Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on May 28, 2016
Serious Head-On Collision Reported in Putnam County Monday Evening
An accident where two vehicles collided head-on in Putnam County caused two people to suffer fatal injuries and four additional victims to suffer serious injuries.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at around 4:30 p.m. on State Route 136 at Bear Creek Road near Cookeville. A report by the Tennessee Highway Patrol says that a Honda CRV crossed the center line of the roadway and collided head-on with a Chevrolet Impala in the northbound lanes of the highway.
The impact of the collision caused the driver of the CRV—a 21-year-old man—to suffer fatal injuries. His passenger, a 26-year-old woman, was transported to Cookeville Regional Medical Center to receive treatment for her injuries.
A 66-year-old woman inside the Impala was killed in the accident, while the vehicle’s 67-year-old driver and two passengers—a 15-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy—suffered serious injuries. All three of the surviving victims who were riding in the Impala were LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
As a result of the crash, emergency responders shut down both directions of traffic on SR 136 as they worked to clear the scene and investigate the accident.
How Can Vehicle Safety Features Protect Victims during Head-On Crashes?
Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. Drivers and passengers who are involved in head-on collisions are at high risk of suffering debilitating and even life-threatening injuries—especially when these accidents occur at high speeds.
Modern vehicles are equipped with several safety features that can reduce the chances that victims will suffer fatal injuries during head-on collisions, but it’s vital for these safety features to be used correctly for them to be as effective as possible.
Common safety features work to reduce the risks of injuries in the following ways:
Because of the forces generated during head-on collisions, victims may be at risk of being ejected from their vehicles. People who are ejected during auto accidents are at an extremely high risk of suffering fatal injuries, but seat belts can significantly reduce that risk. However, seat belts aren’t completely effective unless victims wear them properly and make sure they are properly adjusted for their size and weight.
Even when they’re restrained, drivers and passengers who are involved in head-on collisions are still at high risk of suffering injuries when they come into contact with hard objects inside their vehicles. Airbags can help absorb the impact of bodies coming into contact with the interior of vehicles. But airbags can also put victims—especially small children—at risk. Never allow children under the age of 12 to ride in the front seat of your vehicle.
During accidents that generate large amount of force, victims’ bodies may continue moving even if they are completely restrained by seat belts and airbags. When that happens, they may experience injuries in their head or neck. The extent of these injuries can range from concussions and whiplash to traumatic brain injuries and even paralysis. Like seat belts, headrests and restraints should be properly adjusted to fit drivers and passengers every time they enter a vehicle.
All car accidents have the potential to cause serious and even life-threatening injuries, but head-on collisions are notable for being statistically more deadly than other types of crashes. At Matt Hardin Law, our Cookeville auto accident attorneys know that it’s impossible to completely prevent all head-on accidents from occurring, but we also know that modern vehicle safety features can go a long way towards preventing injuries and reducing the severity of injuries when they happen during car accidents—especially when they are used correctly.
If you or someone you love was injured in a head-on collision or any other type of car crash that was caused by a negligent driver, we want to fight for your rights to compensation. We know that you may be too injured to go back to work, and when you’re not working, you’re not earning money to pay for your medical bills. Our legal team will do everything in its power to help you during this time. Dial (931) 754-1188 or complete a free online consultation form today to speak with us.
