Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on October 11, 2016
Four Fatalities Reported after Three-Vehicle Accident in Clarksville
An accident involving three vehicles claimed the lives of four people in Montgomery County on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a report by Clarksville Now, the accident occurred just after 4 p.m. on Ashland City Road near the intersection of Cumberland Drive and Edmonson Ferry Road. Emergency responders closed the roadway from the time they arrived at the scene until around 8:30 p.m. as they worked to investigate the crash and clear the scene.
A spokesperson with the Clarksville Police Department says that the accident occurred when the driver of “Vehicle 1” crashed into “Vehicle 2” head-on. That caused Vehicle 1 to catch fire and the driver—a 58-year-old Clarksville man—to suffer fatal injuries.
In addition, all three occupants inside Vehicle 2 died as a result of the accident. The driver of that vehicle was identified as a 31-year-old man from Clarksville, while his passengers were a 52-year-old woman from Pleasant View and a 22-year-old man from Erin.
After the initial collision, Vehicle 2 crashed into a third vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle refused medical treatment at the scene from emergency responders.
Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact Clarksville Crime Stoppers by dialing (931) 645-TIPS.
3 Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the top causes of death in the United States, especially for young people between the ages of 1 and 44 years old. Every year, around 34,000 people die in car accidents in this country, and nearly 1,000 die in car accidents in Tennessee. Car accidents are unpredictable and can happen without warning, but after police and emergency responders have a chance to investigate, they often uncover common causes and circumstances.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Clarksville auto accident attorneys know that these three factors play a role in many car accidents in the U.S. and throughout Tennessee:
Every road in Tennessee has a posted speed limit. Drivers are required by law to drive at or below that speed limit at all times. Speed limits are set by traffic engineers and city ordinances due to risk factors inherent on roadways, such as visibility, lane width, sharpness of turns, proximity to residential areas, and more. Drivers who speed have less time to react to things occurring around them, making them more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
Safe driving requires unhindered vision, concentration, and motor skills. People who have consumed alcohol, certain prescription medications, and illegal drugs experience significant impairments in their ability to safely drive vehicles. Drivers who get behind the wheel while under the influence of anything that affects their mental and physical capabilities are a significant risk factor for serious and even fatal car crashes that involved themselves and other motorists.
Weather plays a major role in the safety of roads, and when it gets dangerous, serious accidents can occur—especially if drivers don’t adjust their driving habits and exercise extreme caution. Rain and ice can create slick roads that reduce tire traction and increase stopping distance, while heavy rain and fog can significantly reduce visibility, making it more difficult for drivers to see stopped vehicles, turns, and other obstacles in the road up ahead. During severe weather, drivers should reduce their speed and even pull over if conditions become too dangerous.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation tracks highway fatalities every year and displays the total number on interstate signs and message boards to help remind drivers of the potential dangers they face every time they head out on roadways in the Volunteer State. Being aware of the common factors in fatal car accidents, including those listed above, can help drivers reduce the risks that they and their family members face when they get behind the wheel.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a car accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, our legal team wants to speak with you. We have 20 years of combined experience helping injured victims like you, and we know what it takes to get the results you need to move forward with your life. To speak with us, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
