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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Woman kills bicyclist in hit-and-run collision

Law enforcement officers report that a 53-year-old Clarksville woman was charged with vehicular homicide after allegedly killing a bicyclist in an early morning hit-and-run accident before fleeing the scene. The accident occurred around 12:15 am on Monday, Sept. 22 when the woman apparently rear-ended the man as he rode his bicycle on the shoulder of Tiny Town Road near the intersection of Needmore Road.

While investigating the accident, police canvassed the area, encountering the woman’s blue Jaguar. The car had damage and human hair from the accident victim stuck in the windshield. Additionally, parts missing from the car were identical to parts found at the scene, and the woman’s phone showed texts discussing an accident that occurred on the day in question.

Several people who saw the woman shortly after the accident told police the woman had told people she had hit a deer. The woman also told police she had hit a deer as well. After determining that the woman caused the fatal accident, police arrested her on Wednesday, Sept. 24. Her bond was set at $1.1 million, and she is in custody at Montgomery County Jail. In addition to vehicular homicide, she was also charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident causing death, failing to yield the right of way, failing to carry a driver’s license and failing to carry insurance.

Families and loved ones of people killed by drivers are often able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the allegedly at-fault driver. Personal injury attorneys who have experience in wrongful death actions may look at the facts of each individual case and evaluate whether a valid claim or additional claims might exist. If successful, families may be able to recover both economic and noneconomic damages, including funeral expenses, lost income, loss of benefits, loss of consortium and others.

Source: The Leaf-Chronicle, “Woman charged in hit and run death of Clarksville cyclist“, Tavia D. Green, September 24, 2014

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Driver charged in fatal Tennessee accident

A driver involved in a fatal collision in Kingsport on July 19 has been indicted by a Sullivan County Grand Jury. The man was charged with speeding, driving under the influence, driving left of center, reckless endangerment, reckless aggravated assault and vehicular homicide by intoxication.

According to the Kingston Police Department, the fatal car accident took place at about 5:00 a.m. on East Stone Drive near Tyson Lane. A Honda Accord was reportedly traveling the wrong way on the road when it collided head-on with an eastbound Kia Spectra.

The driver of the Kia was killed as a result of the impact. The driver of the Accord and his female front seat passenger were both taken to Holston Valley Medical Center for treatment of possible injuries. Both vehicles sustained extensive, disabling damages. At the time of the accident, police believed that alcohol and speeding had played a role in the accident. Blood test results from the Honda driver allegedly confirmed this, yielding a .15 percent at the time of the accident, almost twice the legal limit in Tennessee. Additionally, the investigation reportedly revealed that the Honda had been traveling upwards of 73 mph in a 45-mph zone at the time of the accident.

The family of a deceased victim might file a wrongful death claim against an accused driver to recover damages resulting from the victim’s death. The information from any applicable police investigations and criminal charges brought against a driver can be used as evidence to show liability and negligence in a civil suit. In Tennessee, a successful claim might result in rewards for non-economic damages including the pain and suffering of the deceased due to the injury and for economic damages including expenses incurred due to the victim’s loss.

Source: WCYB, “Kingsport man charged in fatal July accident“, September 25, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Drivers increase their risk of a crash substantially by texting

As mobile devices have become more popular, people in Tennessee and across the nation are increasingly using them while operating motor vehicles. According to a guide from the Federal Communications Commission, however, texting and driving has a substantial and negative effect on the safety of individuals engaging in these activities as well as their passengers and others on or near the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010, 18 percent of all fatal crashes were due to driver distraction, accounting for more than 3,000 deaths and over 400,000 injuries. Information from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute states that texting while driving puts someone at a 23-times-greater risk of getting into a crash than a non-distracted driver.

In an effort to reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries that are a result of using mobile devices while on the road, the FCC Distracted Driving Information Clearinghouse has been created. People are also urged to make teens and young drivers aware of the risks involved with texting behind the wheel, and parents are called upon to set a good example by not using a mobile device while on the road. Instead of taking a call or responding to a text, it is recommended that individuals pull over to avoid the increased risk of a collision.

If someone has been in an automobile accident, whatever the cause, he or she may end up facing a variety of expenses, including vehicle repairs, medical bills and car rental costs. An insurance company may want to settle the case quickly, and for the lowest amount possible, which could result in someone having to pay for some of these expenses out-of-pocket. A lawyer could help a car accident victim seek equitable compensation through a personal injury claim by presenting a strong case and advising the plaintiff on when to settle.

Source: Federal Communications Commission, “The Dangers of Texting While Driving“, September 21, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

1 killed, 1 injured in Tennessee motorcycle wreck

On Sept. 13, a crash involving a 2005 Mercedes and a motorcycle in Rutherford County seriously injured two people. The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. at Veterans Parkway and Barfield Road in Murfreesboro. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Mercedes failed to yield at the intersection and pulled in front of the bike.

A 38-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman on the 2012 Suzuki motorcycle were taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center via helicopter for treatment. Sources indicate that they both required surgery. However, the man succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 18. The woman’s condition was not reported.

The 21-year-old man behind the wheel of the Mercedes and his passenger did not suffer injuries in the wreck. He received a citation for failing to yield, and the THP says that no additional charges are expected to be filed in connection to the incident. Both individuals were reportedly wearing their seat belts at the time.

Motorcycles afford no protection against the sheer size of other vehicles on the road in the event of a motorcycle accident. Even when riders are wearing protective gear and helmets, the effects can still be catastrophic or even fatal.

When a family loses a loved one to an accident, they could be entitled to compensation. A personal injury lawyer could advise and assist family members with filing a wrongful death claim against the at-fault motorist. The financial losses the family suffered as a result of the victim’s death such as funeral and medical costs could be addressed through the claim.

Source: WGNS Radio, “UPDATE: Motorcycle accident this past Saturday sends husband and wife to Vanderbilt Medical Center“, September 18, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Fatal wreck caused by driver with 5 DUI offenses

A Tennessee accident caused the death of a motorcyclist in Memphis on Sept. 9. Police say that a driver with multiple DUI offenses is suspected of operating his vehicle while intoxicated at the time of the crash.

The now-deceased cyclist was reportedly riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Shelby Drive, supposedly on his way home from work. The accused man’s vehicle allegedly tried to perform a left turn in front of the Harley on Swinnea Road, resulting in the collision. Family members say the motorcyclist suffered multiple broken bones; he was transported to a hospital and placed on a respirator. He died later after doctors were reportedly unable to control the bleeding in his brain.

The driver of the vehicle believed to have caused the accident has been charged with DUI and additional offenses. Records show the charge is his fifth since 2007, at which time his license was also officially revoked by the state. He was also arrested in April on charges of driving with a revoked license. He was taken into custody and held on a $30,000 bond.

The sudden loss of a loved one in a serious traffic accident can be hard for family members to process. If the individual or party thought to be at fault was impaired, reckless or negligent, they may be held legally responsible for various damages in a wrongful death suit. When a family is forced to cope with their loved one’s passing while meeting insurance deductibles, paying medical bills, and making and paying for funeral arrangements, it may be a helpful to speak with a qualified attorney to discuss a case’s viability.

Source: WMCactionnews5.com, “Multiple DUI offender kills grandfather in recent crash“, Nick Kenney, September 11, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

TDOT workers injured in crash on interstate

On Sept. 4 around 1:45 p.m., two Tennessee Department of Transportation workers suffered injuries in an accident involving a semi-truck while they were directing traffic on I-24 West outside of Manchester. A previous collision and roadside labor caused traffic congestion prior to the crash, and the two men turned on their work truck’s sign to alert oncoming traffic. The semi-truck failed to merge into the left lane as indicated by the sign and ran into the back of the TDOT truck carrying the two men.

The impact forced the utility vehicle across the emergency lane and into a rock wall. The semitrailer hit the wall as well. The TDOT workers were transported to a local medical facility, and one had been released by around noon on the day after the crash. The other worker was listed in stable condition on Sept. 5. The truck driver suffered minor injuries and was not hospitalized, and law enforcement officials reported that the semi-truck driver could face charges.

An investigation by authorities could reveal what prevented the semitrailer driver from slowing down and switching lanes. The trucker may have been drowsy and oblivious to surroundings because he had been on the road too many hours. Also, the truck may have had faulty brakes or other mechanical problems.

People who have been harmed in accidents that involved tractor-trailers may wish to file personal injury suits against the truck drivers, their employers or both. Doing so could lead to those victims being awarded monetary compensation. Additionally, the potential defendant, or defendants, of such a lawsuit may wish to avoid legal proceedings and attempt to negotiate settlements with the accident victims.

Source: WKRN, “2 TDOT workers flown to Vanderbilt after serious crash on I-24“, September 05, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclist injured in multi-car crash

A 28-year-old motorcyclist was seriously injured in a six-car crash that occurred in Tennessee on Sept. 4. The incident happened at around 5:26 p.m. on the northbound side of Alcoa Highway nearby McGhee Tyson Airport and Payne Avenue. The man was listed in serious condition at University of Tennessee Medical Center as of Sept. 6. Local reports claim that the chain-reaction crash was initiated by a 33-year-old driver in a GMC Acadia who braked abruptly when a Chevy Silverado riding ahead reached heavy traffic congestion.

A 26-year-old driver in a Toyota Rav4 reportedly rear-ended the GMC when it stopped suddenly. The impact of the collision subsequently caused the GMC to rear-end the Silverado. In turn, the 19-year-old man’s vehicle crashed into the back of a minivan. A Ford Explorer was then said to have struck the rear of the Toyota Rav4.

The motorcyclist was traveling too fast to avoid the accident and collided with the rear of the Ford Explorer. Police say the motorcyclist collided with the SUV’s rear window and gate. According to police, he suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. He was wearing a helmet that was in compliance with Department of Transportation standards. All of the drivers in the crash were reportedly wearing seat belts at the time and did not suffer any injuries. There were no passengers on board in any of the vehicles and no air bags were deployed.

People who suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident may be entitled to seek restitution to help account for economic and non-economic damages suffered in an incident. These victims may be due compensation for off-setting medical expenses, loss of income and repair costs resulting from the incident. In order to obtain restitution, plaintiffs may need to prove that the defendant’s negligence caused the injuries.

Source: The Daily Times, “Motorcyclist in serious condition after six-vehicle wreck on Alcoa Highway“, September 06, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

2 truck crashes in less than a week on same stretch of road

As of September 2, the Tennessee Department of Transportation was investigating two separate truck accidents that took place along the same stretch of highway within days of each other. Both of the accidents occurred on Interstate 75 near Campbell County between mile markers 132 and 136. Despite the short time frame between the two crashes, TDOT reported that 2014 was on pace to have fewer accidents on that stretch of the interstate than the two previous years.

One of the crashes occurred on Sept. 2 when a driver lost control of a semi-truck around 6:30 a.m. The tractor-trailer struck a guardrail and fell on its side. Shortly after it overturned, a driver in a Ford pickup crashed into the semitrailer. Less than a week before that incident, a semi-truck drove across the interstate’s median and struck another tractor-trailer and a sport-utility vehicle. One person died in that accident and three others were injured.

According to TDOT, the crash on Sept. 2 was the 17th accident to occur on that four-mile section of highway in 2014. In 2012 and 2013, there were 41 and 39 accidents respectively in the same area. Truck drivers who spoke with the news source emphasized the importance of driving slowly and cautiously through the hills of Tennessee.

A family that has lost a loved one in a truck crash can seek financial compensation via a wrongful death lawsuit. Following fatal accidents, authorities conduct investigations into those incidents, and the information they gather may point toward a party whose negligence contributed to the crash. If retained by family members of those killed in auto accidents, personal injury attorneys often use police reports as well as witness statements to build cases against the defendants of wrongful death suits.

Source: WATE, “Tractor trailer overturns, causes crash on I-75 in Campbell County“, Shelby Miller, September 02, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Child dies from injuries after rear-end accident

Police officials in Kingsport, Tennessee, say that a 12-year-old boy has died from injuries suffered in a four-vehicle collision on Aug. 27. The boy was the only fatality from the car accident which investigators say happened at about 1:45 p.m. by the Kingsport Pavilion.

According to reports, a 2007 Kia Sedona driven by the boy’s mother, age 46, was heading west by the shopping center when it entered the left turning lane. At that time, the vehicle was hit from behind by a 1995 Chevy Suburban driven by a 62-year-old Bristol woman. The Kia then struck two other vehicles before becoming stuck on a large embankment.

Officers say that the driver of the Suburban made no attempt to slow or stop prior to striking the Kia, which also contained the victim’s younger brother. Both the driver and the second child were transported to the hospital with serious injuries but were later listed in stable condition. The young boy died of his injuries on Aug. 30. The driver of the Suburban has not yet been charged, and she received non-life-threatening injuries as well.

When a family member dies in a traffic accident, remaining family members must often take on the burden of paying medical bills as well as dealing with funeral arrangements and insurance company questions and premiums. In addition to emotional distress, financial problems can have a tremendous effect on those who remain. In some such cases, the family members of a victim may have cause to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver deemed to be at fault. An attorney might be able to give reliable legal advice on the viability of such a case.

Source: TimesNews, “12-year-old injured in East Stone Drive wreck succumbs to his injuries “, August 31, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Tennessee semi truck accident kills 1, injures 3

A truck accident that occurred on Interstate 75 in Campbell County Aug. 27 has left one person dead and three others injured. The accident happened around 3:15 p.m. near Caryville. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a northbound semi-truck crossed over the median and struck a southbound semi-truck head-on.

One of the truck drivers, a 49-year-old man from Russell Springs, Kentucky, was killed in the crash. It is not clear from reports what injuries were suffered by the driver of the second semi-truck. Reports say a passenger car was also involved, and two firefighters were injured. Some of the injured victims were flown to UT Medical Center.

The crash resulted in a chemical fire that closed a portion of I-75 in both directions for several hours and led authorities to evacuate an area within a half-mile of the crash. Witnesses said they heard three or four loud explosions. One of the trucks was carrying batteries, and the other truck was transporting oxidizing materials. However, an earlier report that the crash involved radioactive materials turned out to be incorrect. It is not clear from reports what caused the first truck to cross over the median and strike the second truck.

Motor vehicle crashes can be catastrophic and often result in severe injuries or death. When a person is injured in a truck accident, the injured may be able to seek compensation form a truck’s driver if he or she may have been at fault. That victim may want to consult with an attorney to see if their injuries warrant a civil lawsuit that might allow them to seek compensation for their losses.

Source: Local 8 Now, “One killed, three injured in explosive I-75 head-on tractor trailer crash“, August 28, 2014