Category: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Vehicle wrecks happen every day on Tennessee roads and some of them result in serious injuries and death. Many of these fatal accidents are avoidable. Any time a crash causes the death of a driver or passenger in a vehicle, police investigate the scene to determine the cause of the accident. This information is later used to determine liability. If negligence such as drunk driving is found to have contributed to the wreck, the incident could become a wrongful death case. 

A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of vehicular homicide in Tennessee. The ruling comes after a 2012 drunk driving accident involving the driver and his best friend as a passenger. The two were riding together when the car left the road and collided with a metal sign pole. The passenger of the vehicle was killed in the accident.

The driver cited mechanical troubles as the cause of the car accident, though police reports suggest other factors were involved. A blood alcohol test showed that the driver was indeed under the influence of alcohol and, therefore, too impaired to drive. In addition, the police officer who investigated the crash estimated that the car was traveling at 91 MPH when the driver attempted to brake going into a turn.

In a wrongful death case, the family of a victim might be entitled to financial compensation to help them with medical bills and funeral expenses, as well as to help cope with pain and suffering. Families who find themselves in this position may obtain counsel to assist them with the legal process of a wrongful death lawsuit. Doing so will never bring a loved one back, but perhaps it can provide some relief through financial retribution. 

Source: Johnson City Press, “UPDATE: Carter jury finds driver guilty of vehicular homicide in 2012,” John Thompson, March 27, 2014

Areas of road construction can be high-risk for motor vehicle accidents. A fatal accident in Tennessee proved that last week. In Jefferson County, a 22-year-old man died after a collision with a semi-truck. The accident occurred on I-40 and involved an area of road construction and slowed vehicles. Authorities are still evaluating the details of the fatal crash.

Tennessee State Highway Patrol reports the crash involved two vehicles, which were driving through a TDOT construction zone. When the semi-truck slowed in the construction zone, the man driving behind the truck was reportedly unable to stop in time and collided with the back of the trailer. Is a negligent party liable for the death of the young man?

The facts about this truck-related accident are still somewhat unclear, at least to the public. One area of investigation into the Tennessee wreck would be to ensure that the semi-truck’s brake lights were working. Also, could the construction area have been marked to better warn drivers to slow down? These are just some of the matters that officials will address to determine who might have been at-fault in this incident.

Fatal motor vehicle accidents produce a lot of questions. But the death of an individual in a car accident also brings about pain and suffering for friends and family of the victim, as well as expenses related to medical bills and funeral arrangements. A wrongful death attorney is a guide who can ask the appropriate, necessary questions about circumstances surrounding a fatal crash and can fight to help families get the compensation that they deserve following their loss.

Source: WBIR, “Man identified in fatal Jefferson County accident,” March 7, 2014

Each year in Tennessee, drivers and passengers of motor vehicles are involved in serious and sometimes fatal accidents. Anytime a death results from a collision, there is a possibility for a wrongful death suit. These suits attempt to assign blame for a person’s death in order to distribute financial compensation to the family of the victim. There are several factors that can be involved in a collision, including drugs and alcohol, negligence, or faulty mechanisms in a vehicle. These collisions can become even more deadly when they involve large vehicles like buses or tractor-trailers.

A Robertson County accident involving two vehicles has resulted in the deaths of two people. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that the driver and passenger of a Chevy Impala suffered fatal injuries after the driver veered into oncoming traffic and collided with a semi-truck hauling concrete. The passenger in the Impala was not wearing his seat belt and died at the accident site. In addition, the driver of the truck suffered injuries and was rushed to NorthCrest Medical Center to receive medical attention.

The collision occurred along Highway 49 in Springfield during the early morning hours. Investigators report the presence of drugs and alcohol at the scene, though it is not known whether these played a role in the accident.

A death in an automobile accident can be devastating for all parties involved. In addition to the emotional pain and suffering associated with the loss, there are also expenses to worry about, such as funeral costs and lost wages. Understanding the cause of an accident along with specific Tennessee laws can help people involved determine an appropriate course of action.

Source: The Tennessean, “Update: Two dead in Wednesday morning’s Springfield crash,” Eric B. Miller, Feb. 19, 2014

An accident that results in a fatality can be devastating for everyone involved. Sadly, fatal accidents seem to be an all too common occurrence, and the surviving family members of the victims of such accidents are left picking up the pieces and trying to move forward. Unfortunately, that is much easier said than done. Sadly, a recent accident in Tennessee is responsible for the untimely death of a young man from Chattanooga.

This crash, involving only one vehicle, was caused when the driver of the car, a 26-year-old female, somehow left the roadway. After leaving the road, the car struck a culvert then rolled several times before coming to a stop. The car apparently caught on fire and a passenger, a 20-year-old male, was trapped inside. Sadly, the passenger died as a result.

Local authorities are still investigating this accident. However, the driver has been arrested and faces charges, including vehicular homicide. Speeding and alcohol are suspected to have been contributing factors in the cause of the crash.

Fatal accidents can leave surviving family members looking for answers and wanting justice for the loss of life. If they choose to do so, they may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim against the driver. If the individual responsible is found negligent or liable in the cause of the victim’s death, a Tennessee civil court could award financial compensation to the victim’s family. Such compensation could be beneficial in providing for any final expenses on behalf of the victim and may also provide some sense of closure for his or her family.

Source: clevelandbanner.com, Woman charged in car crash fatality, Greg Kaylor, Feb. 5, 2014

Distracted driving is become much more prevalent in Tennessee car accidents. More often than not, the driver is distracted with his or her cell phone. It looks as though this could be the case for one of Tennessee’s recent fatal accidents.

A 22-year-old reportedly looked at her phone as it vibrated. The phone fell into the seat next to hear, at which time she realized that there was a stopped vehicle ahead of her with no warning or brake lights illuminated. She was able to stop her car from hitting this vehicle, but was unable to avoid colliding with another vehicle after she swerved over the median. That vehicle was driven by a 49-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Currently, the investigation is ongoing, as there are numerous factors that are in play. The accident is being reconstructed by specialists so they can get a clearer idea of exactly what happened that day. The police have currently not charged the driver, nor have they issued any citations; however, it is still possible that criminal charges could arise.

Whether the driver’s cell phone use had anything to do with this accident is still up in the air with police, but this story goes to show the potential dangers of distracted driving. Fatal accidents occur every day in Tennessee and all over the country, causing families of victims to suffer both emotionally and financially due to their losses. For some families, charges against the responsible driver are filed, but it does little to ease their pain. Some families find relief in knowing that there is legal recourse available that may result in financial compensation for their pain and suffering.

Source: Columbia Daily Herald, Police continue to probe fatal wreck, Chris Moorman and Kate Coil, Jan. 29, 2014

Most people are aware of the dangers that come with traveling on our nation’s roadways. Whether it is inclement weather, distracted driving or some other type of hazard, the risk for injury or death always exists. The good news is, there were fewer fatal accidents on Tennessee roads last year. Compared to 2012 figures, traffic deaths in 2013 fell by 2.7 percent.

Preliminary figures show that there were 988 traffic-related fatalities in our state last year, compared to 1,015 the year before. This is reportedly only the fourth time in the past 50 years that there have been fewer than 1,000 fatal accidents. However, this number is still above 2011’s figure of 937. While the lower number is a sign of improvement, state officials are worried about the 25 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities. Last year, there were 85 pedestrian deaths in Tennessee, which is considerably higher than the 68 fatalities in 2012.

The decrease in deadly accidents is likely due in part to several traffic safety initiatives being conducted by law enforcement. These include cracking down harder on drunk drivers and individuals who are not wearing seatbelts. Since 2010, DUI accidents have decreased by 26.7 percent, while arrests of intoxicated drivers have increased by 90.4 percent. In 2013, law enforcement also issued 135.1 percent more citations for seat belt and child restraint violations than they did in 2010.

Even with better traffic law enforcement, fatal accidents will always be a problem on Tennessee roadways. When an individual dies in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, the loved ones of the deceased may wish to find out more about their options under our state’s personal injury laws. They may be able to pursue a claim for wrongful death, which, if successful, can provide some much-needed financial assistance and peace of mind as they try to cope with their loss.

Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press, Traffic deaths down in Tennessee, Andy Sher, Jan. 3, 2014

Car accidents often leave vehicles damaged, people injured and, unfortunately, kill many people each year. When a pedestrian is involved, death is more often a consequence, since they do not have the protection that a vehicle provides. Fatal accidents are truly tragic, but all too common. A recent Tennessee collision left one 21-year-old man dead.

A vehicle driven by a 26-year-old hit the 21-year-old, whose body was found by a pedestrian on his way to work later that morning. Both men were said to be soldiers in the military. After crashing into the pedestrian, the automobile fled the scene of the accident. Police have classified this crash as a hit-and-run homicide that was responsible for the death of the 21-year-old man.

Officials have arrested the 26-year-old driver of the car believed to be responsible for the fatal accident for driving with a license that had been revoked. The driver is facing multiple allegations including driving under the influence, abandoning the scene of the crash and homicide with an automobile. He has been placed into a county jail without bond.

No one wants to be involved in an automobile wreck, especially not one that is fatal. The loss of life in fatal accidents, no matter what age, is incredibly heartbreaking. The family of the soldier who lost his life in this Tennessee accident can file civil claims for wrongful death against the driver. While this young man can no longer serve his country and be there with his family, these claims can at least provide his loved ones with assistance for paying any funeral costs.

Source: Jackson Sun, State briefs: Police make arrest in fatal hit and run; Smyrna man found dead in car on I-24; DCS points to better reporting of deaths, No author, Dec. 15, 2013

It is always tragic when a promising high school student’s life is cut short, particularly when it happens during the holiday season. Sadly, a Tennessee family and a community is now grieving the loss of a high school junior after she was struck by a tractor-trailer as she was crossing a street in Nashville. While no charges have been filed yet against the semi driver, the outcome of the investigation may lead to a wrongful death claim.

It was approximately 1 p.m. on Dec. 19 when the 17-year-old girl was struck as she was in the crosswalk. The driver claims that he did not see her. First responders found the girl pinned beneath the truck, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful.

The investigation into the tragic accident is ongoing, and details about the incident will be sent to the Davidson County District Attorney. Authorities do not know yet if the victim was crossing against the signal. The semi driver was reportedly turning on a green light at the time he hit her. According to reports, he has prior traffic violations on his criminal record.

The girl’s family, classmates and teachers must now prepare to say their final goodbyes as they wait for the results of the investigation. If evidence shows that the accident was caused by any negligence on the part of the semi driver, the victim’s family may have a strong case for wrongful death. In Tennessee, a successful wrongful death claim can result in financial compensation for the victim’s family, which can help them pay funeral and burial costs. In addition, pursuing a civil action may help the family feel that justice has been served and allow them to move on.

Source: The Tennessean, Hume-Fogg student struck, killed by tractor-trailer in downtown Nashville, Brian Wilson, Dec. 20, 2013

A 27-year-old Tennessee is facing multiple DUI charges after a teenage student from Germantown died in an automobile accident, according to police reports. The teenager died from injuries he suffered while riding in a car that was hit. The accident occurred on Hacks Cross Road. The driver has been charged with driving under the influence and reckless driving in the fatal car crash and was initially arrested at the time of the accident. However, on the following day of the accident, the man was released from jail after posting a $50,000 bond.

Shelby County investigators from the sheriff’s office charged the driver with two counts of vehicular assault and vehicular homicide. Once warrants were issued, the investigators visited the man’s residence but received no answer at the door. Later that evening, the driver turned himself into police custody after investigators were able to contact him by phone. Simultaneously, the family of the deceased teenager had gathered in a church that was located near Shelby Drive in remembrance of him. Funeral arrangements for the deceased were still pending as of Dec. 16.

A female who was a front-seat passenger in the car with the teenage boy was injured and taken to a hospital where she required several surgeries. She told her mother that the day of the accident was the worst day of her life.

For those who have lost a loved one as a result of a DUI-related car accident, there are certain rights that they should be aware of. Families may be able to receive compensation for funeral expenses and for pain and suffering. Seeking advice and help from an attorney may create the best possible outcome for such individuals.

Source: Local Memphis.com, “Driver Re-Arrested After Teen Dies In DUI Wreck“, Eli Ross, December 16, 2013

An automotive accident in Tennessee took the life of a man on Nov. 27. The Chester County car accident fatality occurred after a car in the other lane hit him head-on.

The car collision occurred in the morning, at about 8:20 a.m. The victim was heading north on Glendale Road at the time of the accident about 8 miles northeast of Henderson. Suddenly, another vehicle entered his lane and hit the vehicle. The victim was 65 years old and not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. The driver of the other vehicle also sustained injuries related to the crash. There is not yet any indication if criminal charges will be filed or if an investigation is ongoing.

If the elderly driver died because of the other driver’s negligence, his family may decide to pursue a wrongful death claim. Negligence may be proven by showing that the other driver entered the elderly driver’s lane because he or she was texting while driving, drinking and driving or otherwise not paying attention to the roadway.

If successful with such a claim, the victim’s family may be able to receive compensation for the economic and non-economic damages that they sustain. Economic damages may exist if the man had loved ones who were dependent on his income, retirement or benefits. These damages might include loss of support and loss of benefits. If the driver performed certain duties, like childcare, cooking or lawncare, there may also be a claim for loss of services. Non-economic damages typically include the emotional loss of a loved one, including loss of companionship or loss of consortium.

Source: WBBJ, “Chester County Car Accident Kills One“, November 27, 2013