Author: Anthony Proffitt

Holiday occasions such as New Year’s Eve can be an enjoyable time to spend with family and friends in order acknowledge a special occasion. Unfortunately, holidays are not exempt from the risk of individuals being involved in a car accident. In fact, as many people may be on the roadways at times that they normally would not be, holidays could potentially lead to an increased risk of such an accident occurring.

An accident in Tennessee took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day that resulted in a fatality. Reports indicate that the driver of the single vehicle involved lost control of the car and struck a pole. The crash resulted in a 22-year-old man sustaining fatal injuries and another passenger having to be transported from the scene by helicopter. The driver was reported as receiving minor injuries. Another passenger was not injured, and a fifth occupant of the vehicle reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived.

At this time the investigation into the accident is ongoing. No charges have been filed in relation to the event, but a blood sample from the driver was taken and sent for testing. Because the accident resulted in a fatality, the driver could potentially face serious charges.

The family of the young man who was killed is likely seeing the event as a tragic way to begin the year. As a result, they may wish to explore their options concerning legal action they may be able to take against the driver deemed at fault for the fatal car accident. Tennessee state laws dealing with wrongful death claims could allow the family to gain knowledge on how to utilize such a claim and whether they could possibly be entitled to compensation.

Source: WGNS Radio, UPDATE on Fatal Accident in Murfreesboro New Year’s Day- Names Released and One Passenger Unaccounted For, No author, Jan. 1, 2014

When a crash leaves death and injury in its wake, many lives may be permanently impacted. People will either be left grieving or suffering from emotional and physical trauma. Sadly, three people were injured and one person died recently after a tragic car accident on U.S. Highway 231 in Tennessee. For those who were injured, life may never be the same.

The crash occurred on Dec. 28 as a Chevrolet Cruze was traveling westbound on Lamar Alexander Parkway in Blount County. Suddenly, a Chevrolet Astro pulled out right into its path. The impact from the crash sent both vehicles into the median. The 73-year-old driver of the Astro died at the scene.

Three occupants of the Cruze were injured. The 47-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger were flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Another passenger, who was 18, was taken to the same hospital by ambulance. The nature of their injuries was not reported but were said to be serious. According to reports, the two injured passengers in the Cruze were not restrained, but air bags did deploy in the vehicle.

Deputies from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office are still investigating the details of the car accident. As the three survivors recover from their injuries, they are likely awaiting the results of the investigation to decide on their next steps. In Tennessee, they may be able to file a civil claim for personal injury against the decedent’s estate if the investigation shows that she acted in a negligent manner that led to the crash. Such a claim, if successful, may help compensate them for medical expenses resulting from the crash as well as give them the emotional closure they need to move forward with their recovery.

Source: ABC 6 WATE, 1 fatality in car accident on Lamar Alexander Pkwy, No author, Dec. 28, 2013

Chrysler owners in Tennessee may receive a recall notice. The company has revealed that it will recall around 5,600 vehicles sold in the United States and Canada due to the possible failure of the 8-speed automatic transmission. The filing says that the output of the transmission shaft could fracture, which may cause power loss. Hyundai is also under investigation by the National Highway Safety Administration to see if a previous recall from the automaker should have included more vehicles.

Chrysler says that it found about the issue that led to the recall from transmission warranty claims from ZF Group, the manufacturer of the transmission. The recall affects the 2013 year of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Ram 1500 and Dodge Charger. According to the filing that the automaker made with the NHTSA on Dec. 5, the vehicles included are those with a V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and either 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

In the separate action, Hyundai issued a recall in March that affected 186,000 Elantra vehicles from the 2011-13 years. The issue was that a side curtain airbag may release a metal support bracket from the headliner if it deploys during a crash. The metal bracket could hit the occupant and cause a head injury. The NHTSA said in a new report that it learned that the 2009-12 years of the Touring models of the Elantra used a similar design as those that were recalled. It is investigating to find out if Hyundai should have recalled 52,000 Touring models as well.

There could be questions as to if any car accidents occurred as a result of the defective equipment that was in the recalled vehicles. If an injured party is able to prove that this was the cause of a car accident, the individual may qualify to receive compensation from the automaker, parts distributor or parts manufacturer.

Source: NY Times, “Chrysler to Recall 5,600 Vehicles; N.H.T.S.A. Investigates Hyundai“, Christopher Jensen, December 09, 2013

A multi-car accident involving several injuries and one fatality held up traffic for several hours on Dec. 6. The car accident occurred in Clinton around 4:30 p.m. on Lewallen Bridge, according to the Clinton Police Department.

A 21-year-old Knoxville man was accused of drinking and driving in the accident. Police said that being under the influence of alcohol played a role in the man losing control of his truck and causing the crash. After the vehicle went out of control, it crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with two vehicles. The man was charged with DUI and vehicular homicide.

The accident threw the passenger in the man’s vehicle out of the truck. The 40-year-old woman died from her injuries a short time later. Four other people suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Three others from cars involved in the wreck weren’t injured. The bridge was shut down for several hours as authorities worked to clean up the accident.

Accident victims may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver by filing a personal injury lawsuit or by having a lawyer negotiate on their behalf with the insurance companies involved. In this case, if the family of the deceased woman chooses to file a wrongful death claim and it is successful, they may receive compensation for any accident-related damages, such as lost wages and any final expenses their loved one may have had. Such compensation may help provide financial stability to any children or spouse who may have depended upon the victim’s income.

Source: WATE, “1 person killed, several injured in DUI related crash“, December 06, 2013

Tenessee vehicle owners may need to exercise caution as more than 2,529 Nissan NV200s from the 2013 model year were being recalled by the automaker’s North American division. Concern that a car accident could result from the crossovers stalling out in traffic due to a battery terminal fuse blowing led to the recall, which affected vehicles manufactured in 2013 between February and August. Information about the Nissan action was reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The safety agency said that the problem stemmed from the routing of a wiring harness in the engine of the affected NV200s. That routing, which connects the battery fuse terminal to the fusible link, could possibly wear through its protective coating, the NHTSA reported. Should those exposed wires touch the bracket holding the fusible link, a short circuit could possibly be created. This would force the fuse to blow, stopping the fuel pump, which would cause the car to stall out. Should this happen in traffic, the NHTSA concluded, a collision could result.

Despite the potential for an auto accident, a Nissan spokesman said, no injuries or accidents caused by the issue had been reported. Starting in the middle of December 2013, mechanics at Nissan dealers would reposition the wiring assembly and recoat the wires with their protective covering.

An automobile accident may lead to an insurance claim that is turned down. Individuals suffering from a personal injury due to an accident may seek a financial settlement in a court of law. An experienced attorney may be of service in this situation, working on clients’ behalf following a crash. Such assistance could be in the form of helping to arrange compensation for broken bones, a brain injury or other serious injuries. Property damage may also be covered in a court settlement.

Source: Auto World News, “Nissan Recall: 2,500 2013 NV200 vehicles called back over stalling issues“, Matt Mercuro, December 02, 2013

Movie fans in Knoxville, Tennessee, were shocked and saddened to learn of the death of 40-year-old actor Paul Walker. Walker, who starred in the ‘Fast & Furious” movies, died recently in a car accident. He was riding as a passenger in a car driven by a teammate on his racing team. The crash occurred a short distance from where he was hosting a charity event.

The afternoon crash happened not far from a car shop owned by the driver of the car. Witnesses described the vehicle as a high- performance Porsche that apparently slammed into a light pole at a high rate of speed before bursting into flames. Guests at the charity event claimed to have heard the sound of the car accident and raced to the scene in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the trapped occupants from the vehicle.

Law enforcement officials said the impact of the crash knocked over the light pole and turned the $450,000 vehicle into an unrecognizable mass of charred and twisted metal. Flames prevented rescuers from getting to the two men. Firefighters and emergency personnel worked for hours to extract the bodies from what was left of the vehicle.

Family members of car accident victims who die from the trauma of an automobile accident might be entitled to compensation for the loss of their loved one. A cause of action for personal injury and wrongful death might be available against a negligent driver if it can be proven that the driver’s conduct was the cause of the accident and the resulting death. Even in situations where the person responsible for the accident is killed, a personal injury attorney might help family members of an accident victim in determining if a wrongful death action could be brought against the estate of the deceased driver.

Source: CNN, “‘Fast & Furious’ star Paul Walker killed in car crash“, Alan Duke, December 02, 2013