Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on May 2, 2017
The Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to two fatal accidents near Cookeville on Saturday, one of which involved a pedestrian.
Per a report by the Herald-Citizen, the first accident occurred on Jaybird Road in Overton County when a 68-year-old man was walking at around 2 p.m. and was struck by a vehicle driven by a 52-year-old man.
A spokesperson with the THP says that the victim was standing next to a bicycle that he was pushing at the time of the accident. He also said that citations weren’t issued for the driver of the vehicle that struck the victim.
A second accident occurred in DeKalb County at around 12:30 p.m. when a 45-year-old man lost control of his SUV while navigating a curve on Highway 70, causing it to exit the right side of the roadway before striking a wood post and a large sign. The vehicle then drove off the side of a bluff before overturning.
The driver was pronounced dead, and his 33-year-old passenger from Hendersonville was seriously injured. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center via LifeFlight helicopter to receive treatment for his injuries, and his condition is currently unknown.
What Are the Most Common Critical Auto Accident Injuries?
The entire body is vulnerable to serious injuries during car accidents. However, not all injuries are alike when it comes to their potential for causing long-term disabilities and even life-threatening complications and damage. Safety features such as seat belts and airbags were created to keep vehicle occupants safe during crashes from a wide variety of injuries, particularly ones that are strongly associated with fatalities.
Auto accident injuries that have a high risk of being life-threatening include the following:
While the brain is protected by the skull, it can be easily damaged during auto accidents—even when a victim’s head doesn’t come contact the steering wheel, dashboard, or other hard surface. Brain injuries can occur from the forces generated during crashes, as the brain may move inside the skull. That can result in bleeding and swelling. Traumatic brain injuries can leave victims with concussion-like symptoms all the way up to profound disabilities and even life-threatening complications.
The spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. And while it’s protected by the vertebrae, it can be easily damaged during even low-speed auto accidents. Victims who suffer spinal cord injuries are at risk of suffering temporary or permanent paralysis affecting significant parts of their bodies. In severe cases, victims may even lose the ability to breathe without mechanical assistance, which can be life-threatening without immediate intervention.
Just as the brain can be damaged due to extreme forces generated during an auto accident, so too can internal organs like the liver, kidneys, and spleen. These organs are vulnerable to severe bruising and bleeding, and some victims may experience organ failure after accidents. Because these injuries may not be obvious after crashes, it’s vital for victims to immediately get medical attention and full physical exams to rule out internal bleeding and bruising.
Blood loss is another major risk that auto accident victims face. Car crashes can cause serious cuts, lacerations, and contusions that can result in significant and life-threatening hemorrhaging, and victims may quickly go into shock and be unable to stop the bleeding on their own. Good Samaritans can help staunch bleeding by applying pressure to wounds, which can be a life-saving measure during the wait for EMS crews to arrive at the accident scene.
In addition to these life-threatening injuries, auto accidents can also result in lifelong disabilities and chronic pain that can make it difficult or impossible for victims to go back to work. That means many people who were hurt through no fault of their own face huge medical bills that they can’t afford—all while being unable to work and earn a paycheck for weeks, months, or even years.
If you or someone you know was hurt in an auto accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation. Matt Hardin Law’s teams of Cookeville auto accident attorneys has more than two decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims like you, and we know what it takes to win. Get in touch with us today—dial (931) 754-1188 or complete a free online consultation form.
