Category: Car Accidents

Many teen motorists in Tennessee are not being as careful with their driving behaviors as they were when they first started driving. Many of them are growing careless over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen drivers are more at risk for car accidents because of certain risk factors, including a lack of experience, an inability to focus on the roads and the inability to make good driving judgments and maneuvers in hazardous driving situations.

Distracted-driving stemming from cellphone use is a major reason why students are becoming more careless with their driving behaviors, states Salon. For every 10 car wrecks that are medium to severe in nature, six teenage motorists were distracted. Many teenagers find it hard to ignore using their cellphones while they are behind the wheel.

Distracted teenage drivers who use their mobile devices at the time of incidents are unable to process their situations properly to maneuver safely to avoid collisions. Some of them feel overly confident in their driving abilities that they think that they can safely spare a few seconds to respond to texts, dial phone numbers and surf the internet.

Many states require teen motorists to grow through a several-step process to get their licenses. This process also limits the use of cellphones while they are driving. It also requires parents to monitor their driving behaviors so they can gain proper driving experience without endangering themselves or anyone else on the roads.

Careless driving amongst teens can be prevented with the right precautions, strict adherence to graduated driving regulations, traffic laws and supervision from parents.

Hit-and-run accidents are happening so often in Tennessee that they are becoming a common occurrence. People who are involved in these situations often find themselves dealing with a wide range of consequences that are often life-altering and devastating. Drivers should make themselves more aware of the potential ramifications of this type of situation so they can take measures to avoid them.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, there were 892 fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2014. Nine percent of those who died were pedestrians. The percent of occupants who were in passenger cars at the time of those incidents attributed was 43. Alcohol, distracted-driving and other factors all contribute to the number and severity of hit-and-run accidents.

Drivers who flee from the scene of accidents are not making the situations better. In their quest to avoid responsibility for their actions, they are leaving behind a trail of chaos and heartache for many victims and their families. Not all fender benders that occur in this type of situation results in minor injuries. Some victims are left critically injured and may require ongoing medical care and support for the rest of their lives.

The number of traffic deaths is declining, but there is a significant uptick in the number of hit-and-run occurrences, states USA Today. Motorists who crash into the vehicles of other drivers and then leave the scene are not acting responsibly. They are not exercising proper driving judgment and they are inadvertently putting other motorists on the roads at risk for harm.

It is imperative for people who are involved in hit-and-run accidents to try and get as much information as they can regarding drivers who collide with their cars. Along with getting descriptions of those motorists, they should try to remember the makes and models of their vehicles and plate numbers. Providing law enforcement with these details can lead to their apprehension and make the roads a safer place.

It is hard for motorists in Tennessee to avoid the temptation of incorporating social media into their everyday lives. With so many of them taking selfies while they are driving, it is not very surprising that distracted car incidents are on the rise. According to CNN, teenagers and young adult drivers and their passengers are the biggest perpetrators of this offense. They are not the only ones who are guilty of engaging in this type distracted driving behavior. Plane pilots, motorcyclists and boat operators are also taking selfies during the operations of their vehicles.

Social media is becoming an impairment to drivers, states Social Media Week. It leads to distracted driving which is now a leading cause of danger for motorists. Eating while behind the wheel is now considered a less risky form of distracted driving when compared to taking selfies. Every time a motorist uses their phone to take a picture of themselves, they double their risk of being involved in an accident. This behavior causes them to remove their focus and vision off the road for as little as two to three seconds, which is more than enough time for a pedestrian or vehicle to cross their path and a traffic light to change. As a result, many states are ramping up their enforcement procedures and creating stricter laws and civil and criminal penalties to combat distracted driving.

Drivers who are a part of the selfie trend should avoid using their cellphones and mobile devices until their vehicles are stopped and off the road. Consideration should be given to the safety of their passengers and all other motorists.

As the number of motorists on the roads in Tennessee continue to increase; so does the number of underinsured and uninsured drivers. Before any motorists decide to hit the road, they should take action to protect themselves against underinsure and uninsured drivers. According to Consumerreports.org, there are 30 million people who drive their vehicles without insurance. It is not always possible to identify these drivers. However, there are actions one can take to limit their interaction with them and avoid them.

There are laws in place to penalize uninsured motorists who operate vehicles without being properly insured. Motorists should be prepared to protect themselves the best they can. Purchasing an underinsured/uninsured insurance policy may offer drivers more protection and recourse if they are involved in car accidents with those offenders.

These policies keep insured motorists from having to foot the bill for any injuries and damages their regular auto insurance policies do not cover, states Carinsurance.com. For example, an insured driver is going through an intersection when an uninsured motorist fails to stop at the red light. The driver crashes into the insured motorist’s vehicle, causing the driver of that car to sustain moderate injuries and damages. Without an under/uninsured motorist policy, the insured driver would be responsible for all of the expenses that are not covered by their insurer. This type of coverage can prove to be very valuable in the event of hit-and-run accidents that involve uninsured and underinsured drivers.

Motorists should also be prepared to document the names, license plates, make and model of the perpetrators cars, along with any other useful information that can help law enforcement to apprehend these offenders.

Uninsured and underinsured motorists endanger the safety of everyone on the roads. However, with the right precautions, drivers can guard themselves to improve the outcome of any interaction they have with them.

Hit-and-run accidents are a common occurrence in Tennessee. However, the thought of being involved in one may leave you with questions about what you should do. According to InsuranceHotline.com, victims of hit-and-run accidents often become frustrated because they are left to deal with the aftermath of these incidents. Giving in to those negative feelings is not recommended because action still needs to be taken to minimize any losses and injuries.

Once the accident is over, you should stay at the scene. Try to gather as much information as you can about the other driver. You will need an accurate description of the driver, their vehicle, license plate and the make and model of their car. You will also need to be able to describe to the best of your ability the events that lead to the accident occurring. This information is necessary for you to file a police report. Filing a police report is crucial because it can help to absolve you of any responsibility and is necessary if you expect your auto insurer to take care of the damages.

If you did not witness the incident, but find that your vehicle is damaged, take pictures to document the scene. Look for witnesses who saw what happened and contact the police so they can come out and take your statement for the report.

If you are inside of your vehicle during the accident, make sure your vehicle is no longer moving, put it in park and turn on your hazard lights. Quickly assess the scene and check yourself and any fellow passengers for injury. Contact the police and emergency medical personnel. If you are able to get out of your vehicle, do so when it is safe. You should put up road flares to alert other drivers of the situation so they can maneuver safely out of the way to prevent further crashes, injuries and to make it easier for law enforcement and medical responders to arrive at the scene.

As frightening and confusing as this type of experience can be, try to remain calm and level-headed. The actions you take immediately afterward can determine your outcome.

Motorists in Tennessee need to be able to identify when drivers are driving drunk so they can take preventive actions to avoid them. Drivers who engage in intoxicated driving are not only a danger to themselves, they are a danger to their passengers and other motorists who are on the road. Relying on law enforcement and the decision-making skills of drivers who drink are not sufficient enough to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. By learning what actions and behaviors drivers tend to exhibit when they are intoxicated, the roads can become a safer place.

According to CDL Life, some of the less obvious signs of drunk driving are the use of wrong turn signals and failing to signal at all; driving much slower than posted speed limits and flow of traffic and excessive use of brakes and tailgating. The more obvious indicators that a driver has had too much to drink include drinking while driving and swerving on the road.

Motorists are not encouraged to follow drunk drivers but can do so if it is absolutely safe enough for them to do so, states The Press Democrat. They should be prepared to describe to the authorities specific driving behaviors that the person they are reporting is exhibiting. Information that can help law enforcement to catch these offenders include the direction of travel and the color, model, make and license plate of the drunken motorist’s vehicle. Drivers who suspect other motorists of drunk driving should pull over to the side of the road to remove themselves from harm’s way before contacting the police if they are not able or unwilling to follow the suspected drunken driver.

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

As the hot summer days begin to cool and the leaves begin to turn the landscape into a beautiful colorful masterpiece, car owners should start thinking about winter-proofing their vehicles. Winter weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, sleet, fog and winds can spell disaster for motorists in Tennessee and across the U.S. It only takes a small oversight or a mechanical system defect for a mishap to occur. Not only do these problems endanger the lives of car owners and their passengers, but they put other peoples’ lives at risk as well.

According to Today.com, there are several crucial elements to performing a pre-winter car inspection. These include the following:

•          Change the windshield wiper blades to ensure a clean swipe.
•          Get the right type of oil that won’t thicken in colder climates.
•          Make sure that the tire pressure is adequate as air pressure tends to drop in cold temperatures.
•          Consider snow tires for better traction and stability in bad weather conditions.
•          Top off the vehicle’s liquids, such as antifreeze, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.

It is important that car owners keep certain items in their vehicles as well, according to the Automobile Association. In addition to keeping a blanket and a first-aid kit in the car in case a hazardous situation occurs, people should make sure they have an ice scrapper, flashlight, rock salt and tire chains if they are going to be driving in the mountains.

A basic tune-up from a trusted mechanic can also help to ensure that people have not overlooked essential components of the vehicle, such as the steering system, hoses, belts, spark plugs, ignition fuel filters and emission filters.  

As people get older, their ability to detect and react to certain stimuli diminishes over time. This includes the critical sense of vision, which is vital to people who wish to drive on the open road. When people suffer from a reduced ability to see, they run the risk of causing a catastrophic car accident, as well as injuring or even killing an innocent person. It is crucial that people understand the importance of good eyesight before the get behind the wheel of vehicle.

Even though a driver may pass the standard eye test that is given when he or she obtains a driver’s license, his or her eyesight may still cause problems when it comes to making quick decisions. For example, the National Safety Council reported that a 50-year-old may have difficulty seeing in low light conditions when compared to a 20-year-old. Since a driver’s license requires renewal every five years in Tennessee, a person could begin to experience eyesight difficulties in the years after obtaining a license.

Not only is it natural for people to experience a general decline in their vision as they age, but there are a number of age-related eye disorders that people can acquire as well. According to American Optometric Association, these conditions include the following:

•          Cataracts
•          Diabetic retinopathy
•          Macular degeneration
•          Glaucoma
•          Chronic dry eye
•          Retinal detachment

In addition to these eye issues, older drivers may have trouble focusing on and reading street signs, seeing in low-light conditions, adapting to glaring headlights and perceiving changes in colors. When pulling out into traffic, elderly people may have difficulties judging the distance and speed of oncoming vehicles. This could put them in danger of becoming involved in a serious car accident.

As a Tennessee motorist, you may be well aware of the dangers you face while traveling along state roadways. Not only do you face hazards while you are on the road, but you are at risk of being injured while walking alongside the street as well. A number of motorists who are involved in car, bicycle and pedestrian collisions actually flee from the scene of the accident before aide can arrive. Not only can hit-and-run accidents cause problems when it comes to charging and convicting the person responsible for the collision, but it also means that you could have trouble recovering money from the auto insurance company.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, one out of every five pedestrian fatalities involve a hit-and-run motorist. This means that once the motorist has hit another vehicle, person or bicyclist, he or she fails to stop and render help to the injured person. In fact, bicycle and pedestrian fatalities across the nation are on the rise, causing great concern to U.S. law enforcement officials.

If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, you may not be able to recover damages from the other party’s insurance company unless you know the identity of the driver who fled the scene of the accident, according to Esurance.com. Your personal insurance company may be left paying for any injury expenses and property damage, which could come out of the uninsured motorist coverage depending on your specific insurance plan.

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

Motor vehicles come standard with essential safety devices, including seat belts, airbags and anti-lock brakes. As motor vehicle technology continues to improve, however, newer models may come equipped with the latest features. Manufacturers hope that use of these advanced safety devices will help to reduce car accident accidents, injuries and fatalities in Tennessee and across the United States. They also hope that the technology will ultimately help to save lives.

One of the older safety systems continues to be one of the best when it comes to helping cars avoid sliding, rolling over and skidding on the road. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that electronic stability control allows cars to grip the road when even when the tires experience reduced traction. Rather than spin out, the car is often able to continue driving in the right direction when the ESC system is working properly.

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, cars that have front crash prevention technology are less likely to get into a rear-end collision with another vehicle. A study found that this braking system can reduce fender benders by up to 40 percent.

In addition to electronic stability control and front crash prevention, there are several other features that can maximize a vehicle’s safety rating. These include the following:

•          Blind spot detection
•          Rear view assist
•          Park assist
•          Adaptive headlights
•          Lane departure warning

Research and development has already been working on intelligent technology systems, which allow vehicles to ‘speak’ to one another. This communicative feature also enables vehicles to speak with departments of transportation regarding road conditions, traffic and construction.