Woman Injured in Tennessee Motorcycle Crash Involving Bear
Bears are becoming more and more common throughout Tennessee, which means motorists need to be on high alert. Hitting a bear can result in serious vehicle damage and injuries, especially for motorcyclists.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a motorcyclist was injured after a crash involving a bear. The accident happened on the evening of June 26 in Blount County.
A 69-year-old woman from Maryland was riding a motorcycle in the 6100 block of East Lamar Alexander Parkway when she saw a bear in the road. She lost control and went into a skid with the motorcycle finally coming to rest in the middle of the road.
A witness to the accident told Tennessee Highway Patrol officers that the woman had hit a bear, which ran off after the accident. The rider was injured in the crash, but the severity of her injuries is unknown.
Tennessee and Its Growing Bear Population
Tennessee has a growing black bear population, particularly in the eastern part of the state.
Here is where you are most likely to encounter bears:
- East Tennessee: This is bear country. The highest concentrations are in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where thousands of black bears live.
- Middle Tennessee: Bear sightings are becoming more common as the population expands westward, though bears are still much less common than in the east.
- West Tennessee: Bears are relatively rare but have occasionally been spotted as young males disperse into new territory.
Several factors have contributed to more frequent encounters:
- The black bear population has grown due to conservation efforts.
- Young bears naturally travel long distances to establish new territories.
- Expanding residential development brings people closer to bear habitat.
- Bears are attracted to easily accessible food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, pet food, and outdoor grills.
It is important for drivers and motorcycle riders to be careful when out on Tennessee roadways. A collision between a motorcycle and a bear is often severe because the rider has little protection and the animal can weigh several hundred pounds. These crashes are uncommon, but they are among the most dangerous types of wildlife collisions.
When a motorcycle strikes a bear:
- The rider may be thrown from the motorcycle. The sudden impact can eject the rider, leading to injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or road rash.
- The motorcycle may become unstable. Even if the bear is only clipped, the collision can cause the bike to lose traction or flip, especially at highway speeds.
- The bear may not survive. Large mammals often suffer fatal injuries in high-speed crashes, though some may run from the scene while injured.
Contact Us Today
Motorcycle accidents are often dangerous, and this is especially true when large objects and animals such as bears are involved.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, seek legal help from a Mt. Juliet motorcycle accident lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC. Riders who handle these claims alone are negotiating without the same information, preparation, or leverage. Get the right representation right now. Schedule a consultation today by calling (615) 622-6060 or filling out the online form.
Source:
wvlt.tv/2026/06/27/motorcyclist-injured-after-crash-involving-bear-tennessee-highway-patrol-says/
