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Author: Anthony Proffitt

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Truck Accidents

The controversy surrounding tractor trailer underride guards

When motorists ride next to tractor trailers on Tennessee roadways, they may feel comforted by the fact that these massive vehicles, truck drivers and trucking companies are regulated by several federal and state agencies. As the large truck accident fatality rate continues to increase, however, many people are wondering whether the current big rig safety devices are enough. One safety regulation requires certain big rigs to be equipped with rear-end underride guard bars that are designed to protect smaller passenger vehicles from riding underneath the truck if a collision occurs. Unfortunately, a number of these safety mechanisms are not built strong enough to withstand the force of an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many underride bars run the risk of breaking or crushing under pressure, which poses an even bigger threat to motorists.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, Canada also requires trucks to be equipped with underride guards. However, they mandate that the guards must be able to handle an impact of nearly twice the force of what current American underride guards are required to have. Studies found that the Canadian models are often more effective at preventing serious injuries caused by underride bars. The NHTSA is petitioning to strengthen the current underride guard standards, and to expand the use of these safety devices to all types of large trucks.

Currently, there are no regulations in the United States mandating the use of side-rail or front-rail bars, despite research showing that side-rail guards in large trucks could possibly reduce the risk of serious injuries and deaths, according to the IIHS. Although truck manufacturers are not required to build the stronger underride bars, some companies have built the underride guards according to Canadian standards.  

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Officers encourage Tennessee motorists to buckle up

Although it only takes a few seconds for motor vehicle drivers and passengers in Tennessee to buckle up before hitting the road, many neglect to do so. Unfortunately, a surprising number of lives are lost as a result of this simple oversight. In fact, the Governor’s Highway Safety Office reported that the number of people who wore seat belts last year dropped to 86.6 percent. In an effort to increase the seat belt compliance rate to above 90 percent, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office has launched a campaign encouraging everyone to buckle up every time they drive or ride in a vehicle.

The Seatbelts Are For Everyone campaign is aimed at informing the public of what could happen when they fail to wear a seat belt. According to the GHSO, approximately half of all motor vehicle accident fatalities in the state involve people who were not restrained during a collision. Sadly, these are lives that could have possibly been saved had they remembered to buckle up.

In addition to spreading information to the public through traditional routes at safety and seat belt events, this year the campaign will involve community high schools. Students will have access to the Seat Belt Convincer simulator, which shows teens what could happen if they are involved in a low speed collision without being restrained.

While many new vehicles come equipped with the latest technology and safety devices, the seat belt continues to be one of the most critical life savers. People who are involved in a serious auto accident, and have sustained injuries or have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence, may want to speak to a personal injury attorney in Tennessee. A lawyer may be able to answer questions regarding personal injury cases and what options are available.

Source: WGNS News Radio, “50% of those killed in Tennessee auto accidents were not wearing seatbelts,” Jan 28, 2016. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Auto accidents can lead to serious soft tissue injuries

Whether you have been involved in a fender bender or a catastrophic collision, you are at risk of receiving a soft tissue injury.  While these injuries may be thought of as relatively minor, they can be serious and could have serious consequences if not handled properly. At Pryor, Priest, & Harbor, we understand that injuries obtained in a car accident can be debilitating, and in some cases, can wreak havoc on your life.

Any type of forceful impact can cause your tendons, cartilage, ligaments and/or muscles to tear, swell, rip or stretch. This can result in contusions, strains, sprains, bursitis, tendonitis, as well as a host of other injuries, which may lead to significant pain and could make it difficult for you to function.

Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched beyond their range of movement, and most commonly take place in the knees, ankles, thighs and wrists. Strains, on the other hand, are the result of torn or pulled muscles, and may result in muscle spasms, pain, swelling, muscle weakness, cramping and inflammation.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, you should allow yourself plenty of rest when suffering from a strain, sprain or contusion. It is also recommended that you ice the injured area several times a day and keep it elevated if possible. Wearing a compression bandage could also help to prevent blood loss and/or swelling.

Our attorneys know that all personal injury cases are unique and require extensive attention to detail. To find out more information about soft tissue injuries visit our page on motor vehicle accidents. 

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists or drivers: Who causes more motorcycle accidents?

While you and other motorists in Tennessee may feel as though the majority of motorcycle accidents in the state are caused by irresponsible and reckless motorcyclists, researchers found that drivers may be more at fault when it comes to causing catastrophic collisions. You may have heard other drivers complain of negligent motorcyclists weaving in and out of traffic and pulling out in front of vehicles. However, a study conducted at the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research reported that other motorists are responsible for motorcycle accidents approximately 60 percent of the time.

The study found that many motorcycle collisions are caused by motorists who unintentionally pull out in front of motorcyclists, cutting them off. Furthermore, vehicles making left-hand turns may underestimate the speed and/or distance of an oncoming motorcycle and fail to yield.

As a motorcyclist, you can decrease your risk of becoming involved in an accident by wearing the right types of protective equipment and riding defensively in heavy traffic conditions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you should always use turn signals and try to remain in a spot that is visible to other motorists. If you are driving another type of vehicle, however, it is crucial that you keep on the lookout and drive safely around motorcycles when traveling along state roadways. Motorists should never drive while distracted, drunk or drowsy to avoid causing serious harm to others.

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

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Cellphone selfies: The latest form of driver distraction

A new form of driver distraction is sweeping the nation. A quick look on any social media site proves that many drivers in Tennessee and across the U.S. are doing more than just concentrating on the road while behind the wheel. A number of people, who are taking selfies and posting them on their social media pages, are putting the lives of innocent people at risk. Distraction.gov reported that 3,154 people were killed and 424,000 people were injured by distracted drivers in 2013. However, cellphone selfies may take deadly distractions to an entirely different level.

According to CNN News, a search for selfies that have been posted on social media sites, such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, brings up a surprising number of results. More than 9,700 selfies were found on Instragram under the hashtag #drivingtowork, and an additional 1,900 posts were listed under #drivingselfies. Interestingly enough, motor vehicle operators were not the only people found posting selfies while driving. Boat operators, pilots and motorcyclists were also caught snapping pictures while in precarious situations.

There are three main types of driver distraction, including manual, visual and cognitive distractions. Taking selfies requires drivers to not only remove their hands from the steering wheel, but to take their eyes off of the road for an extended period of time. Furthermore, drivers experience cognitive distraction when they are not focused on the road ahead. Whether a motorist is stopped at a traffic light or driving down the street, posing for a picture can have a catastrophic outcome. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

Can ESC systems lower the number of large truck accidents?

As a driver in Tennessee, you may feel as though tractor trailers threaten your safety on the road. You may, in fact, be justified in feeling this way. The national truck accident fatality rate has increased steadily from 3,211 deaths in 2009 to more than 3,906 deaths in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As a result, several government agencies have enacted laws and implemented guidelines regulating truck drivers and trucking companies. One recent rule requires the installation of electronic stability control systems on certain large buses and heavy trucks.

The rule was passed in 2015, and applies to buses and tractor trailers that have a total weight of more than 26,000 pounds, as reported by USA Today. Electronic stability control technology detects when a vehicle begins to lose traction, or its ability to grip the road. When these massive trucks lose stability and begin to skid, they run the risk of rolling over or spinning out. ESC helps by preventing vehicles from veering off course when they encounter an emergency situation, like bad weather conditions, poorly maintained roads or hazardous drivers.

You may already own a car, motorcycle or light truck that is equipped with an electronic stability control system, since this technology is common in smaller vehicles. ESC has already helped to save thousands of lives, and officials predict that the mandatory use of this technology in larger trucks will help to prevent more than 1,700 large truck accidents each year.

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

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

How to spot the signs of a drunk driver

When you are driving along Tennessee roadways, you may take the precautions necessary to ensure you are not endangering your life or anyone else’s on the road. Unfortunately, you are still at risk of becoming involved in a fatal car accident due to the negligence of other drivers on the road. Drunk drivers in particular can pose a serious threat to your safety. In 2013 alone, drunk drivers took the lives of more than 10,000 people and injured an additional 290,000 people, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. You may be able to avoid a drunk driving accident, however, by being able to identify the key signs of an intoxicated motorist.

MADD reported that people operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol often display similar driving characteristics. Drunk drivers may have trouble staying within their lane of traffic, and can be seen weaving in and out of lanes or even driving down the center of two lanes. In addition, intoxicated motorists may do the following:

  •          Brake suddenly and sometimes, without cause
  •          Follow too closely behind other vehicles
  •          Drive over or under the speed limit

Drunk motorists may exhibit careless driving behaviors as well, such as not turning on their headlights when driving at night or forgetting to turn off their turn signal. They may make sudden turns, illegal maneuvers or continually switch lanes in an abrupt manner. If you should spot a person who is driving erratically, you may want to attempt to get their license plate number and call the authorities. Doing so may just save someone’s life.

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

Categories
Car Accidents

Teenagers at a higher risk for causing serious car accidents

The decisions that drivers make while behind the wheel affect the safety and lives of everyone else on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenage drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 pose a greater threat to motorists than any other age group. Their inability to make quick decisions while driving, in combination with several other factors, make teens in Tennessee and across the country more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists several factors that act as teenage driving hazards and contribute to the risk of auto accidents. These include:

  •          Distraction from other passengers in the vehicle
  •          Speeding
  •          Drunk driving
  •          Texting and talking on cellphones
  •          Not wearing a seat belt

Since teens are novice drivers, many lack the ability to determine whether a situation is dangerous. Furthermore, their inexperience behind the wheel makes it difficult for them to know what to do if a hazardous situation should occur. For example, teenagers may be less likely to reduce their speed in icy weather conditions or put their cellphones down in order to concentrate on the road.

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that the number of passengers teens have in the car while they are driving is directly linked to their risk of becoming involved in a fatal car accident. This is just one reason why Tennessee, and many other states across the country, place restrictions on teen drivers through a graduated driver’s license program. In some cases, teens must have an adult present in the car while driving and are restricted as to how many additional passengers they can have.

Fortunately, many car accidents are preventable. By understanding teen driving habits, people may be able to avoid becoming the next victim of a serious auto collision. 

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists and paralysis: What you should know

Motorcyclists in Tennessee and across the U.S. should know that sharing the road with trucks, cars and tractor trailers can be extremely dangerous. In some cases, motorcycle collisions can lead to broken bones, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage. While medical attention and treatment may be able to mend some types of accident injuries, other injuries are more permanent, such as paralysis. According to the Mayo Clinic, motor vehicle accidents, including motorcycle accidents, are responsible for more than 35 percent of all new spinal cord injuries each year. At Pryor, Priest & Harbor, we understand that victims of motorcycle accidents may face long-term disabilities and physical challenges as a result of another driver’s negligence.

The spinal cord is made up of nerves that control voluntary functions, such as muscle movement, and involuntary functions, including bladder control and blood pressure. As nerves leave the spinal cord at different levels of the spinal column, they transmit crucial messages to the muscles, organs and other parts of the body. Paralysis can occur when these delicate nerve fibers become damaged or severed completely.

People who receive spinal cord injuries may become paraplegic or quadriplegic, depending on the exact point of injury along the spinal cord. Severe damage that occurs in the cervical vertebrae, or up toward the neck, may result in quadriplegia. This is where the victim loses the function of all four limbs, and the ability to control bodily functions. When spinal cord damage occurs in the lower back, the victim may become paraplegic, or unable to use his or her legs.

Motorcyclists face an increased risk of becoming paralyzed in an accident because they lack the solid structure and protection that a motor vehicle provides. To learn more information on motorcycle injuries, please visit our page on motor vehicle collisions. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Distraction study: A look at voice-activated devices

Many new vehicles come equipped with voice activated technology, which is designed to minimize distractions that people face while driving in Tennessee and across the country. This technology allows drivers to accomplish certain tasks, such as dialing a phone number, texting or even switching the radio station, just by talking. While studies show that cognitive distractions from texting and talking on hand-held and hands free cellphones can increase a driver’s risk of becoming involved in an accident, further studies show that voice-activated technology presents certain dangers as well.

A study published by AAA looked at whether voice-activated systems really decreased driver distraction or actually acted as a diversion. Researchers measured the amount of mental workload participants experienced while performing several tasks using voice-activated technology. These tasks included the following:

  •          Adding and modifying appointments on a calendar
  •          Changing the radio station and playing a CD
  •          Composing email and text messages
  •          Dialing a 10-digit phone number
  •          Listening to email and text messages read by a synthetic voice and a natural human voice
  •          Updating social media statuses

Participants’ reaction time, heart rate and personal assessments were evaluated in order to determine the level of cognitive distraction they experienced while behind the wheel. Interestingly enough, the results indicated that all of the tasks were distracting to drivers on some level. However, flaws in certain systems led to an even higher level of cognitive distraction. For example, when the voice device did not recognize the driver’s command, the driver often became more distracted.

According to Distraction.gov, cognitive impairment is just one of three types of distractions that contributes to serious motor vehicle accidents. Although the introduction of hands-free and voice-activated technology hoped to limit driver distraction, studies show that these devices may present unintended distractions. Researchers suggest that once this technology is fine-tuned, it could actually improve driver safety.