Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 18, 2015
Woman and Children Taken to Hospital after Car Crashes into Lebanon DMV
A woman and two small children were transported to a hospital for treatment after a vehicle crashed into a DMV center located at 204 Maddox Simpson Parkway in Lebanon, Tennessee, last week.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred when the 54-year-old driver of a Honda Accord pressed the accelerator instead of the brakes while attempting to park her vehicle in the DMV parking lot. The vehicle then drove over the curb and into the wall of the DMV.
Several people were sitting near the area where the vehicle crashed into the building, but only three people were transported to a local hospital. After the accident occurred, the building was evacuated as a precaution.
In addition to the 54-year-old driver, three other people were in the vehicle, including a 6-month-old baby. Police say that all occupants of the car were wearing seat belts and that the child was properly restrained. No one in the car was injured.
The director of the DMV said that the driver of the vehicle was inexperienced, which may have played a role in causing the accident.
Important Safety Tips for New Drivers
While many people think of new drivers as being teenagers, that’s not always the case. New drivers hit the roads every day in Tennessee of all ages and backgrounds, and it’s important that they’re equipped with basic driving skills and safety knowledge before getting behind the wheel. Some of the most important things that new drivers can learn include:
Intersections are one of the most dangerous areas of the roadway for all drivers, regardless of their experience levels. But new drivers are particularly vulnerable at intersections, especially if they aren’t completely familiar with the right-of-way at stop signs, when and where it’s legal to turn right on red, and why it’s important to wait for a left turn arrow before crossing an intersection. If you’re helping to teach a new driver, make sure he or she is familiar with these rules before getting behind the wheel.
New drivers may be more susceptible to distractions while driving. Whether they’re texting, changing the radio station, chatting on the phone, or reaching for something in the glove box or floorboards, take their eyes off the road even briefly can significantly increase their risk of being involved in a car accident. Always stress the importance of eliminating distractions when behind the wheel to new drivers in your family.
Experienced drivers understand how mentally taxing driving can be—especially on long trips or in high-density traffic. Anything that interferes with good judgment, smart-decision making, and quick reflexes can lead to disaster on Tennessee’s highways and interstates. However, new drivers may be less likely to understand the harmful effects of driving while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs or prescription medications, or even driving while fatigued or sleep-deprived. Educate new drivers in your family about the importance of never getting behind the wheel when they aren’t 100 percent alert and focused on the task at hand.
Good driving habits are something that people carry with them for a lifetime, and it’s important to establish them early. So whether you’re teaching your children or an older relative how to drive safely, make sure he or she understand that safe driving habits isn’t just for their own good—they also help save other lives on Tennessee’s roadways as well.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident, get in touch with the Lebanon car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law today. We two decades of experience helping injured victims and their families get the compensation they deserve, and we’ll do everything we can to help you, too. Just dial (615) 547-2683 or fill out a free online consultation form.
