Author: Anthony Proffitt

There are many different kinds of motorists on the roads in Knoxville. With the number of car accidents increasing daily, many people are not aware that there are risk factors that make them more susceptible to motor vehicle wrecks than others. Drivers who know these risks can take better precautions to avoid them.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, in 2015, there were 32,166 fatal car accidents. Many of those accidents were caused by high-risk drivers. The following motorists are more likely to cause and become involved motor vehicle wrecks than other drivers.

Many teens are still learning how to operate their vehicles. They lack experience, judgement skills and the knowledge they need to avoid dangerous driving situations. They are also more likely to endanger themselves and others when they drive with passengers and use their electronic devices for social media, selfies and surfing the internet.

Male drivers are usually more aggressive than female drivers and are also more likely to disregard traffic rules and signals. Also, some male motorists tend to drive after consuming alcohol. Drunk drivers are responsible for 3,423 deaths across the state, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fatigued motorists are also responsible for car accidents. Drivers who are too sleepy to drive and unable to focus their attention on the roads often end up crashing into pedestrians, animals, buildings and other motorists.

Car accidents are a common occurrence, but they do not have to be. Drivers who practice safe driving behaviors and avoid motorists who exhibit any of the above risks can minimize their chances of being involved in them.

As common as car accidents are in Knoxville, not many people are aware of the different types. In 2013, more than two million people were injured and 32,000 victims lost their lives in car accidents across the nation, states U.S. News & World Report. No matter the accident type, the risk of severe injury and death is always present. Some accidents result in victims sustaining certain kinds of wounds more than others.

Animal collisions

It is not uncommon for motorists to encounter animals on the roads. Many drivers are surprised when they do and may swerve and make sudden stops to avoid them. These actions are not effective ways for motorists to avoid collisions with animals or other drivers. Drivers should remain attentive to the roads and their surroundings and drive slowly in places where animals sightings occur.

Lane drifting accidents

Drivers who stray from their lanes into other lanes that may or may not be traveling in the opposite direction cause head-on collisions that often result in serious injuries and death. Drivers may also hit guardrails, trees, stationary objects on the side of the road and pedestrians. These incidents are very common at intersections and on small rural roads and highways.

Rear end accidents

According to Allstate, 29 percent of all motor vehicle accidents involve rear-ending. This type of accident often occurs when drivers, speed and tailgate each other and when they incorrectly judge other motorists intent after being distracted.

Many car accident situations are preventable. Maintaining proper speeds, staying attentive to the roads and avoiding distractions can keep motorists from crashing into vehicles, pedestrians, animals and other objects.

Car accidents happen every day on the roads in Knoxville. Many of these incidents are preventable. These accidents cause a great deal of turmoil, trauma and harm to victims and their families. Drivers who learn about the common causes of car accidents can take reasonable measures to avoid them.

Distractions

Driving while distracted is the latest fad for motorists. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving claims the lives of eight victims each day. That is approximately 2,920 deaths a year. The most common source of distractions is cellphone use. Whether it is texting, eating, talking, or sleeping, drivers should learn to minimize their distractions to avoid accidents and injuries.

Alcohol, medications and drugs

Operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol, medication or some other substance is illegal. Yet, that does not stop thousands of drivers from doing it every day. In fact, impaired drivers killed almost 15,000 people in 2012, states Safeco.com. Alcohol and the use of certain prescriptions medications and drugs can alter the user’s cognitive abilities and motor skills, making it hard for them to pay attention traffic, road conditions, their driving behaviors and their ability to operate their vehicles safely.

Reckless driving

Reckless driving is any careless driving behavior that increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Motorists who speed, run red lights, ignore traffic signs and drive aggressively are blatantly ignoring traffic laws and rules. Some drivers resort to reckless motor vehicle operation to get other motorists to speed up and move out of their way. Careless driving is very risky behavior that can irrevocably alter the lives of everyone who is impacted by the accidents that occur.

Drivers who take their safety seriously should pay more attention to the roads. They should concentrate on reaching their destinations safely by avoiding all sources of distractions, the use of alcohol and certain medications and by following all traffic rules and signs.

With more motorists on the roads than ever before in Knoxville, the number of car accidents involving pedestrians is increasing. According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, in 2013, emergency rooms across the country treated more than 150,000 pedestrians for injuries they sustained from car accidents. Many of those victims were walking in or near traffic.

Give pedestrians the right away

There are rules that both drivers and pedestrians should follow when they are near traffic. However, many people who walk, ride bikes and run do not always follow them. This can make their actions less predictable. Motorists should lookout for pedestrians, especially children. They may not pay attention to the traffic that is around them and run out into the streets.

To minimize confusion, motorists should approach intersections and certain areas slowly just in case there are pedestrians present, states Safelite. They should stop and give them time to make their intent clear before proceeding through intersections to their destinations.

Obey traffic signs

Drivers should pay careful attention to their surroundings so they can follow the posted speed limits and traffic instructions. Many common areas where pedestrians frequent have signs that indicate their presence and that caution should be taken.

Stay focused

Motorists should minimize distractions so they can avoid crashing into pedestrians. Distractions keep drivers from paying attention to everything that is going, making it hard for them to avoid people and maneuver out of harm’s way.

Pedestrians have a clear disadvantage that makes them more likely to become injured and die from injuries they sustain when vehicles collide into them. Driving is a huge responsibility that motorists should take seriously. They should also be willing to take appropriate actions to keep the roads, walkways and driveways safe for pedestrians.

Hit-and-run accidents are one of the most frustrating and challenging types of situations most drivers will ever encounter in Tennessee. When a driver comes out of what seems to be nowhere and collides with your vehicle, only to take off and disappear, you may find yourself wondering what you should do. Motorists who are prepared to handle this kind of situation can minimize the effects it has on their lives.

Safety first

Pull over to somewhere safe and park your car. If the incident happens at night, make sure you are in a well-lit area. Do not attempt to go after the perpetrator, as this may only escalate the situation. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call law enforcement and emergency medical responders so you and your passengers can receive treatment for your injuries.

Details help

Try to take pictures of your vehicle and look for witnesses, states MSN. Gather their names, phone numbers and addresses. When making your police report, try to be as detailed about everything you can remember regarding the incident. You should also call your insurer to report the incident.

Drivers who leave the scene of accidents they are responsible for leave the victims dealing with the consequences. Victims who suffer little to no injuries often end up paying for damages that occur to their vehicles. The families of people who sustain severe injuries or die end up dealing with the aftermath. Even though the injured parties may have insurance, most insurers require their policyholders to pay deductibles and may not cover the cost of repairs because they do not have enough information to legally pursue the responsible parties.

Hit-and-run accidents are not always easy to deal with. However, staying calm and taking the rational approach to these situations can help to make them less burdensome.