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Motorcycle Accidents

How can the state prevent motorcycle accidents?

As we told you earlier this summer, fatal motorcycle accidents are on the rise in Tennessee compared to years past. In fact, there have already been 97 motorcyclists killed in 2012, 10 more than at this time last year. There’s actually been a decline in recent months. In May, for example, motorcycle rider deaths were up by nearly a third compared to the same period in 2011.

There might be a few reasons for this. One is that higher gas prices may be driving those who would normally drive a gas guzzling SUV to opt for a motorcycle instead. Riding a bike is unquestionably cheaper.

Another probable reason is that last winter was pretty mild. That means more people were out and about on motorcycles, since extremely cold air was not a deterrent as it usually might be.

Still, even with possible explanations like this, it’s obvious that something needs to be done about the problem. A state coordinator for the Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program believes that rider safety courses can decrease the possibility of motorcycle accidents by 60 percent.

Accidents are caused by a variety of factors, but not wearing a helmet definitely plays a role: It’s estimated that 37 percent of motorcycle crash deaths could have been prevented with helmets.

As the weather gets colder, it will be interesting to see if the numbers go down. Hopefully the alarming numbers in the news will make people a little more cautious, too.

Source: WMOT, “Tennessee motorcycle fatalities up dramatically in 2012,” Shawn Anfinson, Aug. 31, 2012

• Our firm handles similar situations to what was discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Knoxville motorcycle accident page.

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Car Accidents

Knox County drivers want fix for narrow road

Negligent drivers are frequently the cause of serious car accidents. Sometimes the conditions of a roadway, however, can make crashes even more likely. That appears to be the case with a narrow road in Knox County, and residents are not happy about the situation.

Gordon Smith Road is a narrow roadway that did not always get high traffic. The addition of a new Walmart store, however, has changed all that. Residents have apparently been using Gordon Smith Road, which is located in the Halls Community near Andersonville Pike and Norris Freeway, as a shortcut.

While officials note that only two major accidents have occurred on the road in recent years, local residents say that the problem is bigger than it seems. They say that the road is too narrow, as is the right of way. Just late last month, a driver was injured after losing control on a vehicle on that stretch of road. The vehicle flipped over several times.

Residents worry that more accidents will occur if nothing is done. Some say there have been many close calls, including vehicles smashing each other’s side mirrors off.

Part of the problem might be that there is construction at a nearby intersection, which is probably prompting more drivers than usual to use Gordon Smith Road. Even with the apparent risk of more accidents, officials say that there is no plan to make major changes to the road at this time.

Source: WATE, “Residents want narrow Knox County road fixed to prevent accidents,” Josh Ault, Sept. 5, 2012

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Drunk Driving Accidents

Defendant’s death means premature end to drunk driving accident case

Authorities in Washington County were left with few courses of action after a 53-year-old Jonesborough, Tennessee, man died on Aug. 26.

The man had been facing charges of reckless endangerment and vehicular homicide over his involvement in a July 2010 crash that left a 56-year-old woman dead and three other people injured. But of course, his death meant there was no one to charge, so the allegations have been dropped.

As we pointed out, there seems to be little that authorities can do when presented with facts such as these. However, it is disappointing that this case did not make it to its own conclusion; it seems this was a drunk driving accident, and it’s very important to everyone involved that such incidents come to a just and fair resolution.

The man’s attorney was the one who informed the court of his client’s death. He did not say what had caused the man’s demise, other than that it was “unexpected.”

The accident occurred when the man was driving his pickup truck down Fordtown Road when he swerved into the opposite lane and struck a Dodge Caravan. The collision left the woman dead. Her 53-year-old husband, 27-year-old son and an 18-month-old girl were badly hurt. The man was also critically injured in the collision.

Subsequent testing of blood samples taken at the scene by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation revealed the man’s blood-alcohol content to be .25. The legal limit in Tennessee is 0.08, as it is in all states.

Source: Johnson City Press, “Charges dropped due to death of defendant,” Becky Campbell, Sept. 5, 2012

Categories
Car Accidents

Drivers in Memphis named worst in Tennessee

At least residents of the Knoxville area can take comfort that they are not the most dangerous drivers in the state. That distinction apparently falls to drivers in Memphis. Nationally, drivers get into a car accident about once every 12 years. In the Memphis area, it’s about once every 10 years. That’s according to a new study conducted by Allstate Insurance.

Still, that doesn’t even compare to the most dangerous city in the country to drive in, which is apparently Washington, D.C. According to media reports, drivers there are 100 times more likely to get into a car accident than in other parts of the country. By contrast, the safest city to drive in was determined to be Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

As for Memphis, it appears that drivers are simply not paying enough attention. One woman who drove a school bus in the Memphis area for years says that some drivers are “crazy” for pulling in front of buses, not giving bus drivers time to stop. Another driver says that one big problem is the Memphis drivers don’t like to use their turn signals and have a habit of cutting other drivers off, which can be especially dangerous.

Drivers here in Knoxville can take solace in the fact that they were determined to be the safest in the state. Even so, there are plenty of drivers out there who do not pay enough attention, so being extra diligent about safe driving is important for all.

Source: WREG, “Memphis drivers named the most dangerous in TN,” Adam Hammond, Aug. 29, 2012

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Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Two-vehicle crash leaves elderly passenger dead

When traveling on a busy highway, turning at an intersection can be tricky. Drivers need to be aware how much time they have to turn before they might encounter other vehicles. Yielding the right-of-way is extremely important, as is allowing enough time to complete a turn safely. Unfortunately, sometimes turns, especially left turns, can result in serious or even deadly car accidents.

One such accident happened last week in Sevierville. A 52-year-old woman was reportedly driving her 2011 Kia on U.S. 411 near Hattie Branch Road. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the woman was driving south on the road when she encountered another vehicle that was turning.

That vehicle was a 2000 Silverado pickup truck driven by a 70-year-old woman from Sevierville. She apparently attempted to turn from 411 onto Hattie Branch Road when the truck collided with the Kia head-on. Both vehicles came to rest in the middle of the roadway.

Each driver had a passenger in the vehicles with them, and all of them were wearing seat belts. Even so, an 84-year-old passenger in the Kia, also from Sevierville, died from the injuries she sustained in the crash.

According to media reports, it’s possible that criminal charges will be filed, in addition to citations, relating to the accident, which occurred at about 8:30 in the evening on Friday. Both drivers were injured, as was the 69-year-old passenger who was riding along in the pickup truck.

Source: The Mountain Press, “One dead, three injured after Friday wreck,” Rachel Osborn, Aug. 26, 2012

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Tennessee motorcyclist hurt in wreck

Earlier this week, we told you about a motorcyclist who was killed in an accident in West Knox County. Now, an accident on Highway 61 has left an 18-year-old motorcyclist in stable condition.

This accident happened along the highway between Clinton and Oak Ridge. The teen was riding a Yamaha XV5 motorcycle in the late morning on Wednesday. At the same time, a PT Cruiser was pulling out of the Rocky Top gas station at Mariner Point onto the highway.

That driver was attempting to turn left onto Highway 61 and says that he did not see the motorcyclist because his view was blocked by a vehicle pulling a trailer that was pulling into the Rocky Top parking lot. After the 56-year-old driver of the PT Cruiser pulled out onto the highway, the motorcyclist, who was traveling in the inside traffic lane of the highway, apparently couldn’t get out of the way in time and collided with the driver’s side door of the vehicle.

The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but was injured and was flown by a University of Tennessee Lifestar helicopter to a Knoxville hospital for treatment of “non-incapacitating injuries.” He was listed in stable condition after his arrival at the hospital.

A passenger in the PT Cruiser was also injured and taken to a nearby hospital in an ambulance.

It’s important for all drivers to make sure they have a clear view of traffic when they turn onto a highway. Big vehicles sometimes get in the way, in which case waiting until the view is clear is the best option.

Source: Oak Ridge Today, “Oak Ridge motorcyclist in stable condition after wreck,” John Huotari, Aug. 23, 2012

• Our firm handles similar situations to the one discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Knoxville motorcycle accident page.

Categories
Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclist killed in accident in West Knox County

It’s extremely important for drivers to watch out for motorcyclists, particularly on roads that are notorious for accidents. Likewise, motorcyclists need to make sure they are operating their bikes in a way that does not endanger their safety.

At this point, it’s unclear what exactly happened, but a motorcyclist was killed in an accident with a truck in West Knox County last night. According to media reports, a 27-year-old man was riding a 2004 Kowasaki east on Lovell Road. The bike reportedly collided with a Dodge Ram truck, which was headed west on the road, after it apparently turned in front of the biker. It appears that the driver was attempting a left turn onto Bob Gray Road, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s spokesperson.

The motorcyclist, who was from Knoxville, was pronounced dead at the scene. Reports say that he was wearing a helmet. The 66-year-old driver of the Dodge, meanwhile, was not injured in the accident.

People who live in the area say that it is a notorious spot for accidents. The Knox County Sheriff’s Department says that it is still investigating the cause of the crash.

Unfortunately, this accident shows that helmets can’t always spare motorcyclists from serious crash injuries. When accidents are severe or high impact, sometimes no amount of protection can prevent fatal injuries. That makes it all the more important for drivers to keep an eye out for motorcyclists, particularly while making turns on busy roads.

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, “One killed in West Knox motorcycle crash,” Aug. 21, 2012

• Our firm handles similar situations to the one discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Knoxville motorcycle accident page.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Tennessee teen dies in head-on wreck

When teens get their driver’s licenses, they should expect that others they share the road with will be as diligent as they strive to be. That’s not always the case, however. A heartbreaking accident in Maryville recently took the life of a teenage driver and a man driving a separate vehicle.

The 16-year-old girl, who had recently gotten her license, was on her way to practice with the school dance team. As she drove on Highway 411, she unfortunately encountered a Chrysler Sebring that was driven by a 44-year-old man from Maryville.

That driver had apparently been clocked at high speeds above the 55 mph limit by a nearby trooper. However, before the officer could turn his car around to pursue the driver, that man crossed the center of a turn lane and crashed head-on with the teen’s vehicle. She was killed in the accident. The other driver later died at a hospital as well.

The trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol says that he didn’t even get a chance to pursue the driver. By the time he reached the top of a hill on the dry stretch of road, he came upon the crash wreckage.

According to media reports, at this point the authorities don’t know what happened to cause the crash.

Meanwhile, the teen’s dance team, for which she was the “spirit leader,” is in mourning. Counselors are apparently there to assist the girl’s team members, who are said to be “devastated.”

The teen’s mother described her daughter as “cheerful, bubbly, goofy.”

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel, “Blount teen, 16, killed in wreck remembered for positive attitude, cheerfulness,” Robert Wilson, Aug. 16, 2012

•· Our firm handles similar situations to the one discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Knoxville car accident page.

Categories
Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Fatal pedestrian crashes up in 2010

We recently reported that fatal car accidents are increasing in Tennessee and across the country recently. Not surprisingly, fatal pedestrian accidents are on the rise, too.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the U.S. on average a pedestrian was killed every two hours, and one was injured every eight minutes in 2010. That year, fatal pedestrian accidents were up 4 percent from a year before.

Overall, the NHTSA says, there were 4,280 pedestrian fatalities in 2010, as well as 70,000 pedestrian-related injuries. Despite the year-to-year increase, the number of fatalities was still down by 13 percent from 2001.

Interestingly, the majority of the fatal crashes – about 80 percent – happened when pedestrians were crossing streets at non-intersections. About half of the fatalities occurred on weekends, and nearly half involved alcohol, either by the driver or the pedestrian.

Other statistics: Over two-thirds of the fatal crashes happened at night, and about 90 percent of them happened during clear weather. More than two-thirds of the victims were males. Also, pedestrian deaths made up 13 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2010.

Although some drivers involved were drunk or distracted, the same can be said of pedestrians. Anyone who is driving or walking near traffic should be vigilant about not getting distracted by cellphones or other digital devices. Keeping a proper lookout is not only the responsible thing to do, but it can be life-saving as well.

Source: CNN, “Pedestrian fatalities up 4 percent in 2010; non-intersection crossings most deadly,” Jim Barnett, Aug. 7, 2012

Categories
Car Accidents

Knoxville bicyclist lucky to be alive after hit-and-run

A Knoxville bicyclist’s whole life changed abruptly as he rode his bike the other day. He was heading downhill, probably going between 25 and 30 mph on Tedford Lane, a not-well-traveled road that runs next to a ravine.

The driver of a truck apparently didn’t see him and came into contact with his bicycle. This caused him to strike a guard rail and plunge 20 to 30 feet off the road, deep into the vegetation of the ravine.

The driver of the truck kept on going, and apparently didn’t care enough to stop and check to see if the biker was okay. At first, he could barely move at all, and was hidden from traffic passing by. To give you an idea how injured he was, he sustained a broken arm, a broken leg, 10 broken ribs, a broken hip and a collapsed lung.

Somehow, with his good arm, he was able to crawl up a bit — an inch at a time, he says — and throw his helmet onto the roadway to attract attention. A motorcyclist eventually noticed and stopped to render aid. And in a stroke of luck, the next person to stop to help was an orthopedic surgeon.

Police are still searching for the hit-and-run driver. The bicyclist’s boss says that his employer is offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest of the driver. In addition, his uncle is contributing $1,000 toward the fund. In the meantime, he has the support of his family and friends as he recovers.

Source: WBIR, “$6K reward offered for Knoxville hit & run bike accident,” Hillary Lake, Aug. 3, 2012

• Our firm handles similar situations to the one discussed in this post. If you would like to learn more about our practice, please visit our Knoxville car accident page.