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Author: Anthony Proffitt

Categories
Car Accidents

Street race leaves Tennessee teen dead

Whether it is commuting to work, picking the kids up from school or driving around town with friends, cars provide convenience and pleasure in many aspects of everyday life. But when drivers abuse the privilege of operating a motor vehicle, the machines can quickly become dangerous and deadly weapons on the streets. Motorists are harmed or killed in car accidents every day across the United States. Although drunk driving and negligence are common factors in fatal accidents, a new trend is also contributing to accidents in Tennessee.

In Memphis, a 19-year-old man is dead after a collision with another vehicle. Initial reports suggest the accident may have been the result of street racing. The teenager was turning left through an intersection when his vehicle was struck by driver behind the wheel of a 2003 Ford Mustang. The teen died after being taken to a nearby hospital.

The teen is not the first street racing fatality in the city. Just last year, a 20-year-old man was killed after a pair of street racers collided with his vehicle. This trend in Memphis, and in many other parts of the country, poses risk to innocent people anywhere in the vicinity of racing cars, as the high speeds of the vehicles commonly lead to catastrophic injuries and death.

Compensation may be available, via personal injury lawsuits, to families of car accident victims in Tennessee to help them cover expenses related to medical bills and funerals. This money can also be sought for pain and suffering related to the loss of a loved one. In many cases, insurance companies will attempt to deny claims or pay as little as possible, leaving victims feeling exasperated. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, for the best chance of recovery, pursing a claim sooner rather than later is a good idea.

Source: WMCTV, “Memphis teen killed in car crash,” Jerica Phillips, April 6, 2014

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Tennessee pedestrian killed by alleged drunk driver

Drunk drivers continue to be a major threat to everyone on the road, and even pedestrians aren’t safe. Many car accidents are attributed to drunk drivers whose behavior can cause serious injuries and even death. The mere fact that drivers are intoxicated with drugs or alcohol while driving is enough reason for Tennessee authorities to bring charges of driving under the influence. One reason for these drunk driving laws is to help reduce the number of drunk driving accidents that occur.

A pedestrian from Tennessee had his Alabama vacation, and life, cut short when he tried to cross the road and a truck driven by an alleged drunk driver hit him. A nurse practitioner witnessed the incident and tried to revive the victim, to no avail. The driver who hit the pedestrian also called 911, but the victim was believed to have died on impact.

According to the witness, the drunk driver did not exhibit any erratic driving behavior. He further stressed that the driver was driving in his lane and maintained his speed even as he approached the victim. In spite of this testimony, the driver was still charged with driving under the influence coupled with criminally negligent homicide.

While this tragic accident happened out of state, it did happen to a fellow Tennessean. Anyone in Tennessee who becomes involved in an accident with a drunk driver should understand the options for filing lawsuits and receiving financial compensation. This is particularly important if you or a loved one suffered serious injuries resulting in huge medical bills. A lawsuit could also be beneficial in situations such as this one where a life is unnecessarily lost.

Source: Fox10tv.com, “Witness: I saw him get hit,” Candace Murphy, March 31, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Trucker from fatal Tennessee truck wreck merely loses license

For professional drivers, driving is a job and requires constant vigilance. Truck drivers must take extra precautions when driving because the size of the vehicle makes it more difficult to control. In fact, factors like distracted driving among truckers can lead to truck accidents that can be far more deadly and dangerous than typical car accidents. 

A truck driver has been sentenced to a one-year revocation of his driver’s license and a $500 fine after a court determined his negligence caused a fatal Tennessee truck accident. Although the driver was proven not to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, a three-hour hearing convinced a judge that the driver failed to yield and did not exercise due care. Ultimately, his inattentiveness caused the deaths of two victims.

The driver reportedly changed his account of what happened regarding the accident after it took place, initially claiming he was distracted and then later telling police that cars pulled out in front of him and stopped. Officials worked diligently to identify what had happened to cause the Tennessee wreck and concluded that the driver had lied to make it seem as though other driver’s actions contributed to the truck accident. The only negligence identified was that of the trucker. He failed to notice the slowed or stopped traffic and crashed because of his distracted driving that night.

In the case of this truck driver, he was convicted of a criminal misdemeanor. That conviction and the loss of the driver’s license won’t always provide surviving family with a true sense of justice. If you are involved in a truck-related accident, understand that you can take legal action against the trucking company and driver for failing to exercise due care. Commercial drivers should be the most careful drivers on the road; when they fail to live up to that expectation people get hurt or killed. Victims of those failures deserve a chance to be compensated.

Source: The Murfreesboro Post, “Truck driver who caused deadly crash apologizes to family,” Sam Stockard, March 28, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Driver negligence, not car problem, led to fatal Tennessee crash

Vehicle wrecks happen every day on Tennessee roads and some of them result in serious injuries and death. Many of these fatal accidents are avoidable. Any time a crash causes the death of a driver or passenger in a vehicle, police investigate the scene to determine the cause of the accident. This information is later used to determine liability. If negligence such as drunk driving is found to have contributed to the wreck, the incident could become a wrongful death case. 

A jury has found a 21-year-old man guilty of vehicular homicide in Tennessee. The ruling comes after a 2012 drunk driving accident involving the driver and his best friend as a passenger. The two were riding together when the car left the road and collided with a metal sign pole. The passenger of the vehicle was killed in the accident.

The driver cited mechanical troubles as the cause of the car accident, though police reports suggest other factors were involved. A blood alcohol test showed that the driver was indeed under the influence of alcohol and, therefore, too impaired to drive. In addition, the police officer who investigated the crash estimated that the car was traveling at 91 MPH when the driver attempted to brake going into a turn.

In a wrongful death case, the family of a victim might be entitled to financial compensation to help them with medical bills and funeral expenses, as well as to help cope with pain and suffering. Families who find themselves in this position may obtain counsel to assist them with the legal process of a wrongful death lawsuit. Doing so will never bring a loved one back, but perhaps it can provide some relief through financial retribution. 

Source: Johnson City Press, “UPDATE: Carter jury finds driver guilty of vehicular homicide in 2012,” John Thompson, March 27, 2014

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

St. Patrick’s Day paves way for dangerous Tennessee roads

Despite the fact that law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and across the United States are cracking down on drunk driving, many people still feel confident enough to get behind the wheel of their car while intoxicated. These drivers pose dangers to everyone on the road, and they account for a high percentage of automobile accidents that involve serious injury or death. Unfortunately, the likelihood of a collision with a drunk driver is higher during holidays, and these accidents can cut a celebration very short. 

With St. Patrick’s Day just behind us, many people in Tennessee are facing drunk driving charges. The holiday is one of the biggest DUI holidays in the country. Last year alone, the Tennessee Highway Patrol arrested approximately 70 people for driving under the influence in the 72-hour holiday period. The state continues to make efforts to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road each year, though officials cannot keep everyone safe.

Many drivers arrested for driving while intoxicated are caught after they collide with other vehicles. It is not uncommon for these drivers to speed and even fail to take any evasive action at the time of the accident, which means the collisions can be particularly dangerous to other motorists. Innocent victims suffer injuries or even die in drunk accidents in Tennessee too often. The wrongdoing of impaired drivers can turn holidays into tragedies. 

If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver, it is important for you to understand your options and the potential for financial compensation. This is especially true if you have suffered serious injuries that result in extensive hospital bills. Exploring your opportunities with a personal injury lawyer is a simple step toward getting passed this stressful, painful time.

Source: WCYB, “Tow-To-Go offers ‘last resort’ option for drinkers on St. Patrick’s Day,” Jonathan Radford, March 17, 2014

Categories
Car Accidents

Simulation: The solution to distracted teen drivers in Tennessee?

Texting and driving is a dangerous combination that can potentially kill someone. Some might think that sending text messages while behind the steering wheel won’t take much attention off of the road. However, the real deal as stated by a law enforcement liaison is that it takes more time for drivers to react while they are distracted while driving. Slow reaction time can lead to a car accident that might cause personal injury or even death.

The Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office reports that there are many young drivers involved in distracted driving accidents. Teenagers have died and will likely be hurt in future Tennessee car accidents that could have been prevented if drivers simply put proper focus on the roads, not on their phones. In response to the identified distracted driving dangers in the state, officials are using a different kind of technology in hopes of proving a safety point.

Driving simulators are being used among various Tennessee high schools to teach students about how dangerous it can be to drive while texting. The simulators mimic the experience of driving, complete with obstacles like pedestrians and dogs crossing the road. While driving using the simulator, the driver will be asked by the passenger to use a phone while also trying to keep the car from hitting any of the obstacles. One student claimed that he learned much about distracted driving because of the simulator that he would apply the lessons to real life. 

With the help of the simulator experience, students may avoid finding themselves, their friends or unsuspecting others in the hospital with distracted driving injuries. The traffic safety lesson to not text and drive, unfortunately, won’t get through to everyone. Someone who was hurt in a car accident should remember that they can pursue just compensation for any injuries suffered because of distracted, negligent driving.

Source: The Daily News Journal, “Crashes by young drivers rank fourth in Tennessee,” Michelle Willard, March 20, 2014

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Will fewer Tennessee riders have to wear motorcycle helmets?

Thousands of people enjoy riding motorcycles across the state of Tennessee. However, riders are at risk of greater personal injury than motorists in vehicles are. A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries and broken bones that may be life- threatening. Head and neck injuries are common for riders involved in a collision, even among those wearing a helmet.

A proposed bill in Tennessee would give some riders more freedom but potentially increase the risk of injury in motorcycle accidents. The proposal seeks changes to the existing state law in order to make it optional for riders to wear a helmet.

The law change would be for riders 25 and older, and riders would have to meet several other requirements before they could legally ride without a helmet. Basically, more experienced and educated riders would be awarded the choice to wear or not to wear a helmet.

Personal choice may be an incentive for the bill, which received a 6-3 vote from the Senate Transportation Committee. Supporters of the bill note that allowing riders to go without a helmet would boost tourism to the state, and some have also questioned the true safety of the helmets. Opponents against the bill cite increased costs to trauma centers and greater risk to riders as reasons to keep the helmet requirement.

This is not the first time legislators have sought to amend Tennessee’s helmet law. Also, if the bill were passed, this wouldn’t be the only state without a strict helmet requirement. The issue of helmet and motorcycle safety is an ongoing one, and many riders will always seek the freedom to decide for themselves whether to wear a helmet or not.

Ultimately, it is important for riders to understand the risks involved with riding a motorcycle and for other motorists to share the road to provide a safe environment for riders. A motorcyclist who is injured because of someone’s negligent driving shouldn’t be treated like a criminal because he wasn’t wearing a helmet. Some drivers simply need to drive better and look out for motorcycles.

Source: The Commercial Appeal, “Proposal to drop motorcycle helmet law passes Tennessee Senate panel,” March 13, 2014

Categories
Truck Accidents

Truck accident on Tennessee highway claims 2 lives

Trucks are a common sight on the roads of Tennessee, as they are throughout the United States. And like all vehicles, they can run into trouble. This is especially true if they are traveling overnight or in the early hours of the morning, when visibility is often poor and drivers are tired. Furthermore, the size and sturdy nature of these vehicles can spell trouble for anything caught in an impact with them.

A recent truck accident in Tennessee resulted in the deaths of two young men. The fatal collision occurred in the early morning last Thursday. Two vehicles were involved in the crash at an intersection. The semi truck driver was waiting to turn when the second vehicle reportedly rear-ended the trailer. The impact of that rear-end collision, as might be expected, proved most dangerous for the inhabitants of the smaller vehicle. Two people from that car died. The truck driver and another involved passenger survived the wreck.

According to the initial investigation of the motor vehicle accident, this wreck was likely not the trucker’s fault. He was, according to reports, simply waiting to turn when his vehicle got hit. Authorities claim that the vehicle that rear-ended the truck was speeding at the time, which increases the likelihood not only of a crash but also of people suffering severe injuries. This Tennessee accident, through tragedy, highlights the potential extent of injuries that can result from a traffic collision. 

Determining the cause of an accident, such as driver fatigue or distraction, can be an important step to achieving justice. If one of the vehicles involved is a commercial truck, it can also be helpful to determine whether it has been correctly maintained. For example, were a truck’s brake lights or turn signals working? Establishing these facts with the help of a personal injury attorney is a vital step toward accident victims seeking proper compensation.

Source: News Democrat Leader, “Two Logan Countians killed in Thursday car accident,” Chris Cooper, March 13, 2014

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Tennessee driver dies after crashing with semi-truck

Areas of road construction can be high-risk for motor vehicle accidents. A fatal accident in Tennessee proved that last week. In Jefferson County, a 22-year-old man died after a collision with a semi-truck. The accident occurred on I-40 and involved an area of road construction and slowed vehicles. Authorities are still evaluating the details of the fatal crash.

Tennessee State Highway Patrol reports the crash involved two vehicles, which were driving through a TDOT construction zone. When the semi-truck slowed in the construction zone, the man driving behind the truck was reportedly unable to stop in time and collided with the back of the trailer. Is a negligent party liable for the death of the young man?

The facts about this truck-related accident are still somewhat unclear, at least to the public. One area of investigation into the Tennessee wreck would be to ensure that the semi-truck’s brake lights were working. Also, could the construction area have been marked to better warn drivers to slow down? These are just some of the matters that officials will address to determine who might have been at-fault in this incident.

Fatal motor vehicle accidents produce a lot of questions. But the death of an individual in a car accident also brings about pain and suffering for friends and family of the victim, as well as expenses related to medical bills and funeral arrangements. A wrongful death attorney is a guide who can ask the appropriate, necessary questions about circumstances surrounding a fatal crash and can fight to help families get the compensation that they deserve following their loss.

Source: WBIR, “Man identified in fatal Jefferson County accident,” March 7, 2014

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Tennessee coach learns a lesson: don?t drink and drive

It is easy for concentration to slip when you are driving. It only requires a minor distraction to draw someone’s eyes from the road for a moment. The chances of this happening are even higher when a driver is intoxicated.

An assistant football coach for Tennessee’s Vanderbilt University learned through experience that drunk driving is dangerous. He is fortunate to not have been injured or to injure someone else, but his case following drunk driving crashes still underscores the real risk of impaired drivers.

In February, authorities responded to a scene where a couple of vehicles had been struck by another driver, a driver who fled the area. That driver turned out to be the up-and-coming, newly-appointed assistant football coach for Vanderbilt. He was under the influence of alcohol when he caused the car accidents and fled.

The driver pleaded guilty to the charges, resulting in a $350 fine, loss of his license for one year and 24 hours of community service. He is also required to participate in an alcohol safety course. He has also at least temporarily lost his gig as assistant coach.

The legal limit in Tennessee for blood-alcohol when driving is 0.08 percent. If a driver is over this limit, he endangers not only himself but unsuspecting motorists and pedestrians who deserve to feel safe in their community. If you or a loved one is affected by a drunk driving accident, you may wish to seek compensation for the damage done, in order to protect yourself and to cover the costs resulting from the crash.

Source: WKRN-TV Nashville, “Vanderbilt assistant football coach pleads guilty to DUI,” March 5, 2014