Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Memphis attracts motorcyclists from all over the country every year. Bikers come here looking to experience the incredible music, food, and nightlife that has made Memphis so popular. On Beale Street, bikers hang out and cruise downtown, especially on Wednesdays from April to October. Affectionately called “Bike Night,” is a popular destination for motorcyclists on cruisers, choppers, and sportbikes who park alongside the street just to watch the action.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists in Memphis are at an increased risk of suffering a serious injury in accidents. Visitors and residents alike need someone on their side when an accident occurs. While you focus on your injuries and recovery, you need someone you can trust to look out for you and your future.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience representing injured Memphis motorcyclists. We know the ins and outs of Tennessee law, and we use this knowledge to help our clients obtain maximum compensation after an accident.
Motorcycle Accidents in Memphis
Motorcycle accidents in Memphis occur at an alarming rate. In 2020, 252 motorcycle accidents occurred in Shelby County alone. The motorcycle rate in Shelby County is also one of the highest in the state at 11.1%. While the motorcycle crash rate has decreased in recent years, it is still alarmingly high compared to the rest of Tennessee.
When a motorcycle accident occurs in Memphis, the biker often suffers serious and life-changing injuries because the motorcycle offers little protection from the harsh pavement and forces of the accident. No airbags or seat belts protect the biker during the accident. The only thing between them and the pavement below is what they’re wearing.
As a result, many bikers in Memphis suffer catastrophic injuries that require extraordinary medical treatment. Many never fully recover from their injuries. As such, they need someone on their side who can represent them during this difficult time. They need a lawyer in their corner who understands the issues and complexities that surround Memphis motorcycle accidents.
The majority of motorcycle accidents in Memphis are not the motorcyclist’s fault. Other drivers fail to see them on the road, which can put motorcyclists in extreme danger, especially at intersections and on the freeway. Yet when a motorcyclist is injured, they face an uphill battle with insurance companies. These insurance companies often have unfair biases against bikers, and these biases can directly impact the amount of compensation they offer in settlements.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers know how to combat these biases and help you collect the money you need — and deserve.
Do I Have a Case?
If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you might wonder if you have a case. The state of Tennessee is an “at fault” state. This means that the driver responsible for the crash is also responsible for the damages and injuries they cause. Their insurance policy will pay for damages up to the driver’s policy limits.
When determining fault in an accident, the state operates on a standard known as “comparative negligence.” If you share the blame for the accident, your award will be decreased by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident, you can file a claim.
When determining if you have a case, our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers will determine who is to blame for the accident and your injuries. If another party is responsible, then you can file a claim against them to collect damages.
Case Results
See More Case ResultsWhat to Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident in Memphis, it is important to know what you can do to protect your rights to compensation. The steps you take after a crash can have a significant impact on your case.
If you get into a motorcycle accident, take the following steps.
- Call 911
- Seek medical help
- Answer police questions
- Obtain contact information for the “at fault” driver
- Get eyewitness contact information
- Take pictures of the accident scene and damage
- Do not get your car motorcycle repaired without first speaking to a lawyer
- Follow doctor’s treatment plan and attend all therapy sessions
- Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents in Memphis. Most accidents are due to the negligence of other drivers on the road. Some are caused by the motorcyclist.
Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.
- Cars making left-hand turns
- Hazardous road conditions
- Head-on collisions
- Motorcycle lane splitting
- Reckless driving and speeding
- Alcohol or drug use
- Unsafe weather
- Corner turning motorcycle accidents
Failure to recognize the motorcycle on the road is the number one reason motorcycle accidents occur. Whether the driver fails to see an oncoming motorcyclist at an intersection or simply plow through a stopped motorcyclist at a stop sign, negligent drivers are responsible for most crashes.
Head-on collisions account for 56 percent of all motorcycle accident deaths. These devastating accidents often occur when one vehicle travels outside a two-lane road and into the other vehicle’s path. Distracted driving increases the risk of these horrific accidents.
Cars making left-hand turns at intersections account for 42 percent of all motorcycle accidents. In this scenario, the driver fails to recognize the oncoming motorcyclist and pulls out into their path. The driver is almost always to blame for these accidents.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often cause serious and life-threatening injuries. Due to the motorcycle’s low profile, injured bikers can suffer a wide range of injuries that can adversely affect their entire future. Many motorcycle injuries result in chronic pain and permanent disability.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers have helped bikers who suffered serious injuries, including
- Broken bones
- Brain injury
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injury
- Head and neck injury
- Lacerations and bruises
- Muscle damage
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Disfigurement
- Amputation
What Compensation Can I Get?
Motorcycle accident victims often want to know how much their case is worth. The amount of money you can collect depends largely on several factors, including how severe your injuries are and how they directly impact your life and your ability to work.
In general, injured motorcyclists can seek to collect compensation for a variety of non-economic and economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses. After a motorcycle accident, your medical bills may be extraordinary. Ambulance rides, surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitation, and therapies can cost thousands of dollars. Even with the best insurance, injured motorcyclists face hefty medical bills after an accident.
- Future medical bills. Motorcycle accidents are rarely simple. As such, injured bikers may suffer medical expenses long after the accident. These future medical bills need to be accounted for when accepting an award or settlement. Future prosthetics, physical therapy, or even long-term care are examples of future medical bills you can incur.
- Lost wages. When you suffer an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be unable to work. This means you could lose valuable wages. Without your paychecks, you may not be able to pay your household expenses, rent, or utility bills.
- Loss of future earnings. When motorcycle injuries don’t heal, they can result in a lifetime of pain and disability. This can prevent you from working in your chosen field or even staying employed. Any settlement or award should factor in the loss of future earnings due to injury.
- Pain and suffering. After a motorcycle accident, your life may never be the same. You may be unable to enjoy time with your family or outdoor hobbies you once loved. Pain and suffering are difficult to quantify, but the “at fault” driver should compensate you for these losses.
- Property loss. The at-fault driver should compensate you for the loss of your property. This may include your motorcycle, helmet, gear, and any other items in your possession that were damaged in the accident. This includes cellphones, watches, and other personal belongings.
Why Should I Hire a Memphis Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
After a motorcycle accident, injured accident victims often face unfair biases. Insurance companies may paint them as reckless riders who have little regard for their safety. This is untrue, but it doesn’t stop the insurance company from offer lowball settlements to injured bikers.
A Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve after a serious accident. To do this, your lawyer will need to investigate the accident, hire experts to testify, and examine all evidence. With the right legal team on your side, you can rest easier knowing that no stone is left unturned after your crash.
Here are reasons why you should hire a Memphis personal injury attorney after your motorcycle accident:
Avoid missing deadlines. In the state of Tennessee, injured motorcyclists typically only have one year from the date of the accident, one of the shortest filing windows in the entire United States.
Investigate the accident. Your attorney will need to investigate the accident to uncover all liable parties properly.
Gather evidence. Valuable evidence can be lost or destroyed after a motorcycle accident. Accident victims can repair damage to vehicles, tire marks cleaned, and black box data erased. An attorney can gather the evidence you need to establish liability and prove your case.
Understand that liability laws in Tennessee are complex. Your attorney will have extensive knowledge of Tennessee laws. This will directly affect your case because your attorney can protect your rights after a motorcycle crash in Memphis
Negotiate with insurers. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators, and they know how to reduce settlements. As such, you need someone on your side who can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. An attorney can make sure your rights to compensation are protected through the negotiation process.
Why Choose Rainwater, Holt & Sexton?
Our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers have offered legal support and guidance to injured bikers. We’ve recovered over $20 million for hundreds of bikers. Our goal is to help injured motorcyclists in Memphis seek justice and obtain the compensation they deserve after a serious accident. We know that the law is on your side — but insurance companies are not. Their main goal is to pay you as little as possible after an accident.
When you choose Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, you can rest easier knowing you have a team of lawyers on your side that only wants to protect you and your interests. We work tirelessly for our injured motorcycle accident clients from the start, and we aren’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with insurance companies.
Our attorneys have experience proving liability in motorcycle accidents across the state of Tennessee. We know that you need money right now to help you pay your medical bills and expenses. Because of this, we work quickly to achieve favorable results for you.
We have over 30 attorneys ready to offer your caring and compassionate legal guidance after a serious motorcycle accident. Our lawyers have won multi-million dollar motorcycle accident cases, and we will put this experience to work for you.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we know that you need money now, and you can’t afford to pay costly legal fees. That’s why we offer the No Fee Guarantee. With the No Fee Guarantee, you owe us nothing unless we win your case. We also offer FREE consultations in person or over the phone to better assist you. You have nothing to lose! Call us today!
Contact Our Memphis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our Memphis motorcycle accident lawyers understand the complexities of car accidents here in Tennessee. We know the laws, the streets, the insurance companies, and the medical teams that will affect your case. We work with injured accident victims from the beginning to get them the compensation they need – and deserve.
We are proud to represent injured visitors and residents throughout Memphis, including Downtown, Midtown, South Memphis, East Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Orange Mound, Whitehaven, Berclair, Hickory Hill, Cooper-Young, High Point Terrace, Marion, University District, East Parkway District, North Memphis, and more.