Tennessee has many rules of the road, which all drivers must learn before obtaining their driver’s license. However, not every motorist obeys all the traffic laws, and violations of these laws can lead to car accidents, which can cause serious bodily harm. Drivers should stay far enough behind the vehicle ahead of them that they will be able to stop in time to avoid colliding with that vehicle. In addition, Tennessee law states that drivers should not follow other vehicles "more closely than is reasonable and prudent." Not keeping this amount of distance is called “tailgating,” which can be charged as a Class C misdemeanor in Tennessee. Depending on the circumstances of the offense, tailgaters could face more charges if their actions cause a collision.

What Types of Injuries Can be Caused by Tailgating?

If a car follows another vehicle too closely, a driver risks hitting the car in front of him or her if that car slams on the brakes. The most common collision when a tailgater is involved is a rear-end collision. Even though this type of crash does not seem like it could seriously hurt a driver or his or her passengers, it can cause multiple types of injuries, such as:

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

On December 5th, 2018, a Tennessee driver was fatally injured when their vehicle collided with another vehicle head-on. The accident occurred in Columbia, and it reminded every Tennessean of the inherent dangers of head-on collisions. Even at low speeds, head-on crashes can cause severe and even fatal injuries. If you or a family member is injured in a head-on collision or another type of motor vehicle accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney that you can trust. 

Common Causes of Head-On Collisions 

Head-on collisions are among the most deadly forms of vehicular collisions, and they cause hundreds of fatal injuries on an annual basis. Unlike rear-end collisions and other types of car crashes, which are routinely caused by accidental oversight, head-on collisions usually occur because of overt driver negligence. Listed below are the most common forms of negligence that lead to head-on collisions:

• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating drugs causes thousands of fatal car accidents each year throughout the United States. Drunk driving can impact a driver’s cognition and limit their ability to operate their vehicle responsibly. Throughout the state of Tennessee, more than 3,400 people were killed due to drunk driving between 2003 and 2012. 
• Distracted Driving: Driving without one’s full attention on the road is the most common cause of head-on collisions. The most dangerous forms of distracted driving are cell-phone use and eating and drinking while driving. Every single day, approximately nine Americans are killed due to distracted driving. 
• Reckless Passing: Passing other vehicles unsafely is one of the most common forms of aggressive driving. Passing in no-passing zones or passing without properly evaluating the lane of oncoming traffic can lead to dangerous head-on collisions. While reckless passing is rarely talked about, this type of overt negligence can come with fatal ramifications.

Meet With a Campbell County Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been involved in a head-on collision, contacting a qualified legal team can make all the difference as you and your family recover in the aftermath of the injury. At The Law Office of William F. Evans, our number one goal is to protect each and every one of our clients. Head-on collisions can lead to severe injuries, and they are usually caused by driver error. Our legal team can demonstrate that your injuries were the direct result of a driver’s negligence, working to ensure that you and your family receive the post-injury compensation that you deserve. To schedule a complimentary consultation with a Jacksboro, TN car accident attorney, call us today at 423-449-7980. 

On Tuesday, November 6th, 2018, a 72-year-old man was fatally injured in a car crash which occurred a few miles south of Lawrenceburg. In addition to the death of the elderly occupant, the accident led to severe injuries for another passenger. For drivers throughout the state of Tennessee, the crash served as a reminder of the increased risks that elderly drivers face in motor vehicle collisions. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, you should work with a personal injury lawyer to determine your legal options for recovering compensation for your damages. 

Collision Rates Substantially Higher Among the Elderly

Throughout the United States, elderly drivers experience a higher rate of collisions than other age groups. In 2014 alone, over 200,000 elderly drivers were injured in motor vehicle collisions, and more than 5,000 of these drivers suffered fatal injuries. The alarming number of car crashes involving elderly drivers can be attributed to a number of issues. As elderly drivers continue to age, muscular problems such as arthritis can impact steering wheel grip and braking ability. Additionally, aging drivers often face the difficulties that come with dwindling motor skills and lessening vision. 

It should come as no surprise that per mile traveled, the fatality rate climbs exponentially once drivers reach the age of 75. Also concerning is the fact that over 75% of drivers over the age of 65 use one or more prescription medications. These medications can come with side effects that can impact awareness, motor skills, and the ability to stay awake while driving. 

On Saturday, October 6, 2018, a high school student in Afton, TN was killed in a motor vehicle accident while riding in a Jeep with a fellow teenager. The crash, which occurred early in the morning, was caused when the 19-year-old driver drifted off of the left side of the road and hit an embankment, sending the vehicle airborne. The 16-year-old passenger was fatally injured during the accident, while the driver was airlifted to a nearby hospital after being cut out of the vehicle by emergency responders. For parents throughout the state of Tennessee, the accident served as a reminder of the dangers teenagers face every time they get behind the wheel of a car. If your teenage driver is injured in a motor vehicle collision, it may be time to seek out legal representation. 

Teenage Car Accidents Nationwide

Every year, thousands of American teens die in motor vehicle collisions. In 2015 alone, over 2,300 teenagers died in automobile accidents across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an additional 235,845 teenagers were hospitalized due to injuries suffered in car accidents throughout 2015. In all, approximately six teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 die each day in motor vehicle accidents. 

Why So Many Teenage Fatalities? 

With the overwhelming number of teenage fatalities on American roadways, it is hard not to ask the question: Why do teenagers face increased risk? The simple answer is that they routinely drive irresponsibly. Teenagers are much more likely to drive while distracted (cell phones and other electronic devices are the leading cause of distracted driving), drive at dangerous speeds, and drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.