Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Tennessee Accident Law on August 9, 2017
A 23-year-old man from Hermitage was killed when his motorcycle collided head-on with a pickup truck on Bell Road in Nashville on Saturday afternoon.
Per a report by WSMV.com, the accident occurred when the motorcyclist passed vehicles in the bike lanes of Bell Road before colliding with a pickup truck at the intersection of Stewarts Ferry Pike while the driver was making a U-turn.
Emergency responders pronounced the motorcyclist dead at the scene. The 60-year-old driver of the pickup truck wasn’t injured in the crash. After an investigation, officers with Metro Nashville Police declined to be press charges and said that his U-turn was legal.
The motorcyclist wasn’t carrying identification at the time of the crash, and emergency responders were unable to identify him at the accident scene.
Safety Gear All Motorcyclists Should Wear
Motorcycles don’t offer riders any protection. Therefore, it’s up to each individual rider to make sure he or she is as well-protected from injuries during accidents. The best way to achieve that is to wear high-quality riding gear that’s designed to protect from injuries that can result in road rash, severe wounds, and traumatic or even fatal head and brain injuries.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys know that riders have the best outcomes after crashes if they wear the following safety gear:
Helmets are by far the most important piece of safety equipment that riders can own and use. But not all helmets are created equal. To be truly effective, helmets should meet three criteria: they should be certified to the standards listed above, they should cover the face, and they should fit properly. Helmets that fail any of those requirements may not provide sufficient protection during accidents.
The torso and legs are extremely vulnerable during accidents. Victims who hit the ground at even low speeds can suffer from extreme road rash, which leads to severe pain and even the possibility of life-threatening infection. Riding jackets and pants are often padded to absorb impact and highly durable to resist ripping or tearing during accidents, preventing skin from being exposed to asphalt or pavement.
Fingers and toes can be severely injured or even severed during motorcycle accidents, especially if riders don’t protect them or fail to wear adequate footwear. Like riding jackets and pants, proper riding gloves should be made from tough, durable material like leather or high-density rubber that will absorb impact and protect the skin and joints of the hand and fingers. Boots should protect the ankles and shins and have extra protection for the toes.
In addition to these pieces of safety equipment, riders also want to consider wearing additional padding on their knees and elbows and goggles to protect their eyes and vision when riding on bright days or on roadways with highly reflective surfaces.
Safety should be the top priority of all riders. In addition to making sure they’re properly equipped, they should also spend time making sure they’re familiar with all traffic laws and common causes of motorcycle accidents, including failure to adapt to inclement weather and drivers failing to notice them at intersections or when they change lanes.
Unfortunately, many motorcycle crashes occur because of driver negligence, putting motorcyclists at serious risk, even when they’re wearing full safety gear. If you or someone you know was hurt in a motorcycle accident that was caused by a careless driver, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. Our legal team is here to help, and we know what it takes to build successful claims for victims like you. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form to get in touch with our team.
