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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Truck Accidents

Negligent truckers lead to increased truck accident deaths

There is no question that the massive size and weight of tractor trailers present a danger to motorists on the road. These large vehicles require well-trained, experienced and licensed truckers to operate them, as big rigs can be difficult to maneuver around motor vehicles on Tennessee roadways. An increasing number of large truck accident deaths across the country have officials looking for the causes of these tragic accidents, as well as ways that people can decrease their risk of becoming involved in a big rig collision. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by negligent and reckless truck drivers.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drowsy truckers are a common cause of tractor trailer accidents. Federal laws limit the amount of time truckers can spend behind the wheel. Yet, many truck drivers overlook these regulations in an attempt to make more money and meet tight deadlines. When truckers spend more than eight hours behind the wheel at any given time, they are more likely to fall asleep while driving.

Distracted truckers are also a common cause of accidents. Truckers may become bored after spending hours on the road, and some turn to using their cellphones to text, compose emails and watch videos. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set laws that prohibit truckers from using cellular devices, many continue to engage in this distractive behavior.

In addition to drowsy and distracted truckers, there are a number of truckers who continue to drive even though they have violations and should not be allowed on the road. The FMCSA reported that approximately 171,150 truckers were taken out of service after they were found driving despite having too many violations. This may be due to a shortage of qualified truck drivers in the industry

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

How can motorists reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents?

As a motorist, you may use safe driving practices when sharing the road with other Tennessee drivers. Driving safely around motorcycles, however, may be a bit more challenging. Motorcycles are harder to see and can easily hide in traffic behind larger vehicles. In 2013, motorcycle accident fatalities outnumbered auto accident deaths by 26 times, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. In order to minimize the chances that you may become involved in a motorcycle accident, it is critical that you understand how to spot and maneuver around motorcycles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that drivers should always double and triple check their blind spots before making lane changes and pulling out in traffic. Motorcycles can hide in blind spots due to their smaller size, and may make quick lane changes in front of cars.

It can also be difficult for motorists to judge the distance and speed of an approaching motorcycle. A number of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to yield to motorcyclists’ right-of-way, or pull out directly in front of a biker. It is critical that drivers wait before making a turn or pulling out into traffic. Keep in mind that not all motorcycles are equipped with turn signals. While motorcyclists should use hand signals to indicate a turn in these situations, not of all of them do. When you see a motorcycle, watch for sudden lane changes and be prepared to react.  

This information is intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Categories
Car Accidents

A quick look at drowsy driving

While you may try to get at least eight hours of sleep every night, you could be one of the many Americans who fail to wake up each morning fully rested. When you hop behind the wheel of your vehicle, you may not think twice about being too tired to drive. The truth is, drowsy driving is a serious problem in Tennessee and across the country. Although obtaining an accurate number of how many car accidents, injuries and deaths involve drowsy drivers is nearly impossible, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that at least 846 people were killed in 2014 as a result of drowsy motorists.

According to the NHTSA, there are certain groups of people who are at greater risk of causing a drowsy driving accident. These include the following:

  •          Intoxicated drivers
  •          Motorists who are taking prescription or recreational drugs
  •          People suffering from sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, insomnia and sleep apnea
  •          People who work overnight or work other irregular hours

Researchers are developing and testing new technology that could help warn drivers if they are falling asleep and alert them to wake up. This technology was tested on truckers who were asked to drive tractor trailers equipped with the warning system. The system detected when truckers’ eyes closed beyond a certain point using near-infrared technology, and then sounded an alarm to rouse them. The study showed that the driving system had a positive impact on the safety of truck drivers, and that truckers who used the technology were able to drive more coherently. 

Categories
Car Accidents

NSC reports rise in car accident injuries and fatalities

People who have been involved in serious auto accidents in Knoxville and across the state know that these collisions can cause significant physical and emotional injuries. The number of people who are killed and injured in catastrophic motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. continues to climb, according to an article published in Newsweek.

Approximately 4.4 million people across the nation were injured in car accidents and an estimated 38,300 people died from these collisions in 2015, according to the National Safety Council. Researchers from the NSC analyzed auto-injury and fatality data collected throughout the years and compared it to car accident injuries and deaths recorded in 2015. These statistics show a substantial increase from prior years.

More than half of those injuries were labeled as serious, meaning that they required medical attention. After comparing a period of six months from 2014 to the same period in 2015, researchers found that the rate of serious injuries increased by 30 percent.

Some people correlate this rise in injuries and deaths to an increase in the number of people driving to and from work. The healthier economy, and lower gas prices in 2015, also means that people may have more money to spend on traveling long distances for vacation. With more people on the road, the risk of catastrophic car accidents grows as well. Distraction.gov also indicates that more people are using their cellphones while driving, which can also increase the likelihood of being involved in a deadly collision. In 2014, 431,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents alone. 

Categories
Car Accidents

What should you do after an auto accident?

Whether you have been involved in a minor fender bender or a serious car accident, the moments following the collision can be stressful and overwhelming. You may have received extensive damage to your vehicle or could suffer from injuries as a result of another person’s negligent behavior. It is crucial that you take the right steps to ensure that you will be fairly compensated for your injuries, property damage and emotional trauma that often stems from a catastrophic accident.

According to State Farm, you should first make sure that everyone is safe and out of harm’s way. In some cases, you may need to move the vehicles involved in the accident out of traffic. However, this may not always be an option. Accident victims should call law enforcement as soon as possible and let them know if anyone was injured in the accident.

It is important to document the accident scene. If possible, take pictures with your cellphone and write down a full account of what happened. Be sure to get the names, contact information, licenses and insurance information from everyone involved in the accident. You may even be able to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision. When speaking with law enforcement officers and insurance agents, only state the facts of what occurred. Since the aftermath of an accident can be extremely chaotic, you don’t want to inadvertently add details to the story that may complicate matters in the future.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

2 teens die in tragic car accident in Maury County

A number of teenage motorists display reckless driving behavior, which may be a result of their inexperience and inability to make quick decisions while behind the wheel. Many studies have shown that teenagers in Knox County and across the state are less likely to wear a seat belt and more likely to speed while driving, especially when there are other teenage passengers in the vehicle. Drug and alcohol use are also common factors in fatal car accidents involving teenage drivers.

Although it is still unknown as to whether drug and alcohol were involved in the accident, speeding and not wearing seat belts were found to play a role in a fatal auto accident in Maury County. The accident took the lives of two teenagers. The driver was found thrown from the vehicle as it flipped down a hill and smashed into a bridge wall. The passenger, on the other hand, was trapped within the burning automobile when the accident scene was discovered.

When Tennessee law enforcement officers investigated the tragic accident, they discovered that neither boy was wearing a seat belt. It was also alleged that the vehicle was speeding at the time of the accident. The driver, a 15-year-old boy, was thought to be speeding when as he took a curve in the road, and slid off to the side.

When teenagers make poor driving decisions, lives may be lost in a devastating car accident. A personal injury attorney may be able to help injured victims explore their legal options when it comes to engaging in an auto accident case. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Could you be hit by a designated driver?

When you are driving along one of Tennessee’s many roadways, you may not anticipate being hit by another motorist, especially if that motorist was designated to safely drive intoxicated passengers to their destination. People who are going out for drinks are encouraged to single out a person that will refrain from drinking and be in charge of getting the others home safely. However, studies show that even designated drivers may have significant blood alcohol content levels that could limit their ability to drive.

A study conducted by the University of Florida found that 35 percent of people who are chosen to be sober drivers leave with a measurable blood alcohol content. Approximately half of the drivers who were measured in the study had a BAC level of 0.05 percent or above. At this level, drivers show a decreased ability to respond to roadway hazards, and may even have trouble staying in their lanes. Although the legal limit is 0.08 percent, lower levels of alcohol in the bloodstream have been shown to have significant effects on a person’s ability to drive.

Researchers believe that while designated drivers go into a function with the mindset that they are not going to drink, many have one or two drinks anyway. Since people metabolize alcohol at different rates, designated motorists could still be buzzed when they climb behind the wheel. Not only does this put the designated driver and his or her passengers in danger, but it also puts the lives of other motorists on the line.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

The importance of weight distribution in tractor trailers

There is an art to loading tractor trailers. When fully loaded, massive big rigs can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds in Tennessee and across the country. Large trucks carrying smaller loads, however, can become involved in serious truck accidents when their weight is improperly distributed. Cargo that is packed into a truck can easily shift during travel. When shifting occurs, it can throw off a big rig’s center of gravity. This shift can also cause the truck to experience braking problems, jack-knife, skid or roll over.

Federal laws dictate the amount of weight that can be placed on a truck’s axles and tires, according to EngineMechanics.com. This weight can vary depending on the size of the truck, how many axles it has and the truck’s suspension system. Different driving conditions can also affect the materials in the truck and should be considered when loading. Loads should never be concentrated at the front or back of the trailer, but rather distributed evenly along the center of the trailer in order to maintain a proper center of gravity.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has regulations in place to prevent improper loading in tractor trailers. Not only are large truck operators required to inspect their load before they start out on the road, but they must then recheck the load after driving the first 50 miles to catch any shifting that may have taken place. Depending on the exact weight and size of the material being transported, there are specific ways in which the load should be restrained, as well as what type of equipment should be used to secure the load.

When tractor trailers are not loaded properly or the materials in the truck are not secured, it can be dangerous for the truck driver, as well as all other motorists on the road. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Low BAC levels can lead to a serious collision

In Tennessee and in many other states in the nation, drivers who have a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 percent or higher are considered legally intoxicated, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Research has found that when the amount of alcohol in the blood reaches this level, drivers experience significant impairment, making it difficult and hazardous for them to operate a vehicle. Variances in weight, sex and the ability to process alcohol through the body, however, can have an effect on people who have a BAC level that measures less that the legal limit.

Mothers against Drunk Driving reported that BAC levels as low as 0.02 percent can have an influence on a motorist’s behavior while behind the wheel. At this level, drivers may experience an increased inability to multi-task, or perform two complex tasks at the same time. This means that using a cellphone or reaching to pick an item up off of the floor with this BAC level could increase the risk of an accident.

With a BAC level of 0.05 percent, drivers may have problems steering, staying in their lanes and reacting to roadway hazards. For example, a non-intoxicated driver may be able to brake quickly for a child who darts out into the road. A driver with a 0.05 percent BAC level on the other hand, may have difficulties responding to the emergency situation, and may not be able to brake in time. Drivers at this level of intoxication could lose the ability to focus their eyes properly, making it hard for them to see clearly.

Even low levels of alcohol can affect a motorist’s ability to drive safely on the road. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Drowsy driving can have life changing consequences

While some people may feel as though they are able to drive while drowsy or fatigued, many do not know the potential consequences of their actions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 800 people were killed and 44,000 people were injured in car accidents involving drowsy drivers in 2013. Furthermore, fatigued drivers in Tennessee and across the country caused at least 72,000 auto collisions that same year. These numbers reflect only reported accidents, however, and do not account for the significant number of collisions that go unreported every year.

At least 70 million people in the U.S. suffer from sleeping disorders, putting them at a potential risk for falling asleep behind the wheel, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People who take certain prescription medications that cause drowsiness are also in danger, and should avoid driving. When drowsy motorists engage in distractive behaviors, such as using a cellphone while driving or are intoxicated while behind the wheel, the risk of an accident increases significantly. All drivers should make sure to get plenty of rest before heading out on the road, especially teenage motorists, as they require more sleep.

Not only are drowsy drivers less likely to respond to critical hazards, such as pedestrian crossings, traffic signals or bad weather conditions, but they are unable to react to other drivers’ behavior. If for some reason, a driver must brake suddenly or switch lanes to avoid an object in the road, he or she may be unable to do so if fatigued.