Posted in Drunk Driving,Pedestrian Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on February 25, 2016
Man Seriously Injured in Pedestrian Accident at Rivergate Mall
A 42-year-old man suffered serious injuries and is currently being treated in an intensive care unit after he was struck by a plumbing van at Rivergate Mall Wednesday evening.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred when a man who was driving a plumbing van struck the victim on an access road near the Macy’s department store. The driver of the van told police that the victim stepped out in front of his vehicle before the accident occurred.
Responding officers spoke with the driver of the van and noticed that he appeared to be intoxicated due to his unsteadiness, watery eyes, and the odor of alcohol on his breath. Police then administered several sobriety tests to the driver, which they say showed more signs of impairment. In addition, they discovered an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.
The driver was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular assault, driving under the influence, driving with an open container, and driving on a suspended license.
He was booked into the Metro jail on $50,000 bond.
5 Facts about Impaired and Intoxicated Driving from the CDC
Drinking and driving don’t mix. At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that too many car wrecks are caused by drivers who are impaired or intoxicated after consuming alcohol, using prescription medications, or taking drugs before they get behind the wheel. Safe driving requires clear vision, good judgment, and quick reaction times—all of which can be compromised when people are under the influence of mind and body-altering substances.
The Centers for Disease Control says that 30 people in the United States die in car accidents every day that are caused by drunk drivers. Here are five facts all drivers should know about impaired driving:
A total of 10,076 people were killed in car accidents in 2013 that were proven to be related to the consumption of alcohol. That figure equals 31 percent of all car accident-related deaths in the United States that year.
Police arrested more than 1.3 million drivers in the United States in 2012 who were found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. However, that amounts to only one percent of the number of drivers who self-reported incidents where they were under the influence in 2012 but weren’t stopped by police.
Traffic stops where officers speak with drivers and assess them for signs of alcohol impairment are effective at reducing the number of alcohol-related crashes on roadways in the United States.
People who are convicted of driving while impaired may be ordered to install ignition interlock systems in their cars. These systems make it impossible for drivers to start their cars if their blood alcohol concentration is above a safe level of around 0.02 percent to 0.04 percent.
Out of all the accidents where drivers had BAC levels of 0.08 percent or higher in 2013, 33 percent involved drivers who were between 21 and 24 years of age. Drivers 25 to 34 accounted for 29 percent of those accidents and drivers 35 to 44 accounted for 24 percent.
Any substance that alters a person’s mental state and ability to drive safely—whether it’s alcohol, an over-the-counter medication, a prescription medication, or an illegal drug—has the potential to significantly increase their risk of causing a serious car accident. At our law firm, we have helped many innocent victims of these accidents get compensation for their accident-related expenses, such as their medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and pain and suffering.
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent and impaired driver, you shouldn’t have to pay out of your own pocket to get your life back on track. Our legal team knows what it takes to build strong claims that get results, and we want to put our experience to work for you today. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete our free online consultation form.
