Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Memphis, Tennessee? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our law office, Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC, at (901) 602-5700 for a free consultation with an experienced Memphis motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries that lead to costly medical treatment, lost income, and a lengthy recovery. When another party is responsible for the crash, an injured rider may be entitled to compensation for these and other accident-related losses.
Why Choose Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC for Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Memphis, TN?
After a motorcycle accident in Memphis, TN, choosing an experienced legal team can make the claims process easier to navigate. The Memphis personal injury lawyers at Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC have 50 years of combined experience representing injured clients and have recovered over $100 million in compensation.
Motorcycle accident claims can involve serious injuries, disputed liability, and difficult insurance negotiations. Our Memphis motorcycle accident attorneys understand how a motorcycle crash can affect your health, finances, and daily life. We can handle the legal details while keeping you informed about your case and available options.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is My Tennessee Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
Factors that may affect the value of your motorcycle accident case include:
- The severity and long-term impact of your injuries
- Whether you are expected to make a full recovery
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- Who was responsible for the accident
- Whether you share any responsibility for the crash
- The amount of available insurance coverage
- Whether your injuries affect your ability to work
- Whether you need ongoing or future medical treatment
- How the accident affects your daily activities and quality of life
These factors must be considered together when estimating the value of a motorcycle accident claim.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims?
If someone else caused your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the losses resulting from the crash. Depending on your case, damages may include economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in limited circumstances, punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for the financial losses associated with your motorcycle accident and injuries. These losses generally have a specific dollar value and can often be documented through bills, receipts, and employment records.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Property damage
- Other accident-related out-of-pocket costs
The amount of economic damages available will depend on the financial impact the accident has had and is expected to have on your life.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the personal consequences of your injuries that do not have a specific financial value. These damages can vary significantly depending on the severity and long-term effects of your injuries.
Examples may include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Evidence about your recovery and how your injuries affect your everyday life can help establish the extent of these losses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be available in limited cases involving particularly malicious, fraudulent, intentional, or reckless conduct. Unlike economic and non-economic damages, they are intended to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar behavior rather than compensate you for a specific loss.
Whether punitive damages are available depends on the facts of the motorcycle accident and whether the defendant’s conduct meets Tennessee’s legal requirements.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Memphis handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you typically pay no upfront attorney’s fees, and your lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of any compensation recovered for you.
If there is no recovery, you generally do not owe an attorney’s fee.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Motorcycle Accident in Tennessee?
Yes, potentially. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule. You may recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident, but your recovery is reduced according to your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found 20% responsible for a motorcycle accident, your compensation would generally be reduced by 20%. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation under Tennessee’s comparative fault system.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Motorcycle Accident in Memphis?
Liability for a motorcycle accident depends on what caused the crash and whose actions contributed to it. While another driver is often responsible, some accidents involve multiple parties.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- A driver who was speeding, distracted, or impaired
- A motorist who failed to yield to a motorcycle
- An employer whose employee caused a crash while working
- A manufacturer of a defective motorcycle or vehicle part
- A government entity responsible for certain dangerous road conditions
- Another person or business whose negligence contributed to the accident
Identifying every responsible party is important because it can affect where compensation may be available and how a motorcycle accident claim is pursued.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Memphis, TN
Motorcycle collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, from relatively minor wounds to life-altering conditions. Some common examples include:
- Crush injuries
- Burns and lacerations
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Road rash
- Internal organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Even injuries that initially appear minor can have lasting effects, making it important to seek medical attention and document how the accident has affected your health and recovery.
What Causes Most Motorcycle Accidents in Tennessee?
Motorcycle accidents can happen for many reasons in Tennessee, often involving negligent drivers or hazardous road conditions. Common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Following motorcycles too closely
- Dangerous left-hand turns
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Poor road conditions
- Defective motorcycle or vehicle parts
Determining what caused the accident can help identify who may be responsible for the rider’s injuries and resulting losses.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, you generally have one year from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, although limited exceptions may apply.
Because the filing period is relatively short, it is important to take action quickly to protect your legal rights. Our personal injury attorneys in Memphis can ensure that all applicable deadlines are met in your case.
What Are Tennessee’s Motorcycle Helmet Laws?
Tennessee law requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets that meet applicable federal safety standards. This requirement generally applies to riders of all ages. Wearing a properly fitted helmet can help protect against serious head and brain injuries in the event of an accident.
Helmets cannot prevent every motorcycle accident or injury. However, using appropriate safety equipment can help reduce the risk of serious injury in a crash.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
A motorcycle accident claim can involve insurance disputes, questions about fault, and significant financial losses. An experienced lawyer can handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
A motorcycle accident attorney in Memphis can help by:
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Gathering accident reports, medical records, and other evidence
- Interviewing witnesses
- Identifying all potentially liable parties
- Documenting your injuries and losses
- Handling communications with insurance companies
- Negotiating for a fair settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial when necessary
Having legal representation can help protect your rights and ensure that your claim accounts for the full impact of your motorcycle accident.
Contact Our Memphis Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Memphis, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Alders & Lewellyn, PLLC is ready to help you understand your legal options. We have recovered over $100 million on behalf of our clients.
Reach out to our Memphis motorcycle accident attorneys today to schedule a free consultation.
