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Author: Anthony Proffitt

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Drunk Driving Accidents

The impact of drunk driving

The impact of drunk driving in Tennessee has far reaching consequences for all who are involved and their immediate families. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not an action that should be taken lightly, nor is it one that should be encouraged. According to Hearts for Families, drunk driving causes ripple effects. These effects can be both short-term and long-term.

Emotional Costs

The emotional impact from drunk driving incidents can last long after the situation has occurred. When there is a loss of life or severe injury, the feelings of anger, depression and anxiety may linger on indefinitely. The victims of these situations and the drunk drivers can become so overridden with guilt that it manifests into anger and other negative feelings that can perpetuate the cycle and quite possibly lead to future drunk driving occurrences.

Financial Implications

Drunk driving accidents often create financial burdens for all parties that are involved. Victims and their families may have to deal with medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. Drunk drivers may find themselves facing higher insurance premiums, legal fees, liability expenses, repair costs, rehabilitation bills and a lower credit score.

One percent of non-drunk driving motorists who are involved in fatality-related car wrecks are seven times less likely to have prior DUI convictions than seven percent of drivers who have a 0.08 percent or higher blood alcohol content, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every 53 minutes, a person dies from being involved in a drunk driving accident every day.

Motorists face all sorts of risks when they are on the road. Drivers who operate their vehicles while they are intoxicated are putting everyone at risk of having to deal with the consequences of their decisions.

Categories
Truck Accidents

Truck accidents

Truck accidents are on the rise in Tennessee. Drivers of semi -trucks and big rigs often spend many hours behind the wheel. Due to the nature of their jobs, many truck drivers find themselves engaging in unsafe driving behaviors in an effort to fulfill their duties. However, the number of truck driving incidents is decreasing. Due to new policies and laws in the trucking industry and oversight from the government and federal officials, the number of truck accidents that occurred from 2007 to 2010 declined by 25 percent, states uShip.

Causes of truck accidents

There are many reasons why truck drivers are involved in accidents. They could be distracted by something or someone inside of their vehicles while they are operating them. Semi-drivers may not be too familiar with the roads they are traveling on. They may also use illegal and improper driving maneuvers that cause other drivers to try to compensate for their actions. Primary causes of truck accidents involve semi-drivers being too tired to pay full attention to the road, their vehicle and other motorists; and driving too fast without regard for road conditions.

The statistics

According to a study in Science Daily, eight percent of all traffic on the highways is from trucks. 11 percent of highway accidents involve commercial vehicles. 4,500 people die each year from injuries they sustained from being involved in truck accidents. When the number of trucks on the road increases and the traffic volume of other vehicles decreases, the number of truck crash incidents rise. So does the severity of those accidents.

Truck drivers can take certain measures to reduce their chances of being involved in a crash. Taking frequent breaks, getting training for their vehicles and using safe driving behaviors can help to keep them and everyone else who is on the road safe.

Categories
Car Accidents

What to do if I am involved in a hit-and-run accident?

Hit-and-run accidents are a common occurrence in Tennessee. However, the thought of being involved in one may leave you with questions about what you should do. According to InsuranceHotline.com, victims of hit-and-run accidents often become frustrated because they are left to deal with the aftermath of these incidents. Giving in to those negative feelings is not recommended because action still needs to be taken to minimize any losses and injuries.

Once the accident is over, you should stay at the scene. Try to gather as much information as you can about the other driver. You will need an accurate description of the driver, their vehicle, license plate and the make and model of their car. You will also need to be able to describe to the best of your ability the events that lead to the accident occurring. This information is necessary for you to file a police report. Filing a police report is crucial because it can help to absolve you of any responsibility and is necessary if you expect your auto insurer to take care of the damages.

If you did not witness the incident, but find that your vehicle is damaged, take pictures to document the scene. Look for witnesses who saw what happened and contact the police so they can come out and take your statement for the report.

If you are inside of your vehicle during the accident, make sure your vehicle is no longer moving, put it in park and turn on your hazard lights. Quickly assess the scene and check yourself and any fellow passengers for injury. Contact the police and emergency medical personnel. If you are able to get out of your vehicle, do so when it is safe. You should put up road flares to alert other drivers of the situation so they can maneuver safely out of the way to prevent further crashes, injuries and to make it easier for law enforcement and medical responders to arrive at the scene.

As frightening and confusing as this type of experience can be, try to remain calm and level-headed. The actions you take immediately afterward can determine your outcome.

Categories
Truck Accidents

How can I prevent driver fatigue?

Fatigued drivers are not just a danger to themselves, they can cause harm to other motorists who are on the road in Tennessee. With the rate of fatigued drivers increasing, you may be wondering how you can fight driver fatigue. Fatigued driving involves motorists who are sleepy, drowsy and less alert while they are on the road. According to Drop It and Drive, there are several actions you can take to stay awake when you are behind the wheel.

Before you get ready to travel, you should consider drinking some coffee. Coffee is in moderation may be healthy for you. The caffeine in it can help give you the boost of energy you need to stay alert while you are driving. You should avoid eating before you hit the road. If you must have something, make sure that it is light so it will not bog down your digestive system. If you consume a heavy meal immediately before driving you may feel sluggish and tired which will affect your alertness and safety while you are on the road. If possible, allow a sufficient amount of time to go by before you drive after consuming a heavy meal.

If you are going to be driving for longer than 20 or 30 minutes, you should allow for extra time when you are planning your commute. You want to incorporate enough breaks to give you the opportunity to thoroughly stretch, move around and take in some fresh air so you can wake up and feel more alert. If you are still feeling tired or fatigued after a few moments, then you should take a short nap so you can refresh yourself.

In addition to the above suggestions, you should avoid using cruise control and allowing your vehicle’s cabin to become too warm. You want to be comfortable, but not too comfortable to the point that you may fall asleep.

It is not uncommon for fatigue to set in even if you are not tired when you are driving for long intervals on the road. However, making preparations before you get into your vehicle and taking preventative measures while you are driving can help you to fight driver fatigue and keep you getting into car accidents.

Categories
Car Accidents

Fall season driving dangers

Motorists in Tennessee need to be able to identify when drivers are driving drunk so they can take preventive actions to avoid them. Drivers who engage in intoxicated driving are not only a danger to themselves, they are a danger to their passengers and other motorists who are on the road. Relying on law enforcement and the decision-making skills of drivers who drink are not sufficient enough to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. By learning what actions and behaviors drivers tend to exhibit when they are intoxicated, the roads can become a safer place.

According to CDL Life, some of the less obvious signs of drunk driving are the use of wrong turn signals and failing to signal at all; driving much slower than posted speed limits and flow of traffic and excessive use of brakes and tailgating. The more obvious indicators that a driver has had too much to drink include drinking while driving and swerving on the road.

Motorists are not encouraged to follow drunk drivers but can do so if it is absolutely safe enough for them to do so, states The Press Democrat. They should be prepared to describe to the authorities specific driving behaviors that the person they are reporting is exhibiting. Information that can help law enforcement to catch these offenders include the direction of travel and the color, model, make and license plate of the drunken motorist’s vehicle. Drivers who suspect other motorists of drunk driving should pull over to the side of the road to remove themselves from harm’s way before contacting the police if they are not able or unwilling to follow the suspected drunken driver.

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Signs that a driver is drunk

Motorists in Tennessee need to be able to identify when drivers are driving drunk so they can take preventive actions to avoid them. Drivers who engage in intoxicated driving are not only a danger to themselves, they are a danger to their passengers and other motorists who are on the road. Relying on law enforcement and the decision-making skills of drivers who drink are not sufficient enough to prevent this type of behavior from occurring. By learning what actions and behaviors drivers tend to exhibit when they are intoxicated, the roads can become a safer place.

According to CDL Life, some of the less obvious signs of drunk driving are the use of wrong turn signals and failing to signal at all; driving much slower than posted speed limits and flow of traffic and excessive use of brakes and tailgating. The more obvious indicators that a driver has had too much to drink include drinking while driving and swerving on the road.

Motorists are not encouraged to follow drunk drivers but can do so if it is absolutely safe enough for them to do so, states The Press Democrat. They should be prepared to describe to the authorities specific driving behaviors that the person they are reporting is exhibiting. Information that can help law enforcement to catch these offenders include the direction of travel and the color, model, make and license plate of the drunken motorist’s vehicle. Drivers who suspect other motorists of drunk driving should pull over to the side of the road to remove themselves from harm’s way before contacting the police if they are not able or unwilling to follow the suspected drunken driver.

Motorists who are able to recognize the signs of drunk driving are able to keep themselves from becoming involved in motor vehicle accidents that are caused by them.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

What factors increase the likelihood of a fatal motor accident?

As you leave your home and set out for the open road, the last thing on your mind is getting fatally injured in a serious car accident. No one really thinks that they are going to get hurt or killed in a collision, and as a result, many people fail to take certain precautions when it comes to protecting their lives, as well as the lives of others on the road. There are several factors that can increase your chances of becoming involved in a deadly auto accident in Tennessee. By knowing what these factors are, you may be able to avoid them and possibly save a life in the process.

One of the easiest ways to prevent a fatal car accident is to wear your seat belt. It’s not a fallacy that wearing a seat belt saves lives and can keep you from sustaining serious injuries or even being killed in an accident. According to eHow.com, speeding is another common cause of car accidents, and is one that drivers can easily control. It is especially important to slow down while driving in bad weather conditions, which is yet another factor in deadly accidents.

In addition to these factors, the following may also cause fatal car accidents:

  •          Drug and alcohol use
  •          Driving while distracted
  •          Rollovers
  •          Medical conditions
  •          Debris in the road

As a driver, you should make sure that you fully aware of your surroundings and concentrating on the roads at all times. In a split second, an object in the road or an incoming email can cause a catastrophic collision that you may not walk away from. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Make sure that your vehicle is ready for winter weather

As the hot summer days begin to cool and the leaves begin to turn the landscape into a beautiful colorful masterpiece, car owners should start thinking about winter-proofing their vehicles. Winter weather conditions, such as snow, ice, rain, sleet, fog and winds can spell disaster for motorists in Tennessee and across the U.S. It only takes a small oversight or a mechanical system defect for a mishap to occur. Not only do these problems endanger the lives of car owners and their passengers, but they put other peoples’ lives at risk as well.

According to Today.com, there are several crucial elements to performing a pre-winter car inspection. These include the following:

  •          Change the windshield wiper blades to ensure a clean swipe.
  •          Get the right type of oil that won’t thicken in colder climates.
  •          Make sure that the tire pressure is adequate as air pressure tends to drop in cold temperatures.
  •          Consider snow tires for better traction and stability in bad weather conditions.
  •          Top off the vehicle’s liquids, such as antifreeze, coolant and windshield wiper fluid.

It is important that car owners keep certain items in their vehicles as well, according to the Automobile Association. In addition to keeping a blanket and a first-aid kit in the car in case a hazardous situation occurs, people should make sure they have an ice scrapper, flashlight, rock salt and tire chains if they are going to be driving in the mountains.

A basic tune-up from a trusted mechanic can also help to ensure that people have not overlooked essential components of the vehicle, such as the steering system, hoses, belts, spark plugs, ignition fuel filters and emission filters.  

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

How much is too much to drink and drive?

While you may understand that getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is illegal after consuming alcohol, there are a number of people in Tennessee who continue to engage in this dangerous behavior. Surprisingly, some of these negligent motorists may believe that they are fully capable of driving when they get into their vehicle. Sadly, they may end up seriously injuring or killing an innocent person as a result of the misconception. This may leave you and other drivers in the state to wonder how much alcohol people can consume before they are considered unable to drive a vehicle.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, even a small amount of alcohol in the blood can create a potential hazard for drivers on the road. The blood alcohol content limit in the state is 0.08 percent. However, there are some cases where a driver who has a BAC level measuring less than this amount may cause a serious drunk driving car accident. The key is that the blood alcohol level varies depending on your gender, weight, how fast you’ve consumed the alcohol and whether you have any food on your stomach.

Although a person who has a BAC level measuring 0.02 may not be charged with driving under the influence, he or she may experience a decreased ability to see moving targets. This means that a person with this BAC level may have a heightened sense of distraction when engaging in activities while driving, such as talking or texting on a cellphone.

With a BAC level of 0.05 percent, drivers might have difficulty steering or responding to a hazardous situation, such as bad weather conditions, pedestrians in the road or other reckless drivers. This level of intoxication can impair a driver’s judgement and may reduce his or her ability to focus on objects.

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

Categories
Truck Accidents

ESC systems on trucks may increase driving safety

Many motor vehicles and motorcycles come equipped with electronic stability control. While these machines are essential for the safety of motorists, officials believe that adding this technology to tractor trailers could not only improve the safety of truck drivers, but everyone else on the road as well. At Pryor, Priest and Harber, we understand how truck accidents can leave victims with serious injuries or dealing with the loss of a loved one. That is why big rig safety is crucial.

When truckers are faced with heavy traffic conditions or have a vehicle pull out directly in front of them, they often require a longer distance to slow down and/or stop. Furthermore, trucks that brake while traveling in bad weather conditions or with a poorly distributed load may be more likely to tip over, skid or jackknife. Electronic stability control systems can prevent this from happening by detecting when a truck is understeering, oversteering, hydroplaning or swerving, and then helping the truck driver to gain control of the big rig’s steering mechanism.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration reported that electronic stability control systems on tractor trailers can reduce large truck accident fatalities that are caused by loss-of-control by 14 percent. Big rig accidents involving rollovers may drop by up to 56 percent due to electronic stability control system installation in large trucks and buses.

People who are interested in learning more about what to do after the occurrence of a large truck accident should visit out truck accident page to find out more.