Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Tennessee Accident Law on July 3, 2016
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Reported in Rutherford County
A motorcyclist was killed when he or she was involved in an accident with two other vehicles in Murfreesboro Tuesday afternoon.
According to a report by the Daily News Journal, the accident occurred at around 12:30 p.m. when all three vehicles were traveling east on Route 96 at Old Fort Parkway. A spokesperson with the Murfreesboro Police Department says that the accident occurred when a brown Honda Civic was approaching a traffic signal at State Route 96 and Veterans Parkway and beginning to reduce its speed.
At the same time, the motorcycle—a yellow BMW—was struck from behind by a silver Saturn while both were approaching the same intersection, which pushed it into the Honda Civic. The rider on the motorcycle was ejected and then struck again by the Honda Civic. Emergency responders with the Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services department pronounced the man dead at the accident scene.
No one else involved in the accident was injured. The MPD’s Fatal Accident Crash Team is working to investigate the crash to find out what caused it to occur.
Tips for Driving Safely around Motorcycles
Now that summer is in full swing, the number of motorcycles on roads in Murfreesboro and throughout Middle Tennessee has increased. Because of the increased number of motorcyclists, it’s important for drivers to remain vigilant and aware of their presence and the risks that riders face every time they head out on the roadway.
To do your part in making motorcyclists safer, try to follow these tips at all times:
Many motorcycle accidents occur because drivers simply forget to be on the lookout for them. It’s common for drivers to be conditioned to look solely for other cars, trucks, and SUVs, while forgetting about the potential presence of motorcycles. Getting into the habit of checking for motorcycles when you’re changing lanes, turning, or pulling out of a driveway or parking lot can help reduce your risks of colliding with one.
If there’s a single instance when motorcyclists are at their most vulnerable, it’s when they are approaching intersections with left turns. Drivers who turn left often look carefully for other passenger vehicles heading in their direction before they attempt the turn, but they may forget to check for motorcycles. This specific situation is one of the most common causes for fatal motorcycle accidents in the United States, and it can be avoided when drivers are aware of the risks and the dangers associated with left turns—especially for motorcyclists.
Because motorcycles take up only a small amount of room on the road, it’s easy for drivers to inadvertently drift into their lanes. Doing so can reduce the amount of room they have to maneuver, putting them at serious risk when they need to make a turn or apply their brakes. In addition, following a motorcycle too closely can result in a rear-end accident. While rear-end accidents, especially at relatively low speeds, often result in fender benders for passenger vehicles, they can eject motorcyclists from their bikes, which can have deadly consequences.
At Matt Hardin Law, we know the dangers associated with riding a motorcycle due to a wide variety of hazards. We also know that it takes a concentrated effort from both drivers and motorcyclists themselves to ride safely and make roadways throughout Middle Tennessee safe for everyone who shares them, whether they’re on two wheels or four wheels.
If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how out legal team can assist you during this difficult time, dial (615) 600-4941 or complete a free initial consultation form. We have more than two decades of experience, and we’re ready to fight for your rights.
