TENNESSEE MOTORCYCLE LAWS*

Tennessee motorcyclists are protected under Tennessee motorcycle law that makes negligent drivers responsible and liable to Tennessee motorcyclists. A biker who is involved in a Tennessee motorcycle accident may obtain compensation for his or her injuries that were caused by the other driver’s negligence. Damages may include payment for pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, economic loss, no fault benefits, and more. What follows are some of the relevant law involving motorcycles in the State of Tennessee

If you sustained an injury due to a Tennessee motorcycle accident and you haven’t contacted a lawyer about your Tennessee motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is contact us NOW. We’ll listen to you and help you understand your options. If you have a case, we’ll help you find the best motorcycle accident injury attorney or law firm in your area. As an attorney who litigates these cases, I belong to many trial lawyer and motorcycle lawyer groups and have gone out of my way to find the best motorcycle attorneys in each state. Even the phone call is free, and there is no obligation. Don’t wait until it’s too late, make a simple call and talk to attorney Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer.   1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752).

Ø      Tennessee is an At-Fault state: This means that the law of negligence governs Tennessee motorcycle and Tennessee motor vehicle accidents. The person who is found to be “at fault” for the Tennessee motorcycle accident can be held accountable for your injuries and damages in your Tennessee motorcycle accident.

Ø      Tennessee Motor Vehicle / Tennessee Motorcycle Definition: A Tennessee motorcycle falls within the statutory definition of a motor vehicle.

T. C. A. § 55-12-102

§ 55-12-102. Definitions

(6) "Motor vehicle" means every self-propelled vehicle which is designed for use upon the highway, including trailers and semi trailers designed for use with such vehicles, and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead wires but not operated upon rails, except traction engines, road rollers and farm tractors. "Motor vehicle" does not include "motorized bicycle" as defined in § 55-8-101;

Ø      Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Law: When riding on or operating a Tennessee motorcycle, you are required by law to wear a helmet.

T. C. A. § 55-9-302

§ 55-9-302. Helmets

(a) The driver of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, as defined in chapter 8 of this title, or motor-driven cycle, and any passenger on any of these, shall be required to wear either a crash helmet meeting federal standards contained in 49 CFR 571.218, or, if such driver or passenger is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, a helmet meeting the following requirements:

(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (a)(2)-(4), the helmet shall meet federal motor vehicle safety standards specified in 49 CFR 571.218;

Ø      Tennessee Eye Protection Law: When riding on or operating a Tennessee motorcycle, you are required by law to wear eye protection if the Tennessee motorcycle is not equipped with a windscreen.

T. C. A. § 55-9-304

§ 55-9-304. Windshields; safety goggles, face shields or glasses

Every motorcycle or motor-driven cycle operated upon any highway or public road of this state shall be equipped with a windshield, or, in the alternative, the operator and any passenger on any such motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be required to wear safety goggles, face shields, or glasses containing impact resistant lenses.

Ø      Tennessee Motorcycle Minimum Insurance Requirements: The minimum insurance coverage for your Tennessee motorcycle was amended April 1, 2008. The new limits are now 25/50/25.

·        Bodily Injury Liability Max (1 Person): $25,000

·        Bodily Injury Liability Max (All Persons, 1 Accident): $50,000

·        Property Damage Liability: $25,000

·        *These limits will change on January 1, 2011. They will increase to 30/60/25, or $30,000 for bodily injury liability to one person; $60,000 for bodily injury liability for all persons in one accident; and $25,000 for property damage liability.

Ø      Tennessee Motorcycles: UIM Coverage: If you are involved in a Tennessee motorcycle accident with an uninsured at-fault driver, Uninsured (or underinsured) motorist coverage may protect you in this situation.

·        Uninsured Motorist: If you are involved in a Tennessee motorcycle accident with an at-fault driver who does not have ANY insurance to cover your claims, UIM coverage may protect you in this situation.

·       
Underinsured Motorist: If you are involved in a Tennessee motorcycle accident with an at-fault driver who does not have ADEQUATE insurance to cover your claims, UIM coverage may also protect you in this situation.

Ø      Uninsured Motor Vehicle – Defined: The definition of an uninsured motor vehicle (or uninsured Tennessee motorcycle) is defined in the following statute:

T. C. A. § 56-7-1202

§ 56-7-1202. "Uninsured motor vehicle" defined

(a) For the purpose of this coverage, "uninsured motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle whose ownership, maintenance, or use has resulted in the bodily injury, death, or damage to property of an insured, and for which the sum of the limits of liability available to the insured under all valid and collectible insurance policies, bonds, and securities applicable to the bodily injury, death, or damage to property is less than the applicable limits of uninsured motorist coverage provided to the insured under the policy against which the claim is made.

(b) "Uninsured motor vehicle" does not include a motor vehicle:

(1) Insured under the liability coverage of the same policy of which the uninsured motor vehicle coverage is a part;

(2) Owned by, or furnished for the regular use of, the insured or any resident spouse or resident relative in the same household;

(3) Self-insured within the meaning of the Tennessee Financial Responsibility Law, compiled in title 55, chapter 12, or any similar state or federal law;

(4) Designed for use mainly off public roads except while on public roads; or

(5) While located for use as premises.

Ø      Tennessee Statute of Limitations: If you wish to file suit as a result of your Tennessee motorcycle accident, you have one (1) year from the date of your Tennessee motorcycle accident to commence action.

T. C. A. § 28-3-104

§ 28-3-104. Torts; persons

(a) The following actions shall be commenced within one (1) year after the cause of action accrued:

(1) Actions for libel, for injuries to the person, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, breach of marriage promise;

*There are many exceptions, special definitions and complex issues that cannot be explained in this material. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. Your legal rights greatly depend on the facts of your accident.

*Law changes constantly. Do not rely on this information. Law is vast and can not be covered in this limited space.

***Law portion of site in progress. Tennessee motorcycle law regarding Tennessee motorcycle accidents is being drafted and will be updated soon. Please call our firm for a free consultation to see if you have a case.

Find An Attorney In Tennessee For Your Motorcycle

Accident Injury Case

Who Should Seek A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

Anyone who has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Tennessee should seek the advice of a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer.

Why Should You Contact The Motorcycle Lawyer?

The Motorcycle Lawyer helps motorcycle accident victims find a highly qualified lawyer in their state. Motorcyle accident victims need an edge wherever it exists, and the first place to gain that edge is by finding a lawyer who knows the unique laws in their state.

The Motorcycle Lawyer offers victims of motorcycle accidents this service at no charge to the accident victim seeking justice.

When Should A Motorcycle Accident Victim Seek Help?

It's very important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. The Motorcycle Lawyer has reviewed many motorcycle accident cases and through our experience we have found that the sooner we can hear the details of your accident, the more likely you are to win your case. It's too easy to forget important details of the circumstances of your motorcycle accident to risk waiting. Witnesses, victims, medical care providers, and police may not have a clear memory of your motorcycle accident and circumstances weeks or months after.

Contact The Motorcycle Lawyer Without Obligation!

Providing The Motorcycle Lawyer with details of your motorcycle accident is free and does not obligate you to retain a lawyer. Please call us at no cost and speak with Jason A. Waechter, the founding lawyer of The Motorcycle Lawyer at:

1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752)

Serving every city and town in the State of Tennessee:

A
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B
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C
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D
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E
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F
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G
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H
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K
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L
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M
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N
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O
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P
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Q
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R
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S
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T
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U
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V
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W
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Y
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