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Car Accidents

More accident claims filed after pot legalized in three states

While Tennessee has not joined the ranks of the states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, that does not mean that plenty of Tennessee residents may not be headed to those states as part of their summer vacations. At the same time, it is a reality that illegal use of marijuana may well happen in Tennessee and that illegal use may include people driving after consuming the drug. In either of these situations, innocent people may be at risk of being involved in an accident caused by a drugged driver.

An agency that performs insurance research, the Highway Loss Data Institute, conducted a study taking a look at accident insurance claims in multiple states, including three states where pot had been legalized for at least part of the time during the study. What the institute found in its analysis that Washington, Oregon and Colorado all saw jumps by more than two-and-a-half percent in the number of insurance claims filed for motor vehicle accidents after marijuana was legalized versus before.

The study included some time before pot was legalized as well as some time after. It also compared data from those three states to data from states where marijuana was not legally able to be used recreationally.

When on the road this summer, Tennessee residents who are involved in accidents and believe another driver may have been under the influence of a substance may want to reach out to an attorney to learn how to get help in this situation.

Source: NBC29.com, “Insurance study ties legal pot to boost in car crash claims,” Solomon Banda, June 21, 2017

Categories
Car Accidents

Are you too sleepy to drive?

When you think about car accidents, you may feel the only dangers you should worry about are drunk, distracted and aggressive drivers. But did you know you could be a danger to yourself and other motorists if you are feeling fatigued behind the wheel? According to CBSNews.com, “sleepy motorists are just as dangerous as intoxicated/drunk drivers.” Drowsy driving is a very common occurrence that increases the number of driving errors motorists make and motor vehicle wrecks on the roads. 

It is important for you to know what signs to watch for so you can protect yourself and everyone else. 

Signs you are too drowsy to drive safely 

If you find yourself yawning or blinking excessively, you should get off the roads. Some medications have side effects that cause drowsiness. Observe your body’s response to any medications you are on. If you feel tired or fatigued, you should wait until you feel more alert and awake before you get behind the wheel. Other signs that indicate that you are not rested well enough to drive include drifting in your lane, driving past your exit or destination and trouble remembering where you are going. 

Make sure you get enough sleep at night before you head out for the day. If you are a shift worker, you should try to incorporate a few naps into your schedule in addition to your regular rest time. If you find yourself losing focus or becoming sleepy while operating your vehicle, you should pull over to somewhere safe so you can close your eyes for a few moments to take a nap. If a roadside nap is not possible, have another licensed motorist take over your driving duties so you can rest while traveling. It is important for you to realize that rolling your window down and listening to loud music are not effective ways to keep you awake when you are too drowsy to drive. With a little preparation and more rest, you can avoid falling asleep behind the wheel.

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Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Childhood Car Accident Fatalities: Improper Use of Restraints

When car accidents happen in Knoxville, many people do not realize how much of a risk they pose to children. Kids under the age of 15 are more likely to die from unintentional injuries they sustain from car accidents, states NYTimes.com. There are many factors that contribute to their deaths during motor vehicle wrecks. But the most primary reason children are at risk of dying in car accidents is the improper use of seat belts. 

Here is a brief overview on fatal car accidents involving children. 

Factors that contribute to childhood car accident deaths 

Young children must wear seatbelts, be properly restrained in approved car seats and ride in the rear seats of vehicles so they can stay safe when car accidents occur. When drivers fail to check their young passengers to ensure they are properly restrained, their risk of injury and death skyrocket tremendously. According to a recent study on NPR.org, the car accident fatality rate for children who were not sitting in child restraint systems, the back seats of cars and wearing seatbelts was 43 percent.

Motorists can help lower the fatality rate for kids who are involved in car accidents by making sure their young passengers are sitting in the right areas of their vehicles. They should learn their local child safety restraint laws to ensure they are following them. Drivers should also double check their young companions’ seat belts and car seats to ensure they are properly secure before they get behind the wheel. Other ways they can protect their young passengers include driving defensively, avoiding distractions, staying focused on the roads and avoiding aggressive and drunk drivers.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Common causes of bus accidents

Bus accidents in Knoxville get little attention but should be on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Bus accidents are a lot more common than many people seem to think. In 2015, there were 261 fatal bus crashes., states the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Victims of bus crashes are often passengers, motorists and pedestrians. Regardless of who is at fault in these accidents, the victims often experience life-changing injuries and long recoveries. 

Even if you do not use public transportation often because you drive, you do share the roads with bus drivers. Learn about some common causes of bus wrecks so you can avoid them. 

Reckless driving 

Car operators are not the only motorists who engage in reckless driving. Sometimes bus drivers do it too. Bus operators are under pressure to stay on schedule and meet deadlines. These factors can result in them speeding, tailgating and engaging in other aggressive driving behaviors that put themselves, their passengers and other drivers on the roads at risk for accidents and injuries. 

Fatigued drivers 

Some bus drivers work long shifts and may forgo their breaks because of staffing and work issues. The long hours they spend transporting passengers and the monotony of the road can cause them to feel fatigued and less alert than they should be. According to a study posted in Metro-Magazine.com, commercial vehicle drivers have a 56.48 percent chance of crashing their vehicles when they are tired or fatigued. Drivers of any vehicles who cannot focus, concentrate or remain alert are dangerous to everyone on the streets. 

Rebellious passengers 

Not all people who ride buses conform to the rules and expectations that they should remain calm, courteous and well-behaved. Some passengers become unruly and cause disruptions that result in bus drivers becoming distracted while they are operating their vehicles. 

The above list of crash contributors is not all inclusive. Other common issues that can result in bus wrecks include driver intoxication, distractions and defective equipment. Many of these driving safety hazards are avoidable with preparation and proper precautions.

Categories
Car Accidents

Common driving errors that lead to car accidents

Many car accidents in Knoxville occur due to driver error. Although many of the vehicles that are on the roads are equipped with safety features and technology to make them safer to operate, car crashes are still a leading cause of death for all age groups. According to a study posted on CBSNews.com, “driver mistakes contributed to approximately 75 percent of car accidents that occurred over a three-year period.” 

Here is a brief overview on some common driving mistakes that cause car crashes. 

Some motorists, such as teens and seniors are more prone to making critical mistakes while operating their vehicles than others. Young adult drivers do not have much driving experience to rely on. Although they have completed driver’s training, it takes years for them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to handle different road situations and hazards. Seniors may not be fully aware of their surroundings so they can operate their vehicles safely. 

Many driving errors occur out of habit and ignorance, states Goliath.com. Common mistakes drivers make that often result in property damage, injuries and death include: 

  •        Riding the brakes
  •        Not using turn signals
  •        Improper use of vehicle lights
  •        Not paying attention to traffic signs 

There are other factors that contribute to people making mistakes while driving, such as alcohol, distractions, recklessness and fatigue. Motorists should take measures to ensure they are ready to drive their vehicles safely. Preparing themselves and their cars before each trip, avoiding distractions and substances that lead to impairment and using defensive driving behaviors can reduce the likelihood of them crashing into others.

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Teen drunk driving accidents increase in the summer

Underage drinking is a growing concern for many parents in Knoxville. According to MADD.org, underage drinking increases during the summer by 61 percent. With teenagers being the most dangerous group of drivers on the roads, they should learn about the impact that alcohol and car accidents can have on their lives. 

Here is a brief overview of teenage drunk driving accidents. 

The problem 

Many adolescents do not value their driving privileges. They take risks and do things that significantly increases the chances of them crashing into other vehicles, sustaining life-threatening injuries and dying. They drive with distractions, do not show other motorists proper road courtesies and engage in other reckless driving behaviors that endanger the safety of other motorists and pedestrians. When alcohol is a factor, the fatality rate for teen car accidents is 60 percent, states Drive-Safely.net. 

How alcohol affects teen drivers 

Many teens are not aware that their bodies do not process alcohol like adults. Their bodies and brains are still developing. Repeated exposure to alcohol can lead to irreversible brain damage, memory problems and other complications that can dramatically change the course of their lives. The effects of alcohol on their driving behaviors include slower response times and diminished judgment skills. Also, teen drivers do not have sufficient driving experience to handle certain situations they may encounter. These are all major contributing factors that impact teen motorist safety. 

Teens should not drink alcohol, nor should they drive after consuming it. Parents and adolescents can prevent alcohol-related teen car accidents. Teens should learn about the dangers and take them seriously. Parents should provide more supervision, guidance and consequences when their young adults disregard the law and engage in dangerous driving behaviors.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Summer is the deadliest time of year for teen drivers

Summer is the time of year where many people take to the roads to travel in Knoxville. It is also the time of year where the number of teen drivers on the roads is at its highest. Many people do not realize that the “rate of fatal teen car accidents increases by 15 percent during the summer,” states WBIR.com. Teen motorists are already a high-risk group of drivers. 

It is a common belief that their lack of practical driving experience is the primary reason they end up in car accidents. However, according to a study posted in AAA Newsroom, “a leading cause of adolescent motor vehicle crashes is distraction.”

  • Young adult motorists have a higher likelihood of using their cellphones and smart mobile devices in the minutes leading up to their crashes.
  • Teens drivers who have passengers are more likely to talk, play and focus on them instead of keeping their full attention on the roads.
  • Many young vehicle operators reach for items and use the functions on their vehicles infotainment systems instead of keeping their eyes on the roads and their hands on the steering wheels. 

Many adolescent motorists do not realize or care about the dangers they face when they are on the roads. Other leading causes that contribute to teen car crashes include speeding, not wearing seatbelts and reckless driving behaviors. 

There are ways to decrease the risk of teenage car accidents. Parents should stop letting their teens drive without adult supervision. Teens should become more aware of the dangers they face and how their actions can affect them and others. Teens should also avoid distractions so they can make better driving decisions to avoid car accidents. 

Categories
Car Accidents

How can I prove my injuries came from a car accident?

Car accidents are extremely common in Knoxville. If you ever find yourself in one, you may be wondering how to prove that your injuries are the result of the crash. Even if you initially feel fine after your ordeal, there is a chance that all of the adrenaline pumping through your blood and your emotions may be masking any injuries you may have. There is also the possibility that you have delayed injuries that may show up several hours or days after your accident. According to Ktar.com, many people do not realize the extent of their car accident injuries because of distractions, emotional disorientation and mental trauma. 

Here are some steps you can take to prove your injuries are car accident-related. 

Do not make statements about your health 

Avoid telling anyone at the scene of the accident that you feel fine and that you are relatively unharmed. You should also avoid running, lifting and doing other actions that could indicate that you are not injured. Those statements and actions can be used to discredit your claim. You could have injuries that you are not aware of yet.

Seek out medical treatment 

No matter how minor or serious your car accident is, it is important for you to seek out medical treatment right away, even if you feel fine. You should get checked for signs of obvious, hidden and delayed injuries. You should inform the medical staff about any symptoms you feel so that all information regarding your health and injuries are documented. You may need to undergo diagnostic testing and take x-rays so that the extent of your injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, and damaged muscles are discovered. 

There are other factors that can affect what you need to do to prove your injuries came from a car accident. If you plan to file a lawsuit against the other driver, you have the burden of proof. Depending on the extent of your wounds and circumstances surrounding your ordeal, you may benefit from seeking out legal counsel.

 

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving and motor vehicle accidents

When people drink and drive in Knoxville, they do not do it with the intent to harm or kill others with their vehicles. But that is precisely what happens in some drunk driving motor vehicle accidents. Many drunk drivers participate in this type of reckless behavior because they are misinformed about the dangers. 

The impact of drunk driving 

Alcohol is a substance that is known to impair a person’s mental and physical processes. Individuals who consume alcohol may enjoy the buzzed and intoxicated feelings they get, especially while they are behind the wheel. However, the innocent motorists, passengers and pedestrians who are seriously injured and lose their lives to these individuals and their families are the ones who suffer the most. 

Drunk driving does not just happen. Motorists who drink and drive choose to put themselves and everyone else on the roads in danger. When they engage in distractions they become even more negligent and dangerous to others. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014, almost 31 percent of all motor vehicle deaths were caused by intoxicated drivers. 

Ways motorists can protect themselves 

Drunk driving accidents are preventable. Motorists should learn to identify the signs of intoxication in other drivers so they can stay away from and report them. Indicators that highlight a driver may be drunk include driving on the wrong side of the road, swerving in their lane, driving too slow, tailgating and erratic braking, states QuitAlcohol.com. 

People should not rely solely on law enforcement to keep them safe from drunk drivers. They can protect themselves by driving defensively, not drinking and driving and identifying and notifying the authorities when they see inebriated drivers on the roads.

Categories
Truck Accidents

Sharing the road with trucks and commercial vehicles

A booming economy means there is no shortage of trucks and commercial vehicles on the roads in Knoxville. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there are more than 12 million commercial trucks on the roads across the country. Many commercial vehicle operators drive for several hours at a time before stopping for breaks. Some of them speed and engage in careless driving behaviors to meet deadlines. These factors and more are the cause of truck accidents, fatalities and injuries. 

Motorists should utilize the following suggestions so they can share the road with truckers and commercial vehicle operators safely. 

Follow at a safe distance 

Semi-trucks, big rigs and commercial vehicles are harder to maneuver than passenger cars. They require more stopping time and space. Motorists who follow these vehicles too closely do not have enough time and space to avoid collisions when truckers make sudden stops and reductions in speed. 

Stay aware of no pass zones 

Trucks and commercial vehicles have blind spots where the operators cannot see anything, even when their mirrors are in the right positions. These areas are located on the sides and in the rear of their vehicles. If “motorists cannot see truck drivers in their side view mirrors, then they should assume that the operators cannot see them,” states the AARP. You should stay as far from away as possible from the no pass zones/blind spots of trucks.

Do not drive distracted 

Distractions are a leading cause of accidents for all vehicle groups. Motorists should pay careful attention to the roads and the drivers around them. They should limit their distractions so they can properly respond to the actions of other motorists, including truckers and commercial vehicle operators. 

Truck accidents are happening more often on the roads. But motorists who drive defensively and give special consideration to commercial truck operators can reduce their chances of being involved in truck and motor vehicle crashes.