Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash in Chattanooga?
Motorcycle accidents can be among the most devastating crashes on our roads. Crash Carson is ready to be a compassionate advocate for injured riders and their families, from investigating the cause and proving fault to standing up to the insurance companies and their lawyers.
Why motorcycle injuries are so serious
Unlike people in a car, riders have no protective shell around them. When a crash happens, the body takes the full impact. That can mean medical bills, missed work or an inability to work, pain and emotional trauma, and a long fight with insurance companies.
Bias Against Riders
Riders are often unfairly seen as reckless. Insurance companies use that bias to argue that a rider was at least partly at fault, or to shrink the other driver's share of the blame. Many crashes happen because a driver simply didn't see the motorcycle, especially when turning left. We push back against these unfair assumptions so fault is decided on the facts.
Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even riders wearing helmets can suffer a TBI, and these injuries can change a life permanently.
- Spinal cord damage. These injuries can cause paralysis and chronic pain, with lifelong care needs and lost earning ability.
- Road rash and skin loss. Severe cases can require surgery and skin grafts and carry a risk of infection and scarring.
- Broken bones. Fractures of the leg, arm, pelvis and ribs are common and often need surgery and long recovery.
- Internal injuries. Organ damage and internal bleeding may not be obvious right away.
- Amputation. Among the most devastating outcomes, requiring prosthetics and long-term rehabilitation.
- PTSD and emotional harm. Emotional trauma is common after a crash and can be part of a claim in Tennessee and Georgia.
- Wrongful death. When a loved one doesn't survive, we pursue justice for your family.
Learn more: Common Car Accident Injuries
Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
Dangerous Intersections and Merges
- Drivers failing to yield at intersections
- Unsafe left-hand turns in front of riders
- Failure to check blind spots before lane changes or merges
- Improper passing
- Following too closely
Hazardous Road Conditions
- Poor visibility — dawn, dusk, or night riding
- Damaged roadways or incomplete construction
- Debris on road
Driver Negligence, Aggression, or Intoxication
- Distracted driving — texting, phone use
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
- Tailgating and following too closely
Defective or Unmaintained Vehicles
- Defective motorcycle parts or equipment
- Defective or poorly maintained vehicles
- Improperly loaded trucks
Helmet Laws in Tennessee and Georgia
Both Tennessee and Georgia require motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets safety standards, with only narrow exceptions. Both states also require eye protection when a motorcycle has no windshield.
After a crash, insurance companies may ask about your helmet. If you weren't wearing one, don't assume you have no claim. The other driver can still be responsible for causing the crash. Talk to a lawyer before you talk to the insurer.
Where Chattanooga Riders Ride
We help riders hurt on everyday roads and on the scenic routes around Chattanooga, including:
- The Lookout Mountain Scenic Highway (TN-148), the Chattanooga end of the Lookout Mountain Parkway that runs across the mountain into Georgia and Alabama
- Suck Creek Road and US-27 north toward Dayton, a gateway to rides through the Sequatchie Valley and on to Fall Creek Falls
- I-24, I-75 and Highway 153, where heavy traffic and lane changes put riders at risk
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
- Call 911, even if injuries and damage seem minor. Responders can treat injuries, clear the road and start documenting the crash.
- Get medical attention. Adrenaline can hide serious injuries such as spinal damage, internal bleeding or a TBI, and medical records are important evidence.
- Take photos and video of injuries, vehicles, road and weather conditions and signs, but only if it is safe. If not, make notes.
- Exchange information with the other driver: license, registration, insurance and contact details.
- Get witness contact information if you safely can.
- Call a lawyer as soon as possible. Crash Carson offers a free case evaluation.
More tips: What to Do After a Car Accident
What NOT to do
- Don't admit fault or apologize. In a confusing moment, an apology can later be used to weaken your claim.
- Don't wait. Depending on where the crash happened, you may have as little as one year to file a lawsuit.
- Don't post about the crash on social media. Posts and comments can be used against you.
- Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. You are not required to, and we strongly recommend that you don't.
- Don't accept a quick settlement. Early offers are usually lower than what your claim is worth.
- Don't sign documents without review. Have your lawyer look at anything the other side asks you to sign.
What Happens When You Call Us
If you've never worked with a lawyer before, here is what to expect.
- Free consultation. Tell us what happened. We listen, answer your questions and explain your options. There is no cost to talk with us.
- No upfront fees. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis. We never ask for attorney's fees or a retainer up front.
- Investigation. We gather the police report, photos, witness statements and medical records, and we look at every insurance policy that could apply.
- We handle the insurance companies. Calls, paperwork and requests for recorded statements come to us, so you can focus on getting better.
- Ready for trial if needed. Most injury cases are settled without going to court. If the insurer won't make a fair offer, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Hurt in a motorcycle crash? Start your free consultation and tell us what happened.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Insurers will try to settle for far less than your claim is worth. We look at the full scope of your damages: medical expenses, future care, lost earnings, physical pain, PTSD and emotional trauma, and in some cases punitive damages for the worst conduct, such as road rage or impaired driving. Learn more: Car Accident Insurance Claims and Settlements.
Licensed to Practice in Tennessee and Georgia
Chattanooga, Tennessee
From I-24 and I-75 to Highway 153 and the roads up Lookout and Signal Mountain, we help riders hurt across the Chattanooga area. Tennessee follows modified comparative fault: if you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover. The deadline to file a lawsuit is generally one year.
Rossville, Georgia
We represent injured riders in Rossville, Fort Oglethorpe, Ringgold, Chickamauga, LaFayette, Trenton and Dalton, throughout Walker, Catoosa, Dade and Whitfield counties. Georgia also bars recovery at 50% or more fault, and the deadline to file a lawsuit is generally two years.
Questions We Hear Often
Should I get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident?
You are not required to. But riders often face bias from insurers, and injuries tend to be serious. If you were hurt, a free consultation can help you understand your options before you sign anything.
Does Tennessee have a helmet law?
Yes. Tennessee requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a helmet that meets safety standards, with narrow exceptions. Georgia has a similar requirement.
What is the most common motorcycle accident?
One of the most common is a car turning left in front of a rider at an intersection. Federal crash data has long shown this pattern in fatal crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles.
What is the average settlement for a motorcycle accident?
There isn't a reliable average. Every case depends on your injuries, medical treatment, lost income, who was at fault and how much insurance is available.
How long does a motorcycle accident case take?
It depends on your injuries and how the insurer responds. Most cases settle without a trial, but we usually wait until the full picture of your injuries is clear before negotiating.