Articles Posted in Car Accidents

Drivers in the state of Tennessee have been prohibited from texting behind the wheel for over a year now, but teenage drivers aren’t getting the message. Teenage drivers across the state are still using the cell phones to text message one another, endangering themselves and innocent drivers everywhere. For this reason, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper are teaming up to push the “OMG” public service announcement (PSA) and other anti-texing campaigns. Officials are using these campaigns to raise awareness in these young drivers about the dangers of texting and driving and the risks for a distraction-related car accident in Maryville and elsewhere.

“Teen drivers are particularly vulnerable to distracted driving, which is why we are making an extra effort to ensure they understand the dangers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Our Maryville car accident attorneys understand how serious a problem texting teens pose other motorists on our roadways. According to the State of Tennessee’s Attorney Generals Office, distracted driving-related accidents are the number one killer of teenagers in the U.S. Nearly 20 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 who were involved in a fatal accident were reported to have been distracted behind the wheel. Teen drivers who text behind the wheel are 25 percent more likely to get into a serious accident than those who are focused on the roadway.

“Imagine closing your eyes while driving for the amount of time it takes to read a text message,” said Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper. “Reading a text message is no less dangerous than any other diversion that takes your eyes off the road, and it can carry deadly consequences.”

The NHTSA’s “OMG” campaign was recently released on the Distraction.gov website and is available for viewing at roughly 12,000 gas station pump-top screens owned by Outcast PumpTop TV and on roughly 6,600 movie screens in nearly 550 cinemas across the country during the month of December.

Through the holiday season, teenagers will be enjoying a winter break away from school and will be venturing out on our roadways for holiday vacations. The “OMG” PSA uses teen lingo, inducing “LOL and “L8R,” to communicate its important safe driving message with these young drivers.

We understand that teenagers want to stay connected with their friends though various social networks and through text messaging, but it’s important to teach our young drivers that there’s a time and place for that, and it’s not behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. The new campaign urges teenagers to make smart decisions while driving through the congested holiday traffic.

Parents are urged to talk with the teen drivers in their life about the serious risks and consequences of taking their eyes off the roadway while driving, if even for a few seconds. Have a safe and Happy Holiday and please curb all distractions while driving through the busy, winter traffic.
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A recent chain-reaction car accident in Tennessee, just north of Nashville, involved 176 vehicles, killed one and injured nearly 20 more, according to CNN.

Officials say that the accident was caused by the black ice and the heavy fog that plagued State Highway 386. One school bus on its way to drop children off at school was involved. Luckily, none of the children were injured. The man who was killed in the accident was the driver of a compact car that was forced underneath a tractor-trailer. The others who were injured were taken to local hospitals.

According to Capt. Vincent Riley of the county emergency medical services, the accidents started at roughly 8:00 a.m. when a first vehicle ran off the roadway, which caused a chain-reaction accident. That roadway was shut down for a majority of the day as responders tried to clear the wreckage. Many vehicles had to be towed from the scene. Weather officials had not placed the area under a fog advisory during the accidents.

Our Knoxville car accident attorneys understand that traffic is expected to increase significantly through the holidays and our risks for traffic accidents will increase as well. Drivers are urged to check out the road and traffic conditions throughout Tennessee before heading out. Safe driving habits are going to be your number one preventative measure in avoiding a fatal car accident through the season. As millions of drivers head out to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, everyone’s urged to drive carefully and cautiously to keep our roadways safe.

“We want everyone traveling in and through Tennessee to get to their destination safely,” said Commissioner Bill Gibbons. “We urge all motorists to start the holidays off on the right foot and buckle up on every trip.”

Troopers urge all drivers to wear a seat belt, especially throughout the rest of the holiday season. The state’s seat belt usage jumped to nearly 90 percent in 2011. Still, it’s estimated that nearly 60 percent of vehicle occupants who were killed in car accidents in the state in 2010 were reportedly not wearing their seat belt.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Tracy Trott says that motorists are about 10 times safer when wearing a seat belt. Troopers will be combing the roadways for unbuckled motorists throughout the holiday season, not to issue a bunch of tickets but to help save lives.

As of the 21st of November, the state’s accident statistics illustrated that there have been more than 830 deaths on our roadways so far in 2011. While this is about 100 less than this time last year, officers still ask drivers to stay safe, to drive cautiously and to buckle up on our roadways.

Drivers are also urged to steer clear of popular roadways during rush hour, during the evening hours and during weekends. This is a time when we typically see an increase in accidents. Driving is a serious responsibility and we all need to do so safely to ensure the safety of everyone on our roadways. Have a safe and Happy Holiday!
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American Traffic Solutions (ATS) recently filed a lawsuit saying that they’re not able to do the job they were hired for anymore, according to KnoxNews. The company is upset because it’s no longer allowed to issue citations for improper right turns on red.

We’ve all heard before that safety benefits that these cameras provide are minimal compared to the millions that cities raise by issuing intersection citations, and this is another illustration on how important generating these citation fines are for these companies. Still, car accidents in Knoxville and elsewhere are still an all too often occurrence, with or without red-light cameras.

Typically, receiving a traffic ticket lies in the hands of an American Traffic Solutions employee, whose paycheck directly correlates with the number of traffic stations that are issued. According to Capt. Gordon Catlett of the Knoxville Police Department, the city isn’t the one that’s banking from these tickets. He says that ATS is getting 80 percent of the millions that are being reeled in.

Our Knoxville car accident attorneys understand the concern drivers have with these red-light cameras. While many government officials claim that these red-light cameras save lives and were not installed to raise some fast cash, others think differently.

Some recent traffic studies have indicated that red-light cameras have the ability to reduce the risks of front-into-side accidents, but the number of rear-end accidents increase. A study by the Federal Highway Administration looked into the effects of red-light camera programs in nearly 10 U.S. cities. Researchers concluded that right-angle accidents decreased by about 25 percent, but the number of rear-end accidents increased by nearly 20 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The study also concluded that these cities gained nearly $19 million, despite the increase in accidents. The authors of the study concluded that the economic costs resulting from the increase in accidents were more than the offset by the economic benefits from the decrease in the right-and accidents that the cameras were used to target.

According to the Knoxville City Court, there have been more than 17,000 red-light camera tickets issued since 2006 by the two vendors who have been hired to run the camera program. Drivers can use an interactive red-light camera map to locate these cameras throughout the city.

Revenue for July through September from the city’s red-light cameras has declined from roughly $490,000 during that time in 2010 to under $140,000 for the same time this year.

Red-light running is no new danger. According to a recent study from the IIHS, a driver will run a red light at any given intersection every 20 minutes. During rush hour, these occurrences are much more frequent. The rate of red-light runners at intersections with and without these cameras is about the same.

Many residents in Knoxville are opposed to the dangerous traps. Many compare them to an old Southern speed trap. Mayor-elect Madeline Rogero recently expressed her support for the eye in the sky.

Bill Myers from Knoxville wrote in to KnoxNews and asked Rogero to re-evaluate her position with these cameras. He says that the residents on the city deserve to have better and safer traffic enforcement practices than these money-hungry camera operations contributing to more accidents.
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Although gas prices are higher this year, many Americans will be venturing out for the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there will be nearly 43 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles from home on Turkey Day weekend.

That’s nearly 5 percent more than the 41 million who set out last year. The increase in travel is expected to increase your risks for a car accident in Knoxville and elsewhere.

This year, a gallon of gas is about $3.39 per gallon, whereas last year the average cost per gallon was only $2.88. The cost of gas is believed to be the reason why Memorial Day travel was about the same as last year and why Independence Day and Labor day saw decreased travel numbers, according to CNN. Experts believe that residents are sick of staying home though and are bypassing their tendency to be frugal and traveling out of the house this holiday.

Our Knoxville car accident attorneys understand that the National Safety Council (NSC) predicts that more than 430 people are expected to die in a traffic accident over the holiday weekend. The holiday weekend officially begins on Wednesday, November 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and ends on Sunday November 27th at 11:59 p.m.

The NSC also predicts that another 43,000 people will be injured seriously enough to require assistance from a medical professional. Although this year’s estimate is about 20 percent less than the average number of fatalities from the past 6 years, drivers are still asked to be extremely cautious on our roadways.

“Driving AAA’s projected increase in the number of Thanksgiving travelers is pent-up demand from Americans who may have foregone holiday travel the last three years,” said Bill Sutherland, vice president of AAA Travel Services.

Driving will be the main form of transportation over the upcoming holiday weekend. Air travel predictions vary. AAA predicts that there will be a 2 percent increase in air travel, while the Air Transport Association of America is anticipating a 2 percent decrease.

Those who are traveling on our roadways during the holiday weekend are asked to travel slowly, cautiously and to wear a seat belt regardless of how far you’re traveling. Recent studies indicate that seat belts are nearly 50 percent effective in preventing death in the event of an accident for front-seat passengers.

Based on study information, more than 150 person’s lives are expected to be saved because of a seat belt. If all vehicle occupants were to wear a seat belt, the NSC predicts that more than 100 additional lives could be saved.

The NSC’s estimated fatalities/actual fatalities for Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend:

-2004: 556 estimated. 556 actual.

-2005: 610 estimated. 605 actual.

-2006: 555 estimated. 623 actual.

-2007: 564 estimated. 542 actual.

-2008: 479 estimated. 484 actual.

-2009: 447 estimated. 401 actual.
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Nationwide, there are more than 100,000 fatigue-related accidents on our roadways every year, causing injury to more than 70,000 people and killing at least 2,000. Drowsy driving-related car accidents in Knoxville and elsewhere in Tennessee happen as well.

These numbers are interesting considering the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently released a study that concluded that more than 95 percent of drivers said drowsy driving is an unacceptable driving behavior. Even with this many drivers opposing the habit, about a third of them admitted to driving while drowsy at least once in the last 30 days.

To help reduce the risks of these accidents, AAA has joined forces with the National Sleep Foundation to support the 2011 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week campaign. Our Knoxville injury attorneys invite you to join this campaign that is taking place this week, helping to raise awareness among drivers about the dangers, risks and consequences of driving while drowsy.

Sadly, drowsy drivers are involved in one out of every six fatal accidents on our roadways.

“Drivers have a tendency to underestimate the impact being tired has on their driving ability, which puts themselves and others at risk,” said AAA Foundation president and CEO Peter Kissinger. Drowsy driving kills, just as sure as drunk, drugged and distracted driving does.”

Most of the drivers who admitted to falling asleep at the wheel recently confessed that they did so while they were traveling at a high-rate of speed.

You should pull over and rest if you experience any of the following symptoms:

-You’re having trouble keeping your eyelids open or your head up.

-Your vehicle is drifting in and out of the lane.

-You can’t really remember the last few miles you’ve driven.

-You’re feeling aggressive, irritable or restless.

-You’re missing street signs, street lights or your exit.

-You’re having a hard time focusing on the roadways.

-You’re daydreaming.

To prevent a drowsy driving-related accident:

-Pull over and take a break.

-Get a good night’s rest. Sleep at least seven hours the night before you take a long road trip.

-Drink plenty of caffeinated drinks.

-Stop and take a break after every 100 miles of after every two hours.

-Never drive during times when you’d normally be sleeping.

-Drive with a passenger. Switch spots if you start feeling tired.

One of the most commonly made mistakes by drowsy drivers is attempting to power through their sleepy symptoms. This is one of the most dangerous decisions a driver can make. Sleepy drivers can fall into 3- to 4-second micro-sleep periods. During this time, you’re in your car driving unconsciously. It’s most important that you stop driving if you start to feel tired. This state of mind not only puts you at risk, but other drivers as well.
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Three Tennessee teens were recently injured when a wrong-way driver plowed into their vehicle. According to the Highway Patrol, the 17-year-old’s vehicle was hit head-on around 2:00 a.m. The driver of the other vehicle and one passenger of the teen vehicle were killed in the accident, according to ABC 11.

As parents, we worry about our new licensed teen drivers on the roadways. They are extremely vulnerable to car accidents in Tennessee as they are very inexperienced behind the wheel. Parents are urged to get involved in their teen’s learning process, including offering them plenty of supervised driving time and laying down ground rules to keep them safe. But there’s one additional step that a parent can take to help keep their teen safe in the event of a traffic accident.

Tennessee car accident attorneys encourage all parents to do their homework when thinking about your child’s first car. You’re going to want to think about purchasing a new or a used car, how often it will be driven and which type of vehicle can protect them best during an accident. It can be a long and involved task as there are so many available cars and so much to consider. Don’t worry. We’re here to help you get started.

First you’re going to want to figure out if you’d like to purchase a new or a used vehicle. While buying a new car will provide you will peace of mind and you’ll have the assurance of a warranty, new cars can get pretty pricey.

“A first time driver doesn’t need a new car, but of course they want one,” says Lori Mackey, president of Prosperity4Kids. “The depreciation, probability of fender benders and the price tag [means new] is not the most logical way to go.”

You are almost always better off buying a used vehicle. If you choose a certified pre-owned vehicle then you can still have the advantages of a new-car like warranty.

Yes, new cars will come with all the latest and high-tech safety features, but a late-model used vehicle will still have airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. Used cars are less likely to come equipped with the type of power and performance that will overwhelm your teen, too.

“I see these young, inexperienced drivers in Mustangs, BMWs, and large SUVs. These automobiles are big, powerful and difficult to control for even experienced drivers. In the hands of a new driver, they can be deadly weapons,” says LeeAnn Shattuck, co-owner and chief car chick with Women’s Automotive Solutions.

Now it’s time to start thinking about what kind of car to look into.

This is a good time to start looking into safety and crash-test information. This type of information can be found on websites from organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. You should also check out websites like J.D. Power and Associates for quality and reliability ratings.

“Don’t feel you have to buy the first car you see,” says Jack Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book.

You want to make sure you’re not only looking at smaller vehicles because they’re oftentimes cheaper. Smaller cars can less likely to protect passengers in the event of an accident, according to Forbes.

“The teens realize that their parents are involved in these decisions,” says Mike Wood, a vice president at Teenage Research Unlimited. “They’re a very pragmatic generation. A car is a purchase that has to satisfy their needs and get their parents’ approval at the same time. It’s not like going out and buying a pair of jeans.”
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