Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on March 21, 2017
Law enforcement responded to a fatal accident in the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 in Brentwood early Sunday morning that involved the driver being ejected from his vehicle.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the crash occurred under the Old Hickory Boulevard overpass at around 1:30 a.m. when a 2008 Toyota Corolla suddenly exited the roadway and crashed into a rock wall. The impact of the collision caused the man to be thrown from his vehicle.
An investigation revealed that the man’s vehicle had flat tires at the time of the crash and that he wasn’t wearing his seat belt. Witnesses told police that they had spotted a vehicle with flat tires speeding and maneuvering erratically on I-65 just prior to the crash.
Emergency responders were unable to treat the man’s injuries, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police announced that a toxicology test will be performed to determine if the man was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident and no other injuries were reported.
What Types of Injuries Are Commonly Associated with Vehicle Ejections?
Being ejected from a vehicle during an accident is one of the biggest risk factors for suffering disabling and life-threatening injuries. While there are plenty of risks associated with being inside a vehicle during a crash, it’s still much safer to be contained within the vehicle than to be thrown through the windows or windshield. That’s why always wearing a seat belt as a driver or passenger is so important.
Some of the most common injuries associated with these types of crashes include:
The head and brain are extremely vulnerable during car accidents, especially when victims are ejected. They may hit their heads on the windows or windshield while being ejected and again on the pavement or other hard surfaces nearby. Ejection accidents have high fatality rates due to their propensity to cause serious head and brain injuries.
Victims of ejection accidents may also become partially or completely paralyzed after their accidents due to the impact they can have on spinal cords. Auto accidents involve huge amounts of force that’s transferred onto victims’ bodies. Without seat belts to hold them in place, victims may be forcefully thrown inside their vehicles before they are ejected. These forces can cause significant damage to their spinal cords, which can result in paralysis.
People who are lucky enough to avoid devastating brain and spinal cord injuries rarely walk away from ejection accidents without serious injuries to other parts of their bodies, including their bones. Everything from the initial impact of the accident, to their violent movements in their vehicles, and finally to their impact with the ground are all huge risk factors for broken bones. Compound fractures are common with ejection accidents, and victims frequently require extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.
These types of injuries can occur whether victims were completely ejected from their vehicles or only partially ejected. Both types of ejections are extremely dangerous and have high mortality rates. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that around 30 percent of all fatal car accidents involve the deceased driver or passenger being ejected from their vehicle.
The most effective way to reduce and prevent your chances of being involved in an ejection accident is to wear your seat belt. These simple safety devices are extremely effective at keeping drivers and passengers inside their vehicles during accidents while simultaneously reducing their risk of suffering debilitating and even fatal injuries.
If you or someone you know was hurt in an ejection accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that victims of these types of accidents often face expensive medical bills that they can’t pay. That’s why we want to fight for your rights to get the money you deserve. Contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form.
