Rash of Motorcycle Crashes Across Tennessee Highlights New Dangers

Recently, the local news has been inundated with reports of motorcycle crashes all across Tennessee.  In Knox County, 22-year-old Rocky Adams was in an accident in mid-September.  He was traveling eastbound on Stowers Drive when a car pulled out of a private driveway.  Adams, who was driving at the speed limit, locked both front and rear brakes on his motorcycle before skidding for more than 20 feet and falling over.  Adams was propelled from his motorcycle and crashed into a mailbox.  He spent weeks in the hospital fighting for his life but sadly passed away in early October.

In Sevier County, a Knoxville police officer was killed while off-duty in a motorcycle wreck.  Twenty-seven-year-old Officer David Russell Munson died during the wreck at 6:45 p.m.  The Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that Munson was driving his Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on State Highway 338/Douglas Dam Road, when he lost control of the motorcycle.  Munson ran off the road and hit a guardrail.  Munson left behind a wife, mother, father, and two siblings.  The accident is still under investigation.

Chattanooga experienced two motorcycle accident deaths in three motorcycle crashes over just one weekend.  Alec Newby had planned to meet his parents for breakfast Saturday morning but never arrived.  His father sent his 22-year-old son a text asking if he was awake, to which Alec Newby replied he was.  His parents continued to wait at the Waffle House, but after some time decided to head to their son’s house to check on him.  They were met with cones and flashing lights on Shallowford Road, the way Alec would have traveled.  Tragically, investigators determined Alec had lost control of his motorcycle when he looked back for some reason, and struck a tree, killing him instantly.

That same weekend, Larry Clyde Lowe, Jr., a 46-year-old, was killed after drifting to the side of Access Road and hitting a guardrail.  Hours later, 22-year-old Rachel Hensen sustained critical injuries when she was ejected from a motorcycle after the motorcycle struck a vehicle in the other lane on Interstate 24.  Hensen was thrown into the other lane of traffic where a motorist ran over her leg.

Each year across Tennessee, approximately 130-140 motorcyclists are killed in motorcycle crashes.  Some useful lessons can be gleaned from the tragic stories of these four recent motorcycle crash fatalities, along with the one critical injury:

Always wear a helmet—wearing a helmet is mandatory in Tennessee, and, far beyond that, it can save your life.  Head injuries are among the most common motorcycle crash injuries, and a helmet can greatly decrease your potential for catastrophic injury.  Furthermore, if you are involved in an accident, the fact that you were wearing a helmet will be beneficial to your case.

Be aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents—the recent motorcycle deaths across Tennessee highlight some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.  The first is losing control of your motorcycle, whether due to poor driving conditions, distracted driving, or some other factor that causes you to veer into another vehicle or object.  This was the cause of Munson, Newby, and Lowe’s recent accidents, and possibly Hensen’s as well.  The next common cause is drivers failing to see a motorcyclist, as appears to be the case in the Adams accident.  Some remaining common causes include: drivers that violate the motorcycle right-of-way; speeding; roadway defects; inexperienced riders; driving under the influence; and bad weather conditions.  Knowing the most common causes of motorcycle accidents can help you avoid situations that might lead to a crash.

Understand that the consequences of a motorcycle accident are generally more severe than a car crash—motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable in crashes due to a lack of protection.  Accordingly, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in death or serious injury than car accidents.  It is important to be aware of this risk and be prepared in the event of a crash.

Bailey & Greer, PLLC has represented thousands of individuals involved in motorcycle crashes throughout Tennessee.  Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in Tennessee provide the highest quality of representation for all motorcycle crash victims.  The expert attorneys at Bailey & Greer will thoroughly investigate the facts of your accident and zealously advocate for your recovery.  Call us today 901-680-9777 for a free consultation.