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Drunk Driving Accidents

Impaired driving in Tennessee

Drivers who operate their vehicles on the roads of Tennessee in a state of alcohol intoxication or other chemical impairment are among the most serious hazards presented on the highway. Drivers whose abilities have been influenced by drugs or drinking are responsible for a large number of injuries and fatalities across the United States every day. In fact, according to one authoritative estimate, almost 30 people are killed in alcohol-related traffic accidents every day.

This amounts to more than 10,000 fatalities in the average year. The collective costs associated with such accidents reach approximately $59 billion every year.

In addition, about 20 percent of the children under the age of 14 who die on the roads in an average year are killed in an accident involving alcohol. About half of these children were riding in the car with the intoxicated individual behind the wheel.

Those who have been hurt in a car accident involving an intoxicated driver may wish to pursue legal redress for their injuries and compensation for the economic harm that has been done to them. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious violation of the law in the state of Tennessee, and the state will prosecute when there is evidence that such a crime has been committed. This criminal prosecution would be carried out separately from any personal injury suit that may be pending against an allegedly intoxicated driver, as the lawsuit would be a civil action. However, any information that enters the public record at a criminal trial may be used by the plaintiff in a civil case. An attorney may be able to assist with filing a lawsuit and assembling the necessary evidence for presentation to the defendant, their representatives and the court.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Impaired Driving: Get the Facts“, January 03, 2015

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

How fatal wrecks impact Tennessee residents

An examination of data gleaned from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows a number of trends that might interest Tennessee motorists. These Fatality Analysis Reporting System statistics demonstrate that, while some places, like the District of Columbia, only had around 2.4 vehicle crash fatalities per 100,000 people, other locales, like Montana and North Dakota, played host to upwards of 20 fatalities per 100,000 residents.

According to statistics released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Highway Loss Data Institute, population density is a major contributing factor in motor vehicle death rates, but it isn’t necessarily the deciding parameter. Tennessee, with a population of under 7 million, experienced more than 1,000 traffic fatalities in 2012. This total was on the same order of magnitude as the number of deaths in some more populated states, like New York.

The institute noted that details like road speeds and local traffic laws could also play roles in fatal crashes. In Tennessee, where just under 50 percent of fatal accident motorists had known BAC results yet data remained unavailable on the total percentage of drivers who sustained fatal injuries with BACs over the limit, alcohol could be a critical ongoing road safety factor. The Highway Loss Data Institute also pointed out that not all states maintain reporting information on BAC crash involvement.

Criminal courts don’t always help survivors recover from vehicle accidents. For instance, a wreck that leads to the death of a primary caregiver or breadwinner might leave their relatives unable to afford their normal living expenses. Nonetheless, traffic courts and district attorneys aren’t responsible for offsetting survivors’ costs with judgment awards. Many victims consider wrongful death lawsuits and other civil court actions as a means of pursuing restitution.

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, “Fatality Facts“, December 30, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

How to prevent common car crash injuries in Tennessee

A number of injuries that occur frequently in motor vehicle accidents might be avoided if drivers and passengers apply a few responsible and cautionary measures. First, everyone in a vehicle should be required to use a seat belt or the proper restraining system for his or her body size and location within the vehicle. Secondly, the driver ought to avoid distractions and remain alert to the vehicles’ surroundings and the road signs.

In the event of a car wreck, preventable bodily injuries include those from the neck up. It may be helpful to tell passengers to use the natural instinct to protect the head by wrapping their arms around their head and possibly covering their face. The hope is to lessen the impact or soften the blow during a crash in an effort to escape severe head injuries such as skull or jaw fractures. Data collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety indicates that front and side air bags are instrumental in decreasing the risk of serious brain injuries resulting from car accidents.

The proper use of lap and shoulder restraints can help limit back and lower limb injuries because seat belts help to keep the body immobile during a crash. A decrease in the severity of motor vehicle wreck related whiplash and spinal injuries is possible. Riding in a vehicle with feet placed together in front of the body and toward the floorboard as intended is the ideal position to decrease injury to the lower extremities.

When an accident injury occurs, a car accident victim may decide to pursue compensation for damages. A personal injury attorney could help answer questions and obtain accident reports. He or she might represent an injured party in a civil lawsuit or assist with insurance company negotiations.

Source: Cars Direct, “Most Common Preventable Injuries that Happen in a Car Crash“, December 26, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Truck accidents in Tennessee

Motorists in Tennessee may be interested in understanding more about trends involving large trucks. Information about truck accidents has been collected and published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During 2012, there were 1,379 vehicles involved in fatal crashes that occurred in Tennessee. Large trucks accounted for 7.8 percent of the state’s total deadly accidents, and the 107 fatal crashes involving large trucks in Tennessee accounted for less than 3 percent of the U.S. total.

There were nearly 105,000 injuries and more than 3,900 fatalities in crashes that involved large trucks during 2012. The number of fatalities represented a 4 percent increase from the previous year. Approximately 18 percent of the fatalities were occupants in large trucks, 73 percent of the deaths were people in other vehicles and 10 percent were not inside any vehicle. The total number of fatalities for occupants inside large trucks and occupants in other vehicles increased by 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively.

The number of injuries associated with large trucking accidents increased by 18 percent from the previous year. Among those injured in trucking accidents during 2012, 24 percent were occupants of large trucks and 73 percent were inside other vehicles. Approximately 3 percent of the injuries were attributed to occupants not riding in any vehicle. The NHTSA considers large trucks to be those with a gross weight that exceeds 10,000 pounds.

People who are injured in a large truck accident may benefit from confiding in legal counsel. A lawyer might be able to investigate the accident and help determine any party may be held culpable for ensuing damages. In order to collect restitution, legal counsel may have to prove that the defendant’s negligence was the cause of the damages.

Source: National Center for Statistics and Analysis, “Traffic Safety Facts – Large Trucks“, December 23, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Man fatally wounded in two-car accident on Interstate 40

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 40-year-old driver of a 2003 Toyota was fatally wounded in a two-car accident that occurred on Dec. 18. The accident happened on Interstate 40 near Lovell Road at 3:58 a.m. Two other drivers were taken by ambulance to the University of Tennessee Medical Center; one person was treated and released and the hospital said they had no record of treatment of the other individual.

According to a Trooper with the Highway Patrol, the accident took place when the driver of a 2014 Toyota RAV4 was traveling westbound on I-40 near the 375 exit and slowed down because of traffic associated with an accident that had happened earlier around 3:39 a.m. at mile marker 374. The man who was driving the 2003 Toyota struck the Toyota RAV4 from behind, forcing it off the road.

Police said both the driver and passenger in the Toyota RAV4 were wearing their seat belts; however, the man who was fatally wounded was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the car crash. He was a substitute carrier who was en route to pick up newspapers from the News Sentinel and deliver them for his wife, who was the regular carrier for the paper. The interstate was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

When an accident has caused a fatality, police may conduct a thorough investigation to determine if a wrongful death occurred. If it can be established that a circumstance such as texting while driving, distracted driving or hazardous road conditions contributed to the cause of the automobile accident, they may determine that a driver was responsible. It is possible that the injured parties or family members of the man who died may seek compensation for medical bills or lost wages.

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel , “One killed in I-40 West crash near Lovell Road“, December 18, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Head-on accident kills 2, injures another

According to their spokesperson, the Tennessee State Police responded to a multi-vehicle accident in Roane County on Dec. 9. They reported two fatalities and one injury. The deceased included a 64-year-old woman from Rockwood and a 20-year-old man from Spring City.

The automobile accident that claimed the lives of these two people happened at the corner of Highway 27 and Eagle Furnace Road. The police believe that the Rockwood woman was driving south when the Buick Riviera she was driving went over into the path of oncoming traffic. No reason was reported as to why she may have strayed from her lane, but she ran into a northbound station-wagon head-on and caused a chain-reaction collision that involved a third vehicle.

The 20-year-old, a passenger in the station wagon, was killed in the crash, and the woman driving the station wagon suffered injuries. The person behind the wheel of the third vehicle was not hurt.

The death of a loved one can leave their family bereft in more ways than one. In addition to the pain and suffering that they feel due to the demise of their kin, the financial hardships that a grieving family must undergo are very real. If the family member died due to the recklessness or distraction of another, then the family may pursue legal action against the responsible person or entity and seek compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one. An attorney may be able to help retrieve compensation for burial expenses and intangible damages like the loss of companionship. The family may also ask for compensation for the economic contributions that their loved one would have provided, including a reasonable projection of what their future earnings might have been.

Source: WATE, “Spring City Resident Among 2 Killed In Roane County Crash“, December 10, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Safety tips for novice motorcyclists

Tennessee motorists may recognize the fact that a motorcyclist is particularly vulnerable in an accident. Statistics indicate that the risk of death in an accident is 30 times higher for a motorcyclist than for an individual who is in a car at the time of a wreck. Risks increase for older riders who tend to be more physically vulnerable because of issues associated with age. Slow reflexes and poor eyesight can increase the potential for an accident. An individual over the age of 60 is three times as likely to require hospitalization in case of a motorcycle accident.

To reduce the possibility of serious incidents and motorcycle accident injuries, a new rider should become familiar with important safety protocol and tips. From the time a purchase is considered, safety should be a top priority, and a new motorcyclist should avoid buying more than they can handle confidently. A bike should fit the rider, and controls and handlebars should be within easy reach. Antilock brakes are important for limiting the risk of locking up and losing control.

A helmet should be purchased as well. Failure to wear a helmet increases the risk of a fatal head injury in a wreck by approximately 40 percent. A rider should also invest in and use proper gear, making it a point to wear brighter colors for night riding. Defensive driving is also important. Additionally, bad weather increases the risk of an accident; a new rider should avoid riding in wet conditions or strong winds.

Even an experienced motorcyclist can be involved in an accident, and in cases involving distracted motorists or poor road conditions, personal injury litigation might be considered. Because a motorcyclist is more vulnerable in an accident, the injuries and recovery in an incident caused by negligent actions could be lengthy and costly.

Source: Consumer Reports, “10 motorcycle safety tips for new riders“, December 12, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Roundabouts are successful in reducing intersection crashes

Roundabouts in Tennessee and other states act as a safety precaution that counteracts the dangers of a normal intersection. Roundabouts create a circular intersection that leads to a safer environment because vehicles must travel at lower speeds, and the devices also have operational advantages, reducing conflict.

The Federal Highway Administration recognized that signalized intersections have faults because one-third of intersection fatalities occur at these spots. About 2,300 people die each year due to these signalized intersection fatalities, and around 700 people die yearly due to collisions after a driver runs a red light.

Roundabouts reduce the amount of injuries and deaths resulting from intersection crashes. The rate of severe crashes drop 82 percent when a roundabout replaces a two-way stop control mechanism, and all motor vehicle accidents are reduced by 44 percent. The amount of crashes at previously signalized intersections are also reduced when a roundabout is used.

Roundabouts are an effective safety feature because they help manage speed and can serve as a transition from a high-speed area to a low-speed area. These safer intersections can be paired with a range of traffic conditions in rural and urban locales. Roundabouts might be best at rural high-speed intersections, freeway interchange ramp terminals, highway projects involving construction or when replacing an intersection with safety issues.

When otherwise preventable accidents take place because of the negligence of others, an injured party could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses. If a driver runs a red light at an intersection, he or she may be responsible for a car accident. If this occurs, the injured party may benefit from discussing their case with a lawyer who is familiar with personal injury lawsuits.

Source: US Department of Transportation , “Proven Safety Countermeasures – Roundabouts“, December 05, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

2 dead in fiery tractor-trailer collision in Tennessee

According to Metro police, two people were killed in a car accident that occurred on westbound Interstate 24 north of downtown Nashville on Dec. 2 just after 5 p.m. The 3-vehicle collision happened when a 29-year-old man driving a tractor-trailer allegedly veered across the grassy median and struck a FedEx truck, causing both vehicles to burst into flames. The driver of the FedEx truck has been identified as a 52-year-old man from Villa Grove, Illinois. Due to the severity of the burns, positive identification will be made through dental records.

The third vehicle that was involved was a BMW sedan; the 29-year-old male driver sustained non-critical injuries and was treated at Skyline Medical Center. Both lanes on the interstate were closed for several hours at mile marker 44, just south of Briley Parkway and west of Interstate 65. The interstate was reopened the same evening around 10 p.m.

While police have reported that there was no indication that impairment played a role in causing the crash, they are still investigating why the tractor-trailer crossed over the median. When a collision involves a semi-truck, the trucking companies representing the employees might work with authorities to determine what factors contributed to the wreck. Often, companies will keep information on hand that could be useful in assisting the police investigation such as records of vehicle maintenance or any history of defective auto parts that were previously replaced on the truck.

It is possible that the family members of the victim from FedEx may attempt to hold the trucking company that the 29-year-old worked for responsible for a wrongful death. If an attorney can show that negligence was a role of the semi-truck accident, the company may offer a settlement that would help the family pay for medical expenses or damages that were incurred.

Source: WRCB, “2 killed in fiery crash on I-24 W; interstate now open“, Kara Apel, December 03, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle injuries and fatalities

Most Tennessee motorcyclists know that there is an element of danger when driving a motorcycle along the state’s highways and country roads. For example, in 2012 alone, over 4,600 motorcyclists lost their lives while 93,000 suffered injuries across the nation.

Since 2003, the number of motorcyclists who were injured or killed has steadily risen. In fact, in 2012, 15 percent of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists. In a large number of cases, 93 percent of motorcycle riders were killed whereas 7 percent of passengers died in crashes.

The majority of accidents involving motorcycles included at least one other vehicle. These crashes comprised 52 percent of all motorcycle accidents. Approximately 75 percent of these crashes occurred when the motorcyclist collided with a moving vehicle that was in front of them. In contrast, only about 7 percent of these wrecks involved another car rear-ending the motorcycle. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also reveal that out of 953 motorcycle accidents, 41 percent of these crashes occurred when a passenger or a commercial vehicle attempted to make a left-hand turn in front of the motorcyclist.

An individual who is involved in a motorcycle wreck could suffer debilitating injuries, and he or she might require extensive and costly medical treatment in order to make a full recovery. If another person is found to be liable for the accident, the injured motorcyclist could potentially file a personal injury lawsuit, seeking compensation to recover the costs for the damages that were suffered in the crash such as pain and suffering as well as lost wages.

Source: US Department of Transportation , “Motorcycles“, December 02, 2014