What motorcycle accident evidence do you need for a strong claim?

If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a Tennessee motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. But no matter how severe your injuries are, your ability to recover compensation depends on one thing: evidence.

Motorcycle claims often require clear, detailed documentation to prove how the crash happened and to show how it disrupted your life. A Smyrna, TN motorcycle accident lawyer at Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers can help you gather and present the right evidence to build a strong case.

What evidence is used to prove fault in a motorcycle accident?

Proving that the other driver was responsible for the crash is the first step in any successful motorcycle accident claim. Depending on your situation, gathering certain types of evidence can help show how the collision occurred and who was at fault.

Police report

The police report will describe how the collision occurred and tell if the other driver was ticketed for a traffic offense such as speeding.

Witness testimony

Statements and contact information from people who observed the crash can shed light on the cause of the accident.

Video footage

If the crash was caught on tape by surveillance video or a nearby vehicle with a dashcam, this could clarify any inconsistencies in witness statements of how it occurred.

Photographs

Photos of the accident scene, road conditions, and damage to the vehicles can establish liability since certain types are consistent with specific accident causes.

What evidence do you need to prove your injuries and losses?

Once liability is established, you’ll need to show how the crash impacted your life. This includes medical costs, time off work, and pain and suffering. The following evidence can help document your losses:

Medical records

Your medical records will show your injuries and establish that they are from the accident.

Bills and invoices

Copies of any bills or invoices you received for your medical care and any property damage to your motorcycle are necessary to seek reimbursement for these expenses.

Pay stubs

To be compensated for lost wages, you’ll need to provide pay stubs that show you missed time from work due to your injuries.

Statement from your employer

If you regularly work overtime or your pay varies from week to week, you may need a statement from your employer to document your loss of income.

Tax returns

If you are self-employed, tax returns from previous years can be used to estimate the income you lost due to your injuries.

Expert testimony

If you’ve been left permanently disabled, expert testimony can establish your future medical needs and the effect of your condition on your earning potential.

Personal journal

Keeping a journal of your daily activities since the accident can help support your claim for pain and suffering damages.

Understanding who is at fault in Tennessee motorcycle accidents

Before you can receive any compensation, someone must be found at fault for the motorcycle crash. Tennessee uses a comparative fault system. That means more than one person can share blame for the accident. But you can still recover damages if you were less than 51% at fault.

In fact, under Tennessee law (T.C.A. § 29-11-103) and court rulings, you may seek compensation as long as you were 49% or less to blame. Your final award will simply be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Tennessee is also a “fault” state, which means the driver who caused the crash is financially responsible for the damage. To get compensation, you’ll need strong evidence showing the other driver caused the wreck, not you.

Why is legal representation important in a motorcycle claim?

Under Tennessee law, you typically have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather the evidence needed to win your case.

• Photographs and videos may be erased or deleted
• Witnesses may move or forget key details
• Medical records can become harder to retrieve

A skilled attorney can begin investigating your motorcycle accident case immediately and help you avoid mistakes that could hurt your claim. At Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers, we know how to gather the right evidence and present it clearly to the insurance company, or to a jury, if necessary.

Get legal help from Weir & Kestner injury lawyers in Tennessee

You don’t have to face the legal system alone. The experienced team at Weir & Kestner Injury Lawyers represents motorcycle accident victims across Tennessee. If your wreck happened in Smyrna, Nashville, Murfreesboro, or Chattanooga, we’re ready to meet you at the location most convenient for you.

Call (615) 220-4180 or schedule online to schedule your free consultation with a local motorcycle accident attorney. We offer flexible scheduling to make the legal process as easy as possible during your recovery.