Posted in Motorcycle Safety,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on October 7, 2015
Two Fatal Motorcycle Accidents Reported in Nashville on Wednesday
Two separate motorcycle accidents claimed two lives early Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, after the riders apparently lost control and crashed.
According to wsmv.com, the first accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Donelson Pike near the Nashville International Airport. The 39-year-old rider was driving past the airport when he struck a curb and lost control of his 2015 Kawasaki motorcycle.
A Metro police officer who was traveling in the southbound lanes found the man shortly after the accident occurred. Police say that it’s unclear if drugs or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Just two hours later around 3:30 a.m., another fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Interstate 24 near Ellington Parkway. Police say that a 43-year-old motorcyclist from Smyrna, Tennessee, was attempting to turn onto the exit ramp the parkway when he lost control and struck two sign posts.
The man was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical to receive treatment for his injuries, but he died at the hospital.
How to Safely Share the Road with Bicyclists and Motorcyclists
The average driver is well-trained to keep a watchful eye out for other cars, trucks, and SUVs, but they may not notice people who are riding bicycles and motorcycles until it’s too late. In Nashville and other cities in Middle Tennessee, it’s common to see bicyclists and motorcyclists on a daily basis, and it’s important to learn a few safety tips to safely share the road.
The next time you head out on a highway or interstate in the mid-state area, do your best to follow these safety guidelines:
Drivers are sometimes tempted to take advantage of the extra space offered in their adjacent lanes when they are driving near a bicyclist or motorcyclist. However, it’s important that you give the rider the full space of his or her lane and avoid drifting over out of your own lane. Driving too closely not only increases the risk that you’ll accidentally clip the bicyclist or motorcyclist, but it also reduces their ability to maneuver and turn when necessary.
As many as 40 percent of accidents involving motorcycles involve drivers turning left in front of their paths. Because motorcycles are low profile and sometimes difficult to see, drivers often turn left without fully checking to see if the lane is clear. Always take your time before making a left turn and proceed with caution.
Motorcycles and bicycles are easily hidden in blind spots. That’s why you should always take the time to double and even triple-check your blind spots by using all mirrors before merging, changing lanes, or turning. Doing any of these maneuvers without properly checking the areas directly behind or next to your vehicle means you could either strike a bicyclist or motorcyclist or force him or her off the road.
Motorcycles are much more likely to lose traction when traveling on roads with poor conditions, such as potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and oil spots. The same is true for inclement weather, such as rain, ice, sleet, and snow. Give motorcyclists plenty of room ahead of your vehicle to allow yourself time to stop if they lose control or need to reduce their speed.
Motorcycles and bicycles are effective and fuel-efficient ways of commuting, but they also pose significant dangers for riders—especially when other drivers fail to give them the room and respect they deserve on highways and interstates. By remaining aware of the presence of motorcycles and bicycles, you and your loved ones can help reduce their risks on roads throughout Middle Tennessee.
The Nashville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law are dedicated to helping the victims of all vehicle accidents get fair and just compensation after accidents that weren’t their fault, and we can help you, too. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form today.
