Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on December 28, 2015
Clarksville Car Accident Kills 1, Injures 2 on Christmas Day
A serious accident involving two vehicles led to one fatality and two other victims suffering injuries in Clarksville on Christmas morning.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred at the intersection of Ashland City Road and Branch Road just before 8:30 a.m.
Emergency responders told reporters that the accident occurred when a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old man from Woodlawn, Tennessee, struck another vehicle head-on that was carrying two people from Clarksville.
The impact of the collision caused the 64-year-old man to die at the scene of the accident. The 69-year-old driver of the second vehicle was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment for serious injuries, and a 75-year-old passenger in the vehicle was transported to Gateway Medical Center. Both are still listed in serious condition.
The Clarksville Police Department and Clarksville Traffic Investigator are still examining the circumstances of the accident and asking anyone who has information about what might have caused the collision to dial (931) 648-0656.
Tips for Staying Safe when Driving through Intersections
Intersections can be among the most dangerous places on the roadway for drivers and passengers. Although intersections in Tennessee feature safety measures in the form of traffic lights or stop signs, you can’t always trust that other drivers will slow down or stop when they’re supposed to do so. Because of the high potential for accidents at intersections, it’s important for drivers to always be alert and cautious at all times when driving through these areas.
To reduce the risk that you and your loved ones face at intersections, do your best to follow these tips:
When you’re waiting at an intersection with traffic lights, your first instinct may be to immediately accelerate when you get a green light. However, doing so can put you at risk of being struck by drivers who tried to beat the red light heading perpendicular to your direction. When the light turns green, always pause and wait for a brief moment while checking to your left and right before entering the intersection.
In Tennessee, it’s required by law that all drivers come to a complete stop at stop signs. Rolling through stop signs and simply slowing down is a ticketable offense, and for good reason. In order to properly survey the road and make sure the intersection is clear, coming to a complete stop and waiting for a few seconds is a necessity. Passing through an intersection too quickly can cause you to overlook vehicles that are heading in your direction and that could put you at risk of an accident.
Although the vast majority of drivers understand and abide by the right of way at intersections, you should never take it for granted or assume that all drivers will follow this rule. Always be alert at intersections and four-way stops and watch the eyes of other drivers to gauge their intentions. Even if you have the right of way, it’s better to yield it to aggressive or careless drivers and avoid a potential accident.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Clarksville auto accident attorneys know that many accidents in Tennessee and Montgomery County occur at intersections. Although traffic lights, yield signs, stops signs, and roundabouts can help organize the flow of traffic at intersections, these areas are always more hazardous to drivers than other areas of the roadway, and that’s why all drivers should remain highly alert and cautious.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident at an intersection or anywhere else on a Tennessee roadway, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and more. To find out how our legal team can put its 20 years of combined experience to work for your family, dial (931) 274-7788 or complete a free online consultation form.
