Posted in Car Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on July 14, 2016
Life-Threatening Injuries Reported after Accident in Brentwood
A serious accident resulted in police closing all lanes of traffic in both directions on Old Hickory Boulevard in Williamson County early Wednesday morning.
According to a report by WKRN.com, the accident occurred at around 3 a.m. at the 1500 block of Old Hickory Boulevard at Kingsbury Drive when a vehicle left the roadway after crashing into a large utility pole and leaving wires exposed and in the path of traffic.
After the initial accident, another driver drove over the power lines and then noticed a vehicle was on fire in a nearby wooded area. The witness exited his vehicle and called 911 after he heard someone screaming.
Brentwood police officers soon arrived at the scene, but they had a difficult time reaching the victim due to the downed power lines. He was eventually treated by emergency responders and rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to receive treatment for life-threatening injuries, including a serious leg injury.
Police say that the road will remain closed for the rest of the day while utility crews work to repair damage to the downed power line.
How Can You Assist Victims If You Witness a Car Accident?
It’s common to pass a recent accident scene while you’re driving, and in most cases, emergency responders like paramedics and police have already arrived. But the next accident scene you drive past may have just occurred and the victims could still be in danger and in need of assistance. Knowing the right steps to take during this time can help save lives and reduce the severity of injuries suffered by the drivers and their passengers.
If you drive near a recent accident scene, you can make a difference by following these steps:
Your first priority should be protecting your own safety. Many secondary accidents occur due to other drivers rubbernecking or attempting to avoid debris, and the victims of those secondary accidents are often good Samaritans who stopped to help. Parking your vehicle away from the scene and away from the road keeps it and you safe from oncoming traffic.
If the crash occurred after dark or during fog, rain, or snow, turn on your flashing lights to draw attention to the accident scene. Not only will that help emergency responders locate the crash site, but it will also reduce the risk of other drivers crashing into the disabled vehicles.
Many accident witnesses hesitate to call 911 because they assume someone else already did. Unless emergency responders are already at the scene, you should never assume that someone has already called 911. When speaking with the dispatcher, provide as much information as possible to hasten their arrival and response time.
If you aren’t in danger due to passing traffic or a vehicle fire, approach the crash scene and do your best to assist the victims by giving water, turning off damaged vehicles, or just speaking with them until medical professionals arrive. Never attempt to move victims unless they are in imminent danger, as movement can worse many injuries.
If you saw the accident occur, your statements can be valuable in creating a clearer picture of what happened in the moments leading up to the crash. Stay at the scene until police arrive and recall the events as best you can.
Accident witnesses can play a major role in helping victims and their attorneys build strong claims for compensation, and they can even save lives by immediately calling 911 and providing as much assistance as possible to injured drivers and passengers. Many witnesses are reluctant to help after seeing accidents, but knowing what to do and what not to do after seeing an accident can help you make the right decisions in this situation.
If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident that was caused by a negligent driver, the Brentwood auto accident attorneys at Matt Hardin Law may be able to help you. We have two decades of combined experience fighting for the rights of injured victims, and we know what it takes to win. To speak with our legal team, dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
