Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on April 23, 2015
Three-Vehicle Car Accident in DeKalb County Kills 1, Injures 3
A three-vehicle car accident in Smithville, Tennessee, killed a 72-year-old man and seriously injured three other people on Tuesday.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident occurred on Highway 56 around noon when a vehicle driven by a 33-year-old Smithville man crossed the center line into the southbound lane and struck another vehicle head-on that was being driven by a 58-year-old woman from Liberty, Tennessee.
The impact of the collision caused one of the vehicles to turn sideways and roll before coming to rest in the southbound lanes of traffic. The other vehicle continued to travel the wrong direction in the southbound lanes before striking another vehicle head-on.
One driver was ejected from a vehicle during the accident and suffered serious injuries.
An investigation of the accident by the Tennessee Highway Patrol stated that drugs and alcohol don’t appear to be factors in causing the collision, but the drivers and passengers could have reduced their risks of injury by wearing seat belts.
The driver of the vehicle that caused the initial accident was charged with failure to maintain his lane of travel and failure to exercise due care.
The Cookeville car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law extend our condolences to the family of the man who was killed in this tragic accident, and we also hope the injured victims get the medical treatment they need to recover.
Who Is at Fault in Multi-Vehicle Accidents?
While proving negligence and fault in accidents that involve two vehicles can be relatively simple, it can be a much more difficult task when three or more vehicles are involved. Police, insurance companies, and law firms that investigate these accidents look at several different factors and evidence, including:
In some cases, only a single driver may be considered negligent for causing a multi-vehicle pile-up—especially if the force of the impact caused one vehicle to collide with another. Using traffic camera footage and witness statements can help investigators determine whether a single driver is responsible for the accident or whether the blame can be split among multiple drivers.
If multiple vehicles are involved in an accident but investigations reveal that one of the drivers was committing a traffic violation at the time of the accident by speeding, running a red light or stop sign, or following too closely, he or she may also be considered responsible for the accident—especially if their own negligent behavior caused another vehicle to become involved in the pile-up.
Sometimes the blame for multi-car pile-ups doesn’t fall on anyone involved in the accident at all. Drivers who engage in reckless behavior behind the wheel, like swerving, speeding, or forcing other drivers off the road can cause defensive driving behaviors that may cause other drivers to lose control of their vehicles. These types of accidents are common on heavily trafficked interstates and highways, as drivers who try to avoid being struck by another vehicle may end up inadvertently causing an accident themselves.
The Cookeville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law know that multi-vehicle accidents are often complex, but we have the experience and the legal knowledge to investigate these types of collisions and find out which drivers are responsible.
If you were injured in a multi-vehicle accident, we know what it takes to collect evidence, negotiate with the insurance companies, and get a settlement that’s fair and just for you and your family. Get in touch with us today by dialing (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free online form. We’re ready to begin building your claim today.
