Posted in Bus Accident,Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 7, 2015
Truck Accident on I-40 Kills 1, Bus Accident on I-24 Injures 1 on Thursday
Two serious accidents occurred on interstates in Middle Tennessee on Thursday.
The first collision between a bus and two passenger vehicles on Interstate 24 Thursday morning in Clarksville, Tennessee, left one person injured.
According to a report by The Leaf-Chronicle, the accident occurred around 6:40 a.m. Thursday. The driver of one of the vehicles involved in the accident suffered injuries that required treatment.
Another accident occurred on Interstate 40 in Lebanon, Tennessee, when a semi-truck overturned on the right shoulder around 5:30 a.m. The driver of the semi-truck died as a result of injuries he suffered in the accident.
A report by wsmv.com says the overturned truck and the number of emergency vehicles responding to the accident scene blocked traffic for an extended period of time. The cause of the accident has not been determined, and it’s currently unclear what type of materials the truck was hauling when it crashed.
Interstate Driving Safety Tips
There are multiple interstates that connect the major cities and communities in Middle Tennessee, and many residents of the mid-state area rely on these roads to get to and from work on a daily basis. But because interstates involve high-speed, high-density traffic, it’s vital that drivers are at their most attentive and caution when driving on these roads, whether they’re commuting, traveling, or just getting around town.
To reduce your risk of an accident while driving on an interstate, check out some of our safety tips below:
Most interstates in Tennessee have a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour. Drivers who use interstates should aim to keep their speed within five miles per hour of this limit at all times. Driving at speeds far above the speed limit can significantly increase the risk of being involved in an accident, but driving too slowly—especially when other drivers are traveling at or above 70 miles per hour—is also dangerous. The key is to maintain a consistent, steady, and safe speed whenever possible.
When you’re ready to exit an interstate, you should begin planning to do safely as soon as possible. Exiting safely means getting into the far right lane long before you’ve reached the exit. As you approach the exit, use your turn signal to indicate that you’re exiting the interstate and begin slowing down to a safe speed. Attempting to cross multiple lanes of traffic to exit the interstate at the last minute is extremely dangerous, as it leaves you with very little time to react if other vehicle suddenly stop or switch lanes.
If you see a police car, ambulance, fire truck, or rescue vehicle on the shoulder of the road up ahead, always change lanes away from that vehicle when it’s safe to do so. Not only is moving over required by Tennessee law, it also helps protect both you and your passengers as well as the emergency responders.
Driving at high speeds on the interstate requires caution, good judgment, alertness, and clear vision. All of those factors can be impaired when drivers are intoxicated due to alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, or even sleep deprivation. Never get behind the wheel of your car—especially to drive on the interstate—if you’re mentally impaired in any way.
Interstate 24, Interstate 40, and Interstate 65 serve millions of Middle Tennessee residents every year as they travel to work, to vacation destinations, or to get around town, but drivers who don’t make safety their top priority are at a significant risk of being involved in a car accident on these high-speed roadways.
If you or a loved one was injured by a negligent driver on an interstate in Tennessee, the Clarksville car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law want to help you get the compensation you deserve. You shouldn’t have to face expensive medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Get in touch with us today—just dial (931) 274-7788 or complete our free online form.
