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Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accident involving pedestrian kills 1, injures 2

A motorcycle accident that took place in Tennessee on July 5 left one person dead and two others with serious injuries. According to the report, the crash occurred in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 between the Madison and Rivergate Parkway exits in Madison about 6 p.m.

Police stated that a 45-year-old pedestrian was driving a truck on the interstate when his vehicle blew a tire. He had entered the roadway in order to remove a piece of the tire when a 34-year-old man’s motorcycle struck him. The impact of the collision between the pedestrian and the motorcycle caused the bike to travel onto the interstate shoulder between the truck and the guardrail, causing both the driver and passenger to be ejected.

The driver of the motorcycle died at the scene of the accident. The 27-year-old passenger of the motorcycle and the pedestrian were both transported to separate hospitals for treatment of serious injuries. Both individuals remained in critical condition the following day. Authorities were still investigating the accident.

Someone who is involved in a motorcycle accident is likely to suffer serious or even fatal injuries due to the force involved in such a crash. If an injury is suffered due to another person’s negligence, the injured party might file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for any resulting financial damages. These damages may include any medical bills that were incurred during the treatment of any injuries and any income that was lost due to hospitalization or being unable to work. The injured party could also seek compensation for pain and suffering.

Source: WKRN, “1 killed, 2 injured after motorcycle hits pedestrian on I-65“, July 06, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

3-vehicle crash in Tennessee leaves 3 dead, 6 injured

A Hickman County accident involving a semi-truck and two other vehicles on Interstate 40 inflicted significant damage, according to authorities. The June 27 accident left three people dead and six others injured and caused the highway to be closed for several hours, authorities reported.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a Toyota Tacoma heading east on the interstate collided with a semi-truck traveling without a trailer in the same direction. The impact of the collision caused the Tacoma to spin out and flip over, ultimately coming to a stop in a ditch. Furthermore, the semi-truck rebounded across the median and crashed into a westbound Mercury Grand Marquis, causing both vehicles to flip over, authorities reported.

The driver of the Mercury, a 22-year-old man, and two passengers in the vehicle, a 19-year-old woman and a 50-year-old woman, were all killed as a result of the truck accident. Six other people involved in the incident, including two minors, suffered injuries; yet, the extent of their injuries was not clear in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Police commenced an investigation into the event. Charges are pending, according to police.

In a case such as this, more than one party might be liable for the incident. The people who suffered damages in connection with the event may wish to retain the counsel and resources of a personal injury lawyer or wrongful death attorney in an effort to prove to a civil court that the at-fault parties should be held responsible for the incident. If successful, accident victims and the families of deceased accident victims may receive financial compensation for the damages they suffered in connection with the accident. These damages may include but are not limited to hospital bills, the costs associated with funeral services and even lost earnings.

Source: WKRN, “Charges pending in I-40 crash that killed 3, injured 6“, June 28, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

1 killed, 2 injured in Tennessee head-on collision

A July 5 accident took the life of a woman and injured two other people, according to authorities. The incident reportedly took place near an apartment complex at the intersection of William Blount Drive and Dotson Memorial Road in Maryville just before 10 a.m.

According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, a 48-year-old woman collided head-on with a pickup truck driven by a 66-year-old man. Purportedly, it was necessary for emergency crews to extricate both drivers from their vehicles in order to transport them to a hospital. The 48-year-old woman suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where she later died. The 66-year-old man was transported to the same hospital via ambulance. Moreover, emergency personnel transported another man injured in the wreck to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The extent of his injuries was not clear immediately following the incident. Nor was it immediately clear what vehicle he was occupying at the time of the crash.

This case illustrates the catastrophic damage that head-on collisions often wreak upon the people involved in them. The injuries suffered are often traumatic if not fatal. As a result of these injuries, accident victims and their families are often left to cope with not just physical pain and emotional turmoil but also financial stress. However, they may seek recourse in civil court if the collision was caused by another party’s actionable behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving or drunk driving.

If, hypothetically, investigators were to discover substantial evidence from a head-on collision indicating that the car accident was caused by distracted driving, then the people who suffered damages as a result of the crash may hold the at-fault driver accountable via civil action. For example, the injured accident victims may retain a personal injury attorney and file suit against the distracted driver, and certain family members of the deceased accident victims may file a wrongful death claim against the distracted driver.

Source: WVLT, “Maryville woman in critical condition after head-on crash in Blount County“, July 05, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

4 people killed in chain reaction crash in Tennessee

Four people died and four suffered injuries in a chain reaction crash involving five vehicles in Haywood County, near Jackson. The June 25 accident happened on Interstate 40 in traffic that had slowed down due to an earlier accident in the area.

According to reports, the fatal accident began in the westbound lanes of I-40 when a freight truck rear-ended a Lexus driven by a Staten Island, New York, woman. The impact caused the Lexus to crash into the rear of a tractor-trailer, which in turn crashed into the tractor-trailer ahead of it. The freight truck also crashed into another vehicle during the accident. Four of the five vehicles involved caught fire because of the collision.

The New York woman and her passenger, a Massachusetts resident, died in the accident, as were two other people. The Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that speed had played a role in the accident but also that they did not immediately issue any criminal charges or citations. As in similar fatal accidents, victims might choose to file claims once liability can be established.

Because police believe that speed played a role in the accident, the families of the occupants of the Lexus might consider filing wrongful death claims if it can be shown the that driver of the freight truck was negligent while driving. In these types of cases in Tennessee, a successful claim might mean that the family could receive compensation for the funeral and burial costs that they incurred and for the loss of support and services from the decedent.

Source: SILive, “Staten Island woman killed in Tennessee crash, report says“, Maura Grunlund, July 02, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Tennessee man killed in head-on collision

A man was killed in a head-on collision in Rutherford County shortly before 6:30 a.m. on June 25. The collision took place in the 4200 block of Lascassas Pike, which is near Shady Lane. Investigators say that the driver who allegedly caused the crash will likely face charges since she was apparently under the influence of drugs. She was also tested for alcohol intoxication.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the fatal collision happened when a Mitsubishi that was headed west on Lascassas Pike crossed the double yellow lines and collided head-on with an eastbound Ford Ranger. The 33-year-old Murfreesboro man who was driving the Ranger had attempted to avoid a collision with the Mitsubishi by pulling into the shoulder.

The driver of the Ranger was declared dead at the scene of the accident. The 31-year-old Murfreesboro woman driving the Mitsubishi was taken to an area hospital to receive treatment for injuries suffered in the accident. If the driver truly was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal accident, this information might be used to establish negligence if any family members of the deceased driver consider filing a wrongful death claim.

If a wrongful death claim is successful in Tennessee, the family of the decedent might receive remuneration for the funeral and burial expenses they incurred. The family might also be compensated for any financial losses experienced due to the person’s death, such as support and services. The first step in many wrongful death claims is proving that there was an act of negligence involved, which may be easier if any at-fault parties are facing related criminal charges.

Source: News Channel 5, “33-Year-Old Man Killed In Rutherford County Head-On Crash“, June 25, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclist dies in Tennessee accident

A June 19 motorcycle accident in Bellevue left a 64-year-old man dead, police stated. Reportedly, the incident took place on Highway 70 near the Old Hickory Boulevard intersection at approximately 12:25 p.m.

Police stated that the 64-year-old man was traveling on a 2007 Harley Davidson in the eastbound lanes of Highway 70 when a pickup truck towing a utility trailer made a turn directly into the path of the motorcycle. The subsequent collision propelled the 64-year-old man from his motorcycle. Authorities said he died at the accident scene.

The driver of the truck, a 35-year-old man, was driving without a valid driver’s license, allegedly. Police charged him with failure to exercise due care and driving without a license. Furthermore, police said the investigation into the crash is ongoing.

If further investigation into this case were to confirm that the accident was the result of negligent driving, the driver responsible for that actionable behavior may be held accountable for the fatal crash not just criminally but also in civil court. For, people who suffer damages as a result of accidents caused by negligent drivers may be entitled to restitution via civil action.

As this particular case illustrates, a motorcycle accident can have calamitous results, including fatal injuries. When that is the case, certain family members of the deceased victim may retain a wrongful death attorney and file suit, seeking financial compensation for the damages they suffered as a result of the fatal accident. If successful, claimants in a wrongful death suit may receive compensation for the expenses associated with their loved one’s funeral services, burial and estate administration. Moreover, they might be awarded restitution for lost earnings if the decedent had contributed income to the family household prior to death.

Source: WSMV, “Police identify motorcyclist killed in Bellevue crash“, Kara Apel, June 19, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Woman killed in rollover accident

A rollover accident in Tennessee left one woman dead and a man seriously injured on June 15. Police believe that the driver may have been intoxicated at the time of the fatal accident. Reports indicated that felony charges were pending against him.

The accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. in Smyrna. The deceased woman, a 26-year-old Murfreesboro woman, was a passenger in a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by a 31-year-old Rockville man. The vehicle was headed west on Interstate 24 when the driver lost control of the SUV near the Almaville Road exit. A Tennessee Highway Patrol report said that the vehicle left the highway and hit the median, leading the driver to overcorrect to get back onto the roadway. The Tahoe overturned as a result, traveling across several lanes on the highway before coming to a stop upright.

The woman was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The driver, who was conscious when emergency crews arrived at the scene but was non-responsive afterward, was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville for treatment of serious injuries. His condition was unknown the following day.

People who drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol cause thousands of deaths each year. Surviving relatives of drunk driving victims must often grieve their loved ones while struggling with the costs of medical treatment and funeral expenses. Many families must also arrange to replace the deceased’s contributions to their households, such as income or child or elder care. Some spouses, parents or children of deceased accident victims consider filing wrongful death claims against at-fault drivers. Personal injury attorneys could guide families through the process of seeking compensation.

Source: WKRN, “Woman dies after being ejected in crash on I-24 in Smyrna“, June 16, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Recent crashes highlight truck-accident trends

After a number or high-profile truck accidents, one news source highlighted different safety issues in the trucking industry. According to the report, the National Transportation Safety Board claims that trucks that failed to adjust to slowing traffic conditions caused accidents in Tennessee, Maryland, Illinois and Kentucky. These accidents highlight an increasing trend in truck-related fatalities.

According to data following recent trends, truck accidents decreased and hit a low in 2009. However, more accidents involving the large vehicles are being reported in the years following that dip, and 3,921 truck accident fatalities were reported in 2012. Some have claimed that trucking companies are pushing workers to physical limits and are trying to limit scrutiny on driver fatigue allegations. In addition, while some trucks are outfitted with state-of-the-art safety technology that is supposed to help a driver avoid collisions, these vehicles still become involved in fatal crashes due to a driver’s condition. For example, the truck that apparently injured Tracy Morgan and killed another person in a New Jersey crash was equipped with collision avoidance systems and speed limiters, but the driver behind the wheel had apparently not slept for 24 hours.

However, the American Trucking Association, a trade group, suggests that any increase in accidents are related to the continued growth of the economy and blames the high number of accidents on an increase in demand for the transport of goods. A spokesperson for the group argued that a jump in miles driven by truckers leads to additional exposure to danger on the roads, which results in an increase in accidents.

Strict federal regulations control how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel, and failure to adhere to those standards may be considered negligence in court. Individuals who have been negatively affected by an accident caused by the negligence of a truck driver might be entitled to compensation that can be claimed through a civil action filed in court.

Source: NJ.com, “In wake of Tracy Morgan crash, rising truck fatalities lead to new scrutiny“, Ted Sherman, June 15, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Teen driver causes accident that kills 1, injures 6

A car accident involving three vehicles that occurred on Interstate 65 in Tennessee on June 12 left one person dead. According to the report, the incident took place near mile marker 110 in Robertson County during the afternoon hours.

Troopers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated that a Ford sedan that was being driven by an 18-year-old Westmoreland man was traveling north on the interstate when the vehicle suddenly left the roadway for unknown reasons, entered the median and traveled into the southbound lanes. The Ford then struck a Kia SUV, which caused the Kia to strike a Jeep.

A teenage passenger who was in the Ford did not survive his injuries. It was not known if he died at the scene of the car accident or at a nearby hospital. The Ford’s driver suffered critical injuries, and three people who were occupants of the Kia and two people who were occupants of the Jeep suffered unknown injuries in the incident. The following day, no citations had been issued against the Ford driver. However, it was noted that criminal charges were pending.

Regardless of what the causes were, anyone who causes a serious crash could be held responsible for any injuries suffered by others if they file personal injury lawsuits. By filing such lawsuits, the injured parties could seek compensation for a wide range of damages, which may include the cost of any medical or rehabilitation bills, any income that was lost as a direct result of being unable to work and for pain and suffering.

In a similar action, the family members of anyone who died in a serious crash might consider filing a wrongful death claim. A court award for such a claim may grant the family compensation for final medical and burial expenses in addition to any income that the deceased provided.

Source: WSMV, “Teen killed, 6 others injured in I-65 crash in Robertson Co.“, Chuck Morris, June 13, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Driver fatigue alleged in fatal highway accident

The investigation into the cause of the accident that left comedian Tracy Morgan hospitalized and killed a close friend of Morgan’s as they rode in a chauffeur-driven limo bus has focused on a truck driver’s lack of sleep. Media coverage of the semi-truck accident has brought attention to the dangers posed by truck driver fatigue on highways in Tennessee and throughout the United States.

Officials allege that the truck driver did not notice that vehicles ahead of him had reduced their speed on the New Jersey Turnpike. The driver’s last-minute swerve in an attempt to avoid a crash caused his vehicle to crash into the limo bus, injuring Morgan and three other occupants and killing the comedian’s close friend. The injured comedian is expected to remain in the hospital as he recovers from multiple fractures.

Police charged the truck driver with death by auto and assault by auto in a criminal complaint that claims that the driver had not slept for 24 hours. Officials did not elaborate on the source of any information concerning the driver’s inadequate sleep. Federal regulations require drivers to maintain records about the hours they spend behind the wheel each day. Federal regulations limit commercial drivers to a total of 11 hours behind the wheel each day with at least 10 hours off for sleep.

In similar situations, investigators might determine if any of the vehicles involved were equipped with safety systems that automatically reduce vehicles’ speeds and alert the drivers to the traffic ahead, as this truck apparently was. If a truck accident occurs because one of these systems was not working properly, then any injured parties might try to hold both the driver and whoever was responsible for maintaining the equipment accountable via a civil lawsuit.

Source: Yahoo! News, “Authorities: Trucker in Morgan crash hadn’t slept“, David Porter, June 10, 2014