Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 25, 2015
One Killed, Several Others Injured in Car Accidents in Putnam County
A Baxter car accident left one man dead last week, while several other car accidents caused victims to suffer injuries throughout Baxter, Tennessee, and all of Putnam County during recent days.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, a 66-year-old man was killed in an accident in Baxter when he was driving his 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck westbound on Highway 70N. When he stopped at a four-way stop at the intersection with Highway 56, a 2005 Dodge CW approached the intersection and failed to stop, colliding with the man’s pickup truck.
The impact of the accident proved fatal for the 66-year-old man, while the driver and passenger in the Dodge CW—both juveniles—were injured in the accident. Neither drugs nor alcohol were reported to be a factor in the truck, and the driver of the Dodge CW isn’t facing charges at this time.
Another accident occurred shortly after on Clarkrange Highway in Monterey, Tennessee, and involved emergency medical personnel having to extricate a victim from a vehicle and transport him to a local hospital. However, no fatalities were reported in that accident.
The Cookeville personal injury lawyers at Matt Hardin Law express our condolences to the family and friends of the man who died in the car accident in Baxter, Tennessee, and we also hope the other victims are able to recover from their injuries.
Safety Tips for Four-Way Stops
In rural or residential areas, stop lights are often rare and traffic at intersections is instead directed with four-way stops. While four-way stops typically create an orderly flow of traffic, they can sometimes be dangerous—especially if another driver fails to see a stop sign or enters the intersection without waiting his or her turn.
To keep yourself and your family safe at four-way stops, do your best to follow these tips:
Tennessee state law requires that all drivers come to a complete stop at stop signs. Many drivers roll through stop signs—especially if they think the coast is clear—but not only can that lead to you getting a ticket, it can also put you in serious danger. A quick glance is often not sufficient to tell if cars are coming, as they can be hidden behind parked cars on the street or simply appear to be stationary during a brief glance. It’s best to always come to a complete stop and look both ways twice before proceeding.
The right-of-way rule for four-way stops indicates that drivers can enter the intersection in the order that they arrived at the stop. When approaching an intersection, pay close attention to other vehicles that arrive at or near the same time as you, and only pull out when it’s your turn. If you’re unsure when it’s safe to enter the intersection, motion for the other driver to pull out first to avoid a potential accident.
Pedestrians use four-way stops to cross the street, but they can be difficult to see at congested intersections—especially if you’re paying more attention to the vehicles around you. Always keep an eye out for pedestrians, especially when turning. In addition, pay attention to the amount of room you have when entering an intersection and avoid turning or driving straight ahead if you will get stuck and block traffic.
Four-way stops are often approached at low speeds, but they can be dangerous if you don’t approach them cautiously and defensively. By always following the rules of the road at four-way stops, you can significantly decrease your chances of being involved in an accident.
The Cookeville personal injury attorneys at Matt Hardin Law are here to help if you were injured in an accident at a four-way stop or any other type of car accident in Putnam County. We have the experience and the legal knowledge to help you get compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Give us a call at (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free form and find out how we can help you today.
