Author: Anthony Proffitt

A 21-year-old Tennessee man was killed in a collision on U.S. Highway 411 by an allegedly impaired driver driving in the wrong lane. The car accident also injured the decedent’s pregnant wife and toddler.

Around 10 p.m. on a Friday night, the man was driving his family home when the car was struck head-on by another car traveling the wrong way down the highway. Two minors, who were passengers in the car with the wrong-way driver, were not wearing seat belts and were injured. Police say the driver was impaired. The driver may face multiple criminal charges.

Though she was injured, the victim’s wife did not suffer the loss of her pregnancy. She plans to name her child after her husband.

In Tennessee, the spouse of the victim has the right to sue for a wrongful death. The spouse can claim damages as well as loss of consortium. The term consortium applies to the general companionship, help, and services that a spouse would have provided. In addition, this mother could sue on behalf of her minor child for compensation. Damages are awarded according to the percentage of fault that is assigned to the plaintiff and defendant. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 10 percent at fault, he would be awarded 90 percent of the total damages assessed.

In the case of a fatal motor vehicle accident in Tennessee, it’s important for victims to determine if they have the legal standing to sue for wrongful death on behalf of the decedent. A lawyer is a good resource for making sure that you claim all the damages that you are entitled to collect under the law.

Source: Wate.com, “Family mourns loss of Tellico Plains man killed by impaired driver,” April 22, 2013

A sports-utility vehicle travelling south on U.S. Highway 31E in Tennessee caused a four-car collision after swerving across the center line on April 16. After the car accident, one woman, who was driving a pick-up truck, was flown to the hospital with serious injuries, according to law enforcement personnel.

Another man and woman, who were driving another vehicle involved in the crash, were also transported by an emergency vehicle to a medical facility. Neither the driver of the SUV nor the driver of the fourth vehicle were hurt. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation of the accident and is working to reconstruct what happened during the collision. Drugs and alcohol are not thought to have been a contributing factor to the accident. Part of the roadway was shut down because of the wreck but reopened later the same day.

After a serious car accident, victims who suffer injuries can face a long recovery process. They might need surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medication, equipment and counseling, which can all be costly. In addition, they might need to take time off work and could even lose their jobs in some cases. The parties who are responsible for the accident need to be held financially accountable so that the injured victims can receive fair and just financial compensation.

A personal injury attorney can help clients file a civil lawsuit. The clients can pursue payment for their injuries through the legal system, and an attorney might be able to negotiate a settlement. However, in some cases, the attorney might need to bring the case before a jury in order to fight for the rights of clients.

Source: The Tennessean, “Three injured in four-car Gallatin wreck,” Josh Cross, April 16, 2013

Parents of Knoxville teenagers likely know the discomfort that can be felt when one’s child is out on the road by themselves. Luckily, it seems as if new technology can go towards helping every teen avoid a car accident. These technologies are known as Drivecam and Geofencing, and they can give parents an inside look on how their teens are driving.

Drivecam is an actual dashboard camera that activates whenever the driver engages in an unsafe behavior. When an unsafe behavior occurs, such as speeding or reckless driving, the company’s data center can view the video and pass that information on to the driver’s parents. In addition, after viewing these videos, the company offers specific tips on how that teen can drive safer. 

Geofencing also lets parents monitor their child’s driving speed, but in addition, it alerts parents if their teen drives outside of a certain perimeter. The car is even traceable via the Internet. There are vehicles that are currently being sold with these technologies already installed, but concerned parents can also have the devices installed aftermarket. Reports show that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America, so these technologies are giving some parents peace of mind when their child is out on their own.

Teenagers are at a high risk of experiencing dangerous crashes, and sadly, it’s hard for parents to watch out for their teen when they’re not in the same vehicle. Luckily, evolving technologies can go a long way in helping parents stay on the ball when it comes to their teen’s driving. Anyone, teenager or not, who is injured in a car accident may be able to benefit from a personal injury attorney. Even with these new devices, accidents are bound to happen, so having an attorney may help a person receive just compensation after a collision.

Source: CBS New York, “New technology could help teens stay safe behind the wheel,” April 4, 2013

Hit-and-run accidents in Tennessee are all too common, but why do some people leave the scene after they hit a pedestrian or cause a crash? Two of the most common reasons someone would leave a car accident are blaming the victim and fear of legal consequences. According to a forensic clinical specialist, some individuals feel the other person should have been paying better attention and not gotten in their way.

The specialist does not believe these are malicious or premeditated attacks, but it does show a lack of empathy and the good moral judgement that should have been imparted when during childhood. Another common reason for drivers to leave the scene of a collision is that they were driving on a suspended license, they were texting and driving or driving under the influence. They may initially think about the victim, but they will eventually choose themselves.

It is also common for hit-and-run drivers to downplay the harm they have caused. They will tell themselves that the person they hit was not that badly injured, so it is not a big deal if they leave. The forensic specialist thinks that many people who would leave the scene of a crash they caused have personality issues.

When someone is in a car accident, insurance companies will often try to marginalize the injuries someone suffered to lower payouts for medical bills. If someone has been in an accident, they may benefit from speaking with an attorney who might be able to help defend their rights and help them receive just compensation.

Source: NBC10, “Why Hit-and-Run Drivers Flee,” Vince Lattanzio, March 29, 2013

On March 7, two men were walking along the side of Highway 126 in Sullivan County after their vehicle ran out of gas when one man was allegedly hit by a car. The men, who were cousins, claim they had been watching the road for oncoming traffic and were moving farther to the side of the roadway when cars approached. On the way back from a nearby gas station, a vehicle struck one of the men in the back, they claim. The 23-year-old man said he landed at the bottom of a ditch, and the vehicle drove off.

The man stated that he felt like he had been left on the side of the road “like a dog” after the car accident. He required medical care for a fractured pelvis and a back injury. The driver of the vehicle is still at large, and police continue to search for a light-colored SUV that may be missing a side view mirror.

According to the victim, this car accident has resulted in numerous medical bills, and he continues to receive treatment for his injuries. He requested that the driver responsible for the accident come forward so that justice could be served. When the driver involved in this car accident is identified, the victim may seek punitive damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit.

A car accident such as this one may cause the victim to experience financial burden associated with medical expenses and lost wages. Victims of accidents such as these may seek financial compensation for these expenses in civil court. A Tennessee personal injury lawyer may be able to help by establishing that the victim’s condition was worsened due to lack of immediate medical attention as well as potentially demonstrate that the driver was negligent in the first place when he or she hit the victim.

Source: WCYB, “Victim from highway 126 hit and run speaks out,” Megan Brantley, March 12, 2013