Car Crashes into Creek Bed in Nashville, Trapping Woman Inside

Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury on August 21, 2016

Car Crashes into Creek Bed in Nashville, Trapping Woman Inside

A woman became trapped inside her vehicle after it rolled into a creek bed in west Nashville Thursday after midnight.

According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at around 1:30 a.m. when the woman’s vehicle crashed into a guardrail while navigating a curve, causing the vehicle to roll and end up in the creek bed.

When first responders arrived at the scene, they found the woman trapped inside the vehicle. She had to be extricated from the vehicle by rescue workers. Another person near the vehicle also suffered injuries unrelated to the crash and was transported to the hospital to receive treatment along with the driver.

Police are still investigating the cause of the accident, but a person who lives nearby told reporters that the curves of the road have resulted in accidents in the past.

Another resident of the area believes that police should have a greater presence when it comes to monitoring the road and enforcing the speed limit, as he said that many drivers speed through the area, even though the road features sharp and potentially dangerous curves.

What Should You Do if You Become Trapped Inside Your Vehicle?

Whether it was due to an accident or a weather emergency such as a blizzard, ice storm, or flash flood, you may experience a situation in the future where you are unable to exit your vehicle. Knowing the right steps to take during a situation like this can be life-saving for you and your loved ones.

Following the tips below may be able to help you get out of your vehicle and towards safety in various situations:

In rapidly rising water or if your vehicle is submerging into a body of water

• Unbuckle your seat belt.
• Roll down your car window as quickly as possible. If it won’t open, try to break it open with an object in your car, including your seat’s headrest.
• Exit the vehicle through the open window and move to dry ground immediately. If there’s no dry ground nearby, get on top of your vehicle and call for help or flag down anyone nearby.

In a blizzard or snowstorm

• Unlike water emergencies, you should stay inside your vehicle when trapped due to cold weather storms and sudden blizzards.
• Roll down your window and place a brightly colored article of clothing on the antenna or roof to signal others.
• Call 911 and ask for assistance.
• Run the car’s engine for 10 minutes every hour to keep warm.
• Unclog your vehicle’s exhaust pipe during periods of heavy snowfall to keep it running.

After an accident

• Stay calm and call 911 as soon as possible. Provide the dispatcher with as much information as possible, including your location and the severity of your injuries.
• Unbuckle your seat belt if you’re in an uncomfortable position, but brace yourself in the event that doing so will cause you to fall.
• Cooperate fully with emergency responders and rescue crews when they arrive at the scene, as doing so can help hasten your rescue and reduce your risks of suffering injuries.

As a precaution, it’s important to keep your vehicle stocked with emergency supplies in case you ever become trapped. Things like a blanket, weather radio, cell phone charger or external battery, bottled water, and snacks can help you stay warm and safe while you wait for help to arrive. Other helpful tools to have inside your vehicle include a seat belt cutting tool and a window breaker.

At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that the results of car accidents are completely unpredictable, but we also know that certain types of accidents, such as rollover crashes and crashes that cause vehicles to leave roadways, are more likely to result in victims becoming trapped inside their cars. When that happens, they can suffer serious injuries both due to the accidents themselves and due to the prolonged time that it takes for them to be rescued.

If you or someone you know was trapped or injured in an auto accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, we want to help you recover the compensation you deserve for things like medical bills, lost wages, and more. To find out how we can assist you during this time, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form today.