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Truck Accidents

Tractor trailer involved in fatal multi-vehicle crash

An accident near Murfreesboro that involved several vehicles, including two semi trucks, and claimed two lives occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. on June 13. Drivers on the stretch of Interstate 24 in Rutherford County were reportedly moving at a slower than usual speed when the complex crash occurred as there had been a previous accident. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the truck accident occurred when the driver of one of the tractor trailers overturned as he tried to stop in time to avoid the slower vehicles.

The out-of-control truck then careened into about eight other vehicles, two of which immediately caught on fire. The driver and a passenger in one car were both killed, and sheriff’s deputies were able to pull two other people to safety. According to authorities, the two young people who died were en route to the Bonnaroo music festival.

There were five people injured in the fiery crash altogether, and the driver of the semi was uninjured as were six other people involved in the pileup. Police cited the semi driver for failure to exercise due care, and other charges are reportedly pending against him. Part of Interstate 24 remained closed during the morning rush hour while the scene was cleared.

The fact that this truck driver was cited could possibly mean that he was driving at either too high a rate of speed for the conditions or that he was distracted while driving, and he may face criminal charges due to the fatalities. An accident involving so many vehicles, including two large trucks, will need close examination as to cause and the damages that might be owed to the people injured and the families of those who died. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to evaluate the details of the police investigation in order to discern a clearer picture of the events that transpired.

Source: WBKO, “2 killed in 10-vehicle crash near Murfressboro, TN“, Associated press, June 13, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

Teen drivers in Tennessee should take precautions in summer

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

Categories
Car Accidents

Car collision with bus leaves as many as eight injured

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

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Tennessee woman arrested after a car accident

A 30-year-old woman has been arrested near Kingston after reportedly causing a multiple vehicle accident on Highway 58. The Tennessee Highway Patrol states that she was driving under the influence of alcohol and has charged her with DUI. After the car accident, both she and a 44-year-old male driver who was seriously injured were transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

According to WBIR News, the woman was driving along the highway when she crashed her vehicle into two others and then collided head-on with a Toyota Camry. Her vehicle sped off the highway and flipped upside down before stopping in a nearby yard. In addition to DUI, she has been charged with driving under a suspended license and reckless endangerment.

Sadly, the injured victim’s predicament is far from uncommon. Thousands of motorists are injured by negligent drivers every year, often experiencing deep physical and emotional suffering as a result. When someone is injured in a motor vehicle accident, the consequences can be devastating and long-term. Extended hospitalization and subsequent rehabilitative therapy are prohibitively expensive for many families, and some people simply cannot afford the lost wages and income such circumstances oblige. If the injury is serious enough, the victim may not be able to return to work at all.

In addition to the criminal charges against her, the woman in this case may also be exposed to a civil claim by the victim and his family. In order to determine full culpability, it is often necessary to thoroughly investigate the scene of the accident. Experienced car accident attorneys can interview any available witnesses and inspect the damage to all involve vehicles to corroborate their testimonies with physical evidence. Furthermore, an attorney can review the individual circumstances of all injured parties to help ensure the equitable distribution of any financial compensation to which they may be entitled.

Source: wbir.com, “Roane Co. four-car crash sends man to hospital“, June 03, 2013

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accident kills one man and injures his wife

A Tennessee man has died after a sports utility vehicle turned into the path of a motorcycle, which resulted in a collision. The man’s wife, who was riding as a passenger, was also injured in the motorcycle accident.

Both individuals were taken by ambulance to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where the man died due to his injuries. The wife’s injuries were not life-threatening. The driver of the SUV was not injured in the accident. The investigation into the collision is still ongoing, but alcohol is not suspected to be a factor.

In Knoxville, motorcycles are quickly becoming a primary mode of transportation. This has resulted in an increased number of accidents involving motorcycles. Motorcyclists often sustain severe injuries when these accidents occur, including serious head injuries, broken bones, road rash and spinal cord injuries. These injuries are often far more severe than any injuries sustained by the driver of the motor vehicle.

Most of these accidents occur when the motorcycle is in the driver’s blind spot. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that it is safe to change lanes. If a driver does not see a motorcycle, any accident that occurs could result in a motorcyclist being injured or killed.

If an accident does occur that results in any serious injuries, wrongful deaths or damage to property, a Knoxville motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help. An experienced attorney may be able to represent the rights of those injured in motorcycle accidents and ensure that their clients receive the compensation that they deserve. The attorney might also handle any wrongful death suits on the behalf of clients who have lost loved ones in these serious accidents.

Source: Oak Ridge Today, “Lake City man dies, wife injured after Saturday motorcycle crash“, John Huotari, June 01, 2013

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Woman faces several charges in fatal accident

A woman has been charged in a collision that killed a 21-year-old man. The 28-year-old woman was allegedly driving under the influence and in the incorrect lane when the car accident occurred. The man was able to pull himself from his vehicle and check on his wife and child, who were passengers. He later died at the scene.

The accused woman’s two children were not properly restrained in her vehicle and also suffered injuries. Her five-year-old suffered a fractured skull, a broken back, and was placed on life support after being transported to the hospital. Her seven-year-old child also suffered facial and head injuries. The woman was also seriously injured.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol waited until the woman was released from the hospital and subsequently filed charges. She will face one count of vehicular homicide, one count of DUI, two vehicular assault charges, as well as aggravated child abuse and child abuse. The woman also received citations for failing to properly restrain her children, not wearing a seat belt, failing to exercise due care, not having insurance, and for having a mixed drink and margarita mix in her vehicle. The woman’s husband told police that she had consumed Jagermeister and Red Bull before leaving home to go to work.

Although the victim died at the scene of the accident, his wife and family may pursue wrongful death charges in civil court. Proving the other driver’s reckless behavior will possibly be easier in this case as there are police records that indicate that woman drank alcohol before driving and even had an alcoholic beverage in her car. The woman’s failure to properly restrain her children further points to her arguably reckless mindset at the time of the accident. Accident victims and families may find that having the assistance of a personal injury lawyer can possibly help them prove their case in civil court.

Source: Wate.com, “Woman charged in wrong-way wreck that killed man“, May 24, 2013

Categories
Car Accidents

Multiple car crash injures 13 in Tennessee

According to authorities, 13 people sustained injuries in a three-car accident in middle Tennessee. The car accident occurred on Highway 96 in Williamson County at approximately 5:45 p.m. on a Saturday. A mini-van with 11 passengers clipped one vehicle. The mini-van then struck another car head-on.

Officials stated that four adults, two from the mini-van and two from the car that was hit head-on, were listed in critical condition. They were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. The other nine passengers from the minivan were taken to the hospital, as well. Their conditions were not known at the time this story was written. It appeared that none of the occupants of the mini-van had been wearing the proper restraints at the time of the accident. In addition, the driver of the vehicle that was struck head-on did not appear to have been wearing a seat belt.

The people involved in this crash and their families will be facing financial burdens as a result of the accident. They will have medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. Regardless of whether anyone is charged or convicted in this accident case, the injured parties could choose to file a civil suit for damages. A settlement can be sought in civil court even if there has been no criminal conviction.

The injured parties in this accident might benefit from consulting with a personal injury attorney. An experienced attorney may be able to explain the legal process and evaluate the situation to determine whether there is a case. In addition, an attorney might be able to represent the injured person and their family members in a lawsuit if necessary. In the event that a settlement is awarded, an attorney might be able to negotiate with the court for the highest possible award amount.

Source: WATE, “13 injured in 3-car crash in Middle Tennessee“, May 27, 2013

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Two Tennessee High Students Injured In Accident

Two young Tennessee girls, aged 17 and 15, had to be airlifted to a university hospital after being struck by a driver in a truck. The truck crossed over into the other lane and hit the car, which was driven by the 17-year-old high school student. The 17-year-old student tried to avoid the crash, but the truck hit her car head on. The students were both part of their local Tennessee school’s cheerleading team, and the driver had just made the cheerleading squad at a Kentucky college. The driver of the truck was also taken to a medical center for treatment after the accident.

The 17-year-old driver of the car suffered a broken femur for which she had to undergo surgery. The passenger was on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The accident not only had an effect on the students but on their friends and family members. The teachers and counselors at the girls’ school offered counseling to students after the accident. The car accident appears to have occurred because of drunk driving.

The truck driver has been cited for different criminal charges, including driving under the influence and vehicular assault. The police have continued to investigate the case to determine her role in causing the serious injuries of the two teenage girls. Under federal law, vehicular assault is a class D felony that can result in jail time for between two and 12 years, license revocation for up to five years and heavy fines and penalties.

After an automobile accident, bills pile up quickly, even with insurance. A car accident attorney may be able to help individuals who have been in a drunk driving accident where other parties were at at fault. A lawyer specializing in automobile accidents might help to ensure that insurance companies provide a fair payment for vehicle repairs or injuries resulting from the accident.

Source: Department of Safety and Homeland Security, “DUI Offenses Outline”

Source: Clarksville Online, “Two Montgomery Central High School Chearleaders injured in DUI accident Thursday Morning“, May 17, 2013

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Pedestrian killed in Tennessee crash

The Tennessee Highway Patrol has stated that a one-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 took the life of a pedestrian, although authorities have not released the victim’s identity or any information related to the cause of the crash. The car accident occurred when a vehicle ran off the road into the median, striking a pedestrian and shutting down all eastbound lanes for approximately one hour. No other injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

Many pedestrian crashes on interstate highways involve pedestrians who have exited their vehicles due to another car accident or a breakdown. In some cases, these pedestrians are standing or walking near their own vehicles when another car hits them. However, it is unclear if this was the case in this incident. Police often tell motorists to remain in their cars if they have a breakdown as this may offer more safety on a busy interstate.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash and may release more information as it becomes available. Currently, authorities are withholding the identities of the victim and driver, as well as any information on what led the driver to leave the interstate and swerve into the median.

A personal injury attorney may represent the family of a pedestrian victim who has been killed in a collision with a car. A wrongful death suit on behalf of the victim may be filed by the surviving family members and may include pleas for various types of damages. These damages may include compensation for loss of love and affection of the victim, as well as lost future income the victim might have earned. Furthermore, families may decide to seek payment of medical bills, funeral expenses and other costs directly associated with the accident.

Source: WBBJ Eyewitness News, “Pedestrian Killed in Late Night Crash“, May 18, 2013

Categories
Drunk Driving Accidents

Suggested reduction in blood-alcohol-content levels

The National Transportation Safety Board promoted a federal law that would drop the blood-alcohol-content level for driving under the influence from .08 to .05 percent. The group feels this would increase highway safety by reducing drunk driving accidents.

One of the groups against the reduced BAC levels is at least one trade association in the restaurant industry, citing statistics that some women will attain a BAC level of .05 percent after only one drink. The group used information from a chart released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reach their conclusions. The NHSTA acts a regulatory group for highway safety and collects accident statistics.

However, the NHTSA indicated that the chart may no longer be accurate. A different chart shows the affect that a BAC level of .05 percent has on drivers, including reduced response time and reduced coordination.

A beer industry group will consider the recommendations from the NHTSA. However, the president of the organization wants legislation to focus on repeat offenders and increased penalties for those with excessively high BAC levels.

The board also recommends that law enforcement personnel take a person’s driver’s license if the driver does not agree to submit to a breathalyzer or if the driver registers a BAC level above a certain maximum. In addition, they are promoting the use of sensors that measure the alcohol content of air during traffic stops. If the sensor signals alcohol, law enforcement could conduct additional tests. They also encouraged ignition interlock devices for every DUI offender and want the states to increase efforts to monitor offender compliance with the IIDs.

If the new legislation is passed that drops the threshold of blood-alcohol content for impaired driving, more people could be found criminally liable for their actions. In addition, some people might file civil lawsuits as well in order to hold the responsible parties financially accountable. A personal injury attorney might be able to help clients determine an appropriate compensation amount.

Source: CNN, “Tougher drunk-driving threshold proposed to reduce traffic deaths“, Mike Ahlers, May 15, 2013