Tennessee residents undoubtedly understand the risks they face when they head out on the road. This is true if they are driving, are passengers, are bicyclists or pedestrians. Motor vehicle accidents can cause severe injuries and fatalities. While the inherent dangers such as drunk drivers, distracted drivers, recklessness, negligence and drowsiness frequently factor in with a crash, there is a hope that advanced technology will make the roads exponentially safer. However, new research indicates that these systems’ effectiveness may be lacking.

Research downplays impact of driver assist

A new study from AAA came to several sobering conclusions about driver assist. Specifically, it says that these systems are unreliable and their safety benefits might be mitigated by that unreliability. These advancements include lane-assist to keep vehicles in their lanes, pedestrian recognition and automatic braking. Increasingly, automakers are installing driver assist. AAA tested five vehicles with these features and found that they all had at least one problem. An example is the driver needing to show quick reactions to maintain the vehicle’s lane at least one driver assist failure for every eight miles driven.

Even the benefits are thought to be inconsistent. Drivers who have vehicles with this advanced technology tend to become complacent and place too much trust in the vehicle’s technology. Nearly three out of four problems were linked to lane assist. Researchers say that human error is a cause for 94% of motor vehicle accidents and these advancements are designed to take the possibility of driver error out of the equation. However, it is only as effective as its design and there are still flaws to iron out.

Drivers should be aware of these issues

A vehicle drifting out of its lane is fundamentally dangerous. This is true if it is a road in which the vehicles are all heading in the same direction, but it is especially worrisome on a two-way road as a drifting vehicle can spark a head-on collision. It is easy to grow relaxed behind the wheel if there is a perception that the vehicle itself will handle any unexpected occurrence. If there is an accident, people can suffer life-changing injuries, exorbitant medical expenses, lost wages from the inability to work, and lifelong problems. Fatalities are also common causing emotional, financial and personal turmoil for the family left behind. Compensation through a legal filing might be the only way to cover for all that was lost. Consulting with a firm experienced in assessing and investigating motor vehicle accidents may be essential to a successful claim.

After your recent car accident, you had a physician look you over to ensure you did not sustain injuries. Nothing major came back, but you still feel “off.”

While you may feel fine physically, the accident may have injured you mentally and emotionally. Determine if you have a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver by learning more about post-traumatic stress disorder.

Intense emotions after an auto accident

Shock, nervousness, anxiety and fear are all normal emotions to experience after a car accident, no matter how minor. It is when you experience persistent anxiety, uncontrollable memories of the accident, excessive irritability and dissociation that you may want to consider whether you have PTSD. Such negative emotions associated with the accident becoming stronger or lingering in your mind and body can affect your day-to-day life, making it difficult for you to function, work or enjoy your life.

Addressing trauma

Take steps to sort out your trauma healthily and productively. For instance, talking with a mental health specialist or your friends may help, or engaging in exercise could help minimize your stress. If you feel uncomfortable getting behind the wheel of a car after your accident, consider taking a defensive driving course.

Include your doctor in the healing process. You may feel uncomfortable having such a vulnerable conversation with your doctor, but remember that physicians do not exist to judge, but to help. You can ask if what you feel is normal after an auto accident, how long you can expect your feelings and thoughts to persist or if you have an underlying or undiagnosed mental health condition making you feel the way you do.

Not all car accident injuries are visible. Take steps to protect and advocate for your health and your legal rights.

More so than any other vehicle on the road in Tennessee, motorcycles are especially prone to dangerous accidents with larger automobiles.

In the case of trucks, these collisions can be deadly or life-threatening.

Pileup on the road

According to a report from Knoxville News station WATE 6, two riders were both struck when a truck rammed into a motorcycle. Although there is no certain cause yet, authorities believe that speeding was part of what led to the crash. When officials arrived at the scene, they saw the motorcyclist injured and still on the road. After more investigation, they also noticed that the passenger on the motorbike was lying in the bed of the truck. Both parties were quickly taken to the hospital and are currently being treated for any lingering health issues.

These injuries are likely severe and could be life-threatening, since emergency workers transported the passenger and rider directly to the emergency room. The condition of both patients is currently unknown, but the person driving the pickup truck is injury-free and not in need of treatment at this time. No passengers were riding along in the truck.

Driving and safety

In any accident involving a motorcycle, the driver must always be aware of road conditions and incoming traffic. Larger vehicles naturally overpower any smaller ones in the even of a crash. Almost all trucks have blind spots that prevent them from seeing oncoming traffic. Getting caught in a blind spot can lead to broken limbs, spinal cord injuries, or even death. If anyone is in a truck accident, seeking legal advice may be beneficial.

On June 19, four people were hospitalized — one in serious condition — following a motor vehicle accident in North Knox County. The collision took place on Maynardville Highway. The two-vehicle crash took place at approximately quarter to five in the afternoon.

The accident was so severe that Knox County Rescue had to extricate all four people involved in the accident. The incident is being investigated by the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Following the crash, Rural Metro issued a statement advising motorists and their passengers to use their seat belts and avoid distracted driving.

Most people in Knoxville would agree that the safe thing to do when driving or riding in an automobile is to wear a seat belt. In addition, distracted driving has gotten a lot of attention lately as a behavior that should be avoided while driving. Distracted driving is not limited to cellphone use. Eating or grooming behind the wheel, turning the radio, chatting with passengers or even daydreaming can all cause distracted driving accidents for which the distracted driver could be held liable.

While the exact cause of this recent accident has not been reported, all drivers have the duty to drive reasonably under the circumstances. If a driver fails to do so and causes a car accident that injures another person, that driver could be held responsible for the crash.

That said, holding a driver responsible for a car accident is often a challenge, especially when the victim has to cope with injuries, expenses, among other things. Therefore, it may be a wise decision for car accident victims and their families to seek legal guidance.