Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on July 11, 2016
2 Fatalities, Injuries Reported after Multi-Vehicle Accident in Sumner County
An accident involving a pickup truck and two sedans caused two women to suffer fatal injuries and another victim to suffer serious injuries Friday morning in Westmoreland, Tennessee.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred on Highway 31 East in Sumner County near Phillips Hollow Road at around 4:30 a.m. when a white pickup truck and red Nissan Altima were traveling southbound.
The Nissan rear-ended the truck, which caused the Nissan to veer into the northbound lanes and collide head-on with a black Hyundai.
The impact of the collision caused the driver of the Nissan—a 39-year-old woman from Layfette—to suffer fatal injuries. The 80-year-old driver of the Hyundai was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via LifeFlight helicopter where she was later pronounced dead.
In addition, the male driver of the pickup truck also suffered injuries and was taken to Sumner Regional Medical Center to receive treatment. After the accident, traffic was diverted at the intersection of Old Highway 31 as the wreckage was cleared and investigators worked to determine what happened.
What Are Common Injuries Victims Suffer during Head-On Collisions?
All car accidents have the potential to cause victims to suffer serious injuries, but head-on collisions are among the most dangerous and deadly for drivers and passengers. Safety devices and features like seat belts and airbags can help reduce the risks during head-on collisions, but they can’t completely eliminate the chances that victims will suffer disabling and life-threatening injuries.
Some of the most common injuries victims suffer during head-on collisions include the following:
Injuries to the head can range in severity from bruising and mild concussions to skull fractures and severe traumatic brain injury. The most common neck injury associated with car accidents, including head-on collisions, is whiplash—a painful condition caused by rapid movement of the head and neck. Finally, head-on collisions also put victims at high risk of suffering damage to their spinal cords, which can result in temporary or permanent paralysis affecting every part of the body, depending on severity and where the injury occurred on the spine.
Many injuries that occur during car accidents aren’t life-threatening and don’t pose a risk of paralysis or brain damage, but they can cause victims to suffer debilitating and disabling pain. Injuries to the back, pelvis, and hip can result in severe, chronic pain that is unable to be treated without invasive surgical procedures that aren’t guaranteed to work. In addition, victims may experience a significant loss in their range of motion, making it difficult or impossible for them to go back to work.
Car accidents typically bring to mind injuries to bones and muscles, but internal organs are also at risk of being damaged during head-on accidents. The forces generated by two cars colliding can put enormous force on victims’ bodies, causing organs that are normally protected to move at high speeds. That can result in them bursting or becoming punctured. Common internal injuries include internal bleeding, ruptured or torn aorta, ruptured spleen, and punctured lungs due to broken ribs.
After a head-on collision, it’s vital that all vehicle occupants get medical attention, evaluation, and treatment as soon as possible. Because of the adrenaline and shock that’s common after accidents, many victims may be unaware that they are seriously injured after head-on crashes. A thorough medical examination can rule out potentially disabling and life-threatening injuries in the minutes and hours after accidents occur.
If you or someone you love was injured in a head-on crash caused by a negligent driver, the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law want to speak with you. We have helped injured auto accident victims throughout Middle Tennessee for more than 20 years, and we’ll do everything in our power to help you get the outcome you deserve. To find out how we can assist your family, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form today.
