Practice Motorcycle Safety

A motorcyclist lost his leg in Chattanooga crash last weekend following a serious crash on U.S. Highway 27 near the Martin Luther King Boulevard exit. The 56-year-old man lost control of his cycle and hit a guardrail. He was ejected from the cycle and thrown into the oncoming traffic and was hit by one or more vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. He is being treated for life-threatening injuries. Unfortunately this type of event is increasing in frequency and I’d like to bring you some important facts to consider.

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.

In 2005, motorcyclists without helmets were involved in 36 percent of all motorcycle crashes, but represented 70 percent of the total cost of all motorcycle crashes – $12.2 billion. Medical and other costs for un-helmeted riders involved in crashes are staggering, estimated at $310,000 per accident.  That’s more than four times the overall cost of accidents involving helmeted riders.

If you are going to drive a motorcycle prepare yourself before taking to the highway. Take a course from a reputable group, wear leathers and most of all wear a highquality safety helmet.

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.

Pay Attention

A motorcycle wreck leaves an 18-month-old-child fatherless in Anderson, Alabama just South of the Tennessee line. The 22-year-old man was riding his motorcycle alone on U.S. Highway 43 near Beartown Road at 3:30 in the very early morning this past Sunday.

Neither local media nor police reports mention whether alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. An autopsy will determine the answer to that question. The man apparently lost control of his motorcycle at an area where the highway curves and crashed.

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 automobile accident attorney, I couldn’t help but think of the many factors that could have caused this fatal Tennessee motorcycle accident. Was there a medical emergency, a vehicle malfunction such as a blown tire, was he distracted by something such as a cell phone, or was he drowsy and nodded off for just a second?  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 has become just another traffic fatality statistic.

Stories like these remind us that when we get behind the wheel, or handbars, 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. Call 615-356-2000

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.

Beware the Dragon

Every experienced Tennessee automobile accident attorney and highway safety professional knows about “The Dragon”, a curvy mountain road in East Tennessee that claims more motorcyclist lives than any other stretch of roadway in the country.

Seems like the usual prelude to death, a motorcycle rider is taking the sharp turns too fast and swings across the centerline and either goes out of control and leaves the road or hits another vehicle coming the other way.

This weekend The Dragon struck again. According to an eye witness the motorcycle, which was traveling south, came around a curve three miles from the North Carolina line and encountered the northbound tractor-trailer. The back wheels of the trailer were over the white (center) line on the motorcyclist’s side of the roadway. According to comments made by a witness, “The guy didn’t have a chance.”

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.

Stories like these should remind us that when we get behind the wheel, or handle bars, of a motor vehicle we have to have our full attention on the task at hand.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Tennessee motorcycle accident contact our experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys at Phillip Miller & Associates and 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 Alert Stay Alive

A 56-year-old man’s leg has been severed in a motorcycle crash in Chattanooga. Police and local media reports the man’s motorcycle crashed into a guardrail and he was thrown across U.S. Highway 27. The impact of hitting the guardrail severed his left leg.

Unfortunately this type of event is increasing in frequency and I’d like to bring you some important facts to consider. 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.

In 2005, motorcyclists without helmets were involved in 36 percent of all motorcycle crashes, but represented 70 percent of the total cost of all motorcycle crashes – $12.2 billion. Medical and other costs for un-helmeted riders involved in crashes are staggering, estimated at $310,000 per accident.  That’s more than four times the overall cost of accidents involving helmeted riders.

If you are going to drive a motorcycle prepare yourself before taking to the highway. Take a course from a reputable group, wear leathers and most of all wear a highquality safety helmet.

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

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 Accident

A Friday morning motorcycle crash on Interstate 26 in Kingsport Tennessee has sent the rider to the hospital. The very lucky rider suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital by EMS. She was traveling with the rider of another motorcycle who avoided being involved in the crash.

According to local media reports, the wreck happened on I-26 at the intersection with I-81, a very busy location. The rider was attempting to enter westbound I-26. While merging into traffic she made contact with a pick-up truck hauling a trailer. The limited information in the local media leaves so many unanswered questions.

Did she give a proper turn signal? Did the pick-up truck fail to yield? Was she in the correct lane to make the merge? An experienced Tennessee personal injury lawyer, like those you find at Phillip Miller & Associates would be able to understand all of the important dynamics that can and should be proved if the rider wishes to seek damages for her 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.

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.

High-powered motorcycles are not toys and anyone who mounts one and takes to the highway ought to recognize this fact. But despite all of the information about the dangers of acting out on these dangerous weapons we still have people who don’t get it.

Reference a recent fatal motorcycle crash in Clarksville Tennessee. The driver of a high–powered motorcycle, while traveling along a busy thoroughfare was pulling wheelies and lost control and slammed into an SUV. The out-of-control motorcycle went on to hit another vehicle. The motorcyclist was killed, but fortunately no one else was seriously injured.

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.

In 2005, motorcyclists without helmets were involved in 36 percent of all motorcycle crashes, but represented 70 percent of the total cost of all motorcycle crashes – $12.2 billion. Medical and other costs for un-helmeted riders involved in crashes are staggering, estimated at $310,000 per accident.  That’s more than four times the overall cost of accidents involving helmeted riders.

If you are going to drive a motorcycle prepare yourself before taking to the highway. Take a course from a reputable organization, wear leathers and most of all wear a high quality safety helmet.

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

photo thanks to

It's Not A Toy

http://www.uponone.com/