Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on August 24, 2015
Fatality and Serious Injury Reported after Two-Car Accident near Cookeville
An accident involving two vehicles on Highway 8 in Van Buren County in Tennessee resulted in one man suffering fatal injuries and a woman suffering serious injuries.
According to a report by the Herald-Citizen, the accident occurred around 6 a.m. last Tuesday when the 37-year-old driver of a 1998 Saturn collided head-on with a 2013 Lexus driven by a 64-year-old woman. The Saturn was traveling southbound on Highway 8 and the Lexus was traveling northbound when both vehicles collided.
Both victims of the accident were wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision, and neither drugs nor alcohol are believed to be a factor in the accident at this time. In addition, the cause of the accident is still unknown, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol is conducting a full investigation to determine what caused the collision to occur.
The THP reported that its Community Emergency Response Team is reconstructing the accident scene in in order to have a clearer picture of what caused the accident.
Early Morning Driving Tips
Drivers throughout Middle Tennessee often hit the roadways during the early morning hours—even before sunrise—to begin their daily commutes. While there’s often less traffic during the hours immediately before rush hour begins, drivers also face another danger: limited visibility. If your commute begins before the sun rises, do your best to follow these tips to improve your safety:
Some drivers only turn their headlights on at night, but it’s important to keep yours on throughout the day—especially at dawn when available light and visibility are still limited for yourself and for other drivers. Keeping your lights on can make it much easier for other drivers to see you and for you to see obstacles in the roadway and other vehicles.
Before you leave your house, check the local traffic reports to find out if there are any delays in your commute. Although your smartphone can reroute you away from traffic, it’s better to have an alternative route predetermined ahead of time in order to avoid swerving or dangerously merging in traffic in order to reach an unfamiliar exit or on-ramp.
If you’re fatigued or sleep-deprived, don’t drive. Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs due to blurry vision, impaired judgment, and delayed reaction times. In addition, you’re also at high risk of falling asleep behind the wheel—which can have deadly consequences for you, your passengers, and other drivers.
Morning commutes can be stressful for all drivers, but it’s vital that you stay calm, patient, and alert. Trying to beat the clock to make it to work on time can cause drivers to engage in risky behaviors, like tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, and running stop signs or red lights. If you’re running late on a frequent basis, leave your house early to gain more time and always remember to put your safety and the safety of others above all other priorities on the roadway.
Matt Hardin Law’s team of Cookeville car accident attorneys knows that countless drivers throughout the mid-state area commute dozens of miles to and from work every day. While those trips can quickly become routine, it’s important for drivers to never become complacent or to forget about the potential dangers they might face while on Middle Tennessee’s highways and interstates.
If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and more. To find out how our experienced and dedicated legal team can help you get the maximum settlement after your accident, contact us today by dialing (931) 754-1188 or filling out a free online form.
