Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 31, 2016
Multi-Vehicle Accident Temporarily Closes Lane of I-40 in Smith County
An accident involving multiple vehicles, including a tractor-trailer, caused emergency responders and police to temporarily close Interstate 40 in Gordonsville, Tennessee.
According to a report by newschannel5.com, the accident occurred just before 8 a.m. Thursday morning near mile marker 263 in the eastbound lanes of I-40.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the accident and says that there’s currently no information at this time about what caused the accident or whether anyone was injured. Photos of the accident scene taken by reporters show a red Nissan that crashed into the back of the tractor-trailer.
For around two hours after the accident occurred, police closed all lanes of I-40 East in Smith County, but eventually cleared enough of the wreckage to open one lane to traffic at around 9:30 a.m.
Westbound traffic wasn’t affected by the accident, and all lanes were reopened to traffic by around 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
Tips for Staying Safe when Driving During Rush Hour Traffic
Traffic is a part of life for many people in Middle Tennessee—especially those who work in and around Nashville. Surface streets, highways, and interstates frequently get congested due to heavy traffic volumes from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the mornings, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the evenings. Everyone knows how frustrating it can be to sit in stop-and-go traffic, but the dangers you face on roadways are increased even when traffic is moving smoothly due to the sheer number of vehicles near you.
To help decrease your risks of being involved in an accident while driving during the morning or evening rush hour, do your best to follow these tips:
If you normally experience delays during your morning and evening commutes, it can be helpful to expect them and give yourself more time to get to work or to get home. Getting angry or frustrated over traffic and delays can take your focus off what’s most important: safe driving and paying attention to the roadway and the movements of other vehicles.
Accidents and road work often result in lane closures, which may be marked by signage, cones, barrels, and other indicators. If you notice that your lane is ending soon, begin preparing to switch lanes immediately. Waiting too long to switch lanes can put you at risk of a car accident, as you may run out of room to maneuver safely and end up in the path of oncoming traffic.
It can be frustrating to see traffic moving more quickly in the adjacent lanes while you’re stuck at a standstill. However, unless you’re in a lane that’s closed up ahead, switching lanes won’t save you time and in fact can increase your risk of being involved in an accident. Stay in your lane, even if traffic appears to be moving faster around you. In most cases, vehicles in all lanes travel at roughly the same distance over a short period of time during traffic jams.
No one likes rush hour traffic. In fact, studies show that it can be the most stressful part of the day for many people. But it’s important to not let the stress of traffic get in the way of your safe driving responsibilities. Becoming angry, frustrated, and impatient can cause you to make poor decisions while behind the wheel, and those decisions can lead to accidents that can injure you, your passengers, and other drivers.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville car accident attorneys know that many auto accidents occur when drivers are impatient, in a hurry, or fail to obey the laws of the road, whether traffic is light or heavy. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by a negligent driver, we may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and pain and suffering. Get in touch with our legal team today. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
