Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is observed nationwide every May
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and Tennessee is stepping up. With crash rates on the rise and more motorcycles hitting the road as the weather warms, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office is teaming up with law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and community advocates to put safety in the spotlight. The goal is to do more to prevent motorcycle accidents. This month, the effort is gaining serious momentum.
On Friday, May 2, experts from across the state met at Boswell’s Harley-Davidson in Nashville for a press event unlike any other. The event aimed to make motorcycle safety real, relevant, and urgent. Boswell’s is more than just a dealership. It’s a community hub for riders in Middle Tennessee. By hosting this event, it has become the perfect backdrop for a serious conversation about what’s happening on our roads and what needs to change.
What have Tennessee residents said about motorcycle safety?
One of the most powerful moments of the day will come from Amanda Jolley. She’s not a traffic expert or a policymaker. She’s a Tennessean who lost someone close to her in a motorcycle crash. She has shared that experience so others don’t have to feel the same kind of pain.
Additionally, Director Buddy Lewis and Captain Chris Dye brought a statewide law enforcement perspective to the table. Cory West, a motorcycle officer, shared firsthand insight into what he sees on the road every day. Valeria Martinez from Nashville’s transportation planning team discussed the role of infrastructure in protecting riders.
This isn’t just about ticketing or public service announcements. It’s about looking at motorcycle safety from all sides, including enforcement, design, education, and lived experience.
What are the most common dangers motorcyclists face on the road?
Riding a motorcycle offers freedom, adrenaline, and a one-of-a-kind connection to the road, but it also comes with real risks. Unlike drivers in cars, motorcyclists don’t have the protection of a metal frame, seatbelts, or airbags. That means even a small mistake can have serious consequences.
Some of the most common dangers motorcyclists face include:
- Drivers not seeing motorcycles: A lot of crashes happen when drivers change lanes without checking their blind spots or turn left in front of a motorcycle. Motorcycles are smaller and easier to overlook, especially in heavy traffic or low light.
- Hazardous road conditions: Road hazards such as potholes, loose gravel, slick pavement, or uneven lane markings might be a minor annoyance for cars, but for riders, they can cause a sudden loss of control.
- Speeding: Going too fast increases the risk of a crash and makes injuries more severe when something goes wrong. Speeding is especially dangerous in traffic or unfamiliar areas.
- Distracted driving: Whether it’s texting behind the wheel or daydreaming during a commute, distracted drivers are a major threat to motorcyclists who rely on others to pay attention.
- Lack of protective gear: Riding without a helmet, jacket, gloves, or boots leaves riders vulnerable to serious injury. That gear helps to save lives in a crash.
What should you do after a motorcycle accident in Tennessee?
If you're involved in a motorcycle crash in Tennessee, what you do next can directly affect your health, your finances, and your potential legal case. Here's what you need to keep in mind:
- Get Medical Help Immediately: Even if you feel okay, internal injuries or head trauma can take hours or days to show up.
- Report the Crash: Always call 911 and file a police report. Make sure the report includes all the facts.
- Document the Scene: If you're able, take photos of your injuries, your bike, the other vehicle, and the road conditions.
- Get Contact Info: Get names and contact info for the driver, passengers, and any eyewitnesses.
- Don’t Admit Fault: Be polite, but don’t apologize or speculate — even casual statements can be used against you later.
- Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Insurance companies often delay or deny motorcycle claims. A lawyer can help you avoid mistakes and demand full compensation from the start.
Don't let the insurance company lowball you after a motorcycle wreck
If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle crash in Nashville, you don’t have to figure things out on your own. Motorcyclists face enough risks on the road. When you're already dealing with the devastating aftermath, you shouldn’t have to fight insurance companies or deal with legal red tape while you’re trying to heal. That’s where The Law Office of Eric Beasley comes in. For over 25 years, attorney Eric Beasley has fought tirelessly for injured riders, and he's earned a reputation for getting real results in even the toughest cases.
Eric understands the challenges injured motorcyclists face, especially when negligent drivers and biased insurance companies try to shift the blame. Whether you were hit at an intersection, sideswiped on the highway, or involved in a T-bone crash, he’ll dig into the details, gather evidence, and build a case the insurance company can’t ignore. He’s not afraid to stand up to insurance companies, and he doesn’t back down until his clients get the compensation they deserve.
If you're ready to fight for justice and protect your future, contact us today for a free consultation to find out how an experienced Nashville motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
“Mr. Beasley is a good lawyer, and I would use him again. I can call him with any questions at any time, and I would send people who need a lawyer to him. He is a great guy to have on your side in court.” - T.C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐