"Helping people is all I've ever wanted to do."
Kyle Peiter Founding Attorney
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Goodlettsville, TN
Motorcyclists face unique risks whenever they’re on the road. Our law firm proudly helps injured riders and their families throughout Tennessee.
Every case is different, results may vary depening on the facts and legal circumstances. The attorney featured on this page is licensed in Tennessee and Georgia. For a full list, please see our locations page.
"Helping people is all I've ever wanted to do."
Kyle Peiter Founding Attorney
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Tennessee?
In the state of Tennessee, you have just one year from the date of the motorcycle crash to file a lawsuit. When this one-year statute of limitations has passed, you will not be able to take legal action.
There are some exceptions to the one-year deadline to file a claim. You could be granted more time to take action if a victim was a minor at the time of the crash, for instance, or if the other driver committed a criminal offense that contributed to the accident (e.g., drinking and driving). You also have up to three years to file a lawsuit for property damage in a motorcycle accident.
It’s best to contact Goodlettsville motorcycle accident attorney Kyle Peiter as soon as possible. During a free case review, he can determine if you have a viable injury claim and start the process of seeking compensation.
Can I Still File a Motorcycle Accident Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Potentially, yes. This is because Tennessee is a modified comparative negligence state. Modified comparative negligence means that you can still seek compensation after a motorcycle crash as long as you are less than 50% at fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot seek compensation. Your percentage of liability is deducted from the damages you are awarded.
For example, say that you were awarded $100,000 in damages and were determined to be 20% at fault in the motorcycle accident. Because of how modified comparative negligence works, you would still receive $80,000 in damages.
Why Choose KP Injury Law for Your Motorcycle Accident Case
KP Injury Law is dedicated to assisting the victims of motorcycle accidents in Goodlettsville and the greater Nashville area. Our legal team lives by our core values of integrity, transparency, and relentless advocacy. We’ll keep you updated throughout your case, providing compassionate and strong counsel every step of the way.
- Communication and Accessibility: At KP Injury Law, we will always be accessible to you by phone, text, or email should questions or concerns arise about your motorcycle accident case.
- Peace of Mind Throughout the Process: Recovering from a serious motorcycle crash is stressful. You can trust our team to handle the paperwork, negotiate with the insurance company, and go to battle for your interests. This will give you time to focus on recuperation and planning for your future.
- You Pay Nothing Unless We Win: At KP Injury Law, we operate on a contingency fee basis. That means you owe us nothing unless we can reach a successful outcome in your motorcycle accident case. If we can’t settle or win a jury verdict, you don’t have to pay. It’s just that easy.
Get a Free Case Review from a Proven Goodlettsville Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or a member of your family was seriously hurt in a motorcycle collision, you need KP Injury Law on your side. Kyle Peiter and his team are ready to advocate for you. To discuss your crash with a trusted and proven Goodlettsville motorcycle accident attorney, contact our law firm today.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there were 3,078 motorcycle accidents in the state in 2024, causing 182 fatalities and 811 serious injuries. In just Sumner and Davidson Counties, there were 385 motorcycle collisions that caused 16 fatalities and 85 serious injuries.
Below are some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in the state.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and reckless driving played a role in 506 motorcycle accidents in Tennessee during 2024. This applies to reckless or aggressive driving by other motorists as well as motorcyclists. It’s important for all vehicles on the road to abide by traffic laws and posted speed limits. Drivers and motorcyclists should also yield the right of way and avoid lane splitting and any other risky behaviors.
Failure to Check Blind Spots
It’s easy for motorcyclists to get lost in the blind spots of other vehicles, especially SUVs, big pickups, and vans. When other motorists fail to check their blind spots before changing lanes, turning, or merging, they can cause major collisions. Failing to check blind spots is a particularly common issue in large truck accident cases.
Motorcyclist Inexperience
Experience matters while riding a motorcycle. Numbers show that 23% of Tennessee motorcycle accidents in 2024 involved motorcyclists under the age of 25. Young motorcyclists are more likely to take unnecessary risks (such as lane splitting) and may not know how to react to adverse conditions on the road.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving refers to any action that takes a driver’s hands off the wheel and diverts their attention from the road. This includes texting while driving, looking up directions, making a phone call, eating while driving, or rubbernecking. When car, pickup, and SUV drivers are distracted, their more likely to miss the presence of nearby motorcyclists.
Driving Under the Influence
Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs can impair reaction times and decision-making skills. Operating a vehicle while on alcohol or drugs is never permitted and puts people’s lives in danger. KP Injury Law can hold dangerous and irresponsible drivers accountable for causing DUI motorcycle accidents in the Goodlettsville area.
Driver Fatigue
Driving while you’re tired or drowsy can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. The combination of inattentiveness and slower reaction times makes crashes with a motorcyclist more likely, especially when a drowsy driver fails to check their blind spot.
Motorcycle Defects and Mechanical Failure
Driver error isn’t the only cause of motorcycle crashes. Sometimes a motorcycle is poorly designed or components are unsafe, making the vehicle less stable or otherwise prone to crashes. Faulty tires and other defective components can also make motorcycle collisions more likely.
Poor Road and Weather Conditions
Any road conditions that affect traction or stability increase the chances of a serious motorcycle crash. This includes potholes, uneven road surfaces, gravel and other debris on the road, and a lack of lighting. Rain, snow, black ice, fog, and heavy wind also make bad road conditions even more dangerous for motorcyclists in and around Goodlettsville.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents
Left-turn accidents are among the most common causes of motorcycle crashes. These occur when a car, pickup, or SUV makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Drivers often misjudge the speed or overlook the approaching rider entirely, leading to serious collisions.
Lane-Change Motorcycle Collisions
Lane-change collisions happen when drivers fail to check blind spots before moving into another lane. Because motorcycles are smaller and less visible, they are more likely to be sideswiped or forced off the road. The same issues can occur when inattentive drivers are merging into traffic.
Rear-End Motorcycle Crashes
If a driver is not paying attention to the traffic ahead of them, there is a danger of ramming a stopped motorcycle from behind. Rear-end crashes can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists. What might be a minor bump between two cars can throw a rider from their bike and cause life-altering injuries.
Dooring Accidents
Dooring accidents occur when a driver or passenger opens their door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. These sudden obstructions give motorcycles little time to react, often resulting in high-impact crashes with the door or catastrophic collisions with other vehicles as the motorcyclist tries to veer out of harm’s way.
Potential Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
Injuries in a motorcycle collision can be catastrophic. Even when a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet and proper protective riding gear, they are still extremely vulnerable and could experience major injuries with long-term effects on their quality of life.
Road Rash
When a rider is thrown from their bike, they may skid across the pavement. Road rash can tear through clothing and skin, sometimes requiring skin grafts and leading to infection or permanent scarring.
Biker’s Arm
We instinctively brace for impact in a fall by reaching out with our arms. When motorcyclists do this, it can cause nerve damage in the shoulder and upper arm. Biker’s arm can cause numbness, weakness, and nerve damage that can take a long time to recover from.
Fractured Bones
Motorcycle accidents frequently result in broken arms, legs, ribs, or hips. Broken bones can take months to heal and may require surgery, physical therapy, and extended time off work.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or full paralysis. These injuries often require lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and dramatically impact quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A helmet can minimize the amount of head trauma experienced, but motorcyclists may still suffer major brain damage in a crash, such as a severe concussion, coup-contrecoup injury, or a brain hemorrhage.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma from hitting a vehicle or a hard landing when thrown from a bike can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs like the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries are life-threatening and may not be immediately visible after a crash.
Loss of Limbs
In severe motorcycle crashes, a limb may be severed completely or crushed beyond repair, requiring a surgical amputation. Loss of a limb is a catastrophic injury that requires long-term rehabilitation and the use of prosthetics.
Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Economic damages are the types of accident-related losses that are easy to put a number on. Examples of economic damages from a motorcycle crash include:
- Medical Expenses: You can be compensated for the ambulance, stabilizing care, surgery, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and the use of any prostheses or other assistive devices after a crash.
- Property Damage: You can be compensated for repairs or the replacement of a totaled motorcycle. You can also be compensated for damage to any personal belongings that were on your person at the time of the accident and any transportation costs while you were without your motorcycle (e.g., rideshares, car rentals).
- Lost Income: You can be compensated for loss of wages due to missing work or taking leave while you heal from your motorcycle collision injuries.
- Lost Future Earnings: If you are no longer able to perform certain work duties after a motorcycle crash, you can be compensated for lost earning potential based on the change in your career prospects.
Non-economic damages are the types of accident-related losses that are not as easy to quantify. Examples of non-economic damages from a motorcycle crash include:
- Pain and Suffering: You can be compensated for the pain you’ve endured after a motorcycle wreck as well as any persisting chronic pain after you’ve recovered from your injuries.
- Diminished Quality of Life: You can be compensated for negative changes in your ability to do daily tasks and the inability to pursue past interests due to the motorcycle accident.
Loss of Consortium: You can be compensated for ways a motorcycle crash has negatively affected your relationships, which includes difficulties with intimacy and companionship.
Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant in a major crash for their negligence rather than compensate the plaintiff for their losses. It’s rare for punitive damages to be awarded in a motorcycle accident case since there must be clear and convincing evidence that the liable party acted maliciously, intentionally, fraudulently, or recklessly.
When you work with our Goodlettsville motorcycle accident attorney, we will let you know if punitive damages can be sought based on the circumstances of your crash.
If you lose a family member in a fatal motorcycle crash, KP Injury Law can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable party. While no amount of money can match the pain of losing a loved one, we can help seek compensation to help cover funeral expenses, grief counseling, and the loss of your loved one’s income. These damages can offer stability and support during a difficult time.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Goodlettsville, TN
Motorcyclists in and around Nashville can count on Kyle Peiter and his team for help after a serious crash. To set up a free case evaluation with an experienced Goodlettsville motorcycle accident lawyer near you, contact our law office today. KP Injury Law is here to support and fight for you.