Motorcycle Accidents: What You Should Know About Insurance and Liability
At the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed, we’ve worked with many motorcyclists in Knoxville, Tennessee, who have suffered devastating injuries due to careless drivers. Motorcycle accidents are different from typical car crashes in ways that matter under the law.
Our job is to step in and pursue compensation under Tennessee personal injury law so that our clients can focus on recovery while we handle the legal side of things.
Knowing how liability works in motorcycle accidents—and how insurance companies treat these cases—can make a big difference. We want riders and their families to know their rights and how to protect themselves if they’re ever in this situation.
How Liability Works in Tennessee Motorcycle Accidents
In Tennessee, the law follows a modified comparative fault system. That means if someone is injured in a crash, they can recover damages as long as they are less than 50 percent responsible.
If they’re found to be 50 percent or more at fault, they may recover nothing. This becomes especially important in motorcycle accidents because insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the rider.
We’ve seen cases where the at-fault driver ran a red light or failed to yield, yet their insurance adjuster claimed the rider was speeding or weaving. That’s why gathering evidence early is so important.
We work to secure police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and crash reconstructions to establish that our client wasn't the one who caused the accident.
Motorcyclists have the same right to the road as any other vehicle. When another driver fails to check blind spots, misjudges distance, or cuts off a rider, they should be held accountable. Our personal injury work focuses on proving those facts clearly and holding the right party responsible under Tennessee law.
Dealing With Insurance After a Motorcycle Crash
Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries—broken bones, spinal cord trauma, brain injuries, and road rash are just some of the issues our clients have faced. Despite the seriousness of these injuries, insurance companies often act as though the rider is exaggerating or looking for a payout.
They might deny claims, delay communication, or make low settlement offers that don’t come close to covering medical costs.
Our job is to push back. When we take on a motorcycle personal injury case, we gather medical records, treatment plans, professional opinions, and wage loss documentation. We don’t let insurance companies get away with undervaluing what our clients have suffered.
Every dollar matters, especially when someone is facing a long recovery or permanent injury.
We also look closely at every possible insurance policy involved. In some cases, our client’s own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help fill the gap if the at-fault driver didn’t carry enough insurance.
Tennessee law doesn’t require this coverage, but many people have it and don’t realize it. We help our clients understand what’s available and how to file those claims properly.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Tennessee
Tennessee law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but the minimums are often far too low to cover a serious motorcycle accident. Currently, the minimum liability coverage required includes $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
That may sound like enough, but a helicopter ride to a trauma center or a few days in the hospital can wipe out those limits fast.
When the other driver’s coverage isn’t enough, we explore additional avenues. That may include personal assets, umbrella policies, or our client’s own coverage.
If the facts support it, we also look into whether a business or third party played a part, for example, if the at-fault driver was working or using a company vehicle at the time of the crash.
We don’t stop once the basic policy is exhausted. We continue looking for full compensation under every option the law allows. Personal injury law gives us the tools to do that, and we use them aggressively for our clients.
Bias Against Motorcyclists in Personal Injury Claims
One of the biggest challenges motorcyclists face in personal injury cases is bias, both in how insurance companies view them and sometimes how jurors see them.
Riders are often unfairly stereotyped as reckless or aggressive, even when they’re the most cautious ones on the road. That kind of thinking can affect how claims are processed and how settlements are negotiated.
We work hard to overcome that bias by focusing on facts. We tell our clients’ stories in detail, including:
Where they were headed
How they were riding
How the crash happened
We use medical records, photos, accident reconstructions, and witness statements to support the truth. When we show the full picture, it’s easier for people to see that the rider wasn’t the one at fault.
This is especially important in Tennessee, where any finding of 50 percent fault or more will block compensation. We stay alert to any attempt by insurers or defense lawyers to twist the facts, and we push back with clear evidence and strong arguments.
The Importance of Immediate Medical Treatment
After a motorcycle crash, some people delay treatment. They might assume their soreness will pass or worry about the cost of going to the hospital. But waiting too long can hurt both their health and their personal injury claim.
Insurance companies often use gaps in treatment as a reason to deny claims or argue that the injuries weren’t serious.
That’s why we always advise clients to get medical attention right away and follow all care instructions. Even if the injury seems minor at first, it could develop into something more serious in the days or weeks after the accident.
We work with our clients to keep track of all treatments, medications, therapy sessions, and medical bills. That information is critical in building a strong personal injury case. It shows not only the seriousness of the injury but also the impact on the person’s daily life and future health.
Compensation Available to Motorcycle Accident Victims
In Tennessee, motorcycle accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim. That includes coverage for medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
When a rider suffers permanent injuries or disfigurement, those damages often increase significantly. We work with doctors, vocational experts, and life care planners to project the full future impact of the injury. That might include the inability to return to work, ongoing pain, or the need for medical equipment or home modifications.
Our goal is to seek every dollar that Tennessee law allows under personal injury statutes. Whether through settlement or trial, we keep that focus from beginning to end.
Wrongful Death Claims After a Motorcycle Accident
Sadly, some motorcycle accidents result in death. When that happens, surviving family members may have the right to file a wrongful death claim under Tennessee law. These cases are emotionally difficult, but they’re also critical for holding the at-fault party accountable.
We help families pursue damages for funeral costs, medical expenses prior to death, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased would have provided. Personal injury law extends to these cases, and we bring the same level of care and attention to detail that we provide in all of our injury matters.
We work closely with families to understand their goals and provide support during this painful time. The loss can never be undone, but justice can still be pursued through the legal system.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today
At the Law Office of Joshua S. Reed, we stand with injured riders and their families throughout the personal injury process. We’re proud to serve Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas of Anderson County, Blount County, Union County, Maryville County, Oak Ridge County, and Clinton County. Call today.