Category: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Most people understand that (as is the case with almost any daily activity) there is an inherent risk involved with driving. That said, few in Tennessee likely give the task of taking to the state’s roads and highways a second thought. This is probably due to them assuming that the other motorists around them practice responsible driving in the same manner they do.

Sadly, that assumption does not always prove to be correct. There will inevitably be people who drive recklessly or while impaired, putting both themselves and others at risk. However, in many cases, it is the “others” who suffer the direst consequences of their actions.

Catastrophic accident occurs in Frayser

Such an outcome occurred in a recent accident in Frayser. According to the local CBS News affiliate, local law enforcement authorities have a man in custody after he allegedly caused a catastrophic collision at a local intersection. Per reports, the man drove his Nissan Altima into a Hyundai Accent carrying a couple and their two young children. First responders pronounced both parents dead at the scene; a local hospital received both children for treatment of serious injuries (one later died). The driver responsible (for whom reports did not indicate whether he sustained any injuries) reportedly had an expired license.

Civil action alongside a potential criminal case

One might reasonably assume that in cases such as this, criminal charges await those responsible for causing them. This may give pause to accident victims (who might assume that they need to wait until a criminal case concludes before they can seek compensation). However, that is not the case; lawmakers allow civil and criminal cases, in the same manner, to occur concurrently.

Cellphone use plays a role in many distracted driving crashes and fatalities across the United States. However, research shows Tennessee tops the nation when it comes to cellphone-related distracted driving fatalities. Tennessee’s phone-related distracted driving death rate is five times the national average, highlighting a growing problem the state must address.

Per The Tennessean, Tennessee and the nation’s four other leading states for cellphone-related distracted driving deaths see more than 30% of all such fatalities nationwide.

Tennessee statistics

Between 2015 and 2015, Tennessee saw more than 1,400 road deaths result from motorists using handheld cellphones behind the wheel. At the national level, the rate of cellphone-related distracted driving deaths is 1.49 fatalities for every 10 billion miles driven. Yet, Tennessee’s cellphone-related distracted driving death rate is exponentially higher.

Possible explanations

Research shows that the states with the strictest cellphone use and distracted driving laws typically have the lowest numbers of deaths due to these circumstances. The 13 states with particularly strict distracted driving laws saw about 25% fewer distracted driving deaths than those with lax laws.

Until mid-2019, Tennessee laws banned motorists from using their cellphones only when traveling through marked school zones. On July 1, 2019, the state enacted a hands-free law to help lower the number of road deaths caused by cellphone use.

The 2019 law change is likely to impact the number of motorists and passengers dying due to in-vehicle cellphone use. However, how much of an impact the law change may have year over year is not yet clear.

Wrong-way crashes often lead to catastrophic injuries and severe property damage. When these collisions, often head-on, occur at highway speeds, however, vehicle occupants are often fatally injured. Whether it is due to poor weather, inadequate lighting or driver error, wrong-way crashes on divided highway can be devastating, life-changing events.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety looked specifically at wrong-way collisions that resulted in fatalities. The study examined data from 2010 through 2018 as provided by the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). During the time-period, there were 3,885 deaths resulting from wrong-way crashes and the AAA Foundation noted:

• In those crashes, more than half those killed (52.8%) were the wrong-way drivers themselves.
• Factors such as driver impairment and older age increased the likelihood of being a wrong-way driver.
• Passengers in the vehicle decreased the odds of being a wrong-way driver.

After examining these fatal crashes, the AAA Foundation identified three factors that could increase the possibility of a wrong-way collision, including:

• Impaired driving: Driving aptitude can be impacted by any substance impairment – drugs, alcohol or prescription medication. For the purposes of the study, researchers noted that as blood alcohol concentration (BAC) increased, so did the odds of being a wrong-way driver.
• Unlicensed drivers: Whether these are drivers who have not officially attained the proper training level, or licensed drivers who have had their driving privileges revoked, suspended or expired, they are more likely to cause a wrong-way highway crash.
• Older drivers: The study found that the odds of being involved in a fatal wrong-way crash dramatically increased after the age of 70.

Serious motor vehicle collisions can lead to dramatic injuries that impact the entire family. After the loss of a loved one in a wrong-way crash fatality, the family could face emotional turmoil and financial peril. It is important to enlist the aid of an experienced personal injury attorney who can provide the guidance and answers you need.

As residents of Tennessee understand, the state has many hilly curving roads. Driving on these roads requires skill and caution. A recent head-on collision in Sumner County shows how ignoring one or both attributes can produce tragic consequences.

The accident happened on Highway 174 near Long Hollow Pike. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a Ford F-150 was traveling east when the driver crossed the centerline while trying to negotiate a sharp curve. The driver of the Ford apparently tried to “straighten” the curve by cutting across the centerline. In so doing, the Ford collided with a Jeep Wrangler headed in the opposite direction.

The Jeep rolled over several times and finally came to rest in the front yard of a house fronting on the road. The driver of the Jeep was female, but the extent of her injuries is unknown. The driver of the F-150 died from the injuries he suffered in the crash.

Post-accident investigations can lead to legal action

In the next few weeks, the Tennessee Highway Patrol will be trying to understand how the collision occurred. Perhaps the most important product of this research will be information that will assist the police in identifying who they believe is the party whose negligence caused the crash. The families of the two drivers may eventually begin pondering whether to bring legal actions to recover damages.

The family of a driver who dies in an accident similar to this one may wish to consider a wrongful death action against another involved driver driver. In such a case, the advice of an experienced personal injury lawyer could be helpful. A knowledgeable attorney can provide an evaluation of the evidence, a tentative conclusion about which party was at fault, and the estimated likelihood of either party recovering damages medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering or, in the case of the family of those who pass away after an accident, damages for wrongful death.

Motor vehicle accidents cause many injuries and deaths each year, but a recent statistic reveals particularly tragic numbers. The latest data from Governors Highway Safety Association shows that car crashes killed over 6,500 pedestrians in 2019 (the most recent year for which such data is available). This is the highest recorded number of pedestrian deaths in more than 30 years.

It is impossible to state the exact reason for this alarming increase, and it is likely that there isn’t a single cause. However, GHSA data does indicate a link between the rise in pedestrian fatalities and widespread smartphone use.

Is inattentional blindness to blame?

Human beings, it turns out, are terrible multitaskers. When a person focuses on one thing, his or her visual perception of everything else drops to almost zero. Psychologists call this phenomenon “inattentional blindness.” Studies on the subject have shown that as many as 60 percent of people who used phones while walking veered completely off-course. Not surprisingly, pedestrians who are distracted by their phones are much more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury.

How to stay safe

The easiest way for pedestrians to prevent injuries is to avoid using their phones while walking. Unfortunately, scientists and lawmakers have had little luck convincing people to put their phones away. For people who simply must use their phones while walking, experts suggest the following tips:

• Use voice controls as much as possible
• If wearing earbuds, use them in only one ear or keep the volume low
• Avoid noise-canceling headphones or earbuds while around traffic
• Hold the phone up higher (think selfie height); avoid downward-pointed head and eyes
• Look up from the screen every few seconds to see potential hazards ahead of you

Inattentional blindness poses an increasingly dangerous threat to pedestrians and drivers alike. Until people can learn to pry themselves away from their screens, this problem is likely to continue.

Everyone knows that our highways and roadways can be dangerous. After all, the roads anywhere can be dangerous. But, no matter how dangerous we know the roads are, we likely do not expect to be involved in a police chase, let alone involved in an accident that results from one. Unfortunately, some locals are reeling from this very scenario.

The accident

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, this fatal vehicle accident Tuesday night after a police chase. Early in the day, THP alleged that the Sweetwater Police Department saw a van with a driver and passenger. From their reports, it is unclear what occurred in or around that van, but SPD classified it as a domestic disturbance.

When confronted by SPD, the driver and passenger fled, starting the police chase. The accident ended in Madisonville at New Highway 68 and Isabel Road, when the van collided with a bystander car. This caused the van to catch fire and roll over.

Injuries

The driver was ejected. She died on the scene, and her passenger was seriously injured. The people in the bystander car were also seriously injured. They were taken to a nearby medical facilities, and the THP is still investigating the accident.

Liabilities

The occupants of the bystander car may have suffer life-changing injuries. They may even die as a result of their injuries. It was just a normal day for them, and they did not deserve to be part of this accident. But, due to the choices of the driver, and possibly the occupant as well, they have no other choice but try to heal. So, the question becomes, do the bystander occupants have recourse.

In a word, yes. The driver, and depending on what the police discover about the passenger, perhaps, even the passenger, are responsible for all of the bystander occupants’ damages, including their pain and suffering. Though, to ensure their rights are protected, they should contact a motor vehicle accident attorney as soon as they are medically able.

The Tennessee roadways are undoubtedly dangerous with auto accidents unfortunately common. However, motor vehicle accidents can happen anywhere, especially parking lots. Driving recklessly, failing to pay strict attention, driving under the influence – all can spark a collision with injuries and fatalities. Children are highly vulnerable. One recent accident exemplified this danger.

Woman arrested after parking lot crash

Two children were hit by a car in a parking lot for an apartment complex and the female driver, 28, was arrested. Both children were male, ages 9 and 7. The accident occurred in the evening at around 8 p.m. One of the kids was on a bicycle and the other was walking nearby. The woman, driving a 2005 Acura MDX was said to have been speeding when the crash happened. The 9-year-old was rushed to the hospital and later died. The 7-year-old was injured, but his life is not believed to be at risk.

All three were residents at the apartment complex. When law enforcement came to investigate, they found that the woman may have been under the influence of alcohol. She then admitted to drinking alcohol. A cup in the vehicle smelled of tequila. She was given a sobriety test, which she failed. She faces multiple charges linked to the collision.

Financial and personal ramifications can be immense after auto accidents

Any incident where people are injured or killed in a car crash will result in challenges. Those who are injured but survive will be confronted with medical care and the accompanying expenses. They may need to have care for the basics of everyday living. Work can be a problem or outright impossible. This can lead to major financial issues. If there is a fatality, the family left behind might deal with the same problems in addition to the emotional impact of an unexpected death. If the victims are children, it is exponentially worse. Although it can be hard to consider finances in such a situation, it remains important to discuss a claim with a legal professional to recover compensation.

A qualified legal firm may help with a filing

When there is a pedestrian accident, people should be aware of all the issues that can come about in its aftermath. When children were the victims, this can be a long-term personal and financial hardship that should be addressed immediately. The investigation is critical, particularly when the driver is accused of DUI and recklessness. Calling a legal firm experienced in motor vehicle accidents can be helpful when considering a lawsuit.

When driving on the interstate highway in Tennessee, it can be scary when an obstacle is lying in the middle of the road, and sometimes a crash can be unavoidable. But when the object in the middle of the highway is a parked car, the consequences can be much direr. This is what happened on the past Monday near Madison, when a crash with a Lexus SUV caused a fire that killed the vehicle’s driver.

WSMV News 4 reports that at the time of the accident, the SUV was stopped in the middle of one of the lanes of the highway. Whether there was a defect in the vehicle, an error made on the part of the driver or some other cause of the vehicle stopping where it did is unknown due to the fact that it was completely destroyed in the crash, with the driver purportedly being killed instantly.

Currently, the driver has not been identified due to the fire melting the license plate and VIN number, and the driver’s body being unrecognizable as a result of extensive burns. The accident occurred when a tractor trailer struck the vehicle. As a result, the trailer was flipped on its side, blocking all lanes of traffic. The highway was closed past 10:00 pm, even after the trailer was put upright. The accident occurred at 7:00 pm.

Those who have been the victims of severe car accidents could be suffering from catastrophic injuries. It may be possible to obtain financial compensation for the pain and suffering involved, and an attorney in the local area who practices personal injury law may be able to help.