Teen Killed in Brentwood Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycles are fun but dangerous. They are attractive to teens but it’s important to know how to ride these machines properly. One wrong move can result in disaster.
Unfortunately, this recently happened in Tennessee. A teenager from Brentwood died after crashing an electric motorcycle on Old Hickory Boulevard. The crash occurred on the afternoon of September 13 while riding on a sidewalk near High Lea Road.
According to witnesses and police, the motorcycle was being ridden at high speed, estimated around 40 to 50 miles per hour, when the rider lost control. After losing control, the teenager was thrown from the bike and collided with a fire hydrant.
Emergency responders took the teen to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, but they died the following morning. The police believe reckless driving and inexperience are contributing factors to the crash.
Riding on Sidewalks in Tennessee
One thing to keep in mind is that the teen was riding a motorcycle on the sidewalk at the time of the crash. Tennessee Code § 7-31-106 outlines unlawful use of sidewalks. It is a Class C misdemeanor for anyone to ride or drive a horse, team, or other vehicle on sidewalks, except when merely crossing them. A “sidewalk” is defined as the portion of a street between the curb lines (or lateral roadway lines) and the adjacent property lines, meant for pedestrians.
A Class C misdemeanor is the least severe type of misdemeanor in Tennessee. It carries a potential punishment of up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $50.
Dangers of Motorcycle Inexperience
Inexperience riding motorcycles is a major factor in many crashes, especially for young or new riders. Here are some of the risks that come with limited riding experience:
- Poor hazard awareness. New riders may not notice dangers quickly enough, like gravel, potholes, or cars changing lanes.
- Overcorrection. Inexperienced riders sometimes make sudden steering or braking moves that cause them to lose balance.
- Improper braking. New riders may not know how to correctly use both front and rear brakes, leading to skids or tip-overs.
- Cornering mistakes. Many motorcycle crashes happen in turns because inexperienced riders enter too fast or lean incorrectly.
- Throttle control issues. Beginners may accidentally accelerate too hard, especially on powerful bikes.
- Poor defensive driving skills. New riders might not anticipate drivers pulling out, stopping suddenly, or failing to see motorcycles.
Contact Us Today
Motorcycles are fast and dangerous. Because motorcycles require balance, coordination, and judgment, inexperience makes riders much more vulnerable to accidents. Teens should not be riding them and parents should not be allowing minors to do so.
Motorcycle accident cases are often complex, as the riders are typically to blame. If you or a loved one has been affected, seek legal help from a Mt. Juliet motorcycle accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC. We can represent your claim in various ways. To schedule a consultation, call (615) 622-6060 or fill out the online form.
Source:
wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/brentwood-teen-killed-ohb-motorcycle-crash/
