Author: Anthony Proffitt

If you are like many other motorists in Tennessee and across the nation, you may put your seat belt on as soon as you get into your car. For many people, this practice has become a ritual and as a result, many lives have been saved. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can reduce your risk of dying in an automobile accident by nearly half just by wearing your seat belt.

Unfortunately, there are still people who fail to buckle up when they get behind the wheel. Teenagers are one of the largest populations of people who do not wear their seat belts, as reported by the CDC. Approximately 55 percent of teenagers who were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2012 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision. This may be due to the fact that a number of teenagers are simply inexperienced and unaware of the importance of buckling up.

Many states, including Tennessee, have primary or secondary laws regarding seat belt use. Wearing a seat belt is a primary law in the state, which means that a law officer can pull you over and issue you a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. Secondary laws, on the other hand, prohibit officers from ticketing drivers for not wearing seat belts unless they have committed another traffic offense. Although new vehicles come equipped with the latest safety technology, seat belts remain one the easiest ways to remain safe while on the road.

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

Tennessee law currently prohibits people from texting on their hand held cellphones while driving. However, drivers in the state may soon be unable to even talk on their handheld devices while operating a vehicle. A bill that was recently approved by the house panel would make talking on a handheld device while driving illegal. If the bill passes, Tennessee will be added to the already 14 states in the U.S. that have outlawed drivers from using handheld devices, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

One representative who opposes the bill argues that talking on a handheld cellphone is not the only driver distraction that acts as a danger to other motorists, according to the Times Free Press. Eating, dealing with kids, turning the radio station and putting on makeup are other potential distractions that could lead to a horrible motor vehicle accident as well. Not to mention that engaging in a conversation, whether it is on a handheld cellphone or a hands free device, may be just as distracting.

Although studies show that talking on a hands free cellphone is risky for drivers, drivers would be able to continue using a hands free device or a hand held cellphone that is mounted to the dashboard of the car if the bill is approved. The National Safety Council has reported the dangers of distracted driving, and how cognitive distraction from maintaining a conversation on a cellphone can increase the likelihood of an accident. Drivers are encouraged to refrain from using any type of cellular device while behind the wheel. 

Whether you have been involved in a seemingly minor fender bender, or a more serious auto accident, you may have suffered significant injuries. Traumatic brain damage is one of the most common accident injuries that can occur. According to Brainline.org, out of the 1.7 million people who suffer from a traumatic brain injury each year, approximately 17.3 percent are caused by motor vehicle accidents. This number, however, does not account for injuries that go undetected and undiagnosed.

Whiplash can occur when you or the occupants of your vehicle experience a sudden forceful impact. Since the brain is suspended within the skull cavity, a jolt can cause it to bounce into the hard skull bone. As a result, the brain tissue can become bruised, swollen and may begin to bleed. Depending on how severe the injury is, you may see the symptoms of whiplash immediately. Yet, some incidents of brain injuries may take weeks, months or even years to show up.

The symptoms of whiplash may also vary depending on where the brain is damaged. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that headaches, dizziness, confusion and memory problems are common indicators of brain injuries sustained from a whiplash.

If you have been involved in any type of car accident, you may want to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The quicker a brain injury is discovered and diagnosed, the faster you can begin treatment.  Treatment increases your odds of fully recovering and often consists of occupational therapy, speech therapy and other forms of rehabilitation. 

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

It’s no surprise that the number of people who have been injured or killed in distracted driving accidents has remained high throughout the years, as the majority of Americans are cellphone owners. According to Distraction.gov, more than 660,000 people text or talk on cellphones while driving at any given moment during the day. The latest form of distracted driving, however, may put even more lives in danger. In addition to composing texts and updating social media statuses, some drivers in Tennessee and across the country take selfies and post them while behind the wheel.

In fact, a CNN News report found a surprising number of posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter listed under the hashtags #drivingselfie and #drivingtowork. While some of the pictures may have been taken when the driver was stopped in traffic or at a stop light, the degree of danger involved in taking a selfie while driving is significant.

Drivers must use their hands, eyes and concentration in order to compose a text, or post a status update. However, taking a selfie increases the level of danger even more. Not only must the driver pull up the app, but he or she must pose while holding the phone at the best angle and snapping the perfect picture. Furthermore, the driver may choose to add a caption and continue to post the picture, all while driving.  During this time of distraction, drivers are less likely to see and respond to hazardous situations, such as pedestrian crossings, objects or animals in the road or other reckless drivers.