Category: Car Accidents

Drowsy driving is one of the riskiest behaviors that drivers could engage in. At the same time, it does not seem to garner as much media attention or pushback as other forms of distracted driving, like intoxicated driving or texting while driving.

Why is it that drowsiness is such a problem? And why do people tend to treat it so differently from other, similar issues?

The impact of drowsiness

The NHTSA discusses the way drowsiness impacts crash statistics. First of all, drowsiness actually affects the body in a way similar to intoxication. Drivers will experience slowed reflexes, a lowered problem-solving capability, trouble recognizing and reacting to dangers, and a reduction in speed both physically and mentally.

In fact, officers often pull over drowsy drivers on suspicion of drunk driving because of how haphazardly they behave on the road. However, as they do not have a BAC above the limit, police officers will often let these drivers go.

How the public views drowsy driving

Many experts speculate that this type of distracted driving does not get as much attention because almost everyone has engaged in it at least once in their life. No one gets a perfect night of sleep every single time, but everyone must commute to work in the morning. Some people simply consider drowsy driving in the morning as an inevitability, rather than a danger to avoid.

On top of that, many people have driven while drowsy before and made it through the drive without issue. This creates a false sense of security, which can lead a driver into believing they can drive drowsy without issue. In reality, all it takes is one mistake to ruin or end a life.

When any person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they take upon themselves the responsibility to keep other motorists safe. Unfortunately, there are some drivers who are so negligent that they cause auto accidents resulting in injury and death.

In Tennessee, there were 1,217 car crash fatalities in 2020. While all may not have resulted from negligence, most accidents are the result of motorists who are not paying attention or driving recklessly. Being aware of common acts of driver negligence may help keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

Texting while driving

In today’s world, most people have smartphones. Unfortunately, many people use their phones while operating their vehicles. Doing so is dangerous. Many car accidents occur because drivers are checking messages or responding to texts rather than watching for other cars or pedestrians.

Excessive speed

Driving well above the speed limit puts other people on the road at risk. Excessive speed reduces the amount of time a driver has to slow down, and it can make accidents much more serious.

Failing to yield

All motorists must exhibit reasonable care. This includes yielding when appropriate, like at a red light or when a pedestrian is crossing the road. Some drivers feel that it is their right to go first no matter what, which can have consequences for others on the road.

Driver negligence has become very common, making it essential that you drive carefully and defensively to avoid being the victim of a car accident.

Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day, and at some point in their lives, most people experience a collision.

When you sustain injuries due to a motor vehicle crash, you need to know your rights.

Tennessee car accident statistics

Understanding the data surrounding vehicle crashes in the state demonstrate how you can incur injuries, even when you follow the rules of the road:

• Car crashes resulting in severe injuries or fatalities numbered over 3500 in 2019 and 2020, according to data by the TN Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Accidents that cause injuries are most likely to occur between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.
• Distracted drivers and drunk drivers cause many serious collisions
• Crashes involving a distracted driver occur every 24 minutes in Tennessee
• Uninsured drivers are common in the state, making it crucial to understand your legal rights following an accident

Legal rights help you get back to your life

When your injuries stem from another driver’s negligence, you may need legal routes to recover the compensation you deserve and get back to your usual routine. You take responsibility for your actions and believe others should, too. Understanding your rights enables you to get back to business as usual more quickly by holding the responsible party liable for the damages you suffered.

You drive safely to compensate for other drivers’ actions on the road, but you cannot always prevent accidents. Injuries can keep you from work and other activities, diminish your quality of life, and create significant medical expenses. The car crash data in Tennessee demonstrates why you need to take action to get your life back to normal.

All drivers on the road have a duty to follow traffic laws and drive as safely as possible. They must be aware of the other vehicles around them as well as any pedestrians they might encounter.

All too often, driver errors and neglect lead to crashes that can result in major injury or death. Injuries can be costly and recovery can be challenging.

Impatience leads to driver errors

Impatience is responsible for many collisions and the injuries inflicted. Drivers in a rush often speed or follow too closely resulting in loss of control or other errors. Failing to stop at a stop sign or stop light properly can result in a crash when your vehicle occupies space where other vehicles have the right of way. Drivers who fail to wear seatbelts directly risk their own safety.

Distracted driving leads to negligence

Failing to pay attention to the task of driving leads to many collisions. When behind the wheel, all attention should be on the task of driving. When attention wanders, drivers become negligent. Distracted driving such as talking on a cell phone or texting is especially dangerous. Focus splits between two tasks that require thought and focus. Consuming food or beverages while driving is similarly risky behavior.

Choosing to drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs is another form of driver negligence. Impaired drivers are not able to focus or react quickly, often leading to errors and catastrophic consequences.

All drivers learn the same basic traffic laws when they earn their licenses. If drivers would practice patience and remember the rules of the road, the roads could be a much safer place.

The promise of self-driving automobiles is enormous. Proponents of autonomous vehicle technology say it will reduce our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels, ease traffic congestion and virtually eliminate motor vehicle crashes,  injuries and fatalities.

The importance of the auto industry to Tennessee is clear. If you drive three hours west of Knoxville, you’ll find a GM plant in Spring Hill; or drive an hour and a half southwest of here to Chattanooga to get to a Volkswagen manufacturing facility; or drive west for about 175 miles to see the enormous Nissan plant.

Ready to roll

Plus, Tennessee is one of the states with virtually no legal barriers to self-driving vehicles. We’re ready when the technology is ready. The question of when the tech will be ready came into sharp focus again a few days ago when two men were killed when the Tesla they were in veered off of a Texas road, slammed into a tree and burst into a raging fire.

Local authorities reported that because no one was in the driver’s seat at the time of the violent crash, they believe the 2019 Tesla was in its Autopilot mode.

Firefighters spent four hours, and used 32,000 gallons of water, battling the blaze (apparently the vehicle’s batteries kept reigniting the flames).

Driverless

Law enforcement officials said the vehicle’s driver seat was empty. The two men were found in the passenger seats, with one man in the front and the other in the back. Officials said they believe no one else was in the Tesla.

Tesla warns customers that its Autopilot feature requires “active driver supervision” and that the tech “(does) not make the vehicle autonomous.”

Netflix, nap or booze

But it’s clear from this vehicle crash report and others that not everyone reads their owner’s manual. According to news reports, Tesla owners have engaged the computer-controlled Autopilot feature before watching a movie, drinking alcohol or falling asleep – and then being involved in wrecks or near-wrecks.

Of course, humans aren’t doing a great job of driving either. The National Safety Council estimates that slightly more than 42,000 people died in auto crashes last year and that millions more suffered injuries that required medical attention.

The roads in Knoxville and throughout Tennessee can be dangerous even if drivers are cautious and maintain all the rules for safety. With the possible risks seemingly amplifying, the number of ways in which collisions can occur are a problem. This includes worsening behaviors like distracted driving combining with drivers who might be reckless, drowsy and under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One type of accident for which drivers are relatively defenseless is if it is a rear-end collision. Those who have suffered injuries or lost a loved one in such a crash should have guidance on how to move forward.

Rear-end crash injures woman and 5-year-old

An alleged drunk driver in a Dodge Ram rear-ended a Jeep Wrangler. The Jeep was heading east on the interstate when the crash happened. After it was hit, the Jeep collided with the shoulder and flipped, landing on the ramp. The driver, a woman, was thrown from the Jeep and suffered critical injuries. When emergency responders arrived, they found a 5-year-old girl in the Jeep. She was not seriously hurt. The driver of the Ram, a 24-year-old man, was seen walking from the accident site and arrested. He faces charges of possible DUI and fleeing the scene after an auto accident.

Medical costs and other challenges often accompany a DUI accident

Any auto accident can cause innumerable changes to a person’s life. If a child is involved, these issues are potentially exacerbated. Driving is a responsibility whether people take it seriously or not. Getting behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs can place others in serious jeopardy of broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal injuries and a dramatically more difficult life. When there is a fatality, the family left behind must consider their future after an unexpected and unnecessary loss. It is imperative to have full protection for every eventuality.

Experienced assistance may be critical after a DUI crash

While it might be hard to think about in the immediate aftermath of DUI motor vehicle accidents, it is wise to have professional guidance. Medical expenses can be enormous, there could be a need for rehabilitation, there will be property damage, the person likely faces pain and suffering, and their work and personal life will be negatively impacted. For assistance, consulting with those who understand how to pursue an accident claim may be helpful.

Over the past 25 years or so, highway speed limits have gone up in most states, including Tennessee. We once had a nationwide speed limit of 55 mph, but now the interstate speed limit in Tennessee is 70 mph. Some states have 80 mph limits or even higher.

A new study has found that rising speed limits are costing lives. In 2019, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and a crash-test dummy manufacturer called Humanetics released a study finding that rising speed limits in the U.S. have likely caused almost 37,000 additional deaths over the past 25 years.

The main finding of this year’s study is that crashes at faster speeds are simply more deadly, even in today’s safer cars. Indeed, just 10 mph can make the difference between a survivable crash and a catastrophic one.

Crash tests at 40, 50 and 56 mph

For the new study, the researchers selected a car (the 2010 CR-V EX crossover) that was about the average age of vehicles on American roads and which had earned a top rating in an IIHS crash test.

They crashed three CR-Vs into barriers at 40, 50 and 56 mph. The crossovers were fitted with crash-test dummies that had hundreds of sensors.

• At 40 mph, there was “minimal intrusion” into the area of the vehicle housing the driver. That means the driver would probably survive the crash.
• At 50 mph, however, the car became more heavily damaged. There was “noticeable deformation” of the driver’s door opening, the foot area and the dashboard. That could indicate severe injuries for the driver.
• At 56 mph, the interior of the vehicle was “significantly compromised.” The sensors on the dummy indicated a probability of severe neck injuries and fractures to the lower leg.

Moreover, at both 50 and 56 mph, the steering wheel was forced upward, where it penetrated the deployed airbag and crashed into the dummy’s face. The sensors indicated this would likely cause facial fractures and a severe brain injury.

Even if you are a good driver, you should consider moderating your speed. Not every driver is as dedicated as you are and, if they make a mistake at 50 or 56 mph, you could be seriously injured.

If you are injured in a car crash, you may have legal rights to protect. Work with a compassionate attorney who will go the extra mile to help.