Posted in Pedestrian Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on October 19, 2015
Pedestrian Accident in Tullahoma Claims the Life of Local Man
A 49-year-old man from Tullahoma, Tennessee, was killed after he was struck by three separate cars while crossing the street.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the accident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on North Jackson Street. The man was attempting to cross from one side of the street to the other when a vehicle driven by a 22-year-old woman was in the process of changing lanes into the turn lane. As she was changing lanes, she struck the man because she didn’t see him in the roadway.
After the initial impact, the man was struck by two additional cars. The driver of one of the vehicles was unsure what happened and told police that she thought she hit something that had fallen off of the vehicle in front of her.
The driver of the vehicle that initially struck the man was charged, but the other two drivers involved in the accident were not. Police are still investigating the accident.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers
While pedestrians should always be cautious and alert when it comes to the presence of vehicles, it’s also important for drivers to remain vigilant for the presence of pedestrians. The best way for pedestrians to stay safe on roadways throughout Middle Tennessee is for everyone who shares the road to keep a watchful eye and avoid any dangerous behaviors.
Some of the most important safety tips for drivers include:
Yielding the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks and stop signs is required by law. But it’s also important to yield the right of way even when pedestrians are crossing the street in unmarked areas. It’s better to briefly stop and allow them to cross than it is to potentially cause a serious accident.
Areas with sidewalks and heavy foot traffic, including dense urban areas and residential areas, are two places where pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur. Always drive slowly through these areas and keep an eye out for pedestrians attempting to cross the street.
During times of low visibility, such as fog, rain, or at night, it’s vital that you keep your lights on both to see the road ahead and to make your vehicle more visible to others. Keeping your lights on can give you ample time to avoid pedestrians in the road and allow them time to react and move out of the way.
Safety tips for pedestrians include:
Not all drivers will yield the right of way to pedestrians who don’t use crosswalks. In fact, many may be unprepared for the presence of pedestrians in areas that don’t have crosswalks. To stay safe while walking, always wait to cross the street at intersections with crosswalks.
The best way to stay safe when walking during conditions of low visibility is to make yourself as obvious as possible to drivers. That includes wearing brightly colored and reflective clothing. If you don’t have proper clothing to wear at night, simply avoiding dark clothing can make you much easier to see when visibility is limited for drivers.
Everyone knows texting and driving is dangerous, but using an electronic device while walking is also dangerous. Keep your senses fully engaged on the road and the intersection when you cross the street to reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Pedestrian accidents can cause victims to suffer debilitating and life-threatening injuries, but they’re often preventable as long as drivers and pedestrians do their best to focus on safety.
If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more. To find out how the Tullahoma car accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law can help, just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
