Injuries from motorcycle accidents tend to be catastrophic in nature and can include brain or spinal cord injuries, broken bones, paralysis, or critical internal injuries.
Due to the severity of these types of injuries, the medical bills can be financially debilitating. Working with a Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer can be an asset while recovering from these types of injuries.
Keeping up with medical and medical rehabilitative costs should not be your focus during this time. An experienced personal injury attorney could help you get through the legal process of filing a claim and obtaining a possible settlement for your injuries.
Motorcycle Laws in Franklin
Tennessee has specific laws that govern the operation of a motorcycle on the streets and highways. Tennessee Code Annotated (“TCA”) §55-8-164 provides that an operator shall only ride upon the attached seat of the motorcycle and cannot carry another person unless the motorcycle is designed to. A rider cannot carry packages or other articles as both hands must be on the handlebars. The driver of the motorcycle must also face forward with the headlights on and a leg on each side of the motorcycle. Also, a person cannot ride on the motorcycle in a manner that interferes with the driver’s operation of the motorcycle.
Motorcycle Helmet Laws
In addition, Tennessee has a mandatory helmet law. Under TCA § 55-9-302 (a), a driver and any passenger of a motorcycle must wear a helmet. A violation of this law can result in a Class C misdemeanor. Furthermore, the helmet must meet motor vehicle standards as defined under 49 CFR 571.218. The helmet should have ventilation and a label must be affixed to the helmet to comply with the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Southern Impact Research Center (SIRC), or the Snell Foundation.
Motorists Owe a Duty of Care to Those on Motorcycles
In Franklin, motor vehicle drivers owe motorcyclists a duty of care. Under TCA § 55-8-136 (b), a driver has a duty to avoid collisions with other motor vehicles, operate their vehicle at a safe speed, maintain a safe lookout for other motorists, keep their vehicle under proper control, and devote their full time and attention to the operation of their motor vehicle under the existing circumstances to avoid endangering life, limb, or property. A Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer could assess whether the driver was negligent in their duty of care when the motorcyclist was injured. If the motorcyclist died in the accident, the family may be able to collect damages.
How a Franklin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
The days and weeks following a motorcycle accident may include wondering if you can pay the medical bills and whether you have money to cover office visits and prescriptions. However, your focus should be getting well and returning to enjoying your life, not the financial responsibilities of your medical care due to another’s negligence. Contact a Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer to help you get the medical care and financial settlement you need to get you back to your life.
What Should I Do Now?
Once you call a Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer, you will have taken the first step towards recovering compensation. Our experienced lawyers can handle the complex parts of the process so you can focus on your healing and recovery. Depending on the circumstances of your case, we may reconstruct the scene, consult experts, maintain communication with the insurance company, determine the extent of your losses, build a strong defense, negotiate a settlement, and if needed, take your case to court.
There are some things you can do to ensure you recover maximum damages. These include: Get Immediate Medical Care – To ensure all of your injuries are accounted for and linked to your accident, it is important you see a doctor right away. Waiting too long can make it more difficult for a Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer to prove all your injuries, and their costs, are related to the collision.
Avoiding Talking to the Other Side without Legal Representation – Insurance adjusters are clever. It is certainly possible they will try to set you up or coerce you into saying things you don’t mean or understand. They might also offer you an unfair settlement, and “promise” a motorcycle accident lawyer in Franklin is not needed.
Be Honest – You should not stretch the truth or law to convince a motorcycle accident lawyer to accept your case. Doing so will only make your situation more complicated. Contact a Lawyer – The longer you wait to call a Franklin motorcycle accident lawyer, the harder it may be to obtain evidence. Please call The Higgins Firm right away to ensure you get the most from your injuries.
You do not have to worry about anything else. On occasion, you might ask you to send us documents or sign forms.Otherwise, we will handle all of your legal matters. We will not charge you anything unless we win. The Higgins Firm knows this is a stressful time for you. Let us see how we can make things easier. Call one of our Franklin motorcycle accident lawyers today.
The insurance company has a legal team. You should too.
