Author: Anthony Proffitt

A white 2008 Lincoln MKZ crashed into a gas pump on July 4, causing an explosion and leaving one male pedestrian burned. The victim remains in critical condition after the car accident but is stable. According to the local police department, the vehicle crossed the road and headed into oncoming traffic before driving off the road and into the gas station lot.

Local fire department representatives say that the pedestrian had left a nearby restaurant and made a purchase at the gas station before walking through the parking lot. The driver’s car headed toward the man – who ran to avoid being hit – and struck the gas pump, which burst into flames. The pedestrian was able to get away from the car but was caught in the fire. The victim suffered third degree burns on 40 percent of his body and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. Weather conditions prevented him from being air transported to a burn unit until a later time.

According to fire department records, the gas station fire was put out within six minutes of receiving the alarm. Officials report that the station’s automatic gas shut off worked properly, which helped control the fire. The vehicle that crashed and started the fire was destroyed as was another nearby vehicle, which belonged to the gas station owner.

Unfortunately, car accidents involving innocent pedestrians cannot be completely prevented. For such situations, victims or family members may benefit from the advice of a personal injury attorney who deals in Tennessee law as it pertains to motor vehicle accidents and compensation. A lawyer of this type may be able to determine if a victim can file a lawsuit and the amount of monetary damages that may be sought.

Source: WBIR, “Man burned after car crashes into TN gas pump“, Philip Grey, July 05, 2013

According to a news release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and AAA as well as statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, summer is the most dangerous time of the year for a teen driver in Tennessee or any other state to be in an automobile accident. The main reason is distracted driving: Teens are involved in more accidents involving injuries and death between Memorial Day and Labor Day than any other period.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 11 percent of drivers under the age of 20 were involved in a crash related to some distraction, such as texting. Like many other states, Tennessee bans all cell phone use for novice drivers and texting for all drivers in the state. Even just reaching for something inside the car while driving can significantly increase the odds of having an accident.

The Decide to Drive campaign, partially sponsored by AAA, is one of several efforts to curb distracted teen driving. The campaign includes a “wreck-less checklist” that includes reminders for teen drivers before getting behind the wheel. The checklist includes reminders to adjust mirrors, wear appropriate Bluetooth earpieces, pre-load mp3 playlists and put on a seat belt prior to starting up the car.

The campaign also reminds drivers to pull over if they are distracted for any reason. Victims receiving a personal injury as a result of a distracted driver may have a case against the negligent driver if it is proven that he or she was distracted at the time of the accident. A car accident victim in Tennessee may seek compensation for trauma, medical bills and other expenses related to reckless or distracted driving.

Source: Distraction.gov: U.S. Department of Transportation, “Distracted Driving Laws: Tennessee,” 2012

Source: kiiitv, “Summer deadliest time of year for teen drivers“, June 04, 2013

A car and a CARTA bus reportedly collided at the intersection of Carter and Main St. in Tennessee, leaving eight people potentially injured. An eyewitness reported that the car accident occurred as a result of the car not stopping appropriately at the intersection.

The eyewitness stated that he saw the car fail to stop at a stop sign. The bus was approaching the intersection at the same time and allegedly hit the car twice. The eyewitness further stated that he had medical training and assisted the passengers of both the car and the bus following the collision. The bus reportedly went out of control and through a fence to finally stop on a patch of grass.

Both the driver and the passenger in the car were taken away for medical treatment, and six of the passengers within the bus were also taken to the hospital. One of the passengers in the car is reported to be in serious condition, but the bus passengers were listed with non-life-threatening injuries.

It is not known whether charges are going to be filed against either driver, and it is possible that the investigation is still ongoing. However, if the driver did fail to stop at the stop sign, he may be found negligent and responsible for the injuries to the six bus passengers as well as the passenger in his car. If found negligent in the accident, the car driver may find himself responsible for the medical costs of those injured within the crash along with any property damage and any other applicable compensation necessary. A motor vehicle accident attorney may be able to reduce the damage claims by either constructing a reasonable defense or making sure that all the claims against the driver are valid.

Source: WDEF.COM, “Bus crash sends eight people to the hospital“, Erik Avanier, June 03, 2013