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Truck Accidents

What are the common causes of tractor trailer accidents?

If you are one of the many people in Tennessee or across the country who have been involved in a collision with a tractor trailer, you know first hand how devastating these accidents can be. These massive vehicles can cause serious property damage, physical injuries and emotional trauma. A number of these accidents may be the result of drowsy, distracted, drunk or otherwise negligent truck drivers. As a motorist navigating the busy roadways of Knoxville, it may be helpful for you to understand what the common causes of trucking accidents are. This information could help you avoid becoming involved in a big rig collision.

Truck drivers who fall asleep while behind the wheel due to lack of sleep and too much drive time may be one of the most common contributors to the high rate of tractor trailer accidents, injuries and fatalities across the state. Yet, it is not the only factor that leads to these catastrophic incidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the following may also result in an accident:

  •          Equipment malfunction, such as brakes, lights, steering, tires and safety devices
  •          Freight that is unevenly distributed
  •          Speeding trucks
  •          Careless driving in bad weather conditions, including ice, rain, snow, wind and fog

Poorly trained truckers can also increase the risk of tractor trailer accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported that a surprising 171,150 truckers were taken off of the road after they were found driving with too many violations, as reported by NBC News. Furthermore, more than 2.1 million tractor trailers were removed from service for having excessive inspection violations.

While you may not be able to control the driving habits of truckers on the road, you can drive defensively around big rigs to lower your risk of becoming victimized by these large vehicles.

This is general information only and is not intended to provide legal advice.

 

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Ignition interlock devices: Saving lives of Tennessee motorists

Tennessee is one of several states in the nation that require all convicted drunk drivers to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicles. This may be one reason why the drunk driving fatality rate in the state decreased by 3.1 percent from 2012 to 2013, as reported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Studies show that ignition interlock devices are responsible for lowering the number of people who are arrested for multiple DUIs by up to 67 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So how do these machines work to lower motorists’ risk of becoming involved in a drunk driving car accident?

Ignition interlock devices are similar to roadside breath tests, as they use a driver’s breath sample to determine his or her blood alcohol content level. If the driver’s BAC level is over a preset limit, which is usually 0.02 percent, the car will lockup for a period of time before the driver can attempt a restart. Once the vehicle starts, the driver is prompted to blow periodic breath samples into the device to ensure they are not intoxicated.

Surprisingly, up to 75 percent of DUI offenders who have had their driver’s licenses suspended continue to drive amongst motorists on the road. IIDs help to keep drunk drivers from operating a vehicle. In fact, DUI offenders who use IIDs in their vehicles are less likely to reoffend even after the device is removed. As a result, interlock devices have saved the lives of countless people in Knoxville and across the entire state. 

Categories
Car Accidents

Are hands free devices safer to use while driving?

If you are one of the many Tennessee motorists who own a smart phone, they you may have used it to talk, text, email or perform a number of other tasks while driving. Although you run the risk of getting pulled over and cited for texting and driving in the state, it is not illegal to talk on a hand-held cellphone while behind the wheel. This activity, however, is highly distractive and may lead to a catastrophic car accident. While many drivers have turned to using hands free devices to lower the risk of distraction while behind the wheel, you may have wondered whether these cellphones are really safer to use.

Researchers from the National Safety Council have found that talking on a hands free device is still a significant form of cognitive distraction. When you are engaged in a conversation while driving, your brain is unable to fully concentrate on your driving environment. Instead, your brain tends to bounce back and forth between the two tasks, leaving moments where you are not focused on driving at all. As a result, you are less likely to respond to certain hazards, including pedestrian crosswalks, traffic signals, stop signs, objects in the road, bad weather conditions and other negligent motorists.

You may be safer using a hands free cellphone than a hand-held cellular device while driving, as hand-held devices also create manual and visual distractions. However, even a hands free device does not come without certain risks. Your best bet is to avoid using a cellphone while driving altogether.

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

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Knoxville crash claims life of woman

Every time that someone in Knoxville gets into a car, that person puts his or her life at risk. Some of these risks may come from other drivers on the road who are distracted, driving under the influence, speeding or operating their vehicle in a restless manner. Some dangers can come from mechanical sources such as defective parts or fleet vehicles that have not been properly maintained. Still other risks might come from the driver who the person is riding with.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused a fatal car crash in Knoxville recently. Apparently, a truck was approaching an intersection on John Sevier Highway when a car ran a red light. The truck was unable to stop and hit the car. Law enforcement officers suspect that alcohol or drugs may be involved and the driver of the car was administered a blood test for determination.

Two people in the truck and two people in the car were sent to a nearby hospital. The passenger of the car, a 38-year-old woman, died as a result of the injuries she sustained. It is unknown what types of injuries the driver and passenger of the truck, which flipped and landed on the driver’s side, suffered from the crash.

The death of a family member is difficult to bear and it can be especially hard if the death was due to the negligent act of another person or company. Surviving families must deal not only with the grief caused by the loss, but with the expenses associated with the burial, funeral and emergency treatment. Therefore, talking to an injury attorney may provide some amount of reassurance.

Source: WBIR, “Woman dies in two-vehicle accident in South Knoxville,” Dec. 3, 2015

Categories
Car Accidents

Car accidents and brain injuries: What you should know

If you have been the victim of a motor vehicle accident in Knoxville, or anywhere else across the state, you know first-hand how easy it is to become seriously injured. In fact, you may have walked away from the collision thinking that you were fine, only to find out days later that you have suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury.  Our attorneys at Pryor Priest and Harber know how these injuries can affect your quality of life, including your ability to earn a living, engage in hobbies and interact with friends and family. Since time is of the essence when it comes to diagnosing and treating brain injuries, knowing the signs of TBI may help to reduce any long-term cognitive damage that you experience as a result of an accident injury.

Although the symptoms of TBI are unique, depending on the location and severity of the brain injury, there are some common signs to look for.  According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, these include the following:

  •          Persistent headaches, nausea and vomiting
  •          Tingling in the extremities and/or muscle weakness
  •          Trouble sleeping, staying awake or concentrating
  •          Changes in your ability to see, hear or understand others

Brain injuries that involve the frontal lobe of the brain may cause changes in your personality, ability to remember details and alter how you process information. Studies show that even mild damage to certain parts of the brain can result in long-term cognitive damage.

To find out more about traumatic brain damage and other types of accident-related injuries, visit our page on automobile accidents. 

Categories
Truck Accidents

What constitutes distracted driving?

If you are like most people in Tennessee, you mobile phone has become an integral part of your everyday live, especially if you have a smartphone. You can find the location of a needed business, manage your finances, and stay in contact with others anytime, anywhere. However, when mobile phones are used by people when they are driving, the benefits of this technology turn into dangers.

Distracted driving has received a lot of attention in recent years, largely due to the heavy use of mobile technology. However, this is not the only thing that can distract drivers while operating motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, distractions can be visual, cognitive or manual. A visual distraction is anything that takes your eyes off of the road. A cognitive distraction is anything takes your mind off of your driving. A manual distraction is anything that requires you to take your hands off of your steering wheel or a gear shifter if you have a manual transmission.

Examples of some of these distractions include inserting a CD into a player, tending to a child in your vehicle and even talking to one of your passengers. Across the United States, it is estimated that 1,300 injuries every day are incurred due to distracted drivers. Following the laws about mobile phone use is one way to reduce your distraction while driving but it is equally important to remember that other distractions also exist.

This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about what distracted driving is in Tennessee.

 

 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents and the holidays

As the holidays are fast approaching, Tennessee residents are solidifying plans with family and friends for a myriad of celebrations. From menu planning to special activities, there are several things to be looking forward to at this time of year. However, the holiday season spanning between Thanksgiving and New Year’s also brings other things requiring attention. Among these is an increase in the number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities compared to the rest of the year.

The National Safety Council lists Thanksgiving as the third most dangerous drinking and driving holiday in the United States. New Year’s and Christmas rank as the fifth and sixth, respectively. USA Today adds that when weekends are included in the primary holiday dates, the risks can be even greater. Such will be the case with Christmas and New Year in 2015. A full and long weekend is always part of Thanksgiving every year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records from December 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 illustrate how much more serious impaired driving is over holiday dates. Over these five years, 28 people died per day on the non-holiday dates in drunk driving accidents. Over the five years’ of dates associated with Christmas, 45 people died per day in accidents involving alcohol. The number of daily fatalities on the dates associated with New Year’s was even greater as 54.

Understanding this risk ahead of time can give Tennessee residents an opportunity to make appropriate plans. Having designated drivers can be some help but minimizing time on the road when more impaired drivers are likely to be out may also be wise.

Categories
Truck Accidents

TN drivers may see more tractor trailers on the road

Tennessee drivers may be used to sharing the roadways with tractor trailers on a regular basis. However, they may begin to notice an increase in the number of tractor trailers they see on the road. As the American economy continues to grow, more tractor trailers are needed to distribute products across the state and throughout the country. In fact by 2025, the trucking industry could see a 23.5 percent increase in freight amounts, according to the American Trucking Association. While this may be good news for U.S. trucking companies, it could put motorists at an increased risk of being involved in a large truck accident.

The number of people killed in large truck accidents in the U.S. has increased since 2009, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 3,211 deaths in 2009 to 3,906 fatalities in 2013, motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks continue to take the lives of innocent motorists. Passenger vehicle drivers are usually the ones who are seriously injured in a tractor trailer collision, as their size and weight are considerably larger.

With more tractor trailers needed to distribute freight, some trucking companies are having difficulties keeping up with demand. According to Bloomberg Business, qualified and experienced truckers are getting harder to come by. In order to compensate for the shortage, some companies are scheduling truckers to driver overtime in violation of federal law. In turn, distracted, drowsy, drunk and otherwise reckless truckers are more likely to cause a catastrophic collision that could injure or kill others.

In order to avoid becoming the next victim of a negligent truck driver, motorists should learn how to share the road safely with large trucks.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

How can ABS reduce risks of motorcycle accidents?

As a Tennessee motorist, you may know about antilock braking systems and how they help to improve the safety of vehicles on the road. Yet you may not know that these braking systems can mean life or death to motorcyclists. Whether you are a motorcyclist yourself or simply share the road with motor bikes, it is helpful to know how motorcycle braking systems work and how to react in a situation where a motorcycle needs to stop short.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcycles that are equipped with antilock braking systems are 31 percent less likely to be involved in deadly motorcycle accidents than those models that do not have this safety mechanism. Antilock braking systems work by preventing motorcycle tires from locking up, which in turn may help you avoid a disastrous fall, potential injury and possible death. When the wheels of your motorcycle begin to lock up, the ABS system will stop the tires rotations until it feels as though the tires’ traction is fully restored. Traditional braking systems, on the other hand, can act as a potential hazard when your tires hit uneven terrain, bad weather conditions or otherwise poor road conditions.

Although antilock braking systems reduce the likelihood that you will be involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, studies show that models with combined braking systems are even safer. As a result of these studies, IIHS is pushing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to require the installation of antilock braking systems on all motorcycles. 

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

DUI accident rate still high in TN despite decrease in fatalities

While Tennessee reported a significant decline in the number of people killed in drunk driving car accidents across the state in 2013, the DUI fatality rate still shows that too many people are getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reported drunk driving deaths in the state fell from 286 deaths in 2012 to 277 fatalities in 2013. Although Mothers Against Drunk Driving also reported a 3.1 percent decline in drunk driving deaths, these fatalities still accounted for 27.8 percent of all automobile accident deaths in the state.

State officials hope that the 2014 DUI fatality rate will show an even further reduction in drunk driving deaths. This is due in part to new legislation that went into effect in 2013 involving the use of ignition interlock devices. Tennessee is one of 25 states in the nation that requires all convicted DUI offenders to use an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. The mobile breath test monitor is designed to keep DUI offenders from operating a vehicle by measuring their blood alcohol content level. The vehicle will not start if the offender’s BAC is over the preset limit. Other states that enforce this law have seen a dramatic drop in DUI car accidents, injuries and deaths.

In addition to interlock device laws, Tennessee also uses no-refusal policies when testing drivers who have been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving. Some believe that if state lawmakers started revoking driver’s licenses, it would help to lower the number of drunk drivers on the road as well.