Posted in Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury on June 14, 2016
2 Killed, 2 Injured in Separate Pedestrian Accidents in TN
Two people were killed after they were struck by a vehicle that drove through a barricade and into a crowd of people at a music festival in Selmer, Tennessee, over the weekend.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at the Rockabilly Highway Revival Festival. One victim was airlifted to a local hospital to receive treatment for his or her injuries, while two other victims were killed. A community prayer event was scheduled for Saturday evening to honor the victims and their families.
No additional information about the accident has been released.
A separate pedestrian accident occurred over the weekend in South Nashville when a man was struck by an SUV early Friday.
According to WSMV.com, this accident occurred at around 2:30 a.m. when a man was crossing Harding Pike near the off-ramp for Interstate 24. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries as a result of the accident.
Metro Nashville Police say that because the man was jaywalking at the time of the accident, the driver won’t be cited for his or her role in the collision.
Important Pedestrian Accident Facts
As more and more cities in Middle Tennessee attempt to make their neighborhoods and downtown areas more pedestrian-friendly, it’s becoming even more vital for residents to be aware of pedestrian safety issues and the risks associated with walking near moving traffic. At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville pedestrian accident attorney know that learning safety-related information and statistics can go a long way towards reducing risks and making people safer.
The following facts may help illustrate the most common dangers of pedestrian travel and how to best protect yourself and your loved ones:
Although the vast majority of pedestrians get to and from their destinations safely, around 12 pedestrians every day in the United States are struck and killed by vehicles. The number of pedestrian deaths has remained steady since 2001, when 4,901 deaths were reported.
Pedestrian injuries were much more common in 2014 than pedestrian deaths. However, 65,000 may be an underestimate due to the fact that many pedestrian accidents go unreported. Thankfully, the number of pedestrian injuries is declining in the United States, as 78,000 pedestrians were injured in 2001—13,000 more than were reported two years ago.
The number of pedestrian accidents that result in fatalities is greater than the number of people who travel on foot every year. Accordingly, it’s vital for all pedestrians to remain vigilant and focused on safety at all times when they are walking on or near a roadway with moving traffic.
73 percent of all pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas, and 70 percent of pedestrians who suffer fatal injuries are men. Urban areas are better equipped to support pedestrian traffic, and all pedestrians should use crosswalks and obey traffic signals when they’re available. In addition, never cross the street at any place that isn’t a crosswalk—even if it means walking an extra distance in order to reach a safe crossing area.
At Matt Hardin Law, our legal team appreciates the efforts of state, city, and county governments and road crews to build sidewalks, create crosswalks, and install pedestrian traffic signals in the cities, communities, and neighborhoods of Middle Tennessee. All of those improvements can help make pedestrians safer, but dangers will always exist when people walk near moving traffic. That’s why it’s important for both drivers and pedestrians to avoid distractions, avoid impairments, and always keep their eyes, ears, and mind on the road and their surroundings.
If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, we may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. To find out how we can assist you during this time, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
