A simple google search of the keywords “do loud pipes save lives” will yield a myriad of opinions and accounts from the road by motorcycle enthusiasts. Motorcycle accidents by nature tend to be more traumatic than any other 
auto accident. They often involve serious injuries and can be personally and financially devastating. Despite the many stereotypes, most accidents involving motorcycles are not the Tennessee motorcyclist’s fault. More times than not, motorcycle accidents are the fault of reckless automobile drivers.
It is agreed upon with motorcycle operators, with statistics validating the assertion, that the most common type of motorcycle accident is a car turning left in front of the motorcycle. Generally, this type of accident happens because the driver of an automobile is not looking carefully and fails to see the motorcycle. So it stands to reasons, the more visible or present a motorcyclist is on the road, the safer he or she becomes.
While some motorcyclists prefer loud pipes because of the increased visibility they believe they provide, there is certainly no legal requirement that a motorcycle be heard before it is seen. And some motorcyclists even believe ‘loud pipes saves lives’ is a myth. In Tennessee by statute, all motorcycles must have a muffler. But unlike a number of states, Tennessee does not have a maximum decibel level for muffler noise — again per the statute. Regardless of the loudness of your muffler, other motorists have a responsibility to be on the lookout for motorcycles and give them equal access to the road.
Ultimately, to loud pipe your motorcycle or not is obviously up to you. There is no denying the validity of the notion that being heard can make your riding experience safer. If your bike is louder people take notice. However, as I’ve also pointed out in an effort to be balanced, there are those within the biking community who give no credence to ‘loud pipes saves lives.’
If you are an injured motorcyclist or have a loved one injured in a Tennessee motorcycle accident, the same Tennessee laws apply to you as do those driving cars or trucks. These laws clearly require that the negligent party pay for your motorcycle repairs and accident injuries, and up to time off of work and medical bills. Contact personal injury attorney Michael Pence to schedule a consultation at (615) 244-6438.