Tennessee Injury Attorney Blog

Published on: August 16, 2011

Early Morning Tennessee Trucking Accident Shuts Down I-75

The southbound lanes of Interstate 71 near mile-marker 16 at the Hamilton-Bradley county line finally reopened after being closed most of Thursday morning because of a fatal trucking accident in Tennessee.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, a pickup truck ran head-on into a tractor-trailer around 4:00 am. The driver of the pickup truck was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the big rig suffered no injuries, according to NBC 3.

Our Knoxville trucking accident attorneys understand that this accident contributed to the sixth traffic-accident fatality in Bradley County in the last five weeks. County officials continue to investigate all of the accidents. Most of the people who were killed in the recent accidents were under the age of 30. The Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, Bradley County Fire Rescue and Bradley County Emergency Medical Service all assisted with the most recent accident.

It’s no surprise that accidents with semis oftentimes produce fatal results. Their large size and tremendous weight overpowers every vehicle on our roadways. Along with their size come large blind spots. It is in these large blind spots that many motorists get lost and forgotten. When a tractor-trailer driver is unable to see a passenger vehicle, the result is oftentimes catastrophic.

Another common problem that leads to fatal accidents that involve semis and tractor-trailers is when they attempt to negotiate a right-hand turn. When a truck does this, the driver of the big rig is required to swing the truck far to the left just in order to make the right-hand turn. This wide swing can leave a smaller vehicle in a tight squeeze between the truck and a curb.

Semis and tractor-trailers also need a greater stopping distance than smaller passenger-vehicles. It is not uncommon for a large truck to rear-end a passenger vehicle simply because of a lack of stopping distance. All of these scenarios can quickly turn deadly.

According to 2007 national truck accident records:

-More than 4,584 trucks involved in fatal accidents.

-More than 4,800 deaths resulted from accidents that involved a semi.

-Nearly 140,000 commercial trucks were involved in non-fatal accidents.

-Nearly 57,000 semis were involved in injury collisions.

-More than 3,900 injuries resulted in accidents involving commercial trucks.

-Approximately 83,100 trucks were involved in tow away accidents.

-There were nearly 2,250 large trucks involved in Hazmat placard accidents.

“We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Motorists who are involved in traffic accidents with tractor-trailers and are severely injured can unfortunately expect to look forward to overwhelming medical bills, lost time from work, pain and suffering. Contacting an experienced lawyer can help you to determine fault in the accident and help you take on the driver and quite possibly the trucking company to get you the compensation you deserve.
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Published on: August 11, 2011

Back to School Means Increased Risks for Child Injury in Tennessee

By Mark Hartsoe

Early August means it’s time for kids to gear up for another school year. While children may be most worried about the new clothes and which teacher they’ll have this year, parents are busy worrying about getting their kids to school safely and the risks of child injuries in Tennessee.

According to the Nation Safety Council (NSC), about 25 million students around the United States will be climbing aboard big, yellow buses this month and heading back to school. Unfortunately, this is also a time where we see a number of injuries and deaths because of school bus-related accidents. As a matter of fact, school bus-related accidents took the lives of 134 people in 2005 alone. During that year, another 11,000 were injured. Of the people injured in these accidents from 2000 to 2004, roughly 46 percent were school bus passengers, about 8 percent were school bus drivers and another 41 percent were occupants of other vehicles. The rest of the injuries were sustained by pedestrians, bicyclists and other persons.

Our Knoxville personal injury attorneys would like to wish all the kids a happy and successful year back at school and we’d like to talk to the parents about important safety tips that can help to keep your child safe this school year.

If your child is walking to school:

-Make sure they walk with a group of kids and always with a responsible adult.

-Be sure that they stay on the sidewalk, if available.

-If there’s not sidewalk, remind them to always walk facing traffic.

-Require them to always cross the street at a street corner or at an intersection. It’s the safest!

-Make sure they check both ways before stepping off the curb and crossing the street.

-Walk. Don’t run across the street. Running makes your child more likely to fall in the street.

If your child rides a school bus, make sure they:

-Stand at least three giant steps, or 6 feet, away from the curb.

-Make sure they cross the street at least 5 giant steps, or 10 feet, in front of a school bus.

-Make sure the bus driver can see them and they can see the bus driver.

-Alert them of the dangers of walking behind the bus.

-Tell your child to never put their head, hands or arms out of the bus window.

-Shhh! Ask them to keep an indoor voice while riding the bus.

-Make sure they keep the bus aisles clear.

-Keep them away from the wheels of the bus at all times.

While parents should be concerned with their student’s focus on their studies, you should also be concerned with their safety both getting to school and while they’re at school. Equip your child with the knowledge of safety before sending them off to school this year.
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Published on: August 10, 2011

Motorcyclist Run Over and Killed in Tennessee Trucking Accident

By Mark Hartsoe

A trucking accident in Tennessee in Blount County, on “The Dragon,” turned deadly earlier this week. The fatal accident happened on Highway 129, near the North Carolina state line, according to WBIR 10.

The accident happened when the tractor-trailer, traveling near mile marker 5, crossed over the center line while taking a curve, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The motorcycle and the driver slid under the truck and were run over by its wheels. Officials took the rider to Blount Memorial. Officials say that the motorcyclist was alive and talking at the scene of the accident, but he later died on his way to the hospital. Charges for the incident are pending.

Our Knoxville trucking accident attorneys often emphasize the dangers of traffic accidents that involve a tractor-trailer. Occupants of smaller vehicles are more likely to sustain serious injuries, if not death, during an accident with a big rig. But add a motorcycle in the mix and there’s bound to be catastrophic results. Motorists are urged to use extra caution around these large vehicles to help prevent a serious accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were roughly 380,000 large trucks involved in traffic accidents in the United States in 2008. A large truck is defined as a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or more. More than 4,000 trucks were involved in deadly accidents during that same year. A total of 4,229 people were killed in these accidents, accounting for more than 10 percent of all of the traffic fatalities reported in 2008. Another 90,000 were injured in these accidents. In 2008, Tennessee witnessed nearly 100 fatal trucking accidents.

Also in 2008, the United States witnessed nearly 5,500 motorcyclist deaths. This is a number that illustrates a 2 percent increase from the previous year. They accounted for 14 percent of the total number of traffic fatalities for that year. In 2008, 14 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents involved light trucks. Another 4 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents involved a heavy truck. That same year counted for the 11th consecutive year that there has been an increase in motorcycle accident deaths.

The NHTSA offers these safety tips to help keep motorcyclists safe when traveling among large trucks:

-Do not tailgate.

-Don’t linger in front of a large truck.

-Avoid riding between lanes of slow moving or stopped traffic.

-Know and obey traffic all laws, including specific ordinances in your community.

-Use signals when appropriate.

-Remember to always drive defensively.

-Check your rear view mirrors before changing lanes or stopping. Making a quick stop without checking the traffic behind you can result in a rear-end crash.

-Make sure you can always see the eyes of a truck driver. If you can’t see them, they’re unable to see you.

-Don’t travel next to a truck. Play it safe and pass when needed. Don’t linger.

-Don’t pass a truck taking a turn. They typically swing wide turns.
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Published on: August 5, 2011

FMCSA to Take Jurisdiction over Shippers to Reduce Drowsy Driving Trucking Accidents in Tennessee and Elsewhere

By Mark Hartsoe

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) might be taking jurisdiction over shippers, receivers and brokers who ‘unduly detain’ drivers if the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) gets its way. Recently, FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro received a letter from David Parker, chairman of the MCSAC, that said that the agency should seek legal authority to be able to take action against and reprimand entities other than motor carriers or drivers that cause or contribute to FMCSA safety violations.

This includes regulating the amount of time that a driver can be detained during the loading and unloading of trailers.

Parker also said in his letter that while the FMCSA has authority over drivers and carriers, they need to have more authority over shippers who play an important role in highway safety and significantly contribute to drowsy drivers. He recommends that the FMCSA looks into putting a cap on the amount of time that a shipper can detain a driver in an attempt to reduce the risks trucking accidents in Tennessee and elsewhere throughout the state.

Our Tennessee trucking accident attorneys would also like to point a specific section of that letter than mentions HR 756, a bill sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., which would essentially cut down on the number of hours a shipper can detain a driver. Previously, trucking rules pertained to the number of hours a driver could spend behind the wheel. Now concerns are spreading around to all contributors to fatigued driving, especially detained drivers.

The bill is currently in the House subcommittee on Highways and Transit, according to Truckinginfo.com.

The issue was brought to light after a study, conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), concluded that 65 percent of the 300 surveyed drivers reported detention in a one-month period. Of those that reported detention, approximately 80 percent said that they had difficulty complying with hours of service.

According to FMCSA, undue detention costs the industry approximately $3 billion each year. The MCSAC recommend that the FMCSA conduct some of their own studies into the dangerous issue to supplement the GAO research.

Parker also suggested that FMCSA create a complaint line drivers can use when they’re being unduly detained. This way they could seek action against detaining parties that place drivers in violation of HOS rules. He also recommends that they develop a ‘Truck Driver’s Bill of Rights.’ He says that the bill of rights should include detention compensation for drivers, like roadside amenities and access to showers and food.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association says that driver detention is the number one productivity and efficiency problem in trucking. The Association says that drivers continue to spend far too many hours each week on loading docks and something needs to be done.
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Published on: August 3, 2011

Picking a Vehicle: Help Keep Your Teen Safe in a Tennessee Car Accident

By Mark Hartsoe

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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Published on: July 27, 2011

Stranded Motorist Killed by Tractor-Trailer in Tennessee Trucking Accident

By Mark Hartsoe

This past weekend, a Brownsville man was killed in a trucking accident in Tennessee. The man was pulled over on the side of the road near Interstate 40 near mile marker 66 and was standing outside of his vehicle when he was struck by a passing tractor-trailer, according to the Jackson Sun.

Tennessee Highway Patrol reports that the man was standing outside of his parked car in the right side emergency lane on the interstate with his flashers on when the accident happened. The driver of the tractor-trailer, which was headed eastbound, was traveling in the right lane when he struck the disabled vehicle and the vehicle’s owner. The man standing on the side of the road was killed in the collision. Neither of the tractor-trailer’s occupants were injured in the accident.

The frequency of these types of accidents is appalling. Our Tennessee trucking accident attorneys would like to warn all motorists about the dangers accompanying a disabled vehicle. You may think you’re safe once you’ve exited the lane of traffic and you’re pulled over on the side of the road, but you’d be wrong. This is actually a common scenario for fatal highway accidents.

Charges are pending on a driver that was involved in another incident that happened the same way. One person was killed in this accident and another was severely injured.

This accident happened as three people were walking along the side of the road after their vehicle ran out of gas on Interstate 40 near the Pellissippi Parkway, according to NBC 10. As the three were walking, a truck ran onto the shoulder of the road and struck two of the three walkers.

One of the victims died at the scene, one was taken to Parkwest Hospital for treatment and the third was not hit or injured. The driver of that truck is facing charges because he left the scene of the accident. He was later located and picked up a short time after on Walker Springs Road.

What to do if you’re vehicle becomes disabled:

-Always keep a cell phone with you so that you can contact the correct authorities right away if your car becomes disabled.

-Pull on the shoulder as far as you can.

-Don’t let your passengers wander near cars on the roadway.

-To warn other motorists turn on your hazard lights.

-Do not stand near your vehicle next to the traffic. Always keep to the opposite side.

-In most cases it is best policy to keep everyone in the vehicle and wearing seat belts.

-Tying a white cloth or t-shirt to your driver side door handle can help alert other drivers.

-Prepare a road safety kit to keep in your car at all times. The kit should include a torch, a reflective triangle, road safety signs, a traffic cone, a cell phone, jumper cables, a tow rope, a portable air compressor, a raincoat and a first aid kit.
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Published on: July 26, 2011

Elderly Drivers at Risk for Tennessee Car Accidents

By Mark Hartsoe

A Tennessee car accident sent an elderly couple to the Middle Tennessee Medical Center after their pickup truck was struck by a van and flipped over at Medical Center Parkway and Gateway Boulevard. The couple was stuck in their vehicle and had to be freed from the wreckage by responding emergency personnel.

This intersection where the accident occurred has no traffic light and is mostly used by ambulances to access Middle Tennessee Medical Center’s emergency room, according to The Daily News Journal.

Our Maryville car accident lawyers understand that elderly drivers may be more vulnerable to accidents on our roadways. A number of seniors are traveling our roadways with Alzheimer’s and have the strong possibility of getting lost at the wheel as well. Luckily, there are a number of programs, systems and devices that can assist these seniors and their families to reunite if they happen to wander off. One of the main, interactive systems is the Silver Alert system.

“It’s just a good idea for the whole community to understand that more and more, with the increased population, there are going to be more situations where seniors are going to get in trouble,” says Aging Services Manager Marie Alcorn.

The Silver Alert program first began in Oklahoma back on in 2005. Florida’s was another state to take hold of the program, considering they have 4.45 million residents over 60 and another 1.7 million over 75. Tennessee was the ninth state to implement a Silver Alert system.

Typically, when an elderly person, with either Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia, drives off to points unknown, the program initiates a plea for the public to be on the lookout. In most Silver Alert systems the missing person must also be 60-years-old or older and there must be “a clear indication” that the person has suffered some deterioration of “intellectual facilities.” That’s not the case in Tennessee. The only thing our Silver Alert requires is that local law enforcement report the missing person within four hours to the National Crime Information Center.

Silver Alerts are publicized on overhead signs on Interstate highways and toll roads.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 60 percent of Alzheimer’s patients will, at least once in their life, get up, wander, drive off and become lost.

“We pull out all the stops to find someone who’s gone missing,” explains Blount County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Marian O’Briant.

There are other options to keep an eye on your elderly loved ones. A number of GPS systems can be used to track the person in possession of them. OnStar and other in-car systems can also locate a vehicle when it has turned up missing. A number of these services are being used to keep an eye on the older population. These devices are easy to use, quick to install and come at a variety of prices, depending on what best suits your needs.

Helping older loved ones decide when it’s time to hang up the keys is critical to helping them reduce their risk of causing a car accident in Knoxville, Maryville or elsewhere in Tennessee.
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Published on: July 20, 2011

Knoxville Drunk Driving Accidents Illustrate Risks to Cyclists, Motorists

By Mark Hartsoe

A County Election Commissioner in East Tennessee is facing charges of DUI and vehicular homicide after a Cocke County bicycle accident that killed a 21-year-old Vermont woman, The Republic reported.

Knoxville bicycle accident attorneys understand the risk cyclists face throughout the Tennessee summer. Those risks are exacerbated anytime a drunk driver hits the road. Drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs continue to be involved in a large number of serious and fatal Tennessee car accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports nine cyclists died in Tennessee bicycle accidents in 2009. Nationwide, about one-third of all fatal accidents involve a drunk driver. Tennessee drunk driving accidents claimed 332 lives that year.

The Tennessee State Highway Patrol reports the 73-year-old commissioner was jailed after the accident on Tennessee Highway 73. Authorities report a second bicyclist was also struck in the crash. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports he was driving a 2001 GMC 2500 Sierra pickup shortly before 10 p.m. when the truck struck the two women riding bikes. The paper reported the second cyclist, a 19-year-old woman from Seattle, Washington, was not injured.

In other Knoxville accidents news, the News Sentinel reports a Knoxville man is facing drunk driving charges after allegedly causing a hit-and-run accident. A motorist reportedly followed the suspect and subdued him with pepper spray until authorities arrived. The crash occurred about noon in the 9000 block of Kingston Pike.

A motorist who witnessed the accident called 911 and followed the 2004 Nissan Titan pickup truck outside the city and onto Concord Road in West Knox County. He confronted the suspect at a stop and a struggle ensued. The 51-year-old witness subdued the suspect with pepperspray and waited for police.

Many times, the victims of hit-and-run accidents question whether they should bother to consult with a Tennessee injury lawyer — particularly in cases where the at-fault driver is never identified. In such cases, it can be more important than ever to consult with an attorney with the knowledge and experience to determine whether you can make a claim. In some cases, when the driver is identified but uninsured, a claim may be filed against policies in place on other vehicles in the household. In other cases, a victim may be able to make a claim against his or her own insurance carrier.

Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents are not uncommon and the at-fault driver is often lacking insurance or driving without a license. The News Sentinel recently reported the arrest of two men following a fatal hit-and-run Maryville car accident. That accident involved a victim who jumped from a moving vehicle.
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Published on: July 19, 2011

Feds Tout Enforcement in Reduction of Tennessee Trucking Accidents

By Mark Hartsoe

Federal authorities have begun a compliance review of the Tennessee trucking company that employed a trucker blamed in a fiery crash that claimed three lives, the News & Observer reported. The driver faces charges of driving while impaired and felony death by vehicle. The Greeneville trucking company that employed him has 10 tractor-trailers and employs 10 drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that more unsafe bus and trucking companies have been placed out of service in the last 24 months than in the previous 10 years combined.

Knoxville trucking accident attorneys understand the risk posed by unsafe trucks and buses. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 380,000 accidents involving large trucks claimed more than 4,000 lives in 2008 and injured 90,000 motorists. Tennessee trucking accidents claimed 92 lives that year.

The government is patting itself on the back for enforcement efforts but the truth of the matter is that the feds have been slow to require basic safety improvements, such as on-board data recorders and speed limiters, and even expanded the hours a trucker is permitted to remain behind the wheel. The issue is among the most critical facing motorists because about three-quarters of accident victims in accidents with large trucks are occupants of the other vehicle or non-occupants, such as bicyclists or pedestrians.

“From Day One, I have pledged to put public safety above all else, and we will continue to take action when we see carriers placing passengers at risk,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We have seen the tragic consequences of unsafe practices – whether it’s ignoring fatigue regulations, providing inadequate driver training, or failing to conduct the proper maintenance of a bus or motorcoach. We continue using all of the tools at our disposal to get unsafe carriers off the road and hope that Congress will act on our proposal to provide us with the necessary authority to expand our safety oversight.”

The eight out-of-service orders issued in the past four months includes one to a Tennessee based truck driver. Others went to bus companies in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Mississippi and North Carolina.

“I’m proud of FMCSA’s efforts to crack down and take action on unsafe interstate bus and trucking companies,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Our safety investigators, inspectors and state partners will continue demanding that motor carriers and their drivers adhere to safety requirements. While most of the industry operates safely, I also look forward to working with Congress to add new tools to prevent unsafe companies and drivers from operating.”

Under the Obama Administration, roadside inspections of bus companies have nearly doubled, from 12,991 in 2005 to 25,703 last year. In May, the administration conducted 3,000 surprise inspections and took 442 unsafe buses and drivers off the road. That blitz came in the wake of a New York City bus accident that claimed 14 lives.

The Department of Transportation is also asking Congress to increase the penalty for illegal operation from $2,000 a day to $25,000 per violation.
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Published on: July 13, 2011

Distracted Driving Accident in Knoxville Seriously Injures Local Competitive Bicyclist

By Mark Hartsoe

The life of a local competitive bicycle racer completely changed on day after a speeding vehicle, traveling on Foothills Parkway, collided with the his left leg and sent him 50 feet through the air, according to Knox News. The rider suffered a number of fractures from the Knoxville bicycling accident. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to ride again.

Our Tennessee injury attorneys believe that the punishments for these types of accidents are not often tough enough. Currently, the most severe punishment that a driver faces for injuring a bicyclist is a Class C misdemeanor. This is really only for violating a state law that says that motorists must give cyclists a safe passing zone of at least three feet on all roadways. The penalties for a Class C misdemeanor in this case are merely a $50 fine and 30 days behind bars.

But that’s not the case for much longer. A stricter statewide law will be taking effect that will make these incidents a class A misdemeanor. The amended law, sponsored by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, and Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, would make the penalty for distracted driving accidents that result in bicyclist or pedestrian injury a maximum of a year in jail, a $500 fine and revocation of a driver’s license.

“We’re trying to make sure rules of road apply to everyone whether on a bicycle or in a vehicle,” Berke said.

Accidents that seriously injure or kill a bicyclist or a pedestrian could mean jail time six months, revocation of the violator’s driver’s license for up to six months and a $250 fine. It’s at least a start.

The law was first drafted back in February by Bike Walk Tennessee, a statewide organization advocating for bicyclist and pedestrian rights. The organization started drafting the law after discovering a number of reports of bicyclists and pedestrians who were killed by drivers.

“We’ve seen people get run over and killed with no consequences. This law brings criminal consequences and increases the possibility of having a civil lawsuit as well,” said Caroline Cooley, a Knoxville member of the board of directors for Bike Walk Tennessee.

The law aims to tackle a common excuse of vehicular homicide: “I didn’t see you.”

“I didn’t see you means I took the driver’s course and got my driver’s license but I didn’t understand what the ramifications of getting behind the wheel could really mean,” says Competitive Knoxville bicycle racer Steve Hancock.

After the accident, Hancock spent more than a month in the hospital undergoing physical therapy. He moved back to South Knoxville in June. He spends most of his time in a wheelchair now.

Distraction.gov reports that nearly 5,500 people were killed in the United States in 2009 because of accidents that involved a distracted driver. Another 448,000 people were injured in these incidents. Nearly 20 percent of these accidents reported the use of a cell phone as the main contributor to driver distraction. Motorists who use hand-held devices behind the wheel are four times as likely to get into an accident that causes serious injury.

“Distracted driving is a huge issue these days as we have more and more electronic devices taking up our lives. Motorists need to understand this,” said Kelley Segars, Metropolitan Planning Commission’s bicycling coordinator.
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