Posted in Pedestrian Accident,Tennessee Accident Law on August 3, 2017
A 39-year-old man is being charged with vehicular homicide after he struck a pedestrian with his SUV in Nashville late Wednesday.
Per a report by WKRN.com, the accident happened just before midnight in the 1500 block of 22nd Avenue North. An accident report by the Metro Nashville Police revealed that the driver first sideswiped a parked vehicle before he struck the pedestrian.
Emergency responders pronounced the victim dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was cooperative when police arrived. He refused to take a field sobriety test, but a search warrant allowed police to obtain a blood sample to test for signs of intoxication or impairment.
The driver was booked into the Metro jail on charges of vehicular homicide and driving on a revoked license. 68 pedestrians have been killed in traffic accidents and incidents in 2017 in the state, per numbers released by the Tennessee Department of Safety.
What Should You Do if You’re Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrians are common in many Nashville neighborhoods. Unfortunately, the increasing numbers of pedestrians means that the risk of accidents is also increasing.
When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, they’re at high risk of suffering serious, disabling, and often life-threatening injuries. Getting immediate medical attention and treatment is key to ensuring the best possible prognosis and recovery, and to do so, it’s important for both drivers and pedestrians to be prepared in the event of an accident.
If you’re a driver, you should:
Never leave the accident scene, even if the pedestrian doesn’t appear to be injured. Remember that all accidents involving other people or property are required to be reported to law enforcement. Tell the 911 dispatcher where the accident occurred and stay on the line to provide as much information as possible to hasten the response time.
If you’re trained in first aid or CPR, those skills may be crucial for saving the victim’s life or keeping him or her in a stable condition until emergency responders arrive. Don’t move the victim unless he or she is in immediate danger, as sudden movements can worsen neck and spine injuries unless victims are stabilized.
It can be difficult to determine fault in many pedestrian accidents. Having witnesses who saw the accident occur provide their own statements and recollections of what happened can help police and investigators create a clearer picture of the events leading up to the accident. In addition, their statements can also protect your rights if you weren’t at fault.
If you’re a pedestrian, you should:
Whether you, the driver, or a bystander contacted 911 after the accident, it’s vital that you get medical treatment right away. If you’re in pain or think that you were seriously injured, go to the hospital immediately via ambulance. You should seek medical attention even if you don’t think you suffered major injuries, as some injuries are internal and take hours or days to become apparent.
The injuries that pedestrians suffer when they’re struck by vehicles can be life-changing. You may be facing an uncertain future where you’re unable to work for a long period of time, all while dealing with chronic pain and lost mobility. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can pursue a claim for compensation on your behalf.
Matt Hardin Law’s team of Nashville pedestrian accident lawyers knows that these types of accidents can be devastating for both drivers and the people they hit. As the statistics from the Tennessee Department of Safety show, there are multiple fatal pedestrian accidents throughout the state each month, making it paramount that drivers and pedestrians be as alert and cautious as possible when they share the road.
Were you or someone you love injured in a pedestrian accident? If so, our legal team wants to speak with you. We’ve helped many pedestrian accident victims get the money they need for their medical bills and lost wages, and we know what it takes to build winning claims. Get in touch with us today. Just dial (615) 200-1111 or complete a free online consultation form.
