Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Tennessee Accident Law on November 29, 2016
Two Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Reported in Nashville in Past 10 Days
Two separate motorcycle accidents claimed the lives of two people within the past 10 days in and around Nashville.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the first accident occurred on Nov. 17 in Hermitage at around 11:30 p.m. Metro Nashville Police say the 51-year-old man was traveling south on Tulip Grove Road when he lost control of his motorcycle near the Chandler Road intersection.
Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the accident scene. A preliminary investigation revealed that speed may have been a factor in the accident.
WKRN.com also reports that a second accident occurred Sunday afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. when a 54-year-old woman lost control of her 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle while traveling northbound on Old Hickory Boulevard.
Police say that she lost control while entering a curve, which caused her to leave the roadway and travel through a ditch before ending up in a parking lot.
She was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries, but was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
After an initial investigation, police say that drugs and alcohol weren’t a factor in the crash.
What Causes People to Lose Control of Motorcycles?
Maintaining control over any vehicle, whether it’s a truck, car, SUV, or motorcycle, is vital for staying safe and avoiding accidents. Even a brief lapse in control is enough for a vehicle to drift dozens or even hundreds of feet off course, putting drivers and passengers at risk of potentially deadly collisions, rollover accidents, and even ejections.
Some of the most common reasons that people lose control of their motorcycles include:
Speeding is the most common cause for losing control of any vehicle, including motorcycles. Whether riders are traveling in a straight line or navigating sharp turns, traveling faster than the speed limit puts them at risk of being unable to control their bikes. When that happens, it can be difficult or even impossible to recover from the sudden loss of control, making accidents and ejections extremely likely.
Seasoned and veteran motorcycle riders understand how to handle their bikes in a variety of conditions, through turns of varying degrees, and in all types of weather. Newer riders, however, may push the limits of their bikes when it’s risky to do so. They also may not understand when to reduce their speed and how to shift their weight when navigating curves in the road.
Because motorcycles have only two wheels, even small obstacles in the roadway can cause drivers to lose control. Things like small tree limbs and potholes can cause riders to be thrown from their motorcycles, while loose gravel and slick, worn-out pavement can cause them to careen off the roadway or lay their bikes down due to lack of traction.
One of the biggest threats that motorcyclists face is other vehicles. Drivers are conditioned to always be on the lookout for other cars, but they don’t always remember to lookout for motorcyclists. When motorcyclists are forced to avoid vehicles in situations like turning left at an intersection or passing through an area where vehicles must yield, they are often forced to make sudden and abrupt maneuvers to avoid collisions. Those abrupt changes in speed and direction can cause them to lose control and be thrown from their bikes.
Motorcyclists must be extra cautious every time they head out on Tennessee’s roadways. That means always wearing all their gear, including helmet, gloves, boots, and riding jacket, and always following the rules of the road. In addition to basic safe riding principles, motorcyclist should also exercise extreme caution when conditions are prime for losing control of their bikes, such as when riding on curvy roads, after dark, or during inclement weather conditions.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a motorcycle accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, get in touch with the Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. We believe that innocent victims should never have to pay for their own medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Contact us right now and let us put our two decades of experience to work for your family. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
