Category: Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

A head-on car accident in Tennessee resulted in the death of one man on Nov. 3. Investigators suspected that one of the drivers, a 45-year-old Erin woman, was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Reports indicated that charges were pending against her.

The accident occurred at about 6 p.m. on Highway 49 in Erin. The deceased man, a 23-year-old White Bluff resident, was traveling in a Nissan Maxima in the eastbound lane when a westbound Dodge Ram crossed the centerline. The pickup truck collided head-on with the Maxima and moved partially on top of it, causing the Maxima’s roof to detach. The car overturned and came to a stop on the shoulder to the right of the eastbound lane. The force of the impact sent the pickup truck to the shoulder to the right of the westbound lane, where it came to a stop resting on its passenger side.

The 23-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The 45-year-old woman suffered unspecified injuries, and an emergency crew transported her to a hospital. Police suspected she had been drinking and ordered toxicology samples. The nature of the criminal charges pending in the case was undisclosed in reports. The woman also received a citation in connection with the crash.

The sorrow and anger after an accident may leave drunk driving victims’ surviving spouses, children or parents depressed and struggling to resume their normal routines. Personal injury attorneys can be a valuable source of advice about what damages victims’ families can seek from drunk drivers after fatal accidents. Damages from a successful wrongful death suit may provide relief for debts from burial, lost income and other expenses.

Source: The Leaf-Chronicle, “White Bluff man killed in Houston County crash,” Mark Hicks, Nov. 4, 2014

Source: WKRN, “Head-on crash in Erin leaves the White Bluff man dead“, November 04, 2014

Two individuals were killed in a three-vehicle accident in Memphis on Oct. 22, authorities stated. The Interstate 240 collision reportedly took place west of Getwell Road.

That is where a vehicle with a flat tire was attempting to pull over onto the interstate’s emergency lane and was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at highway speeds, investigators indicated. The first vehicle reportedly caromed into a metal guardrail following the impact, which also caused it to spin out of control. The driver of the first vehicle, a man, was ejected from the car and suffered fatal injuries. Officials declared him dead at the scene of the wreck.

The second vehicle continued to travel along the highway until it collided with a third vehicle. Consequent to this collision, the second vehicle careened off the roadway, rolled over several times and came to a stop in a ditch, authorities said. Its driver, a woman, died at the accident scene.

Emergency personnel transported the third vehicle’s driver to Regional Medical Center. Reportedly, there were other individuals involved in the crash, and they too suffered injuries requiring hospitalization. Authorities described their condition as non-critical. It was unclear how many passengers were present in the three vehicles involved in the wreck. Nor was it clear which vehicles were carrying passengers.

The cause of the initial accident was not reported. Following traffic crashes like this one, the families of deceased victims may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in civil court, naming as defendants the parties whose actionable behavior behind the wheel contributed to the incident. If the at-fault parties happened to perish in the event, then bereaved family members may bring the suit against the estates of the at-fault parties. If successful, claimants might be awarded financial compensation for their various losses.

Source: WREG, “Two dead after crash on I-40“, Ashley Forest, October 25, 2014

A three-car crash left two people dead and four others injured. The accident occurred on Saturday, Oct. 25, on Interstate 240 in Memphis. A 45-year-old man was pulling into the emergency lane because of a flat tire. His vehicle was struck from behind by a second car driven by a 34-year-old woman traveling at a high speed.

The collision caused the man’s car to slam into a metal guard rail. He was ejected from the car as it spun out of control. The man died at the scene of the accident, and two passengers in his car were injured. The woman continued down I-240, striking a second car and forcing it off the road and into a ditch. After this collision, the woman’s car flipped over several times, killing her and injuring two passengers in her car. All four injured parties were taken to Regional Medical Center. They were admitted in non-critical condition.

Liability may fairly clear in fatal accidents like this one. A driver who strikes another car from behind is usually found liable for any resulting injuries or damage. In this case, the woman struck two vehicles from behind.

In a case similar to this, more evidence might exist that indicates that a driver was negligent. For example, evidence may prove that a driver was traveling well above the speed limit. Perhaps a driver did not stop their car after an initial collision. Finally, if someone is driving in the emergency lane, they will likely be found responsible for striking a disabled car there. The injured parties of a similar accident may have a cause of action against the faulty driver for negligence under tort law.

Source: WREG, “Two dead after crash on I-240“, Ashley Forest, October 25, 2014

Three cars were involved in a collision on an interstate in Tennessee. The incident occurred on Oct. 25 in the morning as the vehicles passed through Memphis going east.

Tennessee police believe that one vehicle, a silver Kia, had pulled over to the side of eastbound I-240 near the Lamar Overpass. They suspect that the man driving the Kia was trying to check and see if one of the tires had popped. A black Chevrolet Impala then struck the vehicle from behind, causing a large collision that scattered debris over the roadway and sent the Impala crashing into a third vehicle, a Nissan.

The man in the Kia was ejected from his vehicle and killed. The woman driving the Impala also suffered fatal wounds. The crash knocked the Impala off the road and down an embankment, but the people inside the vehicle reported only minor injuries.

The family of anyone who has been killed in an accident may choose to seek financial compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit against any person or organization that shares in the responsibility for the fatal incident. In the case of an automobile accident, the responsible parties may include the driver, the manufacturer or installer of any car part that caused an unexpected mechanical defect, or any other individual who may be demonstrably at fault. The guidance of an attorney may be of assistance to the family as they complete the necessary legal formalities and present the liable parties with a civil suit against them. The attorney might also be able to provide representation for the family in any necessary negotiations with the defendants or appearances before a court.

Source: The Coloradoan, ‘Two dead after fatal crash; MPD officer involved in separate accident”, Oct. 25, 2014

Source: WMCactionnews5.com, “Two dead after fatal crash”, October 25, 2014

A 20-year-old Tennessee man awaited his official charge on Oct. 22 after being detained without bond and accused of criminal homicide. The charge stems from an incident during the early morning of Oct. 18. Prosecutors say that the defendant was driving a 2005 Ford Mustang when he ran over another man along Magnolia Court. The driver is said to have fled the scene, parked in a bank’s parking lot and returned to the scene of the accident.

Though prosecutors charged the defendant with criminal homicide in the death of the man, they reportedly believe that the driver accelerated before striking the decedent, and there are several charges, including first-degree murder and vehicular homicide, which can fall under the general statute. The defendant’s attorney reportedly asked that the state make a decision on which of these crimes his client would be facing.

Prior to the incident, both men had reportedly attended a party together, and witnesses at the gathering claimed that the defendant had been running from the scene. The defendant’s attorney insisted that this was after an alleged altercation. The victim was declared dead at an area hospital.

This incident is an example of how an individual can suffer fatal injuries through no fault of their own. Regardless of criminal charges presented in the case, the defendant might still be liable for careless driving in a wrongful death civil suit. Those who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of others can file a suit over the issue, and with legal help, they may be able to recover financial compensation for their loss.

Source: Herald Citizen, ‘Weekend murder victim identified” Rick Amburgey, Oct. 20, 2014

Source: Herald Citizen , “Murder suspect ‘wasn’t trying to kill’ victim“, October 22, 2014

Law enforcement officers report that a 53-year-old Clarksville woman was charged with vehicular homicide after allegedly killing a bicyclist in an early morning hit-and-run accident before fleeing the scene. The accident occurred around 12:15 am on Monday, Sept. 22 when the woman apparently rear-ended the man as he rode his bicycle on the shoulder of Tiny Town Road near the intersection of Needmore Road.

While investigating the accident, police canvassed the area, encountering the woman’s blue Jaguar. The car had damage and human hair from the accident victim stuck in the windshield. Additionally, parts missing from the car were identical to parts found at the scene, and the woman’s phone showed texts discussing an accident that occurred on the day in question.

Several people who saw the woman shortly after the accident told police the woman had told people she had hit a deer. The woman also told police she had hit a deer as well. After determining that the woman caused the fatal accident, police arrested her on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Her bond was set at $1.1 million, and she is in custody at Montgomery County Jail. In addition to vehicular homicide, she was also charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident causing death, failing to yield the right of way, failing to carry a driver’s license and failing to carry insurance.

Families and loved ones of people killed by drivers are often able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the allegedly at-fault driver. Personal injury attorneys who have experience in wrongful death actions may look at the facts of each individual case and evaluate whether a valid claim or additional claims might exist. If successful, families may be able to recover both economic and noneconomic damages, including funeral expenses, lost income, loss of benefits, loss of consortium and others.

Source: The Leaf-Chronicle, “Woman charged in hit and run death of Clarksville cyclist“, Tavia D. Green, September 24, 2014

A Tennessee accident caused the death of a motorcyclist in Memphis on Sept. 9. Police say that a driver with multiple DUI offenses is suspected of operating his vehicle while intoxicated at the time of the crash.

The now-deceased cyclist was reportedly riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Shelby Drive, supposedly on his way home from work. The accused man’s vehicle allegedly tried to perform a left turn in front of the Harley on Swinnea Road, resulting in the collision. Family members say the motorcyclist suffered multiple broken bones; he was transported to a hospital and placed on a respirator. He died later after doctors were reportedly unable to control the bleeding in his brain.

The driver of the vehicle believed to have caused the accident has been charged with DUI and additional offenses. Records show the charge is his fifth since 2007, at which time his license was also officially revoked by the state. He was also arrested in April on charges of driving with a revoked license. He was taken into custody and held on a $30,000 bond.

The sudden loss of a loved one in a serious traffic accident can be hard for family members to process. If the individual or party thought to be at fault was impaired, reckless or negligent, they may be held legally responsible for various damages in a wrongful death suit. When a family is forced to cope with their loved one’s passing while meeting insurance deductibles, paying medical bills, and making and paying for funeral arrangements, it may be a helpful to speak with a qualified attorney to discuss a case’s viability.

Source: WMCactionnews5.com, “Multiple DUI offender kills grandfather in recent crash“, Nick Kenney, September 11, 2014

As of September 2, the Tennessee Department of Transportation was investigating two separate truck accidents that took place along the same stretch of highway within days of each other. Both of the accidents occurred on Interstate 75 near Campbell County between mile markers 132 and 136. Despite the short time frame between the two crashes, TDOT reported that 2014 was on pace to have fewer accidents on that stretch of the interstate than the two previous years.

One of the crashes occurred on Sept. 2 when a driver lost control of a semi-truck around 6:30 a.m. The tractor-trailer struck a guardrail and fell on its side. Shortly after it overturned, a driver in a Ford pickup crashed into the semitrailer. Less than a week before that incident, a semi-truck drove across the interstate’s median and struck another tractor-trailer and a sport-utility vehicle. One person died in that accident and three others were injured.

According to TDOT, the crash on Sept. 2 was the 17th accident to occur on that four-mile section of highway in 2014. In 2012 and 2013, there were 41 and 39 accidents respectively in the same area. Truck drivers who spoke with the news source emphasized the importance of driving slowly and cautiously through the hills of Tennessee.

A family that has lost a loved one in a truck crash can seek financial compensation via a wrongful death lawsuit. Following fatal accidents, authorities conduct investigations into those incidents, and the information they gather may point toward a party whose negligence contributed to the crash. If retained by family members of those killed in auto accidents, personal injury attorneys often use police reports as well as witness statements to build cases against the defendants of wrongful death suits.

Source: WATE, “Tractor trailer overturns, causes crash on I-75 in Campbell County“, Shelby Miller, September 02, 2014

On Aug. 10, a woman filed a claim in a Tennessee court against Yes Express, Inc./”The Blanket Company” and one of the truck company’s drivers whom she says caused an auto accident that killed her 18-year-old daughter and injured two others. The truck driver, who was unhurt, may face criminal charges in the incident.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred on 11W in Rogersville August around 1:23 p.m. when a Texas man operating a 2005 Volvo semitrailer collided with the woman’s northbound 2000 Daewoo after he made an illegal left-hand turn from the roadway’s median. Emergency crews who arrived at the scene transported the two passengers from the Daewoo to local hospitals for treatment of unknown injuries. The Daewoo driver died from major injuries she suffered in the wreck.

In the woman’s lawsuit, she claims that the fatal crash was due to the negligent actions of the truck driver, suggesting that he recklessly and carelessly operated his truck in a way that showed a blatant and willful disregard for the safety of other drivers and their property. Because the plaintiff believes the defendant failed to exercise due care and caused the collision that resulted in the fatal injuries of her daughter, she is requesting the court for an undisclosed amount of economic and non-economic losses stemming from the accident.

When people experience the sudden loss of a loved one in a crash, they might face a number of financial costs associated with the accident. In cases where the decedent had dependents, those who relied on the victim’s income might be negatively affected by the loss of household funds. Through a wrongful death claim, family members of the deceased may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for their accident-related losses, including loss of future contributions of income. In some cases, compensation could include loss of consortium.

Source: TheRogersvilleReview.com, “Mother of 18-year-old killed in 11W crash files federal lawsuit“, Tommy Campbell, August 20, 2014

Source: TheRogersvilleReview.com, “Mother of 18-year-old killed in 11W crash files federal lawsuit“, Tommy Campbell, August 20, 2014

A car accident in Wilson County led to the death of an oncologist on Aug. 5. The crash occurred around 9 p.m. when a man driving on Stewarts Ferry Pike reportedly did not stop at a traffic light and ended up hitting the side of a car that was traveling on South Mt. Juliet Road. The driver who reportedly caused the accident was a 20-year-old man who is now facing multiple charges related to the accident and the fatality.

The younger man’s vehicle struck the driver’s side of the 59-year-old doctor’s car, killing the doctor instantly and causing both vehicles to go off the road into a ditch. There were multiple witnesses to the accident, and at least three people called 911. One witness said that he thought that a man who had his head against the steering wheel was seriously injured.

Another witness relayed seeing the 20-year-old driver get out of his car and stumble. There was evidence that the driver had been drinking alcohol and had taken drugs, according to a traffic report. A blood test was administered, but the results were unavailable three days later. The driver was charged with felony reckless endangerment and received a citation for not yielding to a traffic signal, but authorities are considering a charge of vehicular homicide.

When people lose their lives in auto accidents caused by reckless or negligent drivers, families could look into the possibility of filing wrongful death claims. Attorneys could offer assistance in these cases by working with investigatory agencies to assess the circumstances of the crashes and discuss legal strategies to negotiate for fair compensation.

Source: WKRN, “Hermitage doctor killed in Wilson County crash, Driver charged“, August 08, 2014