Nashville Accident Statistics

I-65 Fiery Car Crash

Madison (August 01, 2019) –  I-65 near Madison erupted into a fiery mangle when a Lexus SUV collided with a concrete median after haven been struck first by a sedan and then a much larger tractor trailer truck. Police reports indicate the the SUV seemed to have stopped for unknown reasons in a travel lane prior to being first struck by a Nissan Maxima. 

The SUV was then struck a second time by a tractor trailer driver who states they had tried to swerve and avoid colliding with the smaller vehicle. Upon impact, the SUV spun out of control a few times prior to colliding with the median and erupting into flames. The tractor trailer then ended up swerving and clipping another tractor trailer, effectively blocking traffic. 

Dental records were later used to identify the 58-year-old woman who had been driving the Lexus. 

Our legal team feels the deepest empathy for all of those affected by this catastrophic accident. We would also like to strongly encourage drivers to be alert for stopped vehicles and other potential objects that may unexpectedly appear on the highways around Nashville. Also, for drivers to try and move out of traffic if they are experiencing difficulties.    

Source: WSMV

New Hands Free State Law for Tennessee

Tennessee’s new “Hands Free Law,” also known as Public Chapter No. 412, has been in effect for a full month. As the nation’s highest-rated state for distracted driving deaths, the law was created as a means to save lives and drop the daily average of 67 distraction-related crashes to zero. 

Under the new law, drivers are required to put down their phones and focus on the road. This applies to holding a cellphone or mobile devices with any part of the body, texting while driving, reading a text while driving, or any other action that requires a driver to not be properly restrained by a seat belt and looking forward. The law also prohibits drivers from watching a video on a mobile device, and recording or broadcasting video. 

Drivers are permitted to use an ear-piece, headphone device, or wrist device that requires only one button to initiate or terminate a voice communication. Voice-activated texts are also permitted. Additionally, in case of an emergency, drivers are permitted to communicate with law enforcement and other emergency service agencies via a mobile device while driving as long as the bona fide emergency threatens human life, health, or property. 

At Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys, our legal team has assisted many injury victims who were harmed by a distracted driver. For this reason, we strongly encourage drivers to put their mobile devices away while driving. Your personal safety and those around you is more important than answering a text, taking a selfie, or taking your eyes off the road to look at your device.  

Source: handsfreetn.com/

Drunk Driving

Statewide (July 3, 2019) – It’s no surprise that drunk driving causes a lot of problems nationwide. The same is true in Tennessee. Since 2017, 2,012 accidents were caused by a drunk driver. How can you avoid being a part of the statistic? First, if you have been drinking, don’t get behind the wheel. Before you leave for your evening, have a ride home planned. 

If you are driving and see a driver acting strangely, avoid them. Some signs of another’s drunk driving are swerving, speeding, driving unusually slow, or acting recklessly. If you cannot avoid a collision and are struck because of another’s negligence, call Lerner and Rowe right away. We are ready to fight for you.

General Causes of Tennessee Accidents

Statewide (June 13, 2019) – Since 2017, Tennessee has recorded over 14,000 road incidents and has noted causes and contributing factors to each one. Unbelted occupants were a factor in 7,186 accidents. Senior drivers were involved in 2,657 accidents, while teenagers were involved in 1,939. Drunk driving was a main factor in 1,973. Also listed is distracted driving, drowsy driving, and speeding.

When these factors cause a crash, it’s normally not a little fender-bender that ensues. No, many of these crashes lead to striking trees, utility poles, embankments, guard rails, curbs, fences, concrete traffic barriers, and traffic signs. Depending on the speed of the vehicle, the impact of these objects can be devastating. Many accidents also involve striking bicyclists and pedestrians.

If you suffer an injury due to another motorist falling into a reckless practice, call Lerner and Rowe right away. Source: www.tn.gov

Keep in Proper Lanes

Statewide (April 30, 2019)- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has stated that failure to keep in the proper lane and running off the road has caused 67 accidents so far in 2019. Statistics for this accident cause always remain high, as 214 accidents in 2018 were also caused by drivers leaving their lane unexpectedly. To avoid these crashes, always stay alert to what you are doing and avoid distractions. If an obstacle is suddenly in your way, it is always better to break rather than to switch lanes unexpectedly. Source: www.tn.gov

July 2019 Fatalities

Statewide (August 01, 2019) – Year to date, there were fifteen less deaths in July 2019 than were recorded for July 2018. In comparison, the total count of people who have died on a Tennessee road during the first seven months of 2019 is now at 622. This total increased by 40 more people who lost their lives during this same timeframe in 2018. 

We can all do our part to help make the Tennessee communities in and surrounding Nashville safer for bicyclists, pedestrians, passengers, and drivers by adhering to local traffic laws. That includes not speeding, buckling up, putting mobile devices away while driving, and always double checking blind spots to make sure they are clear of children and other less visible people. Source: www.tn.gov

June 2019 Fatalities

Statewide (June 30, 2019) – There were four less deaths in June 2019 than the previous month. However, there were two more deaths than June 2018. In June 2019, traffic fatalities on Tennessee roads totaled 104. All told, 529 people have now died on Tennessee roads in 2019 alone. 

Please remember to do your part to help keep Nashville roads safer by following the speed limits, not tailgating, and being aware of your surroundings prior to changing lanes. Source: www.tn.gov

When Do Accidents Happen Most?

Statewide (June 21, 2019) – When do the most accidents happen in Tennessee? You won’t be surprised to find out that the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. are not ideal to be on the road. Additionally, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. proves to be the worst time, as rush hour commences. During these hours, children are picked up from school and taken to after-school activities, parents leave work, and those hoping for a fun night out leave their homes.

The worst days for accidents are Friday and Saturday, as many people head out of their homes for weekend getaways, sporting events, or a night on the town. Most accidents happen within five minutes of home, so always be careful when behind the wheel. Source: www.tn.gov

Fatalities in Davidson County

Davidson County (May 10, 2019)- How many fatalities have occurred this year on Davidson county roads? Of the 204 fatalities that have occurred statewide, 15 of these were in our county. Dealing with the death of a family member is completely devastating. This tough time is even more devastating when the death occurred because of someone else’s recklessness. In legal terms, we call this wrongful death. While you can never be compensated for the life of a loved one, you can receive some monetary help to pay for hospital bills and funeral costs. Source: www.tn.gov 

April 2019 Fatalities

Statewide (April 30, 2019)-  April 2019 proved to be deadlier than April 2018, with 17 more fatalities. In April 2019, traffic fatalities on Tennessee roads totaled 85, with 20 more deaths than March’s total. All told, 312 people have now died on Tennessee roads in 2019 alone. Many of the accidents involved those who were not buckled up. As you drive in and around Nashville, remember to follow proper driving procedures. Together, we can make Tennessee roads safer.  The attorneys at Lerner and Rowe urge caution to drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians for the remainder of the year and beyond. Source: www.tn.gov

TN Red Light Camera Ban

Statewide (July 2019) – Seven states across the United States ban the use of red light cameras: Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. Tennessee is not one of those states. However, one local lawmaker continues to talk about the idea of outlawing the cameras by 2020 amid protest by those who are pro redlight cameras.

Despite whether red light cameras should be banned, drivers should always be alert and take precautions prior to entering an intersection. Accidents can happen regardless of  whether another driver runs a red light. This is especially true for rear-end accidents caused by one driver stopping at a red light and another crashing into their bumper, or when a driver makes a turn and hits a child in a crosswalk or bicyclist.

Source: ncsl.org

Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke

Smyrna (July 11, 2019) – A 23-year-old man was arrested by the Smyrna Police Department for the death of his child. Authorities say the man’s 3-year-old son was left unattended in a hot car for two hours when outside temps had reached 95 degrees.

The child died on the scene outside his home from heatstroke. His father was charged with aggravated child abuse and neglect.

An unfortunate truth is children die of pediatric vehicular heatstroke (PVH) deaths every year, no matter what time of year.

According to NoHeatStroke.org, there have been 21 PVH so far in 2019.

Each of these deaths could have been prevented by practicing a few extra precautions such as getting in the habit of “looking before you leave” and making sure all people exit the vehicle first before any unloading is done. Mostly importantly though- never leave a child alone in a vehicle unattended for any reason.

Source: Daily News Journal

Be Mindful of Police Officers

Statewide (July 8, 2019) – This afternoon, funeral services for officer John Anderson were held at Cornerstone Church in Madison. Visitation was held in the hours before.

Officer John Anderson was killed in the line of duty in the early hours of the Fourth of July when a 17-year-old driver sped through an intersection, hitting Anderson’s cruiser. The cruiser was pushed into a utility pole and caught fire. 

Many police officer deaths could be avoided by following best driving practices and keeping clear of accident scenes or pull-over situations. If you see an officer working, check your blind spots and move to a further lane; it’s the law. Finally, slow down to ensure that you are not speeding into a potentially precarious situation. Source: Tennessean

Electric Scooters Banned

Nashville (June 21, 2019)- Electric scooters have seemingly swept the nation. The popular pay-as-you-ride service can be found in many of America’s major cities. However, Nashville will no longer be one of them. Nashville’s mayor, David Briley ended the pilot project of electric scooters in the city. There were seven scooter companies operating in Nashville, operating 4,000 scooters. 

The change comes after the first scooter-related death in Nashville. A 26-year-old man was struck by a vehicle in May. While the man was found to have twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system, the mayor believes that this death could have been avoided.

If you were injured due to one of these electric scooters, call Lerner and Rowe. There are too many variables when it comes to this uncouth form of transportation. Let us look into who was really responsible for your injuries, and fight for the justice you deserve. Source: The Verge

11 Underperforming Nursing Homes Revealed in Tennessee

Nashville (June 6, 2019) – Two Pennsylvania senators’ work to unveil a secret national list of underperforming nursing homes revealed 11 such homes are located in Tennessee. Criteria to appear on this list include “persistent poor care.”  

Eight of the listed facilities are on the Medicare & Medicaid Services list of candidates, and three more are already a part of the Special Focus Facilities Program. See the full list here.

If your loved one suffered from or is currently suffering from nursing home abuse and neglect, do not hesitate to reach out to Lerner and Rowe. Source: Fox 17

Tornadoes, Rain, Wind, Oh My!

Nashville (May 8, 2019)- We have been having some crazy spring weather here in the Nashville area! Tornado warnings issued earlier in the week led many to their basements. The National Weather Service even confirmed that an EF-0 tornado did touch down around the Tennessee- Alabama state line. An EF-0 tornado sustained winds up to 85 miles per hour, causing damage to nearby homes and trees. In severe weather, always take the proper safety precautions. Get yourself, family, and pets to the lowest part of your home. If you do not have a basement, go to a room with no windows until the storm passes. Source: www.newschannel5.com