Posted in Bicycle Accident,Car Accident,Motorcycle Safety,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 18, 2015
3 Accidents in Cookeville on Monday Lead to Multiple Serious Injuries
Three separate accidents in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Monday caused two people to suffer injuries serious enough that they required airlifts to local hospitals.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the first accident involved a motorcycle and happened around 3 p.m. near the intersection of Rocky Point and Jim Smith roads in Putnam County. A Cookeville deputy stated that the motorcycle wrecked when the male driver overcorrected and hit loose gravel.
The lack of traction caused the motorcycle to fall over, ejecting the driver and his female passenger. The driver was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for treatment.
A second accident occurred when a Honda Fit collided with a tree in Cookeville. The female driver of that vehicle also suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Erlanger Hospital when she lost control, left the roadway, and then struck a tree.
The last accident occurred when a bicyclist from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was injured after getting struck by a Jeep.
According to a Cookeville deputy, the bicyclist was traveling west on Buck Mountain Road when the driver of the Jeep made a left turn and failed to see the bicyclist. The impact caused the bicyclist to suffer serious injuries and he was transported by ambulance to Cookeville Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The Cookeville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law hope that everyone involved in these accidents makes a full recovery and that drivers in Putnam County remain cautious and aware of their surroundings at all times.
Safety Tips for Bicyclists
Riding a bicycle is a great way to get around town while enjoying a strenuous workout, but it can also be dangerous—especially when you’re riding in close proximity to passing vehicles. To protect yourself and your family the next time you head out on a bike ride, do your best to follow these safety tips:
Always ride in the same direction as traffic. Bicyclists who ride against the flow of traffic are 3.6 times as likely to be involved in an accident as bicyclists who ride with traffic. Drivers’ eyes are trained to scan the road for vehicles traveling in the same direction—and that means they’re less likely to notice a bicyclist traveling towards them.
When riding a bicycle around cars, always keep your movements, speed, and turns predictable. Never weave in and out of vehicles, don’t move back and forth between the sidewalk and the road, and don’t stop suddenly unless it’s an emergency. The easier it is for other drivers to anticipate your movements, the less likely it is that you’ll be involved in an accident.
As a bicyclist, you have no protection in the event of an accident. That means you need to stay aware not only of your own movements, but also of the movements of other vehicles around you—including those are that are stationary. Parked cars represent a big risk for bicyclists, as opening car doors are a common cause of serious injuries to bikers throughout the world.
Treat your bike the same way you would treat a car. Obey all traffic laws while on the roadway, including stopping at stop signs, waiting for green lights before proceeding, riding at or under the speed limit, staying within your lane, and signaling before you make a turn. You should also never ride your bike under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as it not only puts you at serious risk of an accident, but it’s also illegal in Tennessee.
Although bicyclists are required to be extra cautious and alert, drivers are also responsible for giving bicyclists room to ride and keeping an eye out for them.
If you were struck by a negligent driver while riding a bicycle, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with our Cookeville car accident lawyers today—just dial (931) 754-1188 or fill out a free online form to find out how we can help you.
