Watch Out for Motorcycles

In traffic following the NASCAR race at Bristol a motorcyclist was injured when a pickyp ruck made an unexpected left turn directly in front of him at the intersection of U.S. Highway 19E and U.S. Highway 321.

The 70-year-old pickup driver made a left turn from Highway 321 into the path of the motorcycle, he was charged with failure to yield. The injured motorcyclist was transported by the Carter County Rescue Squad to the Johnson City Medical Center for treatment.

More crashes happen at intersections than at any other place. Intersections constitute a very small part of rural and urban street/highway systems, yet they are implicated in 31.9 percent of all motor vehicle crashes and 15.5 percent of all fatal crashes (2004 NHTSA data). Be very careful when approaching any intersection or driveway. Never assume another driver will yield the right-of-way to you. Always be prepared to stop.

“Traffic checks” is the process of looking frequently and carefully for vehicle traffic approaching from each direction. “Traffic checks” is especially important when merging or changing lanes AND when approaching and crossing intersections.

If you or anyone you know has been injured or killed in a Tennessee car accident, please contact Nashville injury attorney Phillip Miller and the Tennessee personal injury attorneys at Phillip Miller and Associates at (615) 356-2000, or contact our office online here.

One last thing: If you are hurt and have any questions at all, contact our office at (615) 356-2000. Don’t delay. Cases involving personal injury or death in Tennessee must be acted on quickly. Time is running. Call for an appointment, if it’s bad enough that you need to read this far into a website blog, it’s bad enough to get an attorney involved.

Motorcycle Fatality

A Tazewell, Tennessee man was killed in a motorcycle accident Sunday afternoon when he lost control of the bike hitting a guardrail. According to a local media report, witnesses stated to police that the man passed several vehicles at a high rate of speed in the northbound lane. As he approached a curve near Barren Creek Road, he lost control of the motorcycle and hit the guardrail on the right side of the road.

As an experienced Tennessee motorcycle accident attorney, I am concerned that while all other types of fatal crashes involving cars, trucks and pedestrians are on the decrease, motorcycle fatalities continue to rise. What lies at the cause of this phenomenon? Several things come to mind.

First of all manufacturers continue to make motorcycles bigger and faster. Sometimes known as “crotch rockets” these high-powered bikes require more skill and unfortunately anybody with the money or credit can buy one and without any specialized training, take to the highway.

As is the case here, motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 2007, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 13 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks.

Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee motorcycle accident, contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

The Tail Of The Dragon Claims Another Victim

The “Tail of the Dragon” notches another dead motorcyclist. The “Tail of the Dragon” is a well-known section of US Highway 129 that crosses Deals Gap at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line. The “Dragon” has claimed numerous lives, the exact number I have been unable to determine and this past year it was closed for seven months due to a rock slide. It’s open now and back to its deadly ways. For a free virtual ride on the “Dragon” click here.

The “Dragon” claimed it’s latest victim, an Indiana man was seriously injured after a head-on collision with a truck at 6:14 p.m. Sunday on “the Dragon” section of U.S. Highway 129. Local media had few facts about the cause of the accident but we do know that the motorcyclist and a pickup truck collided head-on, so someone was on the wrong side of the road.

In 2007, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 13 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks.

Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee motorcycle accident caused by a careless motorcycle rider, contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Motorcyle Safety

As an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorney, I have seen some many different permutations of fatal motorcycle accidents that it is hard to categorize them. In rural areas a rider has to keep alert for gravel driveways that have been washed by rain or just from normal traffic, onto the highway.

A 64-year-old Nashville man found out the hard way while driving along Kentucky State Highway 185. He got mixed up in gravel from a driveway, lost control of his motorcycle and struck a guardrail. He is presently at Vanderbilt Medical Center in critical condition. Out prayers go out to this man in hopes of a speedy and complete recovery.

Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

In 2007, 2,641 (50%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 78 percent of the motorcycles involved were struck in the front. Only 5 percent were struck in the rear.

Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 2007, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 13 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks.

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, and most of the time the accident isn’t even the motorcycle rider’s fault.  Very often other drivers are the ones who cause motorcycle accidents, or something as simple as faulty road design or poorly planned construction can contribute to a crash.

As a motorcyclist, you compete for space on Tennessee roads and highways with much larger vehicles whose drivers don’t always remember to look out for you when they turn or change lanes.  Not only that, but as you know roads are not always designed with motorcycle riders in mind, and seemingly harmless road or highway design features or flaws can prove dangerous – even deadly.

Phillip Miller – Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Injury Victims

The injuries that you or someone you love has sustained in a motorcycle accident can be difficult enough to face, without worrying about who will pay for hospital bills, repair bills, lost income, and any rehabilitation you or your loved one may need.  You may even be facing life without your loved one if they were killed in a motorcycle accident.  Who is going to pay the bills now, and who is going to compensate you for your tragic loss?

If you or a loved one is injured in a Tennessee motorcycle accident contact our experienced Nashville accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and learn about your rights and remedies. Do this before you deal with the other persons insurance company so that you are prepared and on an equal footing. Call 615-356-2000.

Stay At The Scene Of An Accident

For readers of my Blog you know how I feel about Hit & Run drivers. For those of you who are not familiar with “The Tennessee Auto Accident Attorney” Blog I’ll say it again. As an experienced Nashville automobile accident lawyer, Hit & Run drivers are, in my consideration, the worst kind of human being.

Most H&R drivers are under the influence of alcohol, others have already run afoul of the law and have lost their driving privileges, yet they continue to get behind the wheel and ignore the rules. Many H&R drivers are trying to avoid detection because they don’t have insurance and they don’t want to face the responsibility for their actions. No matter which category they fall into they are the very worst type of person, someone who will leave an injured or dying pedestrian lying in the street.

The police in Jefferson County Tennessee are looking for male in his late teens or early 20s driving a red car with some damage to the drivers side and missing a couple of hub caps. This Lowlife, for some reason, crossed the centerline of Old Dandridge Pike and hit a motorcyclist in the oncoming lane. This jerk drove away leaving the motorcyclist on the side of the road. Fortunately, the motorcycle driver is in stable condition.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a serious Tennessee car accident due to somebody else’s negligence, then you may be feeling angry, frightened, or even alone in your suffering.

There is no reason for you to bear your burden alone.  The experience of a Tennessee auto accident is traumatic enough and your recovery will bring its own challenges.  You don’t need the added stress of worrying about who will pay for the medical care you need, how your car will be repaired, and if the individuals responsible for your suffering will be brought to justice.  This is the time to call Phillip Miller & Associates, the law firm of local Tennessee attorneys and staff who for the past 25 years have dedicated their lives to protecting the rights of injured men, women, and children in Tennessee. Call 615-356-2000

Drowsy Driving Can Kill

In a terrible car motorcycle collision this past Sunday in Nashville, country musician Austin Childress was critically injured. According to local media and police reports Mr. Childress was riding his motorcycle along a street in Nashville when the driver of an oncoming car fell asleep at the wheel, crossed the centerline and slammed in him.

Childress is currently at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the trauma unit but, according to family and friends, he is showing promising signs. Our prayers go out to Mr. Childress, for a complete and speedy recovery.

Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating, and most of the time the accident isn’t even the motorcycle rider’s fault.  Very often other drivers are the ones who cause motorcycle accidents, or something as simple as faulty road design or poorly planned construction can contribute to a crash.  As a motorcyclist, you compete for space on Tennessee roads and highways with much larger vehicles whose drivers don’t always remember to look out for you when they turn or change lanes.  Not only that, but as you know roads are not always designed with motorcycle riders in mind, and seemingly harmless road or highway design features or flaws can prove dangerous – even deadly.

Phillip Miller – Protecting the Rights of Motorcycle Accident Injury Victims

The injuries that you or someone you love has sustained in a motorcycle accident can be difficult enough to face, without worrying about who will pay for hospital bills, repair bills, lost income, and any rehabilitation you or your loved one may need.  You may even be facing life without your loved one if they were killed in a motorcycle accident.  Who is going to pay the bills now, and who is going to compensate you for your tragic loss?

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee motorcycle accident caused by a careless automobile driver, contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates for a free consultation to learn about your rights and remedies.

Motorcycle Wreck

A fellow Tennessean and his wife were hospitalized in Kansas. The two were riding a Harley with on U.S. 56 west of Satanta just before 7:20 Sunday evening. Investigators say the driver drifted off the road into a ditch causing both riders to be thrown. The driver is in critical condition and the wife’s condition is unknown.

As an experienced Nashville automobile accident attorney we know that these crashes are referred to as “Roadway Departure Crashes” (RDCs). The Federal Highway Administration defines a RDC as a non-intersection crash that occurs when a vehicle crosses an edge line or a centerline, or otherwise leaves the traveled way.

According to the Federal Highway Administration roadway departure crashes are frequently severe and account for the majority of highway fatalities.

Driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes. Nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.  Primary causes of driver inattention are distracting activities, such as cell phone use, and drowsiness.

If you or a loved one are involved in a Tennessee automobile accident caused by a distracted motorcycle driver contact the experienced Nashville automobile accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies. Call 615-356-2000.

Be On The Lookout For Emergency Vehicles

We will never know why the Florida motorcyclist failed to see or respond to the fire truck with its lights and siren engaged. As the fire truck proceeded through a red light it slammed into the motorcycle. The motorcycle rider did not survive the collision. To the added horror of the fire fighters, the dead man was a County deputy that they knew. My prayers go out to the family, friends and co-workers of this fine public servant.

Motorcycles made up nearly 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States in 2006 and accounted for only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2006, motorcyclists were about 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured.

In 2007, 2,641 (50%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle in transport. In two-vehicle crashes, 78 percent of the motorcycles involved were struck in the front. Only 5 percent were struck in the rear. Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in a fatal collision with a fixed object than are other vehicles. In 2007, 25 percent of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, compared to 18 percent for passenger cars, 13 percent for light trucks, and 3 percent for large trucks.

As an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorney I couldn’t help but think of the many factors that could have caused this fatal motorcycle accident. What so distracted the deceased man that he didn’t hear or see the oncoming fire truck? There are so many reasons and so many unanswered questions left for the family to process. The one thing they do know is that their loved one is gone, and have become just another traffic fatality statistic.

Stories like these remind us that when we get behind the wheel, or handlebars, of a motor vehicle we have to have our full attention on the task at hand. We must regularly check the condition of our tires and brakes, we must avoid doing things that cause us to take our eyes off the road, and if we begin to feel drowsy or ill we need to quickly and safely get off the road and address these issues.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Tennessee motorcycle accident contact our experienced Nashville accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and learn about your rights and remedies.

Teen Motorcycle Fatality

As the weather changes being outside is more attractive to many people, especially motorcycle riders. In small towns all over Tennessee high school kids are hanging out and college students, home for the summer, are looking for things to do. This is also a time when younger, more inexperienced drivers take to the roads and a time for automobile accidents and death.

Reference a recent fatal motorcycle accident in Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee, in which an 18-year-old young man, home from the University of Tennessee, who had just finished his freshman year, was killed when his motorcycle left Heady Ridge Road and hit a tree. Police investigators told local media sources that the young man was the lone rider on his Honda Shadow and he failed to negotiate a curve, left the road and hit a tree. A motorist came onto the scene an hour or so later and reported the accident to emergency responders.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) deaths from motorcycle crashes have more than doubled in the past decade from 2,116 in 1997 to 5,154 in 2007 up 6.6% from 4,837 in 2006. Add to that another 103,000 people who were injured in motorcycle crashes in 2007, up 17% from 88,000 in 2006.

The yearly number of motorcycle deaths is more than double the annual total number of people killed in all aviation, rail, marine and pipeline accidents combined, with head injuries as the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. In addition to the tragic loss of life, the economic cost to society is enormous.

If you or a loved one is injured or killed in a Tennessee motorcycle accident caused by negligent driver contact the experienced Nashville motorcycle accident lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates and find out about your rights and remedies.

Head-On Collision

A Bowling Green man did something that doesn’t often come out very well. He was driving his motorcycle north along the highway, when for some unknown reason, he crossed the centerline as he motored through a curve and hit a truck pulling a trailer head-on. The 35-year-old man survived. The truck driver was treated and released.

I’m sure he realizes just how lucky he is. My prayers go out to him for a quick and complete recovery. Investigators will be trying to determine just what was going on with this driver in the minute or two before the collision.

Was he speeding? Going too fast for the roadway is a major problem in motorcycle crashes. Police will look into his experience and training to determine whether he was simply unskilled in the characteristics of the bike.

Another thought comes to mind, was he distracted in the moments before, and as he entered the turn? Distractions are the leading cause of all motor vehicle accident on Tennessee highways. Whatever the investigation reveals, the bottom line here is that the man was extremely fortunate to have survived.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a Nashville motorcycle accident or auto accident as a result of distracted driving or other negligent driving?  If so, you should call the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Phillip Miller & Associates, a Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm will fight to help you win. We will treat you with the utmost compassion and respect. Call us today and speak with an experienced Nashville personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your case. Call (615) 356-2000.