Tennessee Car Accident Statistics

Car accident statistics show that many crashes in East Tennessee are preventable. If you are injured in a wreck caused by someone else, Knoxville car accident lawyer Mark Hartsoe can help you file a lawsuit to pursue damages, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. He is ready to assert your rights to the fullest extent of the law.

In 2016, road rage was the cause of at least 43 accidents in Knox County. Careless or erratic driving was the cause of at least 525 accidents. A failure to yield the right of way was the cause of at least 1,823 accidents. Improper following was the cause of at least 3,248 accidents. Improper lane changes were the cause of at least 426 accidents. Some other causes of car accidents in Knox County included driving on the wrong side of the road, speeding, failing to obey traffic signals, failing to signal intentions or use lights, and getting distracted by the GPS.

Many car accidents could have been prevented if one or more drivers had used reasonable care to avoid harm to others. Using reasonable care in many situations simply means paying attention to what is happening on the road and reacting appropriately. For example, leaving sufficient space when following another car allows a driver enough time to brake without rear-ending the other car. If you were rear-ended in Tennessee, it may have been the other driver's fault, and you can potentially bring a lawsuit for negligence. Most juries will find that improper following breaches a driver's duty to use reasonable care, and if improper following caused an accident that resulted in your injuries, the following driver probably will be held liable.

If a driver fails to obey a traffic signal and thereby causes your injuries, negligence per se, which means negligence as a matter of law, may apply. For negligence per se to apply, you must show that a safety law was violated, the violation was the legal cause of your injuries, and your injuries were of the type that the law was intended to prevent.

For example, all drivers in Tennessee are prohibited from texting while driving. If a police officer sees someone texting, they may issue a citation. After a car accident that causes injuries, you should contact the police. If you saw the other driver texting while driving, you should let the police know this. A citation in the police report for an accident may help you establish negligence per se. Once negligence per se is established, the focus of your case is likely to become the extent of the damages, rather than whether the other driver's negligence caused the accident.

Damages that you may be able to recover may include lost income, medical bills, pain and suffering, and mental anguish resulting from your injuries. If someone’s drunk driving caused the accident, you may be able to recover punitive damages as well.

Tennessee car accident statistics reflect the importance of using appropriate care while driving. If you suffered injuries as a result of another driver's negligence, you should consult Knoxville car accident attorney Mark Hartsoe. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to schedule a free consultation. Mark Hartsoe represents victims who need a motor vehicle collision attorney in many areas of East Tennessee, including Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.