Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on December 30, 2015
Accident on I-24 East in Coffee County Claims 1 Life, Injures 2 Others
A 63-year-old Illinois man was driving his pickup truck in the westbound lanes of Interstate 24 in Coffee County on Tuesday when he sideswiped an RV, causing him to cross the median and strike two commercial trucks in the eastbound lanes.
According to a report by wkrn.com, the impact of the collisions with the commercial trucks caused the man to be ejected from his vehicle and he was pronounced dead by emergency responders at the accident scene.
Two passengers inside the second commercial truck—a 35-year-old man and a 6-year-old girl from Florida—were injured as a result of the accident. The crash caused traffic to back up on I-24 for several hours, and many people were forced to temporarily exit their vehicles as they waited for the accident scene to be cleared and the roadway to reopen.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is still investigating the accident, but says no charges will be filed against anyone involved in the collision.
3 Things to Always Be Aware of When Driving on the Interstate
Interstate 75, Interstate 24, Interstate 40, and Interstate 65 are all major roadways that run through Middle Tennessee. Millions of residents in the area use those interstates every year—and many use them on a daily basis to get to work or to visit family and friends. Because of the high speed limits, driving on interstates is one of the fastest ways to travel in Tennessee, but the high speed limits can also make those roadways more dangerous than others when accidents occur.
To protect yourself and your family when driving on the interstate, do your best to remain aware of these three things every time you use an interstate in Tennessee:
Speed limits on interstates in Tennessee can change suddenly. Most stretches of interstate feature speed limits of up to 70 miles per hour, but those speed limits can change to 55 miles per hour or slower—especially in construction areas. It’s important to stay aware of the speed limit for the area where you are driving and drive at or below it at all times. Driving too fast or too slow can put you at risk of being involved in an accident.
As the tip above suggests, construction zones can have reduced speed limits, but it’s also important to know where and when they begin, as workers may be present and lanes may shift suddenly due to ongoing repairs or road work. Being aware of construction zones will help you respond appropriately to changes in the roadway that may force you to veer to the left or right in order to avoid active work sites.
Although the majority of drivers in Tennessee are cautious and defensive behind the wheel, there are some drivers on roadways in the Volunteer State who put themselves and others at risk by engaging in risky behaviors like speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic. It’s important to stay aware of the presence of these drivers and their locations in order to avoid being a victim of their poor driving habits.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys help many car accident victims every year, and we know that a large number of accidents in Tennessee occur on interstates and highways. Driving on roadways with high speed limits requires a different set of driving skills than driving on rural roads or in urban areas. Following the tips above can help you significantly reduce your risk of being involved in an accident—especially when you’re driving in areas with heavy traffic volumes.
If you or a loved one was injured in an auto accident caused by a negligent or aggressive driver, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses. Our legal team has more than 20 years of experience assisting victims like you, and we want to put that experience to work for your family. Dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online form to find out how we can help.
