Posted in Car Accident,Personal Injury,Tennessee Accident Law on March 15, 2016
High-Speed Chase Causes Multi-Vehicle Accident in Sumner County
A 20-year-old man who led police on a high-speed chase in Portland, Tennessee, on Tuesday is being charged with multiple felonies after he caused an accident involving three vehicles.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the chase began just after 6:30 a.m. when an off-duty police officer spotted the man and a woman arguing in the road. When the officer approached the two, the man got in his SUV and fled the scene with the woman inside.
Portland police officers began to pursue the vehicle until just after 8 a.m. when the chase ended after the man’s vehicle collided with two other cars at the intersection of Highway 31 and Kansas Lane near Gallatin, Tennessee.
Police say that the man first sideswiped a 2007 Nissan Altima and then struck a 2009 Mercury Mariner twice. After colliding with the two vehicles, the man’s SUV crashed into a fence and the other vehicles came to a stop near the highway.
A total of four people suffered injuries during the crash, and both the driver of the SUV and the woman inside his vehicle were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment for serious injuries.
The wreckage of the three vehicles caused emergency responders and police to close the roadway for several hours. Police are still investigating the accident.
What Should You Do if You Are Pulled Over by Police?
For the vast majority of people, the reasons for getting pulled over involve traffic violations like speeding, driving with expired license plate tags, or driving with burned-out taillights or turn signals. Getting pulled over by a police officer can be a stressful situation, but there are a few things you can do to make the experience go more smoothly:
If a police officer behind your vehicle turns on his or her lights and siren, it’s vital that you let him or her know that you’re preparing to pull over by using your turn signal, slowing down, and changing lanes to get close to the shoulder of the road or areas where you can safely stop your vehicle. Put as much space between your vehicle and the roadway as possible to help protect the officer from the risks of oncoming traffic.
When the police officer walks up to your vehicle, he or she will ask you questions and may ask to see your license, insurance, and registration. Having your window rolled down and your interior light on helps the officer see into your vehicle more easily. You should also keep your license, registration, and proof of car insurance in easy to reach places so that you can quickly provide these documents to the police officer.
After you’ve spoken with the officer, you’ll need to merge back into traffic. Doing so can be dangerous, particularly on high-speed roadways like highways and interstates. Be extra cautious when re-entering the roadway and wait for a large gap in traffic before merging. Once you’re back on the highway or interstate, accelerate quickly until you reach the speed limit to reduce your risk of being rear-ended by other vehicles.
Police in Middle Tennessee play vital roles when it comes to keeping our streets safe. In addition to assisting accident victims and closing dangerous roadways after crashes, they also ticket drivers who engage in unsafe and reckless behaviors. That’s why it’s important to fully cooperate with police officers and follow the right steps to protect their safety if you’re ever involved in a traffic stop.
At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys fight for the rights of all drivers in the mid-state area who were injured in crashes that were caused by negligent drivers. If you or someone you love suffered injuries due to a careless driver, we want to help you get the compensation you deserve. To speak with our legal team, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form today.
