Posted in Car Accident,Drunk Driving,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on February 2, 2015
Accident on Interstate 65 in Goodlettsville Kills 2
A two-vehicle wreck on Interstate 65 near the exit to Long Hollow Pike killed two people and injured two others early Sunday morning.
According to a report by wsmv.com, the accident occurred around 1:20 a.m. when a Toyota Tacoma carrying three occupants veered off the roadway on I-65 and clipped a sign with its side mirror.
After striking the sign, the vehicle careened across the roadway and collided with the inside wall of the bridge that spans across East Cedar Street. The truck then spun around and its rear also struck the same wall, causing the vehicle to come to a complete stop in the middle of traffic.
Moments after the vehicle stopped moving, it was struck by a Saturn vehicle driven by a 28-year-old man.
The impact of the accident caused two occupants of the truck, a 23-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man to suffer fatal injuries, while a 26-year-old woman in the truck was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center and is currently in intensive care.
In addition to the three occupants of the truck, the driver of the Saturn also suffered injuries and was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
Nashville Metro Police stated that alcohol appears to have been a factor in causing the accident.
The Goodlettsville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law extend our condolences to the families of the victims who died in this tragic accident.
How Can Alcohol Contribute to Car Accidents?
Alcohol is a common factor in car accidents—especially those that occur late at night. Because alcohol affects so many different parts of the brain, it’s incredibly dangerous for people who have been drinking to get behind the wheel of a car. Some of the harmful effects of alcohol when related to driving include:
Driving requires excellent vision and the ability to quickly and clearly see other vehicles, stop signs, and other important markers on the roadway. Drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking often experienced blurred vision, which can make it difficult to see traffic patterns up ahead or discern when lights change from green to red.
Safe driving is also dependent on the ability to make safe decisions at a moment’s notice to stay out of harm’s way. Because alcohol impairs judgment and lowers inhibitions, intoxicated drivers are often more willing to take unnecessary risks, putting themselves, their passengers, and other motorists at serious risk of being involved in accidents.
A split-second can be the difference between life and death when driving a car. But because alcohol reduces reaction times, intoxicated drivers often simply don’t have enough time to react to sudden movements from other drivers. Even simple things like slowing down or changing lanes in reaction to traffic up ahead can become difficult for drivers who are over the limit.
Drinking has a depressant effect on the central nervous system, causing people who consume alcohol to feel sleepy. That effect is compounded when people drink and drive late at night or during times that they would normally be asleep. Drivers who are drowsy or sleep behind the wheel are at high risk of nodding off temporarily—which is all it takes to lose control of their vehicles and cause serious accidents.
The Goodlettsville car accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law know firsthand that alcohol and driving don’t mix, and that many of our clients were seriously injured because someone else decided to get behind the wheel after having one drink too many.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident that was caused by a drunk driver, we’ll do everything in our power to help you get compensation for your accident-related expenses, including your medical bills and lost wages. Contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or fill out a free online form to speak with our legal professionals.
