Nashville Injury Lawyers Blog

June 22, 2017

Tips for Staying Safe on Middle Tennessee’s Highways and Interstates

Thousands of drivers use Interstates 24, 40, 440, 840, and 65 in and around Nashville every day to get to and from work and when passing through the area.

In addition, there are also dozens of high-speed highways throughout the mid-state region. These roads have higher speed limits than other streets, making trips faster and easier. But the higher speed limits can increase the risk of serious injuries when accidents occur.

You can reduce your risks of getting hurt while driving on a high-speed roadway by:

Driving at or below the speed limit

Most interstates in Middle Tennessee have speed limits of anywhere between 55 mph and 70 mph. It’s important to drive at or below those limits. Exceeding the speed limit makes you more likely to lose control of your vehicle, and it also increases your vehicle’s stopping distance. During inclement weather such as rain, snow, or fog, you should further reduce your speed.

Avoiding distractions

Keeping your eyes, ears, and mind fully focused on the road are vital no matter when or where you’re driving. But distracted driving is an even bigger risk when you’re traveling on a high-speed highway or interstate. In the time it takes to send or read a text message, your vehicle can travel the length of a football field.

June 22, 2017

THP Closes Interstate 40 near Cookeville after Multiple Semis Crash

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

The Tennessee Highway Patrol closed the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 in Cumberland County after multiple semi-trucks were involved in a collision.

Per a report by WKRN.com, at least one semi-truck overturned during the crash, which occurred just after 1 p.m. near Monterey, Tennessee.

Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Cindy may have contributed to the crash, as the interstate was slick at the time of the accident.

A THP spokesperson told reporters that the crash had caused traffic to back up for several miles. It’s unknown if anyone was injured during the multi-truck accident. The THP also said that drivers can expect the westbound lanes to remain closed for several hours as they work to investigate the crash and clear the scene.

June 20, 2017

TDOT Begins Preparation for Construction Project Planned for I-24 this Fall

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has begun preparing for a major construction project that will significantly impact drivers who travel on Interstate 24 in Nashville later this year.

Per a report by WKRN.com, the project involves the replacement of two bridges along I-24 that cross over Oldham Street and Spring Street in Davidson County. The plan also involves repairing the Silliman Evans Bridge.

To complete the repairs, TDOT plans to close sections of I-24 over the course of four weekends during the fall. Although the specific dates for the closures haven’t been decided, TDOT wants to warn drivers as early as possible that they will need to take detours if they travel through Nashville on I-24 in the fall.

June 20, 2017

Critical Injuries Reported after Head-On Collision in Antioch

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

A woman suffered critical injuries when her vehicle was struck head-on by a stolen truck in Antioch Saturday evening.

Per a report by WKRN.com, the incident began when officers with the Mt. Juliet Police Department received a call about a woman fleeing from a Target store with merchandise at around 7:30 p.m.

Witnesses saw the woman enter a pickup truck, which was later discovered to have been stolen in Robertson County earlier that day. An officer eventually spotted the truck on South Mt. Juliet Road and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

June 20, 2017

Downpours Cause Dangerous Road Conditions in Nashville

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

The Middle Tennessee area was hit with severe storms Sunday evening, causing intense rainfall and standing water on roadways throughout the area.

WKRN.com reports that heavy rainfall may have been to blame for an accident that involved an SUV flipping onto its roof in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 at the off-ramp near Charlotte Pike on Sunday afternoon.

The accident caused traffic to slow for more than one hour as emergency responders from the Metro Nashville Police Department and local fire departments worked to clear the scene.

June 15, 2017

Semi-Trucks Banned from 51st Avenue in West Nashville

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

Nashville’s Metro Traffic and Parking Commission voted unanimously to ban semi-trucks that weigh more than four tons from using 51^st Avenue in the western part of the city.

Per a report by WKRN.com, the ban is due to major changes occurring on 51^st Avenue that will transform it into a road that includes bike lanes, crosswalks, parking spaces, and a turning lane.

A Metro councilwoman told reporters that the goal for the road is to make the area feel more like a neighborhood.

June 15, 2017

Fatal Pedestrian Accident Reported on Highway 70 South

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

A 36-year-old man from Rock Island, Tennessee, was struck by a vehicle and killed late Saturday night in the southbound lanes of Highway 70.

Per a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident happened while the man was standing outside of a vehicle with its lights turned off that was stopped in the middle of two lanes of the highway.

While he was standing next to the vehicle, a 2008 Toyota driven by a 23-year-old woman crashed into him and the vehicle simultaneously. Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the accident scene.

June 15, 2017

5-Vehicle Crash Reported in Clarksville on Saturday

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

Five vehicles were involved in a serious collision in Montgomery County on Saturday, and multiple people were transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for their injuries.

Clarksville Now reports that first responders with multiple Montgomery County agencies were called to the scene of the five-vehicle crash, which happened on Dover Rd. near Oakwood Rd. between noon and 1 p.m.

Police closed several lanes as they worked to clear the scene and allow emergency responders access to the victims.

June 9, 2017

Ride-Sharing Service Drivers Expect Plenty of Business this Weekend

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

Drivers with Uber and Lyft say they expect to pick up and drop off plenty of passengers in Nashville this weekend due to things like the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, Bonnaroo, and CMA Fest.

WKRN.com reports that one driver quit her job to drive for Lyft in Nashville. She says that because parking downtown is so expensive, with some lots charging $80 for two hours, more people will rely on ride-sharing services to get to their destinations. She also said that she expects to complete around 30 fares.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation told reporters that traffic backups and congestion are expected throughout the area, including downtown, and that people who plan on participating the festivities should avoid driving if possible.

June 9, 2017

Law Enforcement Officers Begin Traffic Management for Bonnaroo Festival

by Matt Hardin Law, PLLC

Middle Tennessee and the city of Manchester are home to one of the world’s biggest music festivals, which attracts more than 80,000 people every year. In response, several local law enforcement agencies step up their presence to safely management traffic and keep drivers safe.

Per a report by Clarksville Now, the festival kicks off on Thursday night and continues until Sunday evening. Traffic in and around Manchester is expected to significantly increase. Officers with the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Manchester Police Department, and Coffee County Sheriff’s Department will all be on hand to make sure traffic flows smoothly and to help festival attendees enter the grounds without incident.

Gates opened to ticket-holders at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7, to provide more time for attendees to park their vehicles and set up their camp sites. In 2016, there were 13 traffic crashes that involved two injuries and one fatality. Officers also wrote 626 citations.