Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law,Truck Wreck on March 27, 2015
Dump Truck Strikes Compact Vehicle in Clarksville, Injuring 1
A dump truck carrying large amounts of dirt and travel t-boned a compact car in Clarksville, Tennessee, Thursday morning at the intersection of Purple Heart Parkway and Evans Road. The impact of the collision caused traffic to shut down in both directions for several hours.
The Leaf-Chronicle reports that the accident occurred around 7:18 a.m. and that officers with the Clarksville Police Department responded to the scene at 7:25 a.m.
Despite the severity of the accident, no one in the compact car suffered life-threatening injuries. Due to weather conditions, the driver was transported to Tri-Star Skyline Medical Center in Nashville by ambulance for treatment of their injuries, while the dump truck driver didn’t suffer any serious injuries.
A spokesperson for the CPD says the cause of the accident is currently unknown and an investigation is ongoing.
The accident caused traffic to be rerouted and slowed to a crawl for four and a half hours while emergency and cleanup crews worked the scene to clean up gravel and debris.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Clarksville car accident lawyers hope the driver of the compact car has a fast and complete recovery from the injuries suffered in this accident.
What Makes Dump Trucks Potentially Dangerous to Drivers and Pedestrians?
Although many drivers may not view dump trucks with the same caution that they do full-size tractor-trailers, dump trucks can often weigh nearly as much as large semi-trucks when carrying full loads. Dump trucks pose risks to motorists due to several factors, such as:
Dump trucks sit high up on the road and often have oversized tires. Not only does the height of these trucks make it harder for drivers to see other cars on the road, but it also makes these trucks much more likely to cause serious damage to vehicles and serious injuries to drivers and pedestrians in accidents. The much sturdier constructions of dump trucks also means that passenger vehicles tend to incur much more damage in accidents than the trucks themselves.
As in the case of the accident described above, dump trucks haul thousands of pounds of materials on Tennessee’s roadways. Whether this material is gravel, rocks, concrete, lumber, or any other hard material, these trucks can become even more dangerous during accidents due to the possibility of tipping over and spilling their cargo onto other vehicles. Minor accidents can become serious and life-threatening due to cargo falling on nearby vehicles.
Dump trucks are common at construction sites, as they’re necessary to haul in raw building materials and remove waste. However, dump trucks can pose serious risks to workers, as drivers are often unable to get a clear view of the areas behind them, putting workers at risk of getting run over. Most trucks are equipped with rear-view mirrors and back-up alarms, but many construction sites also use spotters to help further reduce the risk of accidents.
The Clarksville truck accident lawyers at Matt Hardin Law know that dump trucks are vital for many businesses, but it’s important for both the truck drivers and other motorists to exercise caution when driving dump trucks or driving near one.
If you or a family member were injured in an accident involving a dump truck or other large commercial vehicle, our law firm can file a claim designed to help you get compensation for your accident-related expenses, including your medical bills, lost wages, and more. Get in touch with our staff today. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or fill out our free online form. The sooner you contact us after your accident, the better your chances are of getting the money you deserve.
