Category: motor vehicle accidents

Motor vehicle crashes occur for a host of reasons, but some accidents have unique causes. For example, some drivers cause an accident because they attempt to operate a vehicle even though some type of physical or mental challenge interferes with their abilities, such as a foot injury that makes it more difficult for them to apply their brakes in a timely manner or accelerate correctly.

If you were hit by a driver who caused an accident because they were incapacitated in some manner, this factor requires careful consideration, especially if you are planning on taking your case to the courtroom.

The dangers of driving with an injury

Some people decide to drive even though they have a foot or hand injury that affects their ability to stay safe on the road. Whether someone has to go to work or take care of other responsibilities, there is no excuse for operating a vehicle when one is unfit to drive correctly. Those who drive with a foot injury sometimes accelerate rapidly by pressing on the gas pedal too hard, colliding with a car in front of them. Likewise, some people take too long to use their brakes because their foot is injured, resulting in a crash. These wrecks often cause additional injuries or even claim lives.

The victims of motor vehicle crashes

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, more than 2.7 million people were hurt in traffic crashes during 2018. For those struck by other drivers, a wide range of consequences often arise. Financial problems, emotional hurdles, painful injuries and other setbacks make daily life very hard for many motor vehicle crash victims. You need to take a careful look into your legal options if you are in this position, regardless of the reason(s) why another driver caused the accident.

Tennessee residents undoubtedly understand the risks they face when they head out on the road. This is true if they are driving, are passengers, are bicyclists or pedestrians. Motor vehicle accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities. While the inherent dangers such as drunk drivers, distracted drivers, recklessness, negligence and drowsiness frequently factor in with a crash, there is a hope that advanced technology will make the roads exponentially safer. However, new research indicates that these systems’ effectiveness may be lacking.

Research downplays impact of driver assist

A new study from AAA came to several sobering conclusions about driver assist. Specifically, it says that these systems are unreliable and their safety benefits might be mitigated by that unreliability. These advancements include lane-assist to keep vehicles in their lanes, pedestrian recognition and automatic braking. Increasingly, automakers are installing driver assist. AAA tested five vehicles with these features and found that they all had at least one problem. An example is the driver needing to show quick reactions to maintain the vehicle’s lane at least one driver assist failure for every eight miles driven.

Even the benefits are thought to be inconsistent. Drivers who have vehicles with this advanced technology tend to become complacent and place too much trust in the vehicle’s technology. Nearly three out of four problems were linked to lane assist. Researchers say that human error is a cause for 94% of motor vehicle accidents and these advancements are designed to take the possibility of driver error out of the equation. However, it is only as effective as its design and there are still flaws to iron out.

Drivers should be aware of these issues

A vehicle drifting out of its lane is fundamentally dangerous. This is true if it is a road in which the vehicles are all heading in the same direction, but it is especially worrisome on a two-way road as a drifting vehicle can spark a head-on collision. It is easy to grow relaxed behind the wheel if there is a perception that the vehicle itself will handle any unexpected occurrence. If there is an accident, people can suffer life-changing injuries, exorbitant medical expenses, lost wages from the inability to work, and lifelong problems. Fatalities are also common causing emotional, financial and personal turmoil for the family left behind. Compensation through a legal filing might be the only way to cover for all that was lost. Consulting with a firm experienced in assessing and investigating motor vehicle accidents may be essential to a successful claim.

After your recent car accident, you had a physician look you over to ensure you did not sustain injuries. Nothing major came back, but you still feel “off.”

While you may feel fine physically, the accident may have injured you mentally and emotionally. Determine if you have a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver by learning more about post-traumatic stress disorder.

Intense emotions after an auto accident

Shock, nervousness, anxiety and fear are all normal emotions to experience after a car accident, no matter how minor. It is when you experience persistent anxiety, uncontrollable memories of the accident, excessive irritability and dissociation that you may want to consider whether you have PTSD. Such negative emotions associated with the accident becoming stronger or lingering in your mind and body can affect your day-to-day life, making it difficult for you to function, work or enjoy your life.

Addressing trauma

Take steps to sort out your trauma healthily and productively. For instance, talking with a mental health specialist or your friends may help, or engaging in exercise could help minimize your stress. If you feel uncomfortable getting behind the wheel of a car after your accident, consider taking a defensive driving course.

Include your doctor in the healing process. You may feel uncomfortable having such a vulnerable conversation with your doctor, but remember that physicians do not exist to judge, but to help. You can ask if what you feel is normal after an auto accident, how long you can expect your feelings and thoughts to persist or if you have an underlying or undiagnosed mental health condition making you feel the way you do.

Not all car accident injuries are visible. Take steps to protect and advocate for your health and your legal rights.

More so than any other vehicle on the road in Tennessee, motorcycles are especially prone to dangerous accidents with larger automobiles.

In the case of trucks, these collisions can be deadly or life-threatening.

Pileup on the road

According to a report from Knoxville News station WATE 6, two riders were both struck when a truck rammed into a motorcycle. Although there is no certain cause yet, authorities believe that speeding was part of what led to the crash. When officials arrived at the scene, they saw the motorcyclist injured and still on the road. After more investigation, they also noticed that the passenger on the motorbike was lying in the bed of the truck. Both parties were quickly taken to the hospital and are currently being treated for any lingering health issues.

These injuries are likely severe and could be life-threatening, since emergency workers transported the passenger and rider directly to the emergency room. The condition of both patients is currently unknown, but the person driving the pickup truck is injury-free and not in need of treatment at this time. No passengers were riding along in the truck.

Driving and safety

In any accident involving a motorcycle, the driver must always be aware of road conditions and incoming traffic. Larger vehicles naturally overpower any smaller ones in the even of a crash. Almost all trucks have blind spots that prevent them from seeing oncoming traffic. Getting caught in a blind spot can lead to broken limbs, spinal cord injuries, or even death. If anyone is in a truck accident, seeking legal advice may be beneficial.

On June 19, four people were hospitalized — one in serious condition — following a motor vehicle accident in North Knox County. The collision took place on Maynardville Highway. The two-vehicle crash took place at approximately quarter to five in the afternoon.

The accident was so severe that Knox County Rescue had to extricate all four people involved in the accident. The incident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Following the crash, Rural Metro issued a statement advising motorists and their passengers to use their seat belts and avoid distracted driving.

Most people in Knoxville would agree that the safe thing to do when driving or riding in an automobile is to wear a seat belt. In addition, distracted driving has gotten a lot of attention lately as a behavior that should be avoided while driving. Distracted driving is not limited to cellphone use. Eating or grooming behind the wheel, turning the radio, chatting with passengers or even daydreaming can all cause distracted driving accidents for which the distracted driver could be held liable.

While the exact cause of this recent accident has not been reported, all drivers have the duty to drive reasonably under the circumstances. If a driver fails to do so and causes a car accident that injures another person, that driver could be held responsible for the crash.

That said, holding a driver responsible for a car accident is often a challenge, especially when the victim has to cope with injuries, expenses, among other things. Therefore, it may be a wise decision for car accident victims and their families to seek legal guidance.

The National Safety Council collects data of all kinds about motor vehicle crashes as does the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. 

In general, traffic fatalities and injuries were down slightly in 2019 but motorists must be alert to the possibility of crashes including angle collisions. 

Across the nation 

The National Safety Council estimates that in 2019 there were 38,800 vehicle crash fatalities across the nation, which was down 4% from 2017. The NSC estimated “medically consulted” injuries from vehicle crashes in 2019 at 4,423,000. While this seems a high number, it is a decrease in traffic-related injuries from the year before. 

Closer to home 

In-state traffic crash information from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security shows that there were 1,162 fatalities related to vehicle crashes in 2019. That same year, the Department also lists 5,555 “suspected” serious injuries and 25,412 non-serious injuries resulting from traffic accidents. 

Types of crashes 

Angle collisions are responsible for the most traffic fatalities across the country, representing 7,400 in 2018. An angle collision is similar to a side-impact collision except that both vehicles involved are traveling in the same direction and collide, or one vehicle runs into a stationary object, like a guardrail, at an angle. In terms of traffic deaths, head-on collisions take a close second to angle collisions, followed by rear-end and side-swipe crashes. 

Common crash injuries 

As the NSC data shows, many crash-related injuries are not serious and consist primarily of bumps and bruises. On the other hand, even a low speed rear-end collision can cause debilitating, sometimes life-changing injuries. Serious car crash injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal injuries and internal bleeding, which, if not treated promptly, could result in death. Victims of angle collisions often suffer broken ribs, a painful injury that may take weeks to heal. 

A look ahead 

Motorists must remain alert at all times, especially at intersections and in heavy traffic where incidents like angle and head-on collisions are prone to happen. It is always advisable to seek prompt medical attention following any kind of crash. A doctor’s report with a diagnosis and treatment information is essential when the time comes to file a claim for insurance compensation. 

New vehicles these days come with more autonomous features than ever, from lane assist to adaptive cruise control and more. In fact, fully autonomous vehicles are in the works, and may one day be seen on Tennessee roads. It is hoped that by eliminating human error through autonomous vehicles there will be fewer motor vehicle accidents. However, a study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety finds that autonomous vehicles may not be as safe as we wish.

According to the study, approximately two-thirds of collisions would still happen even if all vehicles on the road were fully autonomous. Per the study, currently nine of ten crashes involving human drivers are attributable to human error. However, around two-thirds of those crashes would still take place if the vehicles were autonomous, even though autonomous vehicles have a more accurate perception compared to people and are not subject to incapacitation. The study reports that to prevent car accidents, autonomous vehicles should be designed with safety in mind over rider preference.

The study does note, however, that autonomous vehicles perform well when it comes to low visibility on the roadway, roadway hazards and they can prevent distracted or drunk driving. However, these types of collisions only account for around one-third of motor vehicle accidents.

In the end, there is still work that has to be done on the automated vehicle front. We should not blindly trust that these vehicles will prevent all motor vehicle accidents. While autonomous vehicles do prevent some crashes, they are not infallible.

Over the past couple of decades, more and more sport utility vehicles rolled off dealer lots onto the roads and highways. The preference by consumers for SUVs seems logical from a functionality perspective, but it comes with a potential deadly side effect for pedestrians.

At the same time, distracted driving continues to plague U.S. roads. This only further increases the dangers faced by pedestrians. Some hope that advanced vehicle safety features provide the answer.

Surge in pedestrian deaths

According to data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, the number of people on foot killed across the country in motor vehicle accidents in 2018 was higher than in nearly three decades. Similarly, pedestrian deaths in accidents involving SUVs jumped a staggering 81% from 2009 to 2018, per data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Bigger vehicles, more severe impacts

When hit by a small vehicle, a pedestrian may experience the most impact in their legs or hips. They may also flip onto the hood of the vehicle. When hit by a tall SUV, a pedestrian may experience the greatest impact in their head or torso where their vital organs are. Instead of flipping onto the hood, the pedestrian might slide under the SUV.

Advanced technology, not-so-advanced results

Consumer Reports explains that one study conducted by AAA found some new vehicle technologies that tout pedestrian safety to seriously lack the ability to truly keep people safe.

Test vehicles driven at 20 miles per hour and equipped with systems to detect pedestrians and automatically stop the vehicles were reviewed. In daytime conditions, the vehicles only avoided hitting an adult-sized dummy in a crosswalk in 40% of scenarios.

There was a recent accident along a Knoxville highway, and a motorcyclist lost a life. Unfortunately, accidents involving motorcycles are common, and motorcycle riders receive the majority of injuries and fatalities.

Either motorcyclists or motorists can be at fault when accidents occur, and there are some safety tips both parties can follow to reduce crash risk.

Accident on I-40 kills motorcycle rider

According to the Knox News, around 9 pm on June 2^nd, a motorcycle crashed into the back of a passenger vehicle. Unfortunately, the rider was dead by the time help arrived. No one else suffered from injuries due to the crash.

Motorcycle accident stats

According to the National Safety Council, there has been a 200% increase in motorcycle deaths over the last 20 years. Even though only 3% of registered vehicles are motorcycles, they account for 14% of all traffic-related fatalities. 91% of those who die are male, and 28% of fatalities involve alcohol use.

Safety tips

Although investigators have not released more details about who was at fault for the Knoxville crash, the NSC reports that it is usually the driver of a motor vehicle who maneuvers into the path of a motorcycle. This is often because motorists do not think about motorcycles on the road, and they are more difficult to see due to their size and narrow profile.

Drivers should do a better job of looking for motorcycles, but the riders of motorcycles also can do their part. They should wear reflective and bright clothing to increase visibility. They should also ride defensively, stay out of other vehicles’ blind spots and avoid weaving into lanes. Motorcyclists can also reduce more serious injuries by wearing a helmet, ankle-high boots and durable clothing.

Bicycle accidents occur at various times, from the early morning hours to the nighttime and on different days of the week. However, the risk of an accident is especially high during certain periods. For example, many bicyclists are involved in accidents on the weekend.

For starters, many people ride their bikes on the weekend when they do not have to work. Moreover, some ride for very long distances when they have the entire day off. If you regularly ride your bicycle during the weekend, or at any time, watch out for reckless drivers and various hazards.

Risk factors

On the weekend, many drivers like to go on road trips, increasing the odds of driver fatigue, speeding and unfamiliarity with the road. All of these factors make drivers more likely to collide with bicyclists and many lives are lost every year as a result of driver errors and negligence. Often, major events occur on the weekend, which sometimes result in chaotic and unusual traffic. Bicyclists are especially vulnerable when traffic becomes hectic.

Recovering from a wreck

When a bicycle accident takes place, it is crucial for victims to have a firm understanding of their legal options. Many are able to secure crucial financial resources by taking their case to court and holding the driver who caused the accident accountable. However, the correct approach to a lawsuit is pivotal. If you are trying to decide whether legal action is a smart move or you want to learn more about your rights, make sure you carefully evaluate your circumstances. Our law firm covers many other topics related to accident injuries and options available to many victims.