Whenever cars switch lanes or cross a lane of opposing traffic to reach a destination, there are safe and legal ways to do so. However, if other drivers are not paying attention or are unaware of what is going on around them, a car accident can occur. Recently in Tennessee, a car accident took the life of a mom as her son was driving and crossed traffic.

The driver who was with his mother crossed into another lane in front of a church. As he did so, a Toyota came along and hit the passenger side of their vehicle. Then, another vehicle rear-ended the Toyota after the initial crash.

The 49-year-old woman died from her injuries in the crash. She suffered blunt force trauma. Because of the three-vehicle wreck, traffic had to be rerouted. Police said they were surprised there were no other fatalities given the severity of the crash. It is unclear at this time if the driver who hit the car as it crossed the road will face any kind of charges.

If an investigation determines the other driver committed a traffic offense or was driving in an unsafe or inattentive manner, there may be cause for the family to pursue legal action. Preliminary evidence suggests the vehicle came over a rise in the roadway at a speed that made it impossible to stop in time to avoid the collision. When someone is killed in a car accident as a result of the negligence of another driver, the surviving family of the victim can file a wrongful death suit in a Tennessee civil court. They may garner monetary damages if their suit is successful. Any damages awarded can help families deal with funeral costs, lost wages or other financial losses incurred after a losing a loved one in a car accident.

Source: timesdaily.com, Marion mom dies in wreck, Tom Smith, Jan. 9, 2014

Tragedy can bring a community together, as is the case in a town in Tennessee. A recent car accident has had devastating consequences for a local family and has brought an outpouring of support from friends, family and other community members. The accident resulted in the death of one woman and injured two girls, one of them having suffered severe brain injuries.

The accident occurred while the girls and their mother were heading home from visiting grandparents. Their car was apparently struck head-on by another vehicle. The mother died in the accident, and both girls were transported to a local hospital for treatment. One of them has already been released from the hospital. The other suffered severe trauma to her brain on top of other injuries and has been in a coma since the accident.

The cause of the accident hasn’t been reported. However, their car was supposedly the second car that was hit by the driver deemed responsible. It is unknown if any charges are pending in this case. It is also unknown if this is still an open investigation.

Sadly, a car accident can have life-altering effects that can come at a significant expense. Both girls now have to cope the loss of their mother and one of them will also need long-term rehabilitation to recover from the injuries she sustained. Medical and funeral expenses can create a significant financial burden in a time already filled with serious challenges. A wrongful death claim (with regard the loss of the mother’s life) and personal injury claims (on behalf of the daughters) may be appropriate against any party whose negligence caused or substantially contributed to the crash. If liability is established, a Tennessee civil court could order any parties found responsible to pay monetary damages to help ease the financial burden this family is facing as a result of the tragedy.

Source: themountainpress.com, Family touched by community support for injured daughter, Jeff Farrell, Jan. 7, 2014

Holiday occasions such as New Year’s Eve can be an enjoyable time to spend with family and friends in order acknowledge a special occasion. Unfortunately, holidays are not exempt from the risk of individuals being involved in a car accident. In fact, as many people may be on the roadways at times that they normally would not be, holidays could potentially lead to an increased risk of such an accident occurring.

An accident in Tennessee took place in the early hours of New Year’s Day that resulted in a fatality. Reports indicate that the driver of the single vehicle involved lost control of the car and struck a pole. The crash resulted in a 22-year-old man sustaining fatal injuries and another passenger having to be transported from the scene by helicopter. The driver was reported as receiving minor injuries. Another passenger was not injured, and a fifth occupant of the vehicle reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived.

At this time the investigation into the accident is ongoing. No charges have been filed in relation to the event, but a blood sample from the driver was taken and sent for testing. Because the accident resulted in a fatality, the driver could potentially face serious charges.

The family of the young man who was killed is likely seeing the event as a tragic way to begin the year. As a result, they may wish to explore their options concerning legal action they may be able to take against the driver deemed at fault for the fatal car accident. Tennessee state laws dealing with wrongful death claims could allow the family to gain knowledge on how to utilize such a claim and whether they could possibly be entitled to compensation.

Source: WGNS Radio, UPDATE on Fatal Accident in Murfreesboro New Year’s Day- Names Released and One Passenger Unaccounted For, No author, Jan. 1, 2014

When a crash leaves death and injury in its wake, many lives may be permanently impacted. People will either be left grieving or suffering from emotional and physical trauma. Sadly, three people were injured and one person died recently after a tragic car accident on U.S. Highway 231 in Tennessee. For those who were injured, life may never be the same.

The crash occurred on Dec. 28 as a Chevrolet Cruze was traveling westbound on Lamar Alexander Parkway in Blount County. Suddenly, a Chevrolet Astro pulled out right into its path. The impact from the crash sent both vehicles into the median. The 73-year-old driver of the Astro died at the scene.

Three occupants of the Cruze were injured. The 47-year-old driver and a 16-year-old passenger were flown to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Another passenger, who was 18, was taken to the same hospital by ambulance. The nature of their injuries was not reported but were said to be serious. According to reports, the two injured passengers in the Cruze were not restrained, but air bags did deploy in the vehicle.

Deputies from the Blount County Sheriff’s Office are still investigating the details of the car accident. As the three survivors recover from their injuries, they are likely awaiting the results of the investigation to decide on their next steps. In Tennessee, they may be able to file a civil claim for personal injury against the decedent’s estate if the investigation shows that she acted in a negligent manner that led to the crash. Such a claim, if successful, may help compensate them for medical expenses resulting from the crash as well as give them the emotional closure they need to move forward with their recovery.

Source: ABC 6 WATE, 1 fatality in car accident on Lamar Alexander Pkwy, No author, Dec. 28, 2013

Chrysler owners in Tennessee may receive a recall notice. The company has revealed that it will recall around 5,600 vehicles sold in the United States and Canada due to the possible failure of the 8-speed automatic transmission. The filing says that the output of the transmission shaft could fracture, which may cause power loss. Hyundai is also under investigation by the National Highway Safety Administration to see if a previous recall from the automaker should have included more vehicles.

Chrysler says that it found about the issue that led to the recall from transmission warranty claims from ZF Group, the manufacturer of the transmission. The recall affects the 2013 year of the Chrysler 300, Dodge Ram 1500 and Dodge Charger. According to the filing that the automaker made with the NHTSA on Dec. 5, the vehicles included are those with a V6 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and either 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

In the separate action, Hyundai issued a recall in March that affected 186,000 Elantra vehicles from the 2011-13 years. The issue was that a side curtain airbag may release a metal support bracket from the headliner if it deploys during a crash. The metal bracket could hit the occupant and cause a head injury. The NHTSA said in a new report that it learned that the 2009-12 years of the Touring models of the Elantra used a similar design as those that were recalled. It is investigating to find out if Hyundai should have recalled 52,000 Touring models as well.

There could be questions as to if any car accidents occurred as a result of the defective equipment that was in the recalled vehicles. If an injured party is able to prove that this was the cause of a car accident, the individual may qualify to receive compensation from the automaker, parts distributor or parts manufacturer.

Source: NY Times, “Chrysler to Recall 5,600 Vehicles; N.H.T.S.A. Investigates Hyundai“, Christopher Jensen, December 09, 2013

A multi-car accident involving several injuries and one fatality held up traffic for several hours on Dec. 6. The car accident occurred in Clinton around 4:30 p.m. on Lewallen Bridge, according to the Clinton Police Department.

A 21-year-old Knoxville man was accused of drinking and driving in the accident. Police said that being under the influence of alcohol played a role in the man losing control of his truck and causing the crash. After the vehicle went out of control, it crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with two vehicles. The man was charged with DUI and vehicular homicide.

The accident threw the passenger in the man’s vehicle out of the truck. The 40-year-old woman died from her injuries a short time later. Four other people suffered injuries as a result of the accident. Three others from cars involved in the wreck weren’t injured. The bridge was shut down for several hours as authorities worked to clean up the accident.

Accident victims may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver by filing a personal injury lawsuit or by having a lawyer negotiate on their behalf with the insurance companies involved. In this case, if the family of the deceased woman chooses to file a wrongful death claim and it is successful, they may receive compensation for any accident-related damages, such as lost wages and any final expenses their loved one may have had. Such compensation may help provide financial stability to any children or spouse who may have depended upon the victim’s income.

Source: WATE, “1 person killed, several injured in DUI related crash“, December 06, 2013