressure on wounds can stop bleeding, and CPR can help resuscitate severely injured victims until emergency responders arrive.
Stay at the scene after the accident and wait for police to arrive, even if you don’t think you were injured. Answer their questions truthfully and wait for them to give you clearance to leave the scene. If you were hurt, go to the hospital as soon as possible, whether it’s via an ambulance or by arranging your own transportation.
If you’re involved in a crash while riding your motorcycle, the previous steps can also help you protect your health and your rights to compensation. It’s important to contact an experienced Clarksville motorcycle accident lawyer if you suffered injuries during the crash, whether you were driving a four-wheel vehicle or riding a motorcycle.
At Matt Hardin Law, we believe that innocent victims who were hurt because of other people’s negligence shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for their medical bills and lost wages. That’s why we fight to get victims like you the compensation they deserve. Get in touch with our legal team today—we have three decades of experience helping injured drivers and motorcyclists along with their families, and we know what it takes to win.
Just dial (931) 274-7788 or complete a free online form.
