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Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Pedestrian killed in Tennessee crash

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has stated that a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 took the life of a pedestrian, although authorities have not released the victim’s identity or any information related to the cause of the crash. The car accident occurred when a vehicle ran off the road into the median, striking a pedestrian and shutting down all eastbound lanes for approximately one hour. No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Many pedestrian crashes on interstate highways involve pedestrians who have exited their vehicles due to another car accident or a breakdown. In some cases, these pedestrians are standing or walking near their own vehicles when another car hits them. However, it is unclear if this was the case in this incident. Police often tell motorists to remain in their cars if they have a breakdown as this may offer more safety on a busy interstate.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash and may release more information as it becomes available. Currently, authorities are withholding the identities of the victim and driver, as well as any information on what led the driver to leave the interstate and swerve into the median.

A personal injury attorney may represent the family of a pedestrian victim who has been killed in a collision with a car. A wrongful death suit on behalf of the victim may be filed by the surviving family members and may include pleas for various types of damages. These damages may include compensation for loss of love and affection of the victim, as well as lost future income the victim might have earned. Furthermore, families may decide to seek payment of medical bills, funeral expenses and other costs directly associated with the accident.

Source: WBBJ Eyewitness News, “Pedestrian Killed in Late Night Crash“, May 18, 2013

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Suggested reduction in blood-alcohol-content levels

The National Transportation Safety Board promoted a federal law that would drop the blood-alcohol-content level for driving under the influence from .08 to .05 percent. The group feels this would increase highway safety by reducing drunk driving accidents.

One of the groups against the reduced BAC levels is at least one trade association in the restaurant industry, citing statistics that some women will attain a BAC level of .05 percent after only one drink. The group used information from a chart released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reach their conclusions. The NHSTA acts a regulatory group for highway safety and collects accident statistics.

However, the NHTSA indicated that the chart may no longer be accurate. A different chart shows the affect that a BAC level of .05 percent has on drivers, including reduced response time and reduced coordination.

A beer industry group will consider the recommendations from the NHTSA. However, the president of the organization wants legislation to focus on repeat offenders and increased penalties for those with excessively high BAC levels.

The board also recommends that law enforcement personnel take a person’s driver’s license if the driver does not agree to submit to a breathalyzer or if the driver registers a BAC level above a certain maximum. In addition, they are promoting the use of sensors that measure the alcohol content of air during traffic stops. If the sensor signals alcohol, law enforcement could conduct additional tests. They also encouraged ignition interlock devices for every DUI offender and want the states to increase efforts to monitor offender compliance with the IIDs.

If the new legislation is passed that drops the threshold of blood-alcohol content for impaired driving, more people could be found criminally liable for their actions. In addition, some people might file civil lawsuits as well in order to hold the responsible parties financially accountable. A personal injury attorney might be able to help clients determine an appropriate compensation amount.

Source: CNN, “Tougher drunk-driving threshold proposed to reduce traffic deaths“, Mike Ahlers, May 15, 2013

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Three-car wreck claims one life

After a three-vehicle car accident on May 9 in Tennessee, one person died and five other people sustained injuries. A 77-year-old male passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt when the accident happened, died. The injured parties included a 48-year-old man, a 33-year-old woman, a 1-year-old girl, and 4-month-old twin boys.

Officials believe that the driver may have been drinking or using drugs before the car accident, which contributed to the wreck. One of the passengers was also thought to have been impaired. They asked for blood samples to be taken from both individuals to determine if either one showed alcohol or drugs in their system.

The driver of a truck apparently did not sustain injuries in the accident. A van pulled in front of the truck and then hit a sedan. The van flipped before it finally landed on its roof. Investigators remained on site into the evening to determine what happened.

A bystander who was working near the accident scene reported that she heard the collision. She observed children being taken away from the scene and also heard emergency personnel as they attempted to remove someone from a vehicle. She complimented the quick response time of those who responded to the accident.

After a fatal motor-vehicle accident, the loved ones of the person who was killed could want to hold the responsible parties accountable. A personal injury lawyer might be able to help clients file a lawsuit so they can receive proper compensation. In addition, the injured parties could require surgery, lengthy hospital stays, therapy, counseling, prescription medications and other related expenses. A lawyer might review the costs associated with the accident and help the injured recover the finances associated with the accident.

Source: DNJ, “Double Springs crash victims identified“, Mark Bell, May 09, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

Woman faces charges in relation to automotive accident

A woman who allegedly caused a car crash in Meigs County in August of 2012 has been arrested. She is now facing vehicular homicide charges nine months after the fatal car accident.

The woman was heading northbound on Highway 58 in the southbound lane when she reportedly struck another vehicle head-on. Police report that she did not have her headlights on and that she might have been impaired due to drug consumption. The other vehicle’s driver died in the car collision. The woman who faces charges was taken to a nearby hospital, along with three of her passengers. The woman was arrested in Florida, where she is now a resident. She was taken to the Meigs County Jail where she awaits trial on one count of vehicular homicide and three charges of reckless endangerment.

In addition to any criminal penalties imposed on the woman, she may also face civil liability. When a negligent driver causes another person to be injured or killed due to negligent behavior, the victim or the victim’s family may be able to seek compensation. Negligence may be established by the victim’s attorney by showing that the defendant driver did not drive a reasonably prudent manner. For example, a drunk driver, distracted driver or inattentive driver may have acted negligently due to being impaired or not paying attention.

A victim or his or her family may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Due to the complexity of proving negligence, a victim or his or her family may consider retaining the services of a Knoxville personal injury attorney.

Source: WRCB TV, “Woman charged in fatal Meigs County crash“, May 02, 2013

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Knoxville crash leaves Tennessee freshman in critical condition

A Knoxville single-car accident has left one University of Tennessee freshman in critical condition and another potentially facing DUI charges. The automobile accident happened at 5:02 am on on May 7 at the Cherokee Trail exit ramp on the Alcoa Highway.

According to Knoxville Police, it appeared that the driver drove the SUV off the exit ramp and down a steep 150-foot embankment. One girl was ejected from the vehicle as it rolled down the hill. Police said that girl suffered potentially fatal injuries. The driver of the car was walking around when police arrived. Another passenger freed herself and suffered minor injuries.

Police reportedly found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the car and scattered around the crash scene. The driver and his passengers had just left a party and were returning to their on-campus apartments. A police spokesperson said the driver is in the process of being charged with a DUI.

Drunk driving accidents can cause severe damage and devastating injuries. Victims of another driver’s negligence or impairment may suffer life-altering or potentially fatal injuries through no fault of their own. These injuries can often lead to costly expenses for things like medical care, rehabilitation and a decline in quality of life.

Victims who suffer injuries caused by negligent or impaired drivers may be entitled to compensation and may find value in meeting with an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney could examine the case, determine if a claim is appropriate and estimate the amount of damages to request. If a settlement is reached, the attorney could negotiate to obtain the most money possible to cover the victim’s expenses.

Source: Knoxnews.com, “KPD: 19-year-old UT student at wheel in crash that seriously injured another student“, Don Jacobs, May 07, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

Impaired Wrong-Way Driver Faces Liability

A 21-year-old Tennessee man was killed in a collision on U.S. Highway 411 by an allegedly impaired driver driving in the wrong lane. The car accident also injured the decedent’s pregnant wife and toddler.

Around 10 p.m. on a Friday night, the man was driving his family home when the car was struck head-on by another car traveling the wrong way down the highway. Two minors, who were passengers in the car with the wrong-way driver, were not wearing seat belts and were injured. Police say the driver was impaired. The driver may face multiple criminal charges.

Though she was injured, the victim’s wife did not suffer the loss of her pregnancy. She plans to name her child after her husband.

In Tennessee, the spouse of the victim has the right to sue for a wrongful death. The spouse can claim damages as well as loss of consortium. The term consortium applies to the general companionship, help, and services that a spouse would have provided. In addition, this mother could sue on behalf of her minor child for compensation. Damages are awarded according to the percentage of fault that is assigned to the plaintiff and defendant. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 10 percent at fault, he would be awarded 90 percent of the total damages assessed.

In the case of a fatal motor vehicle accident in Tennessee, it’s important for victims to determine if they have the legal standing to sue for wrongful death on behalf of the decedent. A lawyer is a good resource for making sure that you claim all the damages that you are entitled to collect under the law.

Source: Wate.com, “Family mourns loss of Tellico Plains man killed by impaired driver,” April 22, 2013

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Street racing results in fatal three-vehicle collision in TN

On April 14, four vehicles were street racing in Tennessee, and three of the vehicles were involved in a collision. According to police, the vehicles involved in the street race were three Ford Mustangs and a Honda Civic. One red Mustang was traveling at a speed of approximately 75 miles per hour when it struck the driver’s side door of the Honda. This Mustang also struck the left front side of an orange Mustang. A fourth vehicle fled the scene.

The driver of the Honda Civic was a 20-year-old male, and he was killed in the car accident. The drivers of both the red and orange Mustangs suffered from non-critical injuries and received care in a local hospital. They were both charged with drag racing, reckless driving and vehicular homicide. Police are looking into the details of the crash and have indicated that the fourth car involved was a gray Mustang.

When a driver causes damage while operating a vehicle, that driver is financially responsible for those damages. In this incident, the actions of the various Mustang drivers resulted in the loss of one life and as well as property damage to the vehicles. The victims of the accident or their families could file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible parties to seek punitive damages for funeral expenses, car repair costs, medical bills and lost wages.

A car accident such as this one could cause victims and their families to suffer financially due to the various expenses related to the accident. By filing a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible for the accident, victims and their families could receive compensation for their expenses. A Knoxville personal injury lawyer could provide additional information about a victim’s legal rights after an accident.

Source: WMC TV, “20-year-old killed in street race,” Lauren Squires, April 14, 2013

Categories
Truck Accidents

Truck accident kills woman in Tennessee funeral procession

A cement truck slammed into a funeral procession in Tennessee, killing one woman. The truck accident took place on the afternoon of Saturday, April 13 in South Memphis where Shelby Drive meets Third Street.

Traffic was stopped in the area for a funeral procession. The driver of an approaching cement truck did not notice the stopped traffic in time to stop safely and lost control of the vehicle. The cement truck hit the back of a Nissan Maxima before falling on top of a Chevrolet Colorado. A woman inside of the Chevrolet died on the scene. She was 49 years old and had been taking part in the funeral procession. A witness reported that she was unresponsive immediately after the accident.

A man and his son were traveling inside the Nissan that was hit from behind. They managed to escape serious injury and were released from a local hospital. The man’s father remarked that the family felt lucky to have survived such a major accident. Cleanup from the accident was a challenging task because the cement truck spilled cement all over the road.

This accident is currently under investigation and no announcements have been made regarding possible charges for the driver of the cement truck. Accidents of this nature can leave victims with hefty bills. In cases with fatalities, families can suddenly find themselves dealing with unexpected funeral expenses. Victims and their families sometimes seek the help of an attorney to sort out the possibilities regarding a settlement to help ease the financial burden associated with a truck accident. An investigation might uncover circumstances that caused or contributed to an accident such as driver fatigue or negligence.

Source: WMCTV, “Cement truck crashes into funeral procession, kills woman,” Lauren Squires, April 13, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

3 hospitalized after 4-car collision

A sports-utility vehicle travelling south on U.S. Highway 31E in Tennessee caused a four-car collision after swerving across the center line on April 16. After the car accident, one woman, who was driving a pick-up truck, was flown to the hospital with serious injuries, according to law enforcement personnel.

Another man and woman, who were driving another vehicle involved in the crash, were also transported by an emergency vehicle to a medical facility. Neither the driver of the SUV nor the driver of the fourth vehicle were hurt. The Tennessee Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation of the accident and is working to reconstruct what happened during the collision. Drugs and alcohol are not thought to have been a contributing factor to the accident. Part of the roadway was shut down because of the wreck but reopened later the same day.

After a serious car accident, victims who suffer injuries can face a long recovery process. They might need surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, prescription medication, equipment and counseling, which can all be costly. In addition, they might need to take time off work and could even lose their jobs in some cases. The parties who are responsible for the accident need to be held financially accountable so that the injured victims can receive fair and just financial compensation.

A personal injury attorney can help clients file a civil lawsuit. The clients can pursue payment for their injuries through the legal system, and an attorney might be able to negotiate a settlement. However, in some cases, the attorney might need to bring the case before a jury in order to fight for the rights of clients.

Source: The Tennessean, “Three injured in four-car Gallatin wreck,” Josh Cross, April 16, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

New technology can ease the minds of parents with driving teens

Parents of Knoxville teenagers likely know the discomfort that can be felt when one’s child is out on the road by themselves. Luckily, it seems as if new technology can go towards helping every teen avoid a car accident. These technologies are known as Drivecam and Geofencing, and they can give parents an inside look on how their teens are driving.

Drivecam is an actual dashboard camera that activates whenever the driver engages in an unsafe behavior. When an unsafe behavior occurs, such as speeding or reckless driving, the company’s data center can view the video and pass that information on to the driver’s parents. In addition, after viewing these videos, the company offers specific tips on how that teen can drive safer. 

Geofencing also lets parents monitor their child’s driving speed, but in addition, it alerts parents if their teen drives outside of a certain perimeter. The car is even traceable via the Internet. There are vehicles that are currently being sold with these technologies already installed, but concerned parents can also have the devices installed aftermarket. Reports show that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America, so these technologies are giving some parents peace of mind when their child is out on their own.

Teenagers are at a high risk of experiencing dangerous crashes, and sadly, it’s hard for parents to watch out for their teen when they’re not in the same vehicle. Luckily, evolving technologies can go a long way in helping parents stay on the ball when it comes to their teen’s driving. Anyone, teenager or not, who is injured in a car accident may be able to benefit from a personal injury attorney. Even with these new devices, accidents are bound to happen, so having an attorney may help a person receive just compensation after a collision.

Source: CBS New York, “New technology could help teens stay safe behind the wheel,” April 4, 2013