According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, every 34 seconds, a child under the age of 13 is involved in a car accident. Each state in the country has its own specific laws regarding child safety when traveling in a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, not everyone knows the most appropriate safety restraint system to use to keep their child as safe as possible.

Tennessee’s Child Restraint law has clear rules for how a child should be secured at every age. A car accident can cause catastrophic injuries to a child, and that is why it is mandatory in every state for children under the age of 16 to be securely fastened while riding in a vehicle. If your child is injured in an auto accident, a skilled personal injury lawyer can advise you on steps for taking legal action against a negligent driver or manufacturer.   

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes has dropped in Campbell County since 2014, but so far this year, there have been nine, bringing the total to 336 since 2009.

Regardless of whether a driver has consumed alcohol, you can expect to be pulled over if a police officer sees you driving erratically down the road. When this happens, and you have been drinking, you could face the possibility of DUI charges.

With approximately 2 million tractor-trailers on the road, truck drivers and motor vehicle drivers should be aware of ways to avoid truck accidents. Truck drivers are responsible for earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before operating a commercial vehicle and motorists are responsible for being extra vigilant when in the presence of big rigs.

Truck Driver Safety

After earning a CDL, the best way to stay safe on the road is also the most basic: know how to operate and keep control of your vehicle. According to the commercial driver’s license manual, all trucks should be inspected before, during, and after each trip. These inspections must be logged in case a truck needs to be repaired.

In the state of Tennessee, there were more than 497,000 reported motor vehicle collisions throughout 2017, including over 30,000 in which at least one passenger suffered injuries. Tragically, more than 1,000 people ultimately died due to injuries suffered in car accidents, statewide. 

If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision, the related expenses, including vehicle damage, loss of work hours, and medical bills, can be significant. After being involved in a car accident, the first step is to check the medical condition of all passengers and to seek medical treatment for any injuries suffered. It is important to act quickly after an accident to help your chances of securing financial compensation for your injuries.

Here in the United States, rear-end collisions occur more frequently than any other type of collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes make up approximately 29 percent of all annual car accidents. In many of these instances, rear-end collisions cause severe injuries, ranging from whiplash to brain trauma and spinal cord damage. These types of injuries often come with significant medical bills and potential loss of work hours. Due to the monetary ramifications of a rear-end collision, it is important to secure injury compensation. Below we will explore the steps you need to take so you receive the financial compensation you deserve. 

Establishing Accident Liability

For a successful personal injury claim, it must be established that another driver was responsible for the collision. In the vast majority of rear-end collisions, the negligent party is the rear-vehicle driver. The most common form of negligence leading to a rear-end collision is driver inattention. Distracted driving is prevalent these days, especially texting while driving. Driver inattention can also be a result of fatigued driving or driving under the influence of alcohol. In any case, the odds of a rear-end wreck also increase if a driver maintains an unsafe following distance (tailgating).

On April 4, an elderly man and his passenger were both fatally injured in a car crash on Tennessee’s State Highway 128. The car accident served as a reminder of the risks that elderly drivers can face and present when they get behind the wheel of a car. According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 290,000 elderly Americans were injured in motor vehicle collisions in 2016, while 7,400 proved fatal. 

Elderly Driver Accidents

An average of 20 elderly Americans are killed each day in car crashes. In many cases, car accidents caused by elderly drivers can be prevented with intervention from close family members.

Here in the state of Tennessee, car accidents are common statewide. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, approximately 500,000 car accidents occurred in Tennessee throughout 2016. In many of these collisions, a serious injury occurred. 

After a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, it is common to feel helpless when you suffer a severe injury. It is important to act quickly in the aftermath of an accident. If you or a member of your family are injured in a motor vehicle collision, seek skilled legal guidance immediately. 

In Tennessee, serious motor vehicle collisions are common throughout the state. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, over 208,000 motor vehicle collisions occurred statewide throughout 2018 alone. More than 23 percent of those car accidents resulted in injuries that required immediate medical attention. In all, 48,031 travelers were injured in car accidents in 2018. Tragically, nearly 1,000 people ultimately passed away due to the impact of the collision. 

Below, we will explore the factors in many traffic collisions and injuries, and how you can increase your safety. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision, contact a legal professional right away. 

With the sun out and temperatures beginning to rise, more and more pedestrians will be outdoors. Unfortunately, thousands of pedestrians are seriously injured or killed in traffic collisions throughout the United States each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 5,400 U.S. pedestrians were killed after being struck by motor vehicles during a recent 12-month period. If you or a loved one are injured after being struck by a motor vehicle, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. 

Remaining Safe as a Pedestrian

Approximately 129,000 pedestrians are treated annually in U.S. emergency rooms after being struck by automobiles. In many cases, there is nothing a pedestrian can do to avoid a collision. Other accidents are preventable. Here are some safety tips you may want to consider the next time you go for a walk. 

This past February, two Cookeville High School students were fatally injured in a tragic motor vehicle collision. The accident occurred when the teen driver lost control of the vehicle, which rolled and ultimately collided with a tree. It was a sobering reminder of the risks all teenage drivers face. 

Every year, thousands of American teenagers die in car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2,433 teens were killed in car wrecks during a recent 12-month period. An additional 290,000 teenagers suffered injuries that required hospitalization over that span. 

On February 28, a motorcyclist suffered serious injuries on Interstate 40. The accident occurred when the motorcyclist collided with a semi-truck. The motorcyclist was transferred to a local hospital, and fortunately, is expected to recover. 

Because of the lack of protection compared to a car, motorcycle accidents often result in severe and even fatal injuries. Many are caused by negligent drivers who failed to see the motorcycle. If you are the victim of such an accident, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

On the night of February 20, a 30-year-old woman was fatally injured when her vehicle traveled off-road and collided with a tree. The accident, which took place on Shelby County’s Morning Sun Road, occurred around 11 p.m. By the time first responders arrived at the scene, the lone passenger was already dead. 

Driving at night can come with increased risks due to decreased vision and driver fatigue. If you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision due to another driver’s negligence, it is important to seek skilled legal representation as soon as possible.

Every year, many thousands of Americans are arrested on drug charges. Law enforcement and the courts aggressively pursue drug possession and trafficking convictions. Drug-related violations of any kind can come with life-changing implications. If you have been arrested for a drug crime, it is imperative you consult with a skilled criminal defense attorney immediately. 

Impact of a Drug Conviction 

In the state of Tennessee, drug charges can be quite harsh. A first-time possession conviction results in a Class A misdemeanor. With a conviction can come fines of over $2,000 and up to one year in prison. If you have been previously convicted of two or more criminal acts, a possession charge automatically constitutes a felony. Criminal punishments depend on the amount of narcotics and the type of substance involved.

On February 6, six motorists were injured due to one driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign on Tennessee’s Highway 160. The 20-year-old driver was fatally injured after colliding with a truck. The initial impact led the young driver veer into the oncoming traffic, where they collided with a third vehicle. The tragic accident is a reminder of how important adherence to traffic laws can be. 

Failure to stop accidents are a growing crisis across the country, in large part due to the increased use of cell phones while driving. Reckless drivers continue to endanger other travelers by disregarding yield signs and traffic signals and failing to stop at marked stop signs. 

In 2017, more than 34,000 Americans lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions across the country. For family members of those victims, coping with the loss of a loved one is a traumatic and emotional process unlike any other. 

In a large number of these cases, collisions are caused by the negligent and reckless actions of another driver. If your family member was fatally injured in a motor vehicle collision, your family deserves skilled legal representation that can hold negligent parties accountable.

Here in the state of Tennessee, there have been dozens of initiatives designed to reduce the number of inebriated drivers on the roads. From heightened criminal punishment to increases in highway surveillance, law enforcement officials and prosecutors are taking drunk driving incredibly seriously throughout the state. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, over 7,300 people were arrested on DUI charges statewide throughout 2017. If you have been arrested on DUI charges, it is critically important to seek out legal assistance as soon as possible. 

Punishment for a DUI Conviction

Due to the high potential for fatal car accidents when a driver is inebriated, the state of Tennessee punishes drunk drivers more harshly than the vast majority of states. Even a first-time DUI offender will face a minimum of two full days in jail and fines of at least $350. Without quality legal representation, a first-time DUI offender could be subjected to a jail sentence of up to one year, one year of license revocation, and potential fines as high as $1,500. 

A second or third DUI conviction carries the same maximum prison sentence but comes with higher fines and much longer periods of driver’s license revocation. If you have been convicted of a fourth DUI, you will face felony charges and a minimum of one year in jail. More severe criminal punishment can be placed on those who are convicted of vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, or aggravated vehicular homicide. 

On Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019, a female bicyclist was fatally injured when a car struck her bike in Perry County. The accident, which occurred on Highway 438, ultimately resulted in three serious injuries but only one fatality. For bicyclists throughout the state of Tennessee, the accident served as a reminder that no cyclist is safe from motor vehicle collisions. If you or a loved one are injured in a bike accident, you should work with an attorney to determine your options for pursuing compensation. 

Bicycle Injuries Are Incredibly Common 

Throughout the United States, thousands of people are injured in bicycle accidents each and every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 467,000 Americans were injured in bicycle accidents in 2015 alone. Of those, over 1,000 people suffered fatal injuries. In the state of Tennessee, 10 bicyclists were killed in 2015 after being struck by a motor vehicle. Despite the fact that bicyclists only account for an average of 1% of all annual travelers, they are much more likely to be injured than those traveling in motor vehicles. 

Avoiding Bicycle Injuries 

While many bicycle accidents are impossible to avoid, there are a few simple steps you and your family can take to decrease the chances of being seriously injured in a collision: 

According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over three million Americans are hospitalized each year due to slip and fall injuries. While most slip and fall injuries are non-fatal, an elderly American dies every 20 minutes due to falling. Fall injuries cost Americans roughly $5 billion in medical costs each and every year. If you have suffered a fall injury, it is important to contact a legal professional, even if the initial injury symptoms are minor. 

Common Slip and Fall Injuries

According to the CDC, only half of all fall victims alert their doctor about their fall. Fall injuries can result in painful chronic injuries that often come with delayed symptoms. Serious injuries that can occur in a fall include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury: Falling is the leading cause of head and brain injuries. Injuries to the brain can come with a wide array of symptoms that affect a victim’s quality of life. From minor concussions to permanent cognitive damage, brain trauma of any sort should not be taken lightly. 
• Hip Fractures: The CDC states that a staggering 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling. Hip injuries can be severely painful, and they can have life-threatening health implications for elderly Americans. Regardless of age, a hip fracture can lead to limitations in mobility and chronic pain. 

Helping Your Elderly Loved One Avoid Falls

In many cases, fall injuries are unavoidable, but there are a few steps you can take to help your elderly family member lower their risk of slipping and falling. Ensure that your elderly loved ones wear well-tractioned footwear, do not mix medications that could impact their balance, and always give increased assistance to those that have vision or mobility problems. If your loved one is injured after suffering a fall, a personal injury lawyer can help you determine whether the fall occurred because of someone’s negligence and work with you to pursue compensation. 

On January 1, 2019, four Nashville teens were injured when an 18 year old man crashed his car into a tree. After the collision, the driver and passengers were rushed to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Tragically, the driver suffered fatal injuries. 

Metro Nashville Police identified the cause of the accident as reckless driving. This form of driver negligence, which endangers all drivers on the road, encompasses a variety of activities, and it is important to be able to identify these behaviors. Understanding the dangers of reckless driving can help you avoid a dangerous motor vehicle collision. 

Common Forms of Reckless Driving

Every year, thousands of Americans are fatally injured due to the negligent actions of reckless drivers. As a driver, you can increase your safety if you can accurately recognize forms of reckless driving, including: 

Here in Tennessee, we are fortunate enough to live in a state with a wide variety of year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. For many Tennesseans, recreational boating is the top choice. Unfortunately, recreational boating accidents are much more common than we would like to think. According to the United States Coast Guard, there were 4,291 recreational boating accidents in the U.S. in 2017. More than 2,000 Americans suffered serious injuries in these accidents, and 658 people were fatally injured. 

Alcohol is a factor in many recreational boating accidents, so penalties for getting caught driving a boat while under the influence are severe. If you have been arrested for boating under the influence of alcohol (BUI), it is important to seek legal representation immediately so your rights and future are protected.