Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on May 8, 2017
A 47-year-old man from Cunningham, Tennessee, was killed during a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 24 in Davidson County on Saturday.
WKRN.com reports that the crash occurred at around 1:15 a.m. near mile marker 32 in the westbound lanes of the I-24.
Metro police say that a white sedan carrying two people was in the westbound lanes when it was struck from behind by another vehicle, causing its driver to lose control and the vehicle to strike a guardrail.
Emergency responders pronounced the male victim dead at the scene, while his wife was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center to receive treatment for minor injuries.
Witnesses told police that they saw a red Dodge Magnum speeding through the area around the time of the crash. Soon after receiving the tip, a trooper with the Tennessee Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on a red Dodge Magnum that was clocked traveling nearly 100 mph on I-24 East near mile marker 15 in Montgomery County.
After verifying that the vehicle had front-end damage consistent with what would have occurred during the accident, the driver—a 35-year-old male—was taken into custody and charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.
Tips for Protecting Yourself after an Accident
The steps to take after a serious auto accident that left you or someone in your vehicle seriously injured are obvious: call 911 and get emergency medical attention right away. But what should you do if you’re involved in a crash and you don’t think you were injured or your vehicle wasn’t seriously damaged? It’s important to follow the right steps during these situations to protect yourself physically, financially, and legally.
Immediately after any crash that involves another person, vehicle, or property, you should:
Regardless of the severity of the accident, you’re required by law to report it to police. Stay on the line and provide the dispatcher with as much information about the accident as possible, including the number of vehicles involved and your location.
Reporting the accident doesn’t mean you’re free to go, even if you don’t think you were hurt and your vehicle isn’t damaged. Remain at the scene until police arrive and answer their questions. Stay put until they give you permission to leave the scene. Leaving before that can put you at risk of being charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
To be eligible for filing compensation after an accident, you must first report it to your insurance company within a short timeframe after the crash. Call as soon as you’re able to do so, but stick to the facts and keep your answers concise.
Even if you don’t think you suffered any injuries during the crash, it’s still important to get checked out by a doctor or other healthcare provider. You may have suffered internal injuries, and other injuries may take time to show up or become symptomatic.
Auto accidents can be legally complicated, especially if it’s difficult to determine who was at fault. An experienced legal team will collect evidence to find out who caused the crash and use that information to protect your rights.
The minutes, hours, and days after a crash are vital for your recovery and your chances of maximizing compensation for your accident-related expenses. Following the tips above will not only help you avoid inadvertently being charged with leaving the scene of an accident, but it will also prevent internal injuries from worsening, preserve your ability to file a claim, and create valuable evidence that your attorney can use when he or she is building your case.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident lawyers know that the aftermaths of accidents can be disorienting and overwhelming. That’s why we strive to make as much stress of the accident off your shoulders as possible. Get in touch with us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or completing a free online consultation form to find out how we can assist your family.
