Motor vehicle accidents happen every day on the roads of Tennessee. Each accident provides important details on situations that face drivers in terms of weather and traffic conditions, as well as other factors that lead to crashes.

Accidents ranging from the fairly common to the highly unusual illustrate some of the challenges to public safety.

Driver crashes into police cruiser

WRCB TV reports that a driver collided with a Chattanooga police car with its lights and sirens activated. The police officer was on his way to help another officer following a hit-and-run vehicle accident. The officer avoided any significant injuries, while the other driver sustained minor injuries that required a hospital visit.

The accident occurred around 9:40 p.m. on N. Moore Road in Chattanooga. The separate accident resulted in the apprehension of a person fleeing the scene of the accident. The news report did not elaborate on the charges in either incident.

Single vehicle accident results in death

News Channel 5 reported that a 52-year-old-man hit a tree after leaving the roadway on Old Hickory Road in Madison. The man, driving an SUV, crossed into the path of oncoming traffic and left the roadway and then struck the tree.

Medical personnel transported the man to Skyline Medical Center, where he later died. Metro Nashville Police could give no reason why the man left the roadway and crossed the centerline. The news report did not mention any other known complicating information on the incident. Authorities ordered toxicology testing to gain insight into the reasons for the crash and to determine possible charges.

A pedestrian has been seriously injured in Knoxville after a driver struck him and then fled the scene last Tuesday night. Police officers responded to a call of an alleged hit-and-run accident at Washington Pike near Broadway at approximately 10:20 p.m.

According to officer investigation and evidence at the scene, a pedestrian was crossing Washington Pike in the crosswalk toward the Pilot gas station when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver of an older model red Chevy Cobalt fled the scene east on Washington Pike, according to officers.

The male victim was sent to UT Medical Center in serious condition, according to the Knoxville Police Department. The accident remains under investigation.

Pedestrian fatalities on the rise

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), pedestrian fatalities across the country have increased by more than 50% in the past ten years. The GHSA predicted that more than 6,500 pedestrians lost their lives in 2019, the highest number in more than 30 years.

Pedestrian deaths also accounted for 17% of all traffic deaths in 2019. And although motor vehicle technologies have increased the survivability of vehicle occupants who are in accidents, pedestrians remain vulnerable to catastrophic injury and death when struck by a motor vehicle.

Visibility and distracted driving cited as key factors

Most pedestrian accidents occur on local roads at night and away from intersections. Although pedestrian fatalities occurring at all times of the day and night have gone up in the past 10 years, nighttime incidents occur more frequently, and have increased by 67% compared to only a 16% rise in daytime incidents. Unsafe driving behaviors such as distracted, drowsy, alcohol or drug-impaired driving occurred in nearly half the reported incidents in 2018.

A pedestrian struck by an SUV is twice as likely to die as one hit by a car. Passenger cars remain the largest category of vehicles involved in fatal pedestrian accidents, but pedestrian fatalities from SUVs have increased by 81%, a much higher rate than those from passenger cars.

When a pedestrian has suffered catastrophic injuries after an accident involving a negligent driver, it is essential to get dedicated and experienced legal support to aggressively pursue claims from insurance companies, and, if necessary, go to court to obtain the maximum financial compensation that you deserve.

While most people do not plan to run out of gas on a highway, it does happen from time to time. If this happens, it is important for drivers to take certain actions to avoid involvement in an accident.

Unfortunately, a man failed to take these precautions when he ran out of gas earlier this week, resulting in a fatality.

Being in the wrong place on the highway leads to one man’s death

According to WJHL.com, a man left his vehicle protruding into a traffic lane when he pulled over due to an empty gas tank. While he was standing next to his truck another vehicle struck and killed him. While the passenger of the other vehicle is physically unharmed, the emotional toll of the accident may cause problems for years to come.

It is unclear if the cause of the accident was the fault of the driver, the placement of the truck or where the driver was standing at the time.

Taking proper precautions can help people avoid accidents

If a driver’s truck runs out of gas, it is important that he or she park the vehicle completely out of the way of traffic. Any part of the vehicle left protruding into traffic can cause an accident, which could be fatal to any party involved.

Additionally, the driver should turn on the vehicle’s hazard lights to alert other drivers that there is a problem. Packing reflective clothing in the vehicle for such an emergency can also help other drivers take notice of the person wearing it.

If the driver cannot park the car completely off the highway lanes, it is important that he or she stand far enough away from the vehicle to avoid being involved in a collision.

As a responsible driver, you obey traffic laws, adjust your driving for inclement weather, and behave courteously to other motorists. You also avoid drinking and driving because you know how dangerous it is.

Unfortunately, too many other drivers do not take these crucial steps. This leads to serious drunk driving accidents, which cause major injuries or even loss of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain how even a minimal amount of alcohol can have a huge impact on a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.

Two drinks

Two drinks does not seem like it will have much of an impact on a person’s driving. However, many people experience impaired visual ability, lack of judgment, and problems performing more than one action at once after drinking just two alcoholic beverages.

Three drinks

After three drinks, motorists will experience diminished alertness, which prevents them from noticing road hazards. They may have trouble steering effectively due to diminished coordination. Focusing on objects is also impacted at this point.

Four drinks

By four drinks, the legal limit of .08% BAC is usually breached. Concentration and memory are affected, as is the ability to effectively process information. Speeding is more likely, which can lead to serious accidents and injuries.

Five drinks

Thinking is significantly impacted after five drinks. A person will slur their speech and exhibit poor coordination. They will also have trouble braking in time, which increases the risk of rear-end accidents.

If you see a driver exhibiting the above signs of inebriation, the best thing you can do is keep your distance. Take down identifying characteristics of the vehicle, such as make, model, color, and license plate, if it is possible to do so safely. Pull over and contact law enforcement to provide any information you have. Never attempt to stop a driver yourself or put yourself in danger to contact the authorities.