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Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists at risk of traumatic brain damage

Traumatic brain injuries are a serious problem for people in Tennessee and across the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 138 people die each day due to traumatic brain injuries. Motor vehicle accidents are the second-leading cause of traumatic brain injury deaths in the U.S., and a number of those fatalities involve motorcycle collisions. Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles do not have seat belts, air bags and sensory technology that are designed to help reduce injuries and protect people who are involved in car accidents. Furthermore, motor vehicles have a protective barrier that surrounds the driver. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, only have a helmet that shields them from the road.

Even a hard jolt to the head while wearing a helmet, however, can lead to a traumatic brain injury, as reported by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. When a motorcyclist’s head experiences a sudden impact, the soft tissue of the brain may bounce into the hard skull bone. This can damage critical brain tissue and cause it to bruise and bleed. In the hours, days and weeks following the accident, the brain may continue to swell, causing even further brain damage.

Motorcyclists who hit their heads are at risk of receiving mild, moderate or severe brain trauma. Depending on the force of impact and the area of the brain that is damaged, the victim may experience varying symptoms of brain trauma. These include the following:

  •          Nausea and vomiting
  •          Persistent headaches
  •          Muscle weakness
  •          Tingling in the extremities
  •          Trouble concentrating

In some cases, motorcyclists may have seizures or black out completely. Injuries may improve with speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments. 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

More passengers may cause deadly accidents for teens

Motor vehicle accidents are listed as the number one cause of death for teens between the ages of 15 and 19 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Researchers have studied many factors that contribute to these unfortunate teen fatalities, and have found that speed, seat belt use, distraction, inexperience and drunk driving are just some of the factors that may be involved in teen auto accidents. One study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, however, found a correlation between the number of passengers teen drivers have in the vehicle and their risk of being killed in an auto accident.

The study looked at fatal motor vehicle accidents involving 16 and 17-year-old teens across the U.S. Researchers measured the number of passengers that were in the car at the time of the collision, as well as the time of day the accident took place, the driver’s age and the sex of the driver. Surprisingly, the data concluded that the risk of becoming involved in a fatal car accident increased in proportion to the number of passengers teenagers had in the vehicle while driving.

As a result, many states, including Tennessee, require teens to transition through a graduated driver’s license program before they are allowed full access to the road. The program regulates when teens can drive, how many people they can drive with as well as the ages of the passengers. Researchers believe that limiting the number of passengers that teens are able to have in the car while driving can help to reduce the risk of teenage car accidents, injuries and deaths. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Tennessee’s graduated driver’s license program saves lives

Since teenage drivers are inexperienced and just learning the rules of the road, Tennessee has incorporated a graduated driver’s license program to gently ease teens into the world of driving. It is important to know the rules of the program in order to ensure teens are on the right track to receiving their driver’s licenses. Furthermore, teens can reduce their risk of becoming injured or killed in a serious car accident by adhering to the program regulations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that GDL laws can reduce teenage motor vehicle accident fatalities by up to 50 percent.

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, there are three phases that teens must pass through in order to receive their driver’s license. These include the following:

  •          Learners permit
  •          Intermediate restricted license
  •          Intermediate unrestricted license

Each phase has specific restrictions regarding how many passengers the teen can have in the vehicle with them while they are driving, the ages of the passengers as well as the time of day in which the teen can be on the road.

At the age of 15, teens can begin driving with a learners permit, but only with when accompanied by a driver who is 21 years of age or older. Once a teenager reaches the age of 16 and has had a permit for at least 180 days, he or she can apply for an intermediate restricted license. If a teen has more than one seat belt violation or causes a car accident, he or she may not be eligible to move to the next phase. At 17 years old, a teen may obtain an unrestricted driver’s license, after they have had a restricted license for at least one year and have met all other requirements. 

Categories
Car Accidents

What factors put senior drivers at risk?

Whether you are a senior driver in Tennessee or you have an elderly motorist in your family, it is important to understand how driving is different for people as they age. Why does the risk of becoming seriously injured or dying in a traffic accident increase for drivers over the age of 65? In fact, there are several reasons why the aging adult may have difficulties behind the wheel and why these problems could lead to a devastating auto accident.

One of the most common reasons, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, is that as people age, they often experience a decline in their ability to see. This includes poor night vision, color vision and peripheral vision, all of which are essential for driver safety. When people are unable to judge the distance of an oncoming vehicle and/or the speed of traffic, they may be unable to make good choices regarding turns and speed.

Many seniors naturally develop a delayed response time, and it may take seniors longer to process crucial information about their driving environment. When mixed with heavy traffic conditions, inclement weather or distracted driving, this slow reaction time could be deadly in certain situations.

In addition, seniors are more likely to be taking prescription medication for medical conditions that could affect their ability to drive. In some cases, the mere presence of physical and/or psychological conditions could influence the way people act and react to hazards on the road.

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

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

TN seniors involved in a high number of fatal car accidents

Although many people over the age of 65 are able to operate a vehicle safely, there are a number of senior drivers who are not fit to drive. Not only do these drivers threaten their own lives, but they threaten the lives of everyone else on the road. According to crash data provided by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, 958 people were killed on state roadways in 2015. Of those fatalities, a surprising 209 were senior drivers. While this number was lower than the previous two years, it still represents nearly 22 percent of all traffic accident fatalities that year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2014, 2,745 people between the ages of 65 and 74 were killed in car accidents across the U.S., and 2,964 deaths occurred to people over the age of 74. This national average accounted for approximately 8 and 9 percent of all traffic accident deaths, which is significantly lower than the Tennessee car accident fatality rate for seniors.

Despite this high number of deaths, Tennessee does not require any special licensing requirements for elderly drivers. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 33 states in the country have special requirements for senior drivers, including vision tests, road tests and mandating a more frequent renewal period. All drivers in the state, however, are required to renew their driver’s licenses every five years regardless of age, and are asked to complete a basic vision test.

Some believe that more stringent driver’s license renewal policies for seniors could help to reduce the number of elderly people involved in fatal car accidents throughout the state. 

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Higher speed limits could lead to increased fatalities

Although setting speed limits has been a somewhat controversial topic in Tennessee and across the nation, many states have decided to increase the speed limit on highways and freeways. In Texas, for example, state officials increased the speed limit to 85 mph on one stretch of road in 2012. Despite these speed limit changes, some believe that increasing the speed limit could lead to a significant rise in motor vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths on state roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed-related car accidents led to 10,219 deaths in 2012. A number of studies also support the fact that increases in speed have a direct link to vehicular accidents and deaths.

One study conducted in Washington took a look at how speed limit changes in the state affected the motorist death rate, according to Vox.com. When the speed limit rose in 1987, the number of people killed in vehicle accidents also increased. Furthermore, the motor vehicle accident fatality rate in urban areas where the speed limit stayed the same did not see an increase in deaths. Another study showed a rise in accident deaths by an average of 35 percent for every 2 mph that the speed limit increased.

A number of states have different speed limits for cars, trucks and motorcycles, as reported by the Governors Highway Safety Association. In addition, speed limits can change depending on whether the roadway is in or outside of the city. In Tennessee, however, the state has a set speed limit of 70 mph across rural and urban interstates. 

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

How bikers can make themselves more visible to motorists

If you enjoy riding your bicycle throughout Knoxville, you should know that navigating the roads alongside cars and trucks can be dangerous. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that approximately 743 people were killed and an additional 48,000 people were injured while riding their bikes nationwide in 2013. A number of motorists involved in bicycle accidents admitted that they simply did not see the bike at the time of the incident. Although negligent motorists are a definite problem in Tennessee and across the country, there are some things you can do to decrease your risk of becoming the victim of a serious accident.

Whether you are on a busy road or cycling on a back street, it is important to maximize your visibility. According to AAA, you should always purchase bright-colored clothing that is made from reflective materials. Furthermore, you can highlight parts of your bike, helmet or clothing by using reflective bike tape. This is extremely important to use when you are riding in the dark, as up to 60 percent of bike accidents occur at night, according to LifeTimeFitness.com.

As a biker, you should always ride in designated bike lanes or alongside traffic where vehicles can see you. If possible, try to avoid riding during peak traffic times. Always ride defensively, and keep your eyes open for possible negligent motorists. While you cannot control the actions of others, you can be sure that you are ready to respond to an unexpected event.

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

Categories
Car Accidents

Why wearing a seat belt saves lives

If you are like many other motorists in Tennessee and across the nation, you may put your seat belt on as soon as you get into your car. For many people, this practice has become a ritual and as a result, many lives have been saved. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can reduce your risk of dying in an automobile accident by nearly half just by wearing your seat belt.

Unfortunately, there are still people who fail to buckle up when they get behind the wheel. Teenagers are one of the largest populations of people who do not wear their seat belts, as reported by the CDC. Approximately 55 percent of teenagers who were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2012 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision. This may be due to the fact that a number of teenagers are simply inexperienced and unaware of the importance of buckling up.

Many states, including Tennessee, have primary or secondary laws regarding seat belt use. Wearing a seat belt is a primary law in the state, which means that a law officer can pull you over and issue you a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. Secondary laws, on the other hand, prohibit officers from ticketing drivers for not wearing seat belts unless they have committed another traffic offense. Although new vehicles come equipped with the latest safety technology, seat belts remain one the easiest ways to remain safe while on the road.

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

Categories
Car Accidents

TN drivers may get fined for talking on cellphones

Tennessee law currently prohibits people from texting on their hand held cellphones while driving. However, drivers in the state may soon be unable to even talk on their handheld devices while operating a vehicle. A bill that was recently approved by the house panel would make talking on a handheld device while driving illegal. If the bill passes, Tennessee will be added to the already 14 states in the U.S. that have outlawed drivers from using handheld devices, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

One representative who opposes the bill argues that talking on a handheld cellphone is not the only driver distraction that acts as a danger to other motorists, according to the Times Free Press. Eating, dealing with kids, turning the radio station and putting on makeup are other potential distractions that could lead to a horrible motor vehicle accident as well. Not to mention that engaging in a conversation, whether it is on a handheld cellphone or a hands free device, may be just as distracting.

Although studies show that talking on a hands free cellphone is risky for drivers, drivers would be able to continue using a hands free device or a hand held cellphone that is mounted to the dashboard of the car if the bill is approved. The National Safety Council has reported the dangers of distracted driving, and how cognitive distraction from maintaining a conversation on a cellphone can increase the likelihood of an accident. Drivers are encouraged to refrain from using any type of cellular device while behind the wheel. 

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Why are motorcyclists in danger of receiving road rash?

As a motorcyclist in Tennessee, you face a number of risks when out on the open road. Not only do motorcycles lack safety features that motor vehicles provide, but you are not protected against the bare road if you should become involved in an accident. One common injury that many motorcyclists suffer from after surviving a collision is road rash. According to LiveStrong.com, skin abrasions are caused when the skin skids across the rocky road or pavement at a certain rate of speed. While some types of clothing and gear can protect you from getting road rash, you are still at risk of getting skid injuries through some types of clothing.

Skid injuries cause a type of burn from being dragged across the road. In some minor cases, only the first few layers of skin are taken off, leaving the area red and sore. These injuries usually heal quite quickly with attention and care. In more severe situations, however, the skin may be torn off completely. People who receive third-degree skid burns may have to undergo a skin graft in order to reattach healthy skin to the damaged area. This can be extremely painful, costly and could leave significant scaring.

Open wounds are susceptible to infection, especially if there are rocks, dirt and other foreign pieces caught within the rash. If you suffer from a skid injury, it is crucial that you seek immediate medical attention.

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