Posted in Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 28, 2017
Emergency Vehicle Involved in Fatal Accident in Northern Davidson County
An emergency vehicle used by the Nashville Fire Department was involved in an accident that killed one person early Monday morning.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at around 8 a.m. on Whites Creek Pike near Bear Hollow Road in Joelton.
Emergency responders and officers with Metro Nashville Police confirmed that one person died in the accident. The driver of the emergency vehicle also suffered serious injuries because of the accident and was transported to a local hospital. He or she was recently listed in critical condition.
There’s no word on what caused the accident or whether the roadway will be shut down. Both a LifeFlight helicopter and the MNPD’s Crash Investigations Unit were called to the scene of the accident.
What Are Common Causes of Accidents Involving Emergency Vehicles?
We rely on police cars, ambulances, firetrucks, and rescue vehicles to keep us safe and respond to accidents as quickly as possible. But because time is of the essence when it comes to responding to calls, these vehicles often travel at high speeds and through busy intersections without waiting for green lights. Unfortunately, that combination can lead to accidents, especially when other drivers don’t know the best way to drive around emergency vehicles.
Some of the most common causes of accidents involving these vehicles include:
Whether an emergency vehicle is approaching your vehicle from the front, back, or side, it’s important to give it the right of way and as much clearance as possible. That means pulling over to the side of the road and coming to a complete stop when they’re approaching from the front or back, and yielding at intersections to allow the police car, firetruck, or ambulance to pass through—even when you have a green light.
Firetrucks, ambulances, and rescue vehicles are larger than standard passenger vehicles. When drivers follow these vehicles too closely, they may be unable to see the movements of other vehicles in the line of traffic ahead of them. If the driver of the emergency vehicle must suddenly slow down or stop, the driver following that vehicle may be unable to react in time, resulting in a rear-end collision.
Sometimes emergency vehicles are involved in accidents when they’re not even in motion. An auto accident scene in Tennessee may include a police cruiser, an ambulance, and a fire truck. Drivers’ attention may be diverted from the roadway and towards the accident scene due to the wreckage and the flashing lights, but that distraction can cause them to strike victims, damaged vehicles, and even emergency vehicles.
Although the drivers of emergency vehicles are typically highly trained and professional, they aren’t always a good fit to be behind the wheel in an emergency. When drivers haven’t completed the minimum requirements for operating an ambulance or firetruck—or if they’re negligent due to distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding when not responding to a call, and other traffic law violations—they can put themselves and others in danger.
Emergency responders play a vital role in keeping people in the mid-state area and throughout the country safe and secure. That’s why it’s important for all drivers to understand the risks that the drivers and crews who operate out of these vehicles face every day. Taking a cautious approach when driving near police cars, ambulances, firetrucks, and rescue vehicles, including when they aren’t responding to an emergency or are just stopped on the side of the road, is the best way to avoid a serious accident.
Were you or someone you love recently hurt in an auto accident that was caused by a negligent driver? If so, the Nashville auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law want to speak with you. We have more than two decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout Middle Tennessee, and we know how to build a claim that will maximize your chances of recovering compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. Get in touch with us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form.
